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Wanting to get into Vinyl - Need help

I'm a complete neophyte when it comes to turntables and vinyl. Recently I've gotten the itch to take the plunge, but I'm a bit out of my element so I'm looking for suggestions.

My system is Rotel electronics and Vandersteen 2 ce sigs. Nothing grandiose, but I like the sound and it fits my budget. I currently have a Denon DP300F with a Ortofon RED cartridge upgrade on order. The TT won't be in until April so of course this has given me time to look around and read more reviews. Now I'm having second thoughts, and I'm debating changing/canceling my order.

The phono preamp I've decided on is the Musical Fidelity V-LPS MKII. I've also kicked around the NAD PP3i, but the the reviews don't seem as favorable. Any others I should be looking at?

Now for the TT options. The "short list" in my price range seem to be the Rega RP1, Music Hall MMF2.2, Pro-ject Debut III. These three seem pretty indistinguishable from eachother. I guess the Denon DP300F could fit into this catagory as well. I've also seen suggestions for looking at used "vintage" TT's but honestly I wouldn't know what I'm looking for. I don't want something twitchy that I have to lube or whatever people do :) I would consider a more modern used TT if the price is right.

I'm not planning on being a tweaker here. I just want to play music. Can someone help me whittle this pack of TT's down to a choice?

Thanks!
mustangjeff
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Expect to spend far more than you expect to spend.
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jazzerdave
163 posts
 
If you're not really wanting to do any tweaking, I would strongly recommend that you do not mail-order a TT. Find a local dealer or a local A-gon member who'd be willing to help set up your table. I enjoy the whole process and am capable of setting up my deck and making adjustments, but it's not something to attempt on your own without any guidance.

As for the gear you listed, the V-LPS is a great choice for your budget, and I'd probably go with an RP1.
richteer
12 posts
 
Congrats on wanting to take the vinyl plunge! The Rega RP1 is a safe bet as far as the TT is concerned, and as for affordable phono stages, I really like the Cambridge Audio 640P (I reviewed it in Vinylphile one or two issues ago). As a bonus, the 640P is MC-capable.
rockitman's avatar
rockitman
417 posts
 
$$$ aside, stick with your gut. Vinyl (well sorted) blows digital away. Plenty of good sounding re-issue records are available (acoustic sounds, elusive disk) and ebay is your friend for out of print stuff. You will spend alot more doe on analog than digital though when all is said and done.
sbrownnw
693 posts
 
I second the local analog / turntable shop for demoing and setup. As for phono preamps, I really like my Pro-ject phono tube box II. It matches up well on the Ortofon MC-3 turbo (a high output MC so you run it on MM phono stage settings). The MC-3 turbo also has a fine line stylus that I really like as a great tracker with new and used records of varying conditions from my local used record store. The rest of my TT gear includes a Pro-ject Xpression III and Pro-ject speedbox I going into Audio Refinment preamp and amp using Mogami interconnects (all a great bang for the buck!).
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