2. analog
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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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orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

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.  
garrettc
45 posts
 
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.
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Garrettc,

He already has the spruce cone and paper whizzer Voxativ 9.87 which can be driven by a mere 2watts - so I suspect Alexandrias as good as they may be are not on the cards.

oleschool's avatar
oleschool
722 posts
 
Thats a hot debate there .. i have a thread on it and it gets heated lol .. i thought that too , but i have surpassed my 5k retail speakers easily messing with tt phono sect and cables .. i think it is relative to the speakers personnally. I could see a set of say 20k cresendos with a serious  Nottingham etc in the 20-30k easy with phono, cables  and cart . I would be looking heavy at linear tracking in that range myself . But i can't  run with the porshe bigdogs i have too many guutars lol 
cheers
inna
7,354 posts
 
As usual, Bill says it well.
Oleschool, I had no idea you like Nottingham, you always mention VPI.
The word is, including Fremer’s word, that Pear Audio’s $10k top of the line table/arm are exceptional. Pear Audio tables/arms is reincarnation of Nottingham reflecting the latest disigners’s ideas. I haven’t heard that table, few did actually, but given a chance I could take a risk and get it. The alternative for me would be Nottingham Dais with their best arm. But as I said, I would consider SME too, unless I just decided to get the Pear Audio.
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