Advice for a new analog system

@ftrot : I haven't read through this entire thread but thought of these two cents. Firstly:  for the kind of dough you intend to spend I would strongly encourage consultation with competent, trustworthy experts regarding system synergy. Secondly:  Again, I strongly recommend that you schedule and orchestrate serious auditions of whatever components hit your radar screen. Given the budget you have in mind, I assume long distance travel would not be out of the question. Thirdly: I'm also assuming you are aware of all of the necessary accoutrements that go part & parcel with a good vinyl set-up (e.g.  stylus cleaner(s); record weights or clamps; record brushes of air puffers; anti-static poly sleeves; etc.). Lastly (and probably most importantly):  a good record cleaner or cleaning system is a must IMHO. Even new records should be cleaned. Again IMHO, an ultrasonic cleaner or cleaning system is the way to go. If you want convenience, in this regard. consider the Degritter.

Agree w above

you need to be aware of the necessary acroutements including something similar to the degritter or klaudio 

 

 

@allenf1963 +1. I might add these brands as some tables you may want to also consider: the Dr. Feickert Firebird / Deluxe 12 Package with the Tri-Planar U12 Tonearm; the AMG Viella 12; the TW-Acustic Raven; and finally, the Rega P10.
I like your choices of tables 

 

 

 

Dear @ftrot  : Why 34K for a TT' makes no sense to me when there are a way lower price units that could outperforms your thread choice or choices coming from other gentelmans. 

 

My take is to put money accpording what the market best offers you on each audio item.

I know that the Agoners that know me could be " tired " with my TT option that in this thread was named only one time.

M.Fremer reviewed the SAT DD XD-1 turntable with SAT tonearm where the whole package set you back almost 300K and cartridges where the Lyra Atlas Lambda SL and Ortofon Century and he posted there:

 

" The XD1 shares some sonic characteristics with Rega's revolutionary RP 10 turntable: ultrafast, clean transients throughout the audible frequency range; tight, fast bass; revealing midrange transparency; and overall sonic stability and focus. All these characteristics result, apparently, from careful attention paid to structural rigidity and the removal or prevention of unwanted vibrational energy. "

 

in other reviews the Rega had mounted that Lyra too. Well including own excellent Rega tonearm ( not 12" tonearm that's a " myth " an error to own it. ) you pay less than 6K. You have in the Rega package two excellent audio items: TT and tonearm for the same price.

 

Cj or AR phonopreamps?, please don't waist your money. Remember your thread premise:

" I prefer the short cut of a single investment for life. "

 

You can go for one of this options: SimsAudio, Channel D , DSA or the phonolinepreamp Dartzeel ( phono and line preamp in one unit for 40K ). No tube phono stage can " touch " or stays " near " of those SS units and for very good reasons.

You need invest for the best you can in the phonolinepreamp because this unit is the one that must handled the cartridge critical and sensitive recorded signal and the unit not only has to amplify that extremely low output signal but has to do it with extremely low noise and low developed distortions. Additional to that in the phono stage the cartridge signal must pass through a heavy equalization with the inverse RIAA eq.curve that " manipulates " the cartridge signal from around -20db to +20db, this is a 40db swing ! ! ! and that RIAA eq. implementation must be designed  with a frequency response deviation inside no more than 0.1db. This figure is critical.

Cartridge? I agree with @mijostyn  and My Sonic Lab , Ortofon and I could add low output Colibri by VDH ( no more than 0.35mv output level. ), yes could be other options.

 

Well , that's my tak but at the end is up to you.

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

 

 

So many you can choose from that price range , be sure you want stay longer in that game. Go check dealer and talk to them ,sure they will want to help and make business with you even can bring to you to Audition it . VPI ,Basis ,Kuzma at my fav. 
Either DD ,belt or even idler vintage is your choice. Good luck at your journey