Where is the significant point of diminishing returns on hi-end turntable?


For those that don’t know me I am newish to this game. Yes, I believe this chase for perfection in sound reproduction is a game. There are endless variables affecting the sound of every system and 100x that in opinions on each of these variables. I love cool $hit as much as the next guy but I am looking for an analog rig and I keep getting drawn into the seemingly endless "what about this option that costs tons more?". I started with a $6 to $10K budget and now I am considering a $25K setup (Table, cart and phono stage) after talking to a local retailer. I will be blunt, I want to be that guy in the Memorex ad from the 80’s that is getting blown away by his system (my impression is he is overwhelmed by the amazing sound coming from that speaker not the volume). Now that I have acquired some pretty descent stuff I am spending 15 plus hours each week listening and really enjoying this hobby. I don’t want to have any regrets and just be marginally satisfied with my setup but where do I draw the line? Back to my initial question; what is a reasonable amount to spend on an analog setup to achieve the best bang for the buck? I may be somewhat unique in that I don’t want to constantly be upgrading my equipment, I just want to buy great products the first time that are very satisfying and spend hours listening to great music. I don’t want to be the guy always chasing the next great thing.
128x128mmporsche

Lewm, you ignored the statement "Littered with opinions of those who obviously never owned or heard any similar priced setup".

"Litter" is stuff that belongs in the trash can, does it not?

"Where is the significant point of diminishing returns on hi-end turntable?"

That was the original question. No where is 100k implied, or anything approaching a "Statement of the art" rig.

It is but natural that there are many different price points that will answer the original question; even those who are "littering" the discussion.

Lewm, I don't know you at all, and I don't recall addressing you personally until now.

My statement was meant for two types of people; those who are wealthy, and expect to be worshiped, and those who wish they were wealthy, and worship those who are wealthy; which one are you?




The first response was quite reasonable. The only difference between his and my own is I would include 2k worth of tweaks, and possibly different tone arm wire if it was feasible.

My apology in advance for being one of those who are "littering" the discussion.

I liked "Oilmanmojo's" response; Dual was one of the top line turntables for me, and I loved Sansui tuners, Bose 601 corner speaker was considered boss as well.

That was long before I stumbled into a high end salon. Rushton responded positively to his post. Me and Oilmanmojo have come along way since those happy days of Dual and Bose.

I don't know where mmporsche is now, but my statement was about the "undeniable" undercurrent in this discussion, that I implied with the "Lamborghini" post.

There is nothing I hate worse than being misunderstood, therefore I will explain my opinions explicitly.

This post is for those who are not wealthy. I bought "Speakerlab" speakers back in the day when"Bose" and "Klipschorn"" were considered the big dogs.

Klipschorn paid Speakerlab to quit selling kits that were too much like their speakers.

I bought interconnect wire by 100 foot rolls that was sold by a company that sold to TV and Radio stations. This wire was a silver and copper composite. They no longer sell that wire to individuals. I asked for the replacement wire, and I don't know why I haven't thrown what the sent me into the trash because it's no good.

Any time the poor man finds a way to get around "truly obscene high prices" they pay the guy to quit manufacturing whatever it is.

No one knows how many millions they pay those people, because it happens without any news, you just can't find whatever it is any more.

While I've mentioned things like this before, the vast majority on "Audiogon" agree with such behavior; I don't know why? Unless a person has stock in one of the companies it's of no benefit to him; it doesn't matter to those who are wealthy, but it matters a great deal to those who aren't. Fortunately I have enough of that interconnect wire to last a life time. I even had a business selling "interconnects"; that got around by word of mouth. Of course I don't have any more wire to sell for interconnects.

I look at "Sherlock Holmes" and "Hercule Poirot" a lot. I find it most interesting how the "serfs" bow and scrape before the wealthy, and how the wealthy even had someone to help them dress. That went on for ages.

Not just too long ago, the "serfs" had the highest standard of living in the USA ever in the history of mankind. That's all been lost. Now if a "Serf" has a big screen TV, he considers himself wealthy; maybe when he can no longer afford a big screen TV he will have to face reality; but that requires a brain, and TV has squashed that.

Is this "off thread"? Maybe and maybe not. If you can afford a "Lamborghini", this is most certainly off thread. If you are in the "middle class" that no longer exists because those jobs are in Asia, this post is quite pertinent.


I like to see where people's minds are; if they are aware of other important things beside "audio". Although this is not the forum, there are very smart, highly educated people here at "Audiogon".

There is nothing wrong with being rich; J.F.K. was rich, and he made a big difference in the lives of people who were not rich. The first thing somebody is going to say is "He was a Libural". What's that? it's some word people are programmed to use when they can't think of anything else to say.

Democrat, Republican; those two words are meaningless; they are words politicians use to screw us all around. After they eradicate the people like me, and others who have the ability to think; it's game over.

Many people have blasted me when I got off base. Now I need to know if there are any who approve of getting offbase occasionally?


Enjoy the music.  
Get some Wilson Alexandrias and you'll quit chasing that rainbow of supreme sound.  Heck, even some Sophia 3's would be heavenly.  I don't care what electronics you have, the speaker is always the end guy on the food chain and the one that you'll benefit from the most with good investment.