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Dilemma: LP or SACD? Try analog only to give up?

I have just received all of my grandfathers LPs, somewhere around 200 of them seemingly in good shape. Mostly music from the 50s and 60s. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to try out analog; I would even buy a few current offerings to see how they compared. I got excited about learning about turntables. It's a very interesting area full of mechanics and industrial design. I asked around about and demo'ed several turntables and I've kind of honed in on the VPI Aries Scout. Not the cheapest but it gives me a good taste of higher-end analog and I really like the design of it.

But then I got to thinking: there is the expense of the turntable, arm and cartridges. Then there is the expense of a phono preamp which I again would want something decent. The EAR 834P kept popping up as an option. Plus the cost of a few other accessories. And the clutter of more stuff in my headphone system (where the TT would reside for now).

And what if analog is a bust for me? I might get lazy with the extra effort it requires. I might prefer my CD system instead. Who knows. Then I would need to sell everything too.

Finally, in the back of my mind I've been watching the number of SACD releases increasing. I tried it out last year, then gave it up for the time being, lack of software being the chief reason plus having to decide whether to buy the SACD/hybrid or redbook version of a CD. But software seems to be increasing so maybe I'm interested again. I could put the money I would invest in an analog system towards an SACD player (and use a DAC I already have for redbook playback).

Anyone want to offer up thoughts to discuss this matter? Also, did any of you try out analog only to go bust with it (if so, why)? Do I have realistic observations about SACD software or am I just dreaming? Will I kick myself for not trying out analog in my own system? Plus, we're on the cusp of digital audio though i don't consider that a "hi-rez" format.

Thanks.
budrew
budrew OP
467 posts
 
You guys aren't much help! I want clear black and white answers. I'm only kidding : ) Actually, this is what I was looking for; personal thoughts and opinions from experience.

I keep going back and forth. I don't know that SACD is the answer because I really like my redbook DAC, and any advantage that SACD would offer would still depend on mastering. In the past some SACDs sounded spectacular while some sounded equal to redbook while others sucked. I think any format will have this issue. So either I stick exclusively with redbook or dabble in vinyl too. As Sogood51 puts it, sometimes the itch just has to be scratched for it to go away. I'll probably try it out and see how it works. When the kids come along I'll probably give it up simply because I need something fast and convenient. But at least I would know what to think about it.

What phono preamps do you recommend? Audiobugged, what do you use?

Thanks everyone!
valleyplastic
149 posts
 
SACD is just another stepping stone before you go Analog.
If you want to get a little closer to analog then skip right over the sacd & try the JVC XRCD's.
Elizabeth & Audiobugged have the right idea and I'm for that.
I got into analog this last Oct. with the purchase of a Scout and it has been pure bliss & pleasure in playing vinyl. VPI makes it easy for you. Analog is as close as you will get to natural sound
ttrhp
107 posts
 
Hi Budrew, last year i went through the same thing you did.I love my CD player and think the people on here are crazy using analog turntable.i could never get myself to get up to flip the record over every 1/2 hour and have to clean it before each play,but i am curious to see why so many people on here like analog so much,so i went out and got myself an analog rig and thanks god that i did,because i havent really touch my CD player ever since and now i love to clean all those flea market records.so,if i were you give analog a try and if you dont like it,just send all your records to me....

audiobugged
528 posts
 
Budrew,

How about some purple & orange answers instead? I was running a full tubed system to warm up the sound of digital. My phono preamp is the Phono stage option on my BAT VK-3i, which is solid state. My cousin told me don't buy that pre-amp w/ phono rca's on the inputs. As this way the temptation to connect a analog rig will not accur.

For years I was a interconnect & speaker cable of the month member. Always trying to tame the brightness of the metal tweeters w/ Violin highs, & force a Piano out of my speakers. To me the piano on cd sounds so bad, that I no longer own any piano related music on cd.

With Vinyl for the first time Heifetz's violin is playing to full extent, & gosh their is a baby grand piano being played in my listening room for the first time ever!

Budrew, as Mikey the cereal kid - try it, you may like it???

VALLEYPLASTIC, Dave thanx for joining in on this thread. As another Vpi Scout fully satisfied user, & recent analog re-visiter:0)~
loontoon
301 posts
 
Considering only the stereo aspect of SACD, vs Analogue, it's no contest, except on 1 SACD. Alot of the quality of SACD is in the disc, and who mixed it. Sound familiar???

With a lot of SACD I am highly underwhelmed.

On vinyl if you have em, invest in a decent rig, if not let it go. Vinyl is hard to come by. I have thousands so for me, it's not an issue, and yes it sounds better, but I also have 2 Keith Monks machines for cleaning. A real difference.

If your just kicking the tires: Try this: An older Denon table with a decent Ortofon, say an X5MC will get you there, it's output is high enough to play in most decent pre-amps, and like everything, what ever you change is audible, but be ware--- once you go down that slippery slope you may not quit until you have the price of a decent automobile tied up in the system, biased around analogue.

You choose.

loontoon
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