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How much $ to "match" digital in my system?

I know this is a difficult question, but let me explain how it arose. I'm currently using Apple's Airport Express and iTunes through my Musical Fidelity X-DAC v3, w/ the X-PSU power supply, as source. Sometimes I also listen to SACD, but nevermind that. For amplification, I have a Classe CAP-101, and my Paradigm 20's are soon to be replaced by revel m-22 monitors. I have no sub yet.

Visiting my parents for Thanksgiving, I happened upon a stash of old LP's. Wouldn't you know, there were all of these amazing recordings in beautiful condition: Ormandy, van Cliburn, Gould, Bernstein, and so on. Wow. My parents have a thirty-year-old crappy turntable, with a built-in amp. On that setup, the recordings didn't compare with cd quality, although there *was* something satisfying, despite all of the distortion. Anyway, they don't use or want the collection.

I started wondering what kind of investment it would take, in terms of turntable, tone arm, and cartridge, to enjoy their collection. Would I be better off selling their LP's and investing the money in digital software? Or could I, for a reasonable sum, get something out of that vinyl that cd's couldn't match? It's really all classical music, and especially orchestral. And I am not at all satisfied with my system's reproduction of strings. For whatever reason, it always sounds like strings are metallic. They just don't sound like live string performances. Piano and percussion are close enough for me, but strings, especially larger groups of strings, aren't. Hence, my question.

I know, I know... the sound will have different qualities. It will never reach parity with cd in some respects, regardless of what I spend, and it will better cd in some respects while spending very little. But I'm interested in hearing about your experiences. If you've added vinyl to an otherwise decent digital-based system, how much did you have to spend to feel vinyl was worth your time? And how did you spend it?

Thanks in advance.
qualia8
thom_at_galibier_design's avatar
thom_at_galibier_design
729 posts
 
Ah yes ... string reproduction. I feel your pain. This is the most difficult thing for a system to get right ... at any point in the signal chain, and to my ears, it is not possible with the current state of consumer digital at any price.

This weekend, I traveled to Dallas, TX and plugged one of my rigs into a very nice system. It was CD based (nice digital), and the fellow used a Dual 1229 turntable with a fairly pedestrian cartridge. The Dual fed a Hagerman Coronet (Octal tube version) and made great tunes. It was a bit recessed sounding but had great tone.

I'd consider something on the order of a Dual 1229 or a used Thorens TD 125, along with the least expensive Grado cartridge, and one of Jim Hagerman's Bugle phono variants (no financial connection with Jim ... just like his stuff).

What this type of system gets right can't be touched by digital at any price. If you want dynamics and the last bit of nuance, then you'll need something like what I'm doing with my rigs, but for sheer musical bliss, a rig like the above (or a variant) will have you smiling.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier
holmejr
30 posts
 
For one, your 101 does not have a phono section. You'll have to buy one. The Music Fidelity X-lps is about $400 big ones. A decent entry level TT will prob cost you $600 (Music Hall MMF5). Cables will cost $ also. I say save yourself the headaches and donate those lp to a library.
qualia8 OP
49 posts
 
Thanks, everyone, for your input. I should say, I gave my gf a Musical Fidelity x-150 integrated with a phono stage. I'd put the tt setup in her system (which will be paired with my Paradigms when I get the Revels) and if I like it enough, I'll put it into my own system, and at that point deal with the phono stage problem.

I'm going to be thinking about this for awhile. Holiday shopping means I won't have the cash to buy even a modest setup for a few months.

Right now, I'm listening to a Glenn Gould cd (Consort of Musicke by William Byrd and Orlando Gibbons) and it is simply breathtaking. Of course, it's two in the morning. There's no ambient noise, either acoustic or electrical. The signal, as they say, is pure. Stunning, even in my "mid-fi" set-up and at low volume. Earlier this evening I listened to some SACDs -- Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Beethoven -- orchestral pieces recorded in the 60's and they weren't quite this good, but still managed to pull me in emotionally. (Seems my best orchestral recordings are from that decade.)

My apartment is always quiet, as there is a layer of shops between me and the street, but at this time of night, for some reason, I can listen at low volumes and still hear full detail. Perhaps it is because my auditory system becomes more sensitive at night, but I find myself jumping at even little transients and I forget completely that my system is midfi purgatory. It's just glorious right now. But I'm dragging myself to work in the mornings.

Enjoy reading your posts. I'm getting a lot of ideas. Keep them coming.
gilbodavid
62 posts
 
Have a look at the "building high end tt's at home despot" thread. I have a lenco and havent looked back.
qualia8 OP
49 posts
 
I have checked that out, actually. Cool thread. I'm afraid I also don't have that much free time... or creativity. But I did get some good ideas.
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