What is your vinyl commitment?

I'm really enjoying this conversation   I recently purchased a Japanese issue of Queen Night at the Opera. It was advertised as Near Mint. I expected to have to clean it. I use a Humminguru ultrasonic. When the package arrived it was so pristine I slapped in on the turntable and WOW, it was flawless! That's so unexpected as most vinyl I've purchased benefits greatly from a thorough cleaning. 

As far as this discussion goes, I am a huge fan of CD's and streaming. At the end of the day, the discussion boils down to best sound quality versus the tactile experience. I love both. For convenience, CD's and streaming cannot  be beat. Yet, some nights, placing that vinyl disc on the turntable is insurmountable as an audiophile experience.

I'm all in on vinyl and have been since my 1st system in 1981. Current setup is made up of a mix of new and preowned components. Luxman 441 deck with Micro Seiki 505mkII w/S pipe & have several headshells. Carts by Nagoka, Audio Technica, Shure & Micro Acoustics. Simaudio Moon LP5.3 w/PSX 5.3 power supply. Shunyata Python for the Simaudio PSX. $7500+/- for it all. Pure Joy!

Used VPI Prime, $3k.  Upgraded feet, $350. Hana Umami Red $3k with trade in. Odyssey phono pre, $1k (I think, been 3 years)  Vinyl only system.  Cartridge still breaking in, but sounds pretty damn good. Possible upgrades next year: Pass Labs  phono pre, electronic speed control for TT, better interconnect, probably cryo’d.  

That should do it for the front end. 

Let's see. $900 for my VPI HW-19 in '96. $4000 for my Origin Live Conquerer in '16, $1200 for my Shelter 5000, in 2024, half off bid on eBay, $1000 for my Gold Note PH-10 in 2025. That's $7000 in 2025. Not bad really. Best sounding system for me. 

Technics 1200G (bought used) - $3k

Ortofon Black Cartridge - $550

McIntosh C2300 preamp (bought used) - $3k

$6,500