To venture back into vinyl or not,...that is the question.


Hi, 
I have been without vinyl playback for a few years.  Last turntable I had was a Linn Axis with Basik tonearm and a newer version of the ADC XLM mark"something".  

Any suggestions on a used table to consider.....under 500.00 if possible.  Or maybe just an old BSR and "stack 'em up"?


whatjd
If all you want to spend is $500, you best stick with CD resolution.

jssmith, you have not a romantic bone in your body. Do you have sex with a robot?
At $500 CDs are better.

At .... I don’t know, $2,000 and up, $4,000 and up?, vinyl is better.

Jssmith, I grew up with vinyl. My first LP was The Rolling Stones 12 x 5, age 9. Since then I’ve added 6,000+ LPs, About 200 45s, and 300 78s. I listen to CDs when I have to. The other day I put on a Frank Sinatra LP recorded in 1954. It sounded a little gritty even though it was sealed, just opened, brand new. I figured oh no, I hope I didn’t buy a digitally remastered press. I looked on the notes on the back and sure enough it was.

I can’t imagine streaming. 

“Accurate?” I guess that depends on what the meaning of the word accurate is. Imho quality analogue beats quality digital every time.
No offense intended to anyone, but I must say that I have always found it perplexing, and not a little silly, when specific $ amounts are attached to a price point when all of a sudden it is “worth it” to do this or that. There are so many variables: the specific gear in question, synergy with ancillary components, expertise in set up, the particular listener’s sensitivity to and/or preference for the very real fundamental differences in the sound of each playback medium (regardless of cost). Sure, I’ve heard $4K CD players that, on balance, sound better than some $500 turntables. However, I have also heard meticulously chosen and set up $500 tt setups that I would much rather listen to than some $4K CD players in their respective systems and set up.
mijostyn,

On the contrary. The money I don't waste on vinyl goes to many romantic dinners with the significant other. See, that's how cost/benefit analysis works.
unreceivedogma,

I discount subjective opinion. But remastering of an old recording isn't a good analogy. And remasterings are hit-and-miss anyway. Even remastering of modern digital recordings. However, there is no grittiness to a digital recording. That is related to all the digital conversion myths.
(good example here)

I think that even most vinyl aficionados agree that their preference for vinyl has to do with its deficiencies and in some cases an album's original mastering (vs. CD's loudness wars). The technical advantage of digital is undeniable. Whether you prefer the deficiencies of vinyl or an individual mastering more is subjective.