2. analog
  3. 1114893056

Need to re-discover analog - please help

Like the short-sighted, lazy, modern moron that I am, I threw away all my LPs and turntable when I got hooked on my first decent CDP, a Kinergetics Platinum KD-40, 15 years ago. Because it was easier to take care of CDs. Now, my mother who was a musician, and had a classical collection of about 200 really absolutely great recordings, collected from the 1940s til the 80s, has left me her collection. They just have to be preserved, played and savored. I need an analog set-up that will a) do them justice and b) not sound noticeably "worse" compared to the digital set-up I am now used to. My analog set-up that I discarded (I know, I know.........please dont rub it in, what's done is done.) was a Denon 103D and Sony PS-800 linear tracking TT and also a Kenwood marble platter with SME tone-arm and also Denon 103 D cartridge and circa 1980 PS Audio MC phono stage.
The present system, to which must now obligatorily be added a turntable: EMM DCC2/CDSD; Atma-Sphere Line-stage MP-1 MkII, Atma-Sphere MA 2.2 modified (27 tubes each); Kharma 3.2; Indra Stealth i/cs; PAD Dominus i/cs and S/Cs (Rev C & B).

I tried MM cartridges before - Dynavector,Ortofon,Shure V15 iv - but only liked the MC Denon 103D - so would prefer that MC "sound".

I have not kept up with the analog market, nor new equipment, and am totally ignorant about the components but would greatly appreciate input as to what TT, tone-arm, cartridge and phono preamp to get that would neither bankrupt me nor do the wonderful collection my mother left me a disservice, nor my ear that is now spoiled by the pretty "good" digital, ancillary set-up I have. Nor, obviously, sound "inferior" to the CDs:)

What sort of a budget am I looking at to keep the system within the overall quality of the associated equipment that I have, without going crazy, since i will still mostly be listening to CDs (unless i get totally hooked and go bonkers..........)?

I listen to classical 90% of the time and 95% of her collection is classical.

As always, I appreciate your advice.
springbok10
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
Wife: "I thought you bought a re-conditioned turntable" "I did" "Then why are you still building it, it's been nearly 7 hours?" "Because I have to get the VTA correct and I cant reach the screw, so I have to put it on blocks" She: "Then will we hear the damn thing play music?" Me: "Blissful music" I get the VTA OK, I think, thanks to Lugnut, then switch it on - no turn. Look closely: the belt has flown off, managed to breach the 1/16th inch clearance between the platter and plinth and is gone, gonzo, disapperaed under the platter. This platter has no guides, rim or anything to hold the 3-4 mm wide tiny belt - did the French design it?
You guys do this for fun? My wife has left (maybe for good after watching my imbecilic performance - especially after she looked at the spanking new EAR 824 and said "What's that new thing?" "That's part of the turntable" Why is it silver and the TT is wood? Wood is boring, so they jazzed it up" That is when she left - I think for a meeting - but maybe to see a Divorce lawyer - watching me fishing with a bent paper-clip for the 3 cent piece of plastic that separates me from blissful sound.........(of course, it only came with one belt)
The EMM pieces are silently staring at me, not having to say "We told you so, you idiot!!!!!!..........."
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Springbok, buy her an HDTV. It's just like a pacifier and a 1 year old. She'll never bother you again, assuming you can put her in another room than your stereo stuff.
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
So the SOTA got damaged in shipping - motor assembly alignment off, pulley not level, so belt flies off. Both SOTA distributor and dealer very responsive and concerned and will fix it ASAP. But has to be shipped off again. Anyone try to fix a motor assembly themselves? Easy/hard? Meantime, I'm all set with phono stage, used LPs and raring to go. Cant wait more weeks - been about 2 months anyway - so I buy a Thorens 125 MkII with Shure cartridge (Viii) for a song on A'gon to quell the lust. It's playing now. Cripes: Vivid, organic, palpable, compelling, real, Alive!! I'd forgotten how good vinyl is - 14 years dulls the memory. It is just 3D instead of 2D - I guess a perfectly focussed, accurate 2D will always be inferior even to a slightly blurred, 3D picture - to use a visual analogy again. Well, that's what I hear on this 35 year old makeshift turntable arm and cartridge on a $7 piece of magic plastic. I've even temporally forgotten about the pain of the morrow - packing up the heavy SOTA or trying to dissemble and fix it. But the point is that the vinyl in my life has roared back with an impossible-to-ignore statement of intent, presence and even more promise. I owe you all for your encouragement.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Spring -- I don't own a SOTA, but have heard great things here on AgoN about the folks there. Before you send off your table, you might call and ask what they'd charge for setting up your arm/cartridge while they have it. I've heard they are willing to do that and are very good at it.
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Denis,

This seems like a perfect opportunity to jump inside your table and do the repair yourself. Even though I have no experience with a SOTA I would venture a guess that the pulley and motor are an integral combination and that proper alignment is done by a simple adjustment to tilt the motor, thereby aligning the pulley. Certainly any number of us could walk you through cartridge installation by phone and I'd venture a guess that aligning the motor/pulley is a no-brainer in comparison. This would not only allow you to gain experience and get it up and running sooner, but also eliminate the risk of other damage through shipping.
More to discover