2. analog
  3. 126824-33947

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
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
Yes, Whart, a REAL 1955 550RS Spyder, serial number 0053.  James Dean's car was 0055.  I got it as a complete but shabby car in 1986, about when values started to rise like a rocket, and I very stupidly sold it in around 1999, after having restored it to perfection.  Original engine, transmission, all numbers matching.  Sometimes I dream I still own it.  Some other times I want to kill myself for selling it. Actually, I would as soon have back my 1959 Carrera GT Speedster.  That was a more drivable car for the street and might arguably be as valuable today as a 550.  It's more rare than a 550.  100 mph in the Spyder on the DC beltway really focuses the mind, I can tell you.

If you still had those two Porsches today Lew....you'd be able to afford all the $10,000-$15,000 MC cartridges on the market today.....
And realise that most of them don't compete against your Acutex 320LPM....😜
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
...so I’m just asking what do you consider "suitable"?
Orpheus10, my apologies for the delay. A bit over a dozen years ago, I was on a similar search to the one the OP finds himself. Over our time in this hobby, my wife and I have made it our practice to choose for what makes a difference in our musical enjoyment and to change equipment only infrequently. When we have made an equipment change, we’ve sought to make it a material improvement in our enjoyment of music and not make lateral moves. Typically, I do the research, come up with candidates and then my wife (who is my listening partner) joins me in the listening evaluations.

A dozen years ago, our search was for a "final" turntable that would be the turntable to which we could expect to end our audio ventures still listening.

The turntable we settled on is one we probably could not afford today, but the price at that time, while still very much a stretch, was one we could manage. We’ve never regretted the investment for an instant.

That turntable is the Walker Audio Proscenium Gold turntable. You can find the review I posted on Audiogon here:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-walker-audio-proscenium-gold-signature-turntable




orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

Rushton, I'm sure I've seen that one in "Stereophile". Since I've got a good movie on pause, I'll complete my post later on. I was just about to throw the towel in on you.

As far as I'm concerned you probably can't get any better.

Talk back atcha in a while
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
I'm sure I've seen that one in "Stereophile". 
No, not on Stereophile but it has certainly been in The Absolute Sound (Jonathan Valin) and Positive Feedback (David Robinson).
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

Rushton, you didn't disappoint; no matter what the rest of the rig consists of, the source is the King. I've never heard anything in that ballpark, not even in the high end salons.

I'm sure that table is in one of the Stereophile issues, I'll find it tomorrow.


May you and your wife ride on sonic clouds of bliss till the end of time.
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