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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.
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whart's avatar
whart
3,050 posts
 
Given how difficult it is to make turntable/arm/cartridge/phono stage comparisons in a meaningful way--a point I touched on earlier--CT0517's advice above is pretty good- get with some people--civilians, not dealers-- in your area-West Coast?- who have some top tables and spend some time hanging with them. Most audiophiles I know are very generous that way. You can thus avoid the dealer bias -- I'm not down on dealers, generally, but their job is to sell you what they offer-; you also want long time user experience, which can be invaluable. 
I "get" where you are coming from in terms of not wanting something fiddly but still being able to do routine maintenance and adjustments. 
If you are looking for something to buy and keep, and not be worried about the 'next best thing'  I'd do exactly what you are doing: researching, and spending some hands-on time with some of these turntables. 
I have my favorites and preferences but see no need to name check brands here- there are a lot of good tables and arms out there. 
good luck,
(I was a car guy too, and have fond memories of hurtling around the track in a CGT with Hurley Haywood as my coach for a day). 
bill hart

fischer3966's avatar
fischer3966
28 posts
 
I can mainly speak from what I own and love: VPI Avenger turntable, Zesto Audio Andros 1.2 phono stage, and the
cartridge options are many: Ortofon, Transfiguration, Miayaja, Koetsu, etc.. all are excellent in their own right but vary based on your personal taste.  The VPI Avenger can be manufactured in belt drive with an analog speed controller by VPI (extra $1000) and gets a lot closer to the magnetic and direct drive, which gets at your diminishing returns question.  The avenger table also allows multiple arms if you own a lot of mono and stereo records.  I would go with the VPI Avenger (future proof), VPI ADS speed controller, Zesto phono stage (tube phono stage with multiple inpits and gain/loading flexibility), and one on the high end carts I mentioned above.  The dealer I work with sells all of it, and definitely think it will be under $25k and well in your budget.  Let me know if want to talk with him.  Best of luck
desktopguy
378 posts
 
While it's tempting to focus on money (this entire thread does exactly that), as usual with audio gear and money, other things matter so much more. For example, I'm stunned to find almost no mention of MUSIC in this thread--certainly little if any from the fellow that started it.

And that's where I would want to begin this conversation. I couldn't start to understand his wants and needs without understanding what he started listening to in the first place--why he amassed all this pricey equipment at all. It totally matters whether he loves music (if so, what kinds?); vs just uses it for background, or for system demos (hey, it happens, just like w/Porsches--you think they're all used on racetracks?). Does he play an instrument? What's his connection to music in general?

Even for someone with far deeper pockets than most of  us, simply chasing ever more expensive gear is just an open-ended form of frustration...a gerbil wheel you never get off...unless the "pleasure principal" that underlying the whole enterprise is defined & confronted. Unless, that is, the only pleasure in sight is acquisition of hardware. In which case we're all just flailing in unison on this string.
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
608 posts
 
I have an analogue front end that would be about $25K new - but I paid maybe half by buying used carefully over a few years.

You might want to consider doing that.
milkkefir's avatar
milkkefir
9 posts
 
Stop!...Listen...and enjoy. 
Then repeat...
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