2. analog
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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
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.
jdaniel18ee
88 posts
 
First of all, I too "travelled the world over" to find a CD player that could do strings right. I now have a turntable. A turntable to match digital? Try one for $150. I'm *not* kidding!! I think the reason you didn't like the sound of the albums...was because of the albums. Bernstein, Ormandy, etc., these are Columbia pressings, no offense, but sadly among the worst recorded and pressed albums in all of Lp history. I would like to strangle everyone involved. Try a late-analog Philips or a London ffrr, (there are millions of them), on that same system. I ended up with a VPI Scoutmaster, $2500, but turntables will beat digital for far far less than that--it's just that you will have to audition with anything but a Columbia or late RCA. The greatest news of all is that you like Classical. The used issues out there tend to be well taken care of, and most titles are available on inexpensive European pressings that were made to the highest standards. Try a VPI Scout or a Nottingham Horizon, both close to $1K.
qualia8 OP
49 posts
 
thanks jdaniel. that's very good news. after the holidays, i'll start shopping. (we'll see what the budget is *then*.)

what do you mean by late-analog? just before recordings were themselves made in digital, then pressed? when was that, for philllips? any particular recordings you'd recommend? i *do* like the philadelphia sound... ormandy is one of my favorites.

as far as my best string sounds, i'd have to say they're on sacd remasters of various kinds... probably late analog, i think.
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