Where is the significant point of diminishing returns on hi-end turntable?

mmporsche

I am assuming from your OP that you are not someone getting back into vinyl after many years; and that you are new to it and have never had a vinyl setup ?

If this is the case it is really important to determine if you will even enjoy the experience. Listening at the dealer is one thing. Listening at home is another. How good the experience will be is based on how good the setup is, and if you are a certain personality type. It is not plug and play like digital, valuable records and your cartridge are easily trashed if you are not careful.

This is no different than learning how to drive stick and the clutch is your cartridge ....so ......are you prepared to destroy a $100 cartridge or a $2000 cartridge.

For this reason I would recommend (consider it a loaner setup) to get your feet wet. If that proves enjoyable ...go from there. Have your dealer set up a decent rig in your room and use it for a few weeks. Then you can decide if it is really for you.

With Vinyl Setup

A $3000 (table, tonearm, cart - phono stage ) set up well, will out perform a much more expensive set up that is not set up well.

Is your listening room on a suspended floor ?

Is your existing audio setup full range. Goes to 20 hz.

These two factors introduce more complications with vinyl since how the signal starts is with vibrations, resonances, .....stylus in the groove.

My 2 cents. Just some thoughts over coffee this morning. Good Luck with whatever you decide. .

I will be blunt, I want to be that guy in the Memorex ad from the 80’s that is
getting blown away by his system (my impression is he is overwhelmed by the amazing sound coming from that speaker not the volume).

that guy is listening to tape :^)

my impression is that guy is in a very hot room because there is a fan blowing to the left of the speaker (out of view)

hah hah

Does your existing digital not give you this experience now ?


(race prepped 993 here)

mmporsche - I am seeking out the local experts and will have them setup my table.  If I need to adjust something than I will certainly have the knowledge and tools.

Local experts – implying someone that will get you to about 8-9 out of 10 on the first setup. Local experts have familiarity with certain brands.
based on the info you have provided on this thread, one of your objectives is "set and forget"

If this was me, I would be looking to get real life experience, opinions, from actual owners here, on those table setups/ brands that the local experts represent and are promoting. I would be listing out the brands.
Otherwise, you will continue to get new TT candidates here from members.

Good luck in your hunt. 

rogerabbit
If you want the best sound, irrespective of price, then you should look into the rebuilt idler wheel drive units from Jean Nantais.

my two Canadian cents.
In this small niche Analog world, I believe Jean Nantais is a Canadian icon and rightly so.
I mean C'mon....he took his portable Lenco to audio crazed Greece and challenged a local favorite called an EMT. Apparently it has a lot of fans.
Those in the room felt his Lenco defeated the EMT - as the story goes - for
those that were in the room.

So what does this prove to me, as someone who was not there.

that personal Setup was probably very important.

But..... how many of MMP's local experts even know about Jean Nantais or his products ? 

mmporsche

some comments on what you said earlier.

I started with a $6 to $10K budget and now I am considering a $25K setup

I spent a number of hours listening to the Gavia II from Thom Mackris. Very nice presentation. However, we switched over to his prototype rim drive using magnets and I became hooked on the more pronounced delivery of each note. Problem is the deliverable product is slated for 6-9 months away and the price is well above my total budget.

First - You will never forget that moment. Also things in the analog vinyl world move real slow (33.3 rpm) :^)
 6-9 months is but a blip.

Secondly - in regards to budgets. If you have multiple "interests", I find that budgets are all relative anyway. For example with my own experiences.
I have two constant year round interests - running and music (meaning buying/acquiring of music)
I also have at least three seasonal interests; audio gear (colder months), cars and boats (warmer). It's a good thing these are seasonal interests. fwiw I spent more on running shoes in 2016 than actual audio gear.

So just something for you to consider before you make a decision. This is after all a hobby. I know in my case also when Audiophilia Nervosa does strike,  I tend to remember those moments. 


Cheers Chris