For 200 pounds I think you'd get :
- used planar 2/3 (125 gbp)
- Audio technica AT-95 cartridge (25gbp)
- project phono stage. (50gbp)
This fits your budget and provides for easy upgrades if you like it ... origin mods on the rega, a cartridge upgrade (to a rega or other cartridge) and the phono stage can easily be upgraded (for example audiolab ppm)
But I think the above list would be an enjoyable start point. The points about it being a lot of work are well made, but perhaps a little overstated IMHO. |
I recently did what you are asking about, I lacked an analog front end and phono section but read all the stuff about how great and superior to digital that vinyl sounds and had to find out for myself.
I left a wanted to buy on this board and decided on a Rega Planar 3 about 3 years old, with an SME 3009 III and a new Benz Micro MC20E2 cart all mounted. It took weeks to receive as the cart neede to be replaced (blown channel) and I grew impatient.
Here is the key point, I believe, to this post. Analog requires commitment and patience on the user's part in a way that digital does not. I was ready after a few weeks to chuck the whole thing and sell it, went as far as listing it on other forums as for sale. I was sick of hand cleaning records slavishly to reduce surface noise. Getiing up after 20 minutes to put another one on the player.
Then a strange thing happened, I was listening to a decent copy of Bach's Brandenburgs and the violins and cello's actually sounded like stringed wooden instruments. The drive and pace of the music was palpable, it added to the joy of listening. An occasional crackly was forgiven.
No more plans to sell. A record cleaning machine appears to be a near necessity but even without it, I hear the differences and I like them. I haven't sold my Sony SACD player and I intend to keep it because it gives me pleasure too.
My costs to get here were around $700 USD,-TT setup, phono section, interconnects, stylus force gauge shipping etc.
So 200 GBP might be light.
For me it became like a relationship, I had to work at it for it to work. |
DD makes any excellent point and provides a great gateway for sampling, regardless of the reason. |
Francisco, now that I see the goal is to "solve the vinyl versus CD question", I catch your drift...... |
Some wisely chosen 2nd hand TT's can be "rented" in a sense--they've largely depreciated to their bottom price, so one can buy them now and sell 'em later for roughly the same price. I bought a Heybrook for $350 and sold it later for $275 without cartridge or mat; the missing $75 was well worth it. Other brands/models must offer a similar opportunity. Of course, buying a lemon TT is always an unfortunate possibility. |
The reasoning in the AA mssg posted above by psychicanimal seems pretty sound. Regarding budget, the real bottom line goes not to hardware but to LP "software" acquisition. Imagine if your musical tastes run to Blue Note jazz classics... something else to consider is that you will then be running 2 households, one analog, the other digital. Divided attention (doubled concerns) may result in reduced musical enjoyment, less likely so in the assumedly hoped for epiphany. |
David, if someone goes to vinyl to find out the "vinyl vs CD" controversy he/she is headed for a lot of unnecessay trouble. There is no question per se! One should get into vinyl because there is music in that format that either is not available in CD or it's much cheaper in vinyl format.
I just spent $126 for seven used records. Unavailable in CD and from...Argentina! Tangos, gaucho ballads and folk music. Turns out that the records were $69, the rest is shipping and Western Union fees.
My intent is to cause shock and reflection...
Personally, I think our mate would be better served by the creature, as it is a universal TT and as I understand there are Rega armboards for the 1200 available in the UK. |
So, Francisco, why would you advise Layton to eschew the purchase of a table? You have the creature. What in Layton's post makes you think that he will be less able to tolerate the foibles listed in the post link to which you link (real or imagined) than any of the rest of us? :-) |
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Sorry, the table I was referring to is the Heybrook TT-2.
It shares some design concepts with the Linn LP12, but sells for less. It lacks the upgrade path of the LP12 and is no longer produced (so repair could be a problem). They have sold on eBay in the $275-350US range. |
200 quid is a tad on the low side for an analogue rig (i.e. TT, arm, cartridge). Assuming you'll build the phono stage, try to find a used ProJect, Thorens, or Teres with arm. If need be, you can tinker with the Thorens and improve the sound.
A Linn LP12 would probably be more expensive. As to your choices, I wasn't charmed by the Systemdeck. Don't know the Michell, unfortunately. |
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A table somewhat like a Linn LP12, there's one for 349 GBP at Walrus Audio but you might find one in your price range on eBay or similar sources. Often they have the Linn Basik arm, but you could upgrade sometime in the future if you decide vinyl is for you.
Don't know how it compares to the Michell or Systemdek. |
