2. analog
  3. 1329884788

Wanting to get into Vinyl - Need help

I'm a complete neophyte when it comes to turntables and vinyl. Recently I've gotten the itch to take the plunge, but I'm a bit out of my element so I'm looking for suggestions.

My system is Rotel electronics and Vandersteen 2 ce sigs. Nothing grandiose, but I like the sound and it fits my budget. I currently have a Denon DP300F with a Ortofon RED cartridge upgrade on order. The TT won't be in until April so of course this has given me time to look around and read more reviews. Now I'm having second thoughts, and I'm debating changing/canceling my order.

The phono preamp I've decided on is the Musical Fidelity V-LPS MKII. I've also kicked around the NAD PP3i, but the the reviews don't seem as favorable. Any others I should be looking at?

Now for the TT options. The "short list" in my price range seem to be the Rega RP1, Music Hall MMF2.2, Pro-ject Debut III. These three seem pretty indistinguishable from eachother. I guess the Denon DP300F could fit into this catagory as well. I've also seen suggestions for looking at used "vintage" TT's but honestly I wouldn't know what I'm looking for. I don't want something twitchy that I have to lube or whatever people do :) I would consider a more modern used TT if the price is right.

I'm not planning on being a tweaker here. I just want to play music. Can someone help me whittle this pack of TT's down to a choice?

Thanks!
mustangjeff
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Sibelius,

Do you really think the endless upgrade potential and/or urge is limited to vinyl playback? How many people have gone through amp upgrades? Speaker upgrades? CDP/DAC upgrades? It never ends for a lot of people.

Not being condescending at all here; hopefully it's not taken that way.
mustangjeff OP
25 posts
 
I've been looking at whats available here on Audiogon. There is a listing for a Denon DP1100 turntable w/sumiko mmt and custom plinth at $500. He'll include a Denon DL160 Cart as well.

Any thoughts or better suggestions for something between $400 - $600?
sibelius
256 posts
 
Kbarkamian:

Never said the upgrade bug was limited to analog. What I think is different with analog is:

1) Analog consists of multiple pieces- table,tonearm, cartridge and phono stage. Upgrading an entry level analog system to top tier generally becomes more complex because of the interactions between all these components as well as the added cost of having to upgrade multiple items instead of just one.

2) In my experience, the gap between entry level and top tier in analog is wider and more expensive than it is in digital. For $1000 you can get a very nice DAC that may not be the very best but will probably get you 85% to 90% there. The sonic difference between a $1000 analog system and top tier is much more pronounced.

I personally believe nothing beats analog sound. However, trying to get the best analog sound can be hard on your wallet. More so in my experience than with any other component.
wolf_garcia
6,631 posts
 
Why doesn't everybody own a Music Hall MM5 for under 500 bucks used? Why? (rhetorical question...calm down) Well..I don't, but that's only because I found an old Linn Basik/Akito in great shape for cheap. Sure it has a glued-on motor and like that...but it sounds AMAZING with a Sumiko Pearl (gets no respect, just a great sounding cartridge) on the Akito, and otherwise all I did was put a new cable (Jelco) on it. Running into a Cambridge 640P with a Pangea P100 power supply upgrade. Vinyl can sound profoundly musical and hey...it's FUN! Besides, what the hell else plays LPs? NOTHING! I second the Spin Clean as a budget champion...75 bucks...works really well.
truemaineiac's avatar
truemaineiac
249 posts
 
For whatever reason, the upgraditis does seem much worse for vinyl.
More to discover