2. analog
  3. 1280686802

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

I'm just curious how much it would cost to get the equipment required to make vinyl worth listening to. I know players are available for cheap, but would anticipate the sound quality to be the same.

What would be your recommendation to go with a system worth about $5,000 in total? Is there a significant advantage to vinyl at this level? I've heard vinyl on high enough equipment to know that at it's best it's better than digital, but am not sure what it would cost for the average joe to get a quality sound.
mceljo

Showing 5 responses by maineiac

maineiac
649 posts
 
The OP doesn't want to get on an escalator to higher and higher expenditures, and there's absolutely no indication that anyone posting and reading Audiogon discussion threads has the fortitude or willpower to stay with a sub $1000 analog rig.

Agreed. I wish I had the willpower to stay with any single aspect (cart, phono, table, arm) that is sub $1000.
maineiac
649 posts
 
Mceljo, that is a good question and I would agree that in the 2-3K range sounds about the right spot for a beginning TT set-up. It is a slippery slope though, the next thing you know you will have 10K in an analog front end and all the associated accessories.

In looking at your system, you may want to first consider gear that is designed solely for 2 channel listening before going that route.
maineiac
649 posts
 
IMO, you would get more return on spending $2-3K on a high quality integrated amp with a home theater pass through vs. going vinyl. I have a lot of respect for Integra and have listened to their equipment many times. It is excellent home theater kit but I am quite sure you would be taking a big step forward in 2 channel with the right equipment that was a good match for your speakers.
maineiac
649 posts
 
Clio99, I was reading your hypothesis that a system built with scraps could sound awesome. If in reality it is scraps with a $10K+ speakers then I am not sure the point is as valid.
maineiac
649 posts
 
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.

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