What's the cost of an entry level vinyl setup?

Why would the OP necessarily get on an escalator to higher and higher expenditures?

I get the whole upgrade bug among us. In my case I'm always looking for my analog equipment to better my digital. So obviously I've been on the escalator. I also agree that other forums like Audio Circle and Vinyl Engine, maybe even Audio Asylum might be more appropriate for the OP. On the other hand we sure get a lot of those Technics SL-1200 threads and discussions around here.

What I can't help but ponder in this case is after looking at the OP's system, assuming it is up to date, that there are a number of vinyl set-ups under $1000 that can better the Pioneer and Integra players he has. The OP started the post by saying he felt a cheap investment would equal cheap sound. A few of us posted why this would not be the case. The OP also asked for a recommendation for a $5000 vinyl set-up. Considering it is early in his endeavor and considering his system, that's way to much IMO.

I think this is one case where the OP could assemble a nice budget sub-$1000 vinyl set-up and be happy with it.

The general cost estimate seems to be $2,000+ for great quality sound. I'm enjoying learning about vinyl and what it takes to really get it right. I simply can't afford to start down that never ending path...

No it's not if you do thorough due diligence. Thom Mackris gave you some excellent advice on a set up. Even adding in the cost of a good record cleaner (VPI) and fluids you'd be under $1000. As Thom said, you'd have nothing to apologize for either.

Analog is my priority, but I have what I consider to be a an excellent digital set-up. I recently purchased a Galibier Serac from Thom that has an SME Series III tonearm mounted on it and I use a B&O MMC-2 cartridge. I also use the Hagerman Bugle phonostage. This system exceeds $3k and while I was waiting for it to be delivered I played around with a few B&O tangential tracking tables. None of these tables cost me more than $550 with cartridge. All of them delivered very good sound (very competitive with digital) and while I can clearly hear that the Galibier set-up is better (and exceeds my digital playback), I will admit I could have easily lived with my refurbished B&O 8000 with MMC-2 cartridge.

Dual, AR, Thorens, Luxman, Lenco, Empire, and B&O tables among others can get you great sound for little investment and set-up effort/maintenance. What really appears to be the issue is that you're on the fence and can't decide if you even want to get into vinyl. If that's the case consider this last point. You can buy a nice vintage table (with tonearm), a decent cartridge, the Bugle phono, a Nitty Gritty cleaning set-up, and some records and give it a whirl. If it doesn't work out you should be able to resell everything pretty easily and not suffer too much of a loss in the process. My feeling is if you do it right, you won't be selling it off.

I was interested in finding out if it was possible to do vinyl with a budget that was within reason compared to my existing system. It sounds like it could be.

I've also noticed that I'm at a level of audio that is essentially picking up scraps from the kitchen floor compared to the average audiophile on this forum.

As I've said a $1000 set-up including cleaning equipment and some vinyl to spin would be a fair expenditure considering the overall value of your system IMO. I also think you're the type of person, based on your posts, that can be satisfied with that investment, as well as the sound it would produce, and avoid riding the escalator.

As to your other comment, let me share an experience from this past weekends Bay Area Audio show. There was a room using "scraps" that included an Audiolab 8000 integrated amp ($300 used) and a Magnavox CDP ($50 used). I won't mention the speakers, but I will say the sound in that room was in my top 3 of the whole show.

Clio9, if he does, and if he stays with it for even six months, then he'll be the first in these threads to have done so as far as I can tell.

I have faith in him :)

BTW, having owned a Technics SL-1200, I don't believe one can get a satisfying, long-term, "entry level" set-up based around this table (or a Rega P-3, or Music Hall MMf 7.1, or...) for less than $2K (including table, arm, cartridge, phono preamp, interconnects, platform/base, set-up tools, and cleaning supplies).

As you were a SL-1200 user you obviously have more experience with this table. However, it keeps getting mentioned in "budget" threads and that was my point.

I'll disagree with the Rega P-3, or for that matter the refurbed/modified AR or Thorens tables such as those that can be found on Vinyl Nirvana. As a B&O user I'll say an 8002 refurbished by Soundsmith can be an extremely satisfying table.

"Clio, we have to at least know the price level of the speakers?"

Why?

They were far from $10k+ speakers and I'm still not sure I'm seeing the point.

In my analogy, I was taking into account what the OP listed as the price for his speakers plus sub (about $4k), and how that compared to the cost of his other components.

The total cost of the system I heard including cabling was $7k. It was #3 in my top 3 rooms at the show (Dehavilland and Salk Sound were #1 and #2).