Opinions on Reference LP Digitization System ...


I'm considering my options for digitizing my LP collection, and, after doing a bit of research, came up with the following list of components (with current retail prices, noted). Computer itself not included in list. This is all hypothetical.

I'd be aiming for 'reference' but not 'money doesn't matter at all'.

Maybe, rather than choosing/commenting on what *you* would personally choose, think of the following: imagine 100 audiophiles are in a room, including you - what set-up would have the highest average score?

In terms of cartridge, do you think pure neutrality would win out on average (and if so, what cartridge would you suggest) or slightly sweeter/warmer (and again, if so, what cartridge)? Other cartridge thoughts?

Feel free to pick apart the list, but if you substitute something more expensive, that means having to sacrifice elsewhere (the hypothetical list below totals approx. $42,000, so think of approx. $45,000 as your budget, buying new (not from Audiogon)).

Many thanks in advance for any comments received.

VPI HR-X TT + JMW 12.7 tonearm + Valhalla wiring ($15,000)
Air Tight PC-1 Supreme cartridge ($9,000)
Kimber Kable PK14 Palladian power cord for TT ($1,300)
Ginko Cloud 11 (medium) isolation platform for TT ($600)
Ginko dustcover for TT ($400)
Channel D Seta L (rechargeable battery) phonopreamp ($4,100)
Kimber Kable Orchid (preamp-aesb digital connect) ($700)
Lynx AES16 soundcard ($700)
Shunyata Cyclops power conditioner ($2,000)
Grand Prix Audio Monaco 3 shelf stand ($2,900)
VPI Typhoon record cleaner ($2,700)
Furutech DeMag LP demagnetizer ($2,700)
Aesthetix ABCD-1 cartridge demagnetizer ($200)
herschelr
RW - consider me suitably put-in-my-place vis-a-vis reality.

Although I completely understand the reaction, there are considerations re: $/motivation that, in retrospect, perhaps should have had me frame my question differently, so let me try again.

Framed differently (attempt #2): I'd appreciate any input as to building a reference LP digitization system. Normally, anybody considering this would be constrained by financial reality of the average audiophile/consumer/working-person. I'd simply like to remove that (for the most part) from the equation.

The reason I capped it out at $45,000 is that when I was considering a 'reference' system, I came up with the system noted at the beginning of this thread - in other words, I wasn't constrained by my own wallet, but at the other end, I wasn't selecting the most expensive TT, cartridge, etc. on the planet. So instead of pure 'dreaming', I thought of it as a 'dream-with-limits' (if that makes any sense), while still being able to clearly call the system 'reference'.

Maybe imagine I've been hired by a wealthy individual to determine the answer to this question (I haven't, but the mental parameters become a bit different then).

RW - I'm genuinely interested in your comment about making a superb transfer for well under 10K - what would those components be?

If the thread becomes a string of mocking me, I'd understand, but I'm trying to remove $ (for the most part) out of the equation when people are considering their thoughts. By placing a limit of $45,000, someone wouldn't come back with, e.g., 'start with the Clearaudio Ultimate Reference TT' ...

Many thanks, in advance for the thoughts.

C.
Well, I think that $45k for the setup for recording might be just a tad high...

I might think about going with some software that would let you do the computer recording before the RIAA filter has been applied (well, the analog to digital conversion.)

http://www.channld.com/purevinyl/
http://www.stereophile.com/computeraudio/pure_vinyl_lp_recording_amp_editing_software

You'd get fine control over the whole process with some software specifically designed for it.
My understanding is the Lynx AES16 soundcard is acting as the a/d converter, although a stand-alone A/D converter (between the amp and the computer) is another option.

Tx.

C.
... and Greenkiwi, yes, the software I'd use would be PureVinyl by ChannelD - I was more focussing on getting the signal from the record to the software ...

C.