2. analog
  3. 1198779011

How Much Is TOO MUCH for a Analog front End?

Hello All
I have a question hopefully you can help me decide.After having had the "bug" (you all know what I mean) for much of my fomative years, I have reached a point in my evolution that I've got the urge to upgrade my front end to that last step.
What I am contemplating is a purchase I am almost afraid to make. Having read soo much about these killer tables from various "cottage" companies (Teres,Redpoint,Galibier,etc) I have really got the itch.Not that my current front end isn't giving me enjoyment.It consists of a VPI HW-19 mk III in between 3 and four status, twl modded OL Silver arm,with various carts, a 103,Dyna DV-20X etc.,
but what I'm getting hot and heavy about is a Galibier Gavia,Schroder mod 2 or maybe Redpoint Medel B with the same mod 2 arm?
but were talking roughly $9-10k not exactly lunch money.
So this brings us to the question How much is TOO much for a table/arm set up? (now thinking about it this maybe the wrong place to ask this question lol) should it be in proportion to my income?
give me some input.In all honesty, I won't be able to purchase it til maybe August If I start saving now.
Please give me some indication,as I am bordering on an Intervention!!

HELP ME!
braab
braab8
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Braab8,

You may have answered your own question. You've certainly hinted at an answer. If spending a certain sum for a certain item would cause you to feel stessed, guilty, financially stretched, etc. then that is too much for you to spend. Of course only you can weigh those emotional and financial factors.

Stringreen's advice is reasonable but perhaps premature. Listening to a "dream" setup that you ultimately decide you can't afford may not be the best move. Better to decide on a budget you can live with first, then listen to things that seem within reach.

We've had visits from several A'goners in the last year. Several of them ended up spending a great deal more money than they planned. One recent visitor came to hear a Teres table. He ended up buying a used Teres/Schroeder and he's very happy. Somewhat to his surprise, he has also ended up buying our cartridge, preamp, amp and even RCM! That little visit cost him $16-18K more than he'd planned, and that was with finding everything used.

So be careful what you audition, you might like it!
newbee
4,751 posts
 
FWIW, don't forget that the differences between a good 3K front end and a 10K front end are very subtle and would be lost in the actual performance limitations imposed by many average/good quality phono pres, pres, amps, and speakers (and it only takes one turkey in the chain to defeat the benefits of the new system).

If you already have a high-performance (resolving) system, look at your check book balance, the extent to which your wife's eyes bug out when you tell her what you want to do, look at the stars when on your knees praying, and hope you make the 'right' choice! :-)

I still look at the glossy photos of naked women in the rags at my barber shop, but I always go straight home. Nice to have something to dream about..........:-)
oem
91 posts
 
Dougdeacon,excellent advice.Its nice to listen to great stuff but if you really cant afford it,waste not your time or the sellers.
braab8 OP
56 posts
 
Well
All present good points,I needed some grounded views, but it seems after reading many threads,reviews,posts etc. It would seem that many are taking this step to audio nirvana, I know this should not be a determmining factor, but with the way inlation and adjusted costs have risen, what was a $3k set up of the 80's is now the $7-8K setup.Am I thinking right? I don't want to come across as If I will make this purchase every 3 years or so this may (WILL) be my last
front end while I can then focus on fine tuning the rest of my set up.
Schipo good point but how far can you take it? give me a few pointers, what made it so satisfying?

Newbee, for being a "Newbee" you are wise beyond your namesake as I think about it my chain may have some weak links that WILL get exposed with this newer HIGHER resolution front end.

Thanks all but please keep the thoughts coming
nedmast
17 posts
 
What kind of isolation are you using for your VPI? I recently improved the performance of my Nakamichi Dragon simply by using pneumatic isolation - a bicycle tube (partially inflated) between the stand and the shelf under the TT. I had the shelf, so my cost was $5. I own a VPI HW 19 Mk IV, and know - with it's stand alone motor - that it's a heavy unit. But you might look into the possibilty of something like that if you don't already have the TT well isolated.
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