The best way to start adding A=analog to my system

@ghdprentice  I couldn't agree more! While I'm not at point where my vinyl setup on par with streaming and cd rips, I do hear the convergence as painstaking work on my digital setup has provided much more analog like sound quality. My take is greatest expenditures for digital is spent achieving analog like sound qualities, greatest for analog is resolving capabilities.

My take for those running both analog and digital setups is your audio costs have just gone up exponentially. There will be long battle in one upsmanship between the two, you listen to your vinyl setup, love the ease and luxury, want to replicate that with your digital, love the resolving capabilities of your digital, want to replicate that with your vinyl.

I had a cut off point with my Power Amp's many years past. There is not an Amp I need to try and surpass them. I am not suggesting they are unsurpassable, I am content in not expressing any interest in attempting to discover an amp worthy of a replacement role.

I am almost at this place with the Pre Amp, a bespoke built Dual Mono Pre is being produced for me with the schematic fundamentals based on a popular design. There is not another Pre, I will consider owning after this one is built, if I want a different flavour, I have a Valve Pre for added Bloom and a Slagle AVC for the impact this can have on the SQ.

I do not see much to be achieved with the Vinyl Front End, after many years of various motor drive TT's, I have settled for a DD TT, the ancillaries used with this are keepers, the Phon' > Tonearm are going nowhere and I hope the Cart' is able to be serviced as and when required.  

The CDT > DAC totally suits my needs and even though the two devices are not  commonly seen in the UK, they have found a synergy that is very attractive.    Owners of well respected CD set ups that have received demonstrations have been very impressed with what has been assembled. As I am very inexperienced with CD Replays, I seem to get itchy feet, and want to try something new, the grass being greener sought of attitude.

I am fortunate to have a Dealership not too far from  my home  supplying Jay's Audio and Denafrips, I have restrained from car tyre kicking on their premises.   

@audioguy85 scrollng back through. not sure how I missed your post before. I hadn’t seen the Tavish Design Classic, so I am going to check that out in addition to:

• Pro-ject tube box DS2; and
• Hagerman

On the Pro-ject, it seems like changing tubes will be annoying, and for no good reason. Hagerman seems ridiculously straightforward in every way. Plus buying direct feels less wasteful.

Thanks!

@saulh yes, it does seem to be a pain in the butt to change out the tubes on the DS2, as there is not much of the tube sticking out. However, it does sound rather good as is. The Tavish is very easy to change out the tubes. According to Scott at Tavish, the center tube position will respond the most to any changes. I placed a vintage NOS RCA 7025 gray plate there. In the first position is a GE 12au7 bought from Kevin @ upscale. It is said to be the quietest 12au7 available. In the third position is a vintage NOS 5751 Sylvania with disc getter. The sound is outstanding. I do use a SUT with it, so I’m utilizing the MM section. I use the Jensen Mc- 2rr L. Tavish actually uses the Jensen transformers inside the more expensive Adagio phono preamp. The Jensen Mc 2rr L was designed with the Denon 103 in mind. The Denon has similar specs as the Hana EL that I’m using, so the Jensen works well. I have not heard of the Hagerman, but I’m sure it is good as well. Back to the DS2, it received many positive reviews and can't be beat for convenience, as far as setup and making changes to the settings. It's all right on the front panel, so no dipswitches, load impedance is achieved with the turn of a dial. Plus you can run two turntables if you want. The one I have has the eucalyptus wood side panels  and the the black faceplate, looks great!