What kind of distortion drives you buggy?
For some, it's frequency wow caused by off-centre records. For me, it's high frequency tizz - so I am vinyl only. Just something to consider.
Table,cartridge,phono...where to put most of my money?
Let me start by saying im a digital guy,to be specific a CD/SACD guy.Years ago I ventured back into vinyl only to be totally disappointed in my efforts.I wanted to hear the records I had been hauling around the country every time i relocated.I bought a Linn LP12 and had all the upgrades done.I never could get it sounding good,even paid to have it setup by a so called expert...Fast forward ,I tried again maybe 6 years ago.Bought a VPI super scout with a couple different phono stages(dont recall what they were)..About the same outcome,was ok but for all the fuss,time,cost I felt another unsuccessful attempt..A few weeks ago i bought at an auction a direct drive Pioneer table from the 70s for a couple hundred.It was paired with a decent cartridge.I bought a used phone amp off ebay and off and rolling i went.Its no where near my digital side across the board and i didnt expect it to be but its got me wanting more....Long story short,I have a budget of 5k/6k for everything..table,cartridge and phone amp..Yes i understand everything is important but where would you put the bulk of the budget...and what would you buy with the limited info given,,Thanks
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The only advice you received that made any sense to your post was the Technics 1200G. $3k for a used one is the right money, find a Herron MC phono stage (early model)1500ish and that leaves you $1500 for a cartridge and with that find a Audio Technica Art 9 and your done. So around $5500 and you can enjoy your LP’s. I have owned the above items so can speak on it, my current vinyl setup up is a Maxxed out STS Thorens 124 with Jelco 850L, Ortofon TA110 tonearms, Herron VTPH-2A phono preamp. Koetsu Urishi Black, Haniwa HTCR-01 cartridges. Good Luck and max out your budget and there is a noticeable difference as you move up the food chain in vinyl. |
OK, from your story, there is one thing that is certain. The problem was unlikely to be with the turntables you bought. Both are outstanding. So, I would look at your phonostage. My rule of thumb is that each component should be carefully chosen and generally of equal investment… so Turntable = Phono stage = preamp = amp. Then what @theflattire said sounds reasonable… 1/3 each. But given your previous experience, I definitely do not think you should be considering choosing pieces. You should get a pre configured table like a Linn LP12 Majik, or VPI. VPI offers cartridges, you talk to them about the sound characteristics you seek and they will recommend the cartridge. I am not a big Rega fan… but also a good choice.
So, do you want to put out $10K? Or invest the $10K in getting better sound from your digital end? I have equivalent sound quality from both my analog end and digital end. But, I am an old fart who has been collecting records since the late 1960’s. If you are drawn to it.. go for it.
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I have 100s of LPS so going out and buying more is not necessary. I still have a vacuum record cleaner from the last attempt that I've already busted out of the closet along with a lot of lp tools...this system consist of Pass labs int60 as its power into Dynaudio confidence 20s w Rel S510 stereo pair |
Spend the majority of money on the turntable. The Technics SL-1200G is a no brainer for a true entry level HI/End deck. At $4500 for 1200G this leaves $1500 leftover. Allocate the least possible amount for a solid cartridge(Ortofon 2M Blue) then add a Bel Canto phono preamp(e. One) $1500 new $1k used. This set up will give you several future cartridge MM/MC upgrade options. |
I would try the little things first: record cleaning, if you can go to a local shop where they let you do it isolation/vibration management, make sure no resonance from e.g. a sub stylus tracking force pressure gauge - $30 on amazon for me the biggest improvement was the phono stage. I think you have to have really great speakers and amplification to make spending 5K worthwhile. |
I always thought 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 was a good starting point. That way, there should be no bottlenecks or weak links and hopefully each component should be bringing out the best of the other. A $1500 TT, cart, and phono stage, I think is a great start! Of course it helps to do your homework and spend wisely. |