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Brand new to vinyl: Help!

I am brand new to vinyl, but quite established in digital (CDs, lossless streaming, etc.).

I made the first foray to vinyl by purchasing an entry level turntable - Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Esprit.

I am using an Ayre pre-amp with phono stage and also Ayre amp.

While I am happy I have it up and running, I don’t think it sounds as good as my digital setup (Directstream DAC).

So what can I do to improve, short of buying a much more expensive turntable?

Things in my mind:

1 - Since it accepts DC power, buy a linear power supply

2 - Since my Phone stage on my preamp only accepts XLR three-pin connector, I bought a male RCA to male XLR cable from Amazon, less than $20. Do I need a better interconnect?

3 - Upgrade the cartridge (it comes with Ortfofon Red something)

Thanks!
128x128thyname
cheeg's avatar
cheeg
247 posts
 
+1 on the Nagaoka 150 cartridge; also, their MP-110 is very good, and only $120.  I’d forget about the turntable until you find a cartridge you like, and have it correctly aligned.   What are you using to play CDs?  
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
+1 gasbose! That Dynavector high-output  mc cartridge will handily outperform ANY Ortofon mm! I myself have one in my collection of various cartridges! Just do a careful alignment and setup! Don't waste money on fancy cables! Buy an original US or UK pressing from the 70's of Pink Floyd's DSOTM to use as a reference (sounds better than any of the new reissues)!
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Also, the 1978 Columbia pressing of Floyd's The Wall makes a fine reference LP! 
thyname's avatar
thyname OP
3,107 posts
 
@cheeg I no longer have a CD player. All my CDs are ripped. I use my Directstream with Bridge II to stream my music via Roon, as well as Tidal Hifi
gillatgh's avatar
gillatgh
381 posts
 
FWIW, If not sure go the least expensive avenue, Vynil gets real expensive real fast. Sure all the recommendations are great and useful but you'lL never recoup your outlays if you decide you don't like the whole Vynil experience.  It can be quite a shock not being able to hit a button to skip a track. There is a lot of intimacy required with vynil. Just my opinion. I personally am on the vynil side of the tracks.

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