This whole thread feels like Deja Vu....
I know for a fact Viridian has used the Mike Fremer/Porn Star analogy elsewhere...
Anyhow, Knotgreen -- what are your thoughts now? Aside from gaining the right to compete in these ridiculous battles on Audiogon if you do get into vinyl, are you still thinking about getting into it? I actually saw a used MMF-5 sell for about $200 here on Audiogon not too long ago...
And about the expensive LPs, if you don't mind building your collection to include mostly used classical, jazz, and classic rock LPs, you can find them fairly cheap.