Ideas for a complete analog set up 2500- 3500


Stayed away from vynl because I didn’t want to complicate my already complicated audio life. Well things have settled down and I am considering the addition of analog.

My preference in sound: laid back, detailed (not in an analytical way), warm, musical (probably most important, spacious, with accurate bass.

I like visual style too, some examples of things I consider classy: Sonus Faber, Art Audio (a little flashy), Hovland (pre and amp), Mephisto, RixRax, Zotheticus, and so. TTs can be works of art as well as the ultimate playback. However I would choose substance over looks but would like to get alittle of both if possible.

I know very little about the analog side of things. I want a low maintenance set-up for as easy care as possible.

I don’t plan to change things after it is set up (yea right).

I would like to stay blissfully ignorant about all the details.

Around $2500-$3500 (used where possible) for everything – this includes table, arm, cart, wire, isolation, cleaning, and whatever else you think I should have.

Lets say you could only spend $2500-$3500 and it was going to be what you used from now on (regardless of your current set-up), what would you buy?

Thank you in advance for your insights

PS give complete systems when you can
bbtuna
Rega P25 with good cartridge ~$1800. Record Cleaning machine ~$500. $200-700 for records, (to start).
Cheers :)
Michell Gyro SE, Rega 600 arm, Clearaudio Aurum Beta S...should be under $3000 new. Detailed but relaxed sound which can be adjusted by different cartridge choices.
Good Luck!
Most suspensionless TTs, and arms in your range have similar setup issues. It is more of a matter of a more precise setup yielding better sound. Basically the exception would be the P25 with a rega cartridge, and cartridges that are less dependent on VTA, such as the Dynavectors. Sonically the Nottingham Interspace ($1000) w/ Ol-250 ($480) and Dynavector 20x-H ($380) is superior to the P25 with Exact, but there is a tradeoff in looks and the P25 is a nice sounding table. In general, what you describe sounds like what i have heard said about and seen from the Basis 1400. I have seen package deals on the internet that includes the 1400 with a rega arm (i would opt for the rb-600) and a Benz MC or Glider. Do you have a dealer in your area? If you do not want to deal with setup, that would be the route i would take. Good luck, have fun.