Flattire, i had the same concern about the phono stage so when I started focusing in on the Raven products I called them and spoke to James Cahn. Not sure if he's an owner, a designer or both. I asked him what pre he recommends and one of them was the Schiit believe it or not. Reasoning is that the Schiit pre is very well made, low noise and very simply made. It has one job to do and does it well without adding any coloration or to the signal so what you put in is what is sent out. So I figure that I'll take him at his word as I would doubt that he would recomend a pre that did a disservice to his product.
|
Noromance, I'm getting into vynle/analog for a few reasons. First, I want to experience the pure analog sound. Second, just owning the physical albums with the art and inserts I think is cool and important. Third, I feel that when you take the time to place an LP on the table one is more apt to sit and listen more intently instead of thinking about what song you're going to stream next. At least for me I think that would be true. And finally, the Raven Blackhawk should be a nice improvement in all around SQ over my Anthem AVR.
|
|
Thanks all. Very helpful. I think I'm going to steal clear of an isolated drive table as physical placement of the unit and my lack of knowledge would be an issue. They sure look bad ass though. I think I'll keep an eye out for a used vpi as suggested by stringreen. MoFi is still in the running and I've added clearaudio. I've got a slight problem spending playmoney on stuff made in 3rd world country's. That's why I'm not considering technics. I know they are a solid brand and I'm a frigging hypocrite because I own 2 RELs.. ..nobody's perfect.
Axpert,
Thank you for you advice as well. Very informative, but I don't think flattire was trying to dissuade. I think he was just giving honest advice from his experience, and therefore not an idiot. BTY...what that amp u posted?
|
Just don't care for the looks of sota. Except their really expensive ones.
MattM. Sorry if I'm not cool enough to be in your elite vynle club. Probably a bit lonely there anyway. Maybe one of the other nice cool guys on this thread will let me in their club and teach my the ways of thy Holly Vynle
Thanks again all!!
|
Thanks again all for your knowledge and words of caution. I like tweaking with things and love gound sound so it's sounds like analog will be rewarding.
I just talked to a local dealer and he has a Clearaudio Performance DC table with a Clarify Carbon tone arm and Virtuoso V2 cart. He says it's in mint condition. Asking 3300. Anyone have a thought on that deal?
|
Dogberry,
I've inherited a bunch of old classical LPs from the 50s and 60s that were my fathers. I'd like to listen to them. Besides that, I'm 50 yrs old now and finally have some disposable income which I'm choosing to spend on the HiFi hobby because I enjoy it and my wife does too. Although she won't readily admit to it. So that's it in a nut shell
|
Will do. I went to hifi dealer today to listen to a Clearaudio table. He had it hooked to a Hegel. It was ok. I asked for it to be hooked to a tube amp that was in the room and Holly crap....the sound stage about doubled.
|
Well said Kerrybh
Thank you
|
Thanks puptent
Upscale Audio has VPI Super Prime Scout 21 with the 10.5: arm,and VTA on the fly (not really sure what that is) for $3899 and they are giving a choice of 4 cartridges:
Ortofon 2m bronze $300
|
Sorry wasn't done
Ortofon 2m black 500
Soundsmith zephyr MIMC ES $1700
Soundsmith Otello ES 400
Sound like a good deal?
|
Thanks. I think I'm over the vpi thing now. The unipivot kinda scared me off. The isolated drive also is a bit impractical for my real world scenario. So that's another mark against vpi and kinda rules out the Michell Technodec. I'm now on to Rega or EAT or a used Avid Volvere if the price is right. My default is think will still be MoFi.....maybe. this kinda sucks but fun at the same time. I'm driving the wife nuts. Thanks for everyone's input. I
|
|
3 to 4 k. I have looked at projects. They may be in the running. Aural is selling a used avid in my range that looks killer. I'm like a kid in a candy shop....too many choices.
|
I've thought about that believe me. Thought process is to get good enough gear that with the swapping of tubes or carts it will satisfy my itch for years to come. The other rout as you suggested, I've went down with my digital end and within a year I had completely revamped my system. So in the long run I would have been money ahead with better gear to start with. Problem was I didn't have the knowledge or know what I was missing. Hence the rabbit hole of pursuing better sound. I know what pretty damn good sounds like now. So I just assume to start my analog journey at about the same level as my digital set up and do it in such a way that allows growth and not get discouraged because the sound is inferior to what I have already. I hope that makes sense. Not saying it's the correct way of thinking of things it's just how I'm looking at it.
|
The Scout is. Unless their site hasn't been updated
|
Very true Lewn. Unfortunately that would probably put the scout above my budget. Maybe I'll email vpi to see what options they for that table that wouldn't blow my budget. I know the arms they list on there site are all over 1k
|
It's in a living room and needs to be wife approved. So yes. Looks matter. Looks matter in all of this hobby. Don't kid yourself. Someone else had the same ridiculous notion of why one would buy a record player without records. That's ridiculous and dumb as hell. Why would one have records without a player??? BTW genius, I do have an extensive classical LP collection that was my dad's. Vibration isn't an issue. It's been checked.
Thanks
|
Landed on the Rega Planar 8. Not only rated well and recomended by my local hi fi store( shout out to Saturday Audio In Chicago) but the minimalist design fits my living space. I'm a little apprehensive because it is such a minimalist design and so light that it kinda feels cheap. Initial listening on less than stellar LPs has me liking what I'm hearing however. Im using a Hana EH MC HO cart with a Schiit Skoll pre.
|
Thanks kerrybh and dentdog. I appreciate positive feedback
I've been playing my planar 8 through my Anthem AVR. Not ideal I know but I want to know how the table sounds before I introduce tubes , which is something that will be a learning curve too. I my son brought an Eminem album over and a neighbor some techno LPs and im telling u now that the bass was fantastic. The Anthem ARC helps im sure, but what I'm more impressed with is that while listening to a second hand Rumors album and comparing it with the same off of Quboz, the instruments sound more real and sound has more depth, if that makes sense. Maybe new owner bias but wife agrees. Can't wait to get a tube amp. Pretty sure I'm going with Raven
|
Thanks kennyc. I'm enjoying it. Cleaning the hell out of everything 😄
Only thing that's hard for me to wrap my head around is why all the other TTs at this price point ( to my knowledge) weigh so much more. Seems like completely different approaches with Regas being in the minority.
|
