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
I have to laugh when someone writes that a media is dead. I don't give a rat's a$$. I have over 100 LPs, 80 CDs, a few SACDs, DVD-As and HDCDs. I am not going to put them in the trash no matter what. I got a better TT and cartridge last year. I enjoy my LPs more now. I got a better CD player this year. I enjoy my CDs more now. 
Dear @sbank : You are rigth, LIVE MUSIC must or should be the REFERENCE and nothing else.
 For me that's means that we must to stay in " constant " touch with as each one time could permit it.

All other kind of music experiences can enrich each one audio system experiences and each one control over that audio system.

Every audio system ( " poor " one or extremely expensive ones. ) can make " sound " but only  a few can make MUSIC: can really put us nearest to the MUSIC and how all human beens are " involved " by that MUSIC. Digital and Analog can make MUSIC but that does not depends on the media each one we use but depends on each one of us knowledge level and skills.

You, @rushton , @mmporsche , me and any one else are where we are not because the audio system it self but because each one of us skills and knowledge levels to fullfil each one targets. I can say I'm almost " there " as many of you.
Many of our audio systems only makes sound not MUSIC and we need to learn how to achieve this last target.

@rushton did not arrives where he is with the today system, he learned and I'm sure that he still do it even today. I know I'm doing as you Spencer.

Normally is the audio system whom has the overall control over us and only when we start to change that fact to be we the ones that have the control is when the system start to make MUSIC.

Audio life is an audio life full of frustrations till we " arrive ".

I don't know what @mmporsche could think when through the time he suddenly listen other person home audio system where he takes in count it performs really better than his 80-90K+ home system but where those experiences came from a humble 30K system!!!

I already has experiences listening 200-350K systems where what I listened was only sound. Those audio systems are the ones that has the CONTROL not the owners of it.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.



Rushton, I was doing something unrelated to music or stereo, and it hit me, "Rushton said 25K was not the point of diminishing returns for him". What is the point where he feels comfortable, since 25K isn't even close.

could you give me an idea of what tone arm, cartridge, and TT you feel comfortable with?

I listened to a 100% top of the line ARC reference system that had been set up by the masters in a "High End Salon", and I heard things I had never heard before on a "Santana" CD. "Abraxas" was the name of the CD, and I wore out a few copies of the LP, so I was quite familiar with it; I'm wondering just how much more could I have heard on the LP?

Usually I end with "Enjoy the music", but if I had a megabuck analog rig, I would be so focused on the rig, that I wouldn't be able to enjoy the music. Do you focus on the rig, or the music?

I'm sure in selecting individual items for an analog rig, you don't say, "Give me dis dat and the other thing" (an attempt at humor) How do you select these world class components? Do you fly to Zurich to audition a tone arm or TT, or do they send you several for your inspection?


Enjoy the music.


@mmporsche As @rushton mentioned @slipknot1 selling his Walker table & most of his other gear due for his medical bills, I know he is a huge skier and he would be more than likely to deliver to Colorado during ski season & set it up for you.

I've heard that table at his home over a dozen times and can affirm that it is not only astounding, but it's astounding precisely because it draws you into the music so that you aren't thinking about the gear when you listen to it. It's all about the music! Cheers,
Spencer  
jperry,

With all due respect, I'm unclear how the post from hometheaterreview is off point.

And I find your comment about telling someone to go watch a movie to be insulting. The forum is a place for everyone to practice freedom of speech and share their views. Equally importantly, the comment from hometheaterreview is exactly on point. In fact, the only thing off point is your comment because it provides no factual commentary or advice for mmporsche. 

The topic of this thread is about the "point of diminishing returns" on a turntable (which is another way of debating the point of diminishing return of vinyl). Hometheaterreview's comment is about how vinyl is an unwise investment because it is an inferior technology in almost every way to today's high-resolution music -- which by the way, is the ONLY format that can approach the dynamics and capture the details of the original master tape. It is an indisputable fact that an LP is a low-resolution, high-distortion format that degrades with each playing. Hometheaterreview is 100% correct:  that "warm" sound you hear is harmonic distortion.

The best advice for mmporsche may be to embrace modern technology and spend his money on a format which is far superior to any turntable at any price. I'm sorry but lambasting someone for voicing that view -- in a knowledgable way might I add -- adds zero value added to this discussion. 

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch a movie. Thanks.