2. analog
  3. 151666-80920

Best Analog for $10K

I’ve spent considerable money and time assembling a great all-digital two-channel audio system. I want to experience vinyl reproduction. My budget is $10-12K for turntable, arm, cartridge, phono cable, and phono stage.
Two things I do not want. One is to get on a spiraling upgrade path. The second is to avoid too much fiddling and tweaking and adjusting.
I am open to used or refurbished equipment, as well as new gear.
I primarily listen to Jazz and Rock music. Very little classical.
Thoughts?
imgoodwithtools
jperry
2,462 posts
 
My recommendation for a no fuss analog system is the one below. A few hundred under your price at list.

The turntable and arm are very easy to set up together. The cartridge is an outstanding performer matched to a dedicated phono preamp. Worth auditioning if you have not heard a DS Audio cartridge.

Dr Feickert Analogue Woodpecker turntable $6,995 with Jelco TK 850L tonearm

DS Audio DS E1 Optical Phono Cartridge System $2,750


I have heard this and it sounds great.


mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,502 posts
 
J A Michell Gyro SE plus Techno Arm w/Dynavector 20x2L, Manley Labs Chinook phono stage, Manley Labs Jumbo Shrimp line stage.......Goose Bump City! Plus you get to tube roll!! How fun.  Once you set the Turntable up you dont have to fiddle, just enjoy :-)


And less than 10K


Matt M

P.S. IMO if you dont have at least 2,000 records you may just want to stay digital. Source material will be your main problem, its harder now to find good original clean sounding albums, NEW pressings often times will disappoint.


roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
+1 Agrippa! You have the best recommendation here!
timo62
282 posts
 
Imgoodwithtools,

I think the question should be, what is the best analog for you for $10,000. You have more than enough of a budget to have yourself a really nice set up. 

Do you have any local audio stores, where you can start to learn in person, more about the different brand turntables , phono preamps and cartridges to choose from?


imgoodwithtools OP
236 posts
 
*timo62*
That's the problem I have. I live in rural Wyoming. The closest audio stores are about 5 hours away in Denver. I've built an entire audio system by reading audio reviews or recommendations, making a short list, and trying to listen to some of those components at dealers or audio shows. Then I try to purchase items I'm interested in, either as used or dealer demos. I might bring in three DACs or amplifiers, listen to them in my own system for a month or two, and keep the components I love. I can usually resell the rest and not get stung too badly. I'm a little afraid of moving turntables around, as they seem more delicate than other gear.
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