New Rega Planer 8 (P8) Turntable - Apheta 2 Cartridge Combo - Thoughts

Well I once owned an Ortofon Windfeld MC, and to me it sounded more like really really good digital with a touch of analogness, which may be your jam :) Very very good technical cartridge. I’m sure it’s well ahead of the Rega you had. The new Ti version (which I’ve not heard) should be even better. I’m now firmly of the Koetsu stone camp myself, since I love its sweet/romantic/technicolor midrange. But I also really like the top Shelter Harmony, which I think blends in both camps.

Chinook should be nice, and the Rogue Ares sounds good and can do well in a budget pinch (especially with Blue-label CineMags). But really call Keith Herron up and get a better reading on price lol.

Wish you had some high-end analog junkies in your local area. THAT is the way to catch the bug and learn from others’ experience hands-on! It only took one guy in my case, to get me hooked. "Thanks", Tom H...

@fsmithjack ………………………………………

Until I purchased my SL1200G, I was in the same boat as you.  I had 3 other turntables before I bought the Technics, a lot of vinyl to play, but I would sit there and ask myself what is all the fuss about.  The sound wasn't anything special.  That changed when I purchased the Technics.  I am using the same cartridge that I used for the other 3 tables (ZU-Denon DL103 that I purchased from wcfeil many years ago).  The sound is so relaxing and really draws me into the music.  I have no need to sit and nitpick the music, it just sounds right.

I hope you can get to that special place like I have.  Best of luck.

@fsmithjack so thinking some more about your situation I think you can go a couple (or three ways)

Path I -- go all out for an "analog" as possible representation of state of the art LP playback. This would match the Verdier with the Schick and add a cartridge like a Miyajima, a Miyabi or a Koestsu -- something on that yang side of the spectrum -- think this sort of sound https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/the-murasakino-musique-analogue-sumile-mc-pho.... This path would maximize the contrast from digital and give you an alternative view into new types of material, especially classic 50s/60s jazz and classical

Path II -- try to make your analog rig "beat" your digital. This would match the Verdier with the AMG arm (or an SME, a Kuzma Four point or that sort of thing) and then with the Winfield or a Lyra or other SotA MC cart - think this sort of sound http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/kuzma-stabi-r-turntable/. This path would bring out the best in reissues or current material and allow you to tease out weaknesses in your digital rig -- but you may find yourself tending to draw negative comparisons with the digital and feel dissatisfied

There is of course a middle ground that captures the best of both but I think that that will take more $$ (and ideally involve a multi arm table setup)

Path III of course is to forget about analog at all and spend the $$ on your digital rig itself

Perhaps if you let us know what you are trying to get out of analog it would help you navigate -- the Verdier could be a good start in any of a number of dimensions but it would help to know where you are trying to get to

@fsmithjack 

fsmithjack
Do you think this set up has a chance?

If you answer these questions I will give you an opinion as an actual owner.

1) Will you set it up on the garage side or basement side ?

2) Are you willing to do the acoustic "dance" test before listening to the first record ?

3) Are you setting La Platine up with B & B ?

4)The TT has a learning curve. It is not plug and play. Are you willing to have patience with it ?

Yes or No is fine.      Just trying to help. 

The Technics is like fine wine.  It gets better with age.