New to Analog and just played my first record in

Understand. $1500 in CD player, but sounds better then many $4000 players.

I have heard some say a good TT and decent phono will sound better then most CD players. The ART is really pretty good according to some who own it and have compared it to other phono stages costing up tp $500.

I don't expect it to sound better then my CD player, I was hoping for some of the magic! I taste if you will. This taste could propel me to spend more time and $$ on upgrades in the future.

LP's can be had so cheap that I thought LP's could be a neat secondary music source.

I just put on a String LP that does sound really good. Perhaps the table and pre need to warm up.

Bill

Rushton, good idea. Problem is it would be different room, gear etc.

Bill

Ejlif,

I understand your point and hear you saying I must spend big $$ to make records sound as good as my current CD front end.

I have learned one thing over the years I have enjoyed gear and music. One can spend very little money on a piece of gear and it can sound wonderful. My current reference system is proof of that. Yes, a $50 phono preamp can sound as good as highly reviewed $500 units. The company that makes this $50 phono preamp makes a $200 amp that has bested many amps costing up to $2000. I know this first hand. ART is a Pro/recording studio gear company. They make great sounding gear for a song and most Aphiles are simply to closed minded to try it.

I listened more last night and one Sting LP sounded very good indeed. I think the table and pre needed to warm -up and more burn in is needed in the $50 preamp. I also realize that the sound is greatly impacted by the quality of the LP recording. I was amazed at the sound of the Sting LP with my free turntable and $50 phono preamp. I did have a taste of something special for 45 minutes last night.

I may just keep the few great sounding LP's I can find for cheap and have fun with my $50 set -up!

I did read the table and pre set up directions and everying is set up properly and working well.

Bill

Blbloom

I don't follow, but sorry you find it silly.

I have worked pretty hard and have had fun finding wonderful gear at modest prices. Yes the little rant you gave above can and is true if one takes the time and a/b's lots of gear like myself.

Again, sorry you don't understand.

Bill

Amen Rushton.
My goodness this is my final post in Agon. Please read what I have said. I don't expect my minimal investment in analog to sound better or as good as my digital front end. I did not say that. I said I wanted some of the analog magic - and taste of it.

Some of you need to read and try to understand before making out of context remarks.

In terms of investment please consider the following.The table I was given is worth $100 or so. It sold for $300 new some 20 years ago. The cartridge costs $250 new right now. I am using a power supply on the phono preamp that costs $150. The phono pre costs $50. Add it up and it is a decent amount of money.

I am astounded by some of the responses. I thank those that made some good points.

Thanks,

Bill

Herman

You're right. I have no idea if the cartridge is sounding its best or if it has lost significant fidelity.

After playing that one Sting LP I have heard enough to know that analog is indeed special. It sounded pretty darn good on a 20 year old table and cartridge. Yes, my CD player still beats it, but the gap is more of what I expected.

Still missing some dynamics and yes surface noise is an issue on the LP's I have.

It is fun to play records however and I am planning on doing some slight mods to my phono preamp and upgrading or replacing the cartridge.

Bill