Thinking about getting into vinyl again...


After 25 years. Any suggestions (besides don't ; )?

Thanks to my Audio Note Dac, I have an Awesome Digital setup and am very pleased with the sound. However I do love vinyl setups when I hear them. Further, now that my system's just the way I want it, I have nothing to obsess about, research, tinker with...etc.

I have a Modified Musical Fidelity A5 integrated...to my, ears the best sound I've ever heard and I've tried many many pieces. (In fact, that may be why I've run into a wall, I'm done looking at amplification too). Hoping to avoid the whole phone stage thing... assuming the A5's is decent.

I want a decent vinyl setup -- but don't want to spend a fortune either. After exhaustive research I'm pretty set on trying a Rega P3 w the Elys2 cartridge (bit over a thousand new). Right or wrong, part of the reason I chose this is relative simplicity of setup and use. Although I'm open to messing with accessories and upgrades, I don't want to mess with spacers, complicated adjustments, changing arms, or hacking the table in any way.

Any thoughts about:

The move in general
Tips and tricks
Accessories: Cleaning Kits, scales, etc.
Upgrading that MM Cart (slightly, I don't want to spend more than a hundred or so more)
I thought a bit about getting a professionally restored Thorens?
Vendors (No real table dealers around me...looking at Music Direct...especially because of the easy return policy ....and they've been good in the past)

(Note: I will very likely stick to new on this as the idea of buying and shipping (again) a used turntable seems fraught with risk)

(One bonus question: When I switch my a5 to phono (nothing connected) i get some hum/noise...I'm assuming that's because nothing's connected to the the inputs or the ground?---Just hoping I don't go through all of this just to find out I have a bad phono section!)
128x128ml8764ag
"...unless you're a brain-washed herd-following snob....:-)"
Dear Halcro: Ouch! That hits me a little too close to home. Here I wanted to ask if it is ok to use some furniture polish on the wood body of my Benz LOMC or would a $100/oz exotic wood oil improve the sound? What does everyone else do?
Hi CTsooner: It's supposed to be satire- or at least my attempt at satire. Maybe I'm not so good at satire. I am an engineer after all.
There seems to be a lot of EMT TSD15 and Denon 103 users with the WTA using a SUT into a MM phononstage. I am using K&K MC phono with my EMT but will be trying SUT route this weekend.
Tonywinsc,
Thanks for providing all of us fanatics with your really funny take on the vinyl way of life.
Tony, I got it, but I had to make sure, lol. What's the viscosity of the furniture oil you are using? I find beez wax from a special African bee works best for tightening the bass, but at the expense of the soundstage. Just another tradeoff. ;)....see I really do get it