Vinyl collection, now what?


Hey folks,

Just inherited a really interesting collection of records from my audiophile crazy uncle.
Lots of master and super master pressings, a complete Time Life Records collection, Sheffield track records, etc.

I have never owned a turntable and know very little about them.

Does anyone have experience digitizing tracks to file using a USB turntable?
Any recommendations for or against?
Am I looking at something potentially very expensive?
I haven't looked through everything but saw lots of albums I would like to digitize.

Thanks everyone!
hleeid

Showing 2 responses by snackeyp

@hleeid  $2-3K for a turntable with decent cartridge is indeed a good place to start.  If you can add $500-1000 for a good preamp as well you'll be hearing that music as it was meant.
That's where I STARTED, LOL.  I love the vinyl sound so much I've upgraded my gear several times now.  Enjoy the new trip.
@hleeid I'm not familiar with that preamp but upon looking at the specs online it seems to be pretty high end.  As I understand there is an option to add a phono board to it.  If you already own this preamp you will need to know which board it has, if any.  At any rate, in my journey I tried several phono preamps before landing on the one I have now.  Your ears will tell you what you like best.  As high bang-for-buck preamps go, it will be hard to find anything better than the Parasound JC3 Junior.  I have the JC3+ and have tried upgrading it, but everything else I heard did not best it.  The Junior is supposed to be very close to the JC3+ but at half the price.  What's great about it is it has loading adjustability for a wide range of cartridges, and the adjustments are very easy to make.  All the controls are on the back of the unit.  No opening up a case and configuring dip switches, etc.  This preamp gives you room to grow as you try other cartridges, as you most likely will if you love vinyl as many of us do.  There are others in this price range that are also excellent, but I don't have experience with them.