New to vinyl - How to get the best out of old classical discs?


I’ve recently added vinyl to my classical listening lineup (mostly piano and chamber music) after realizing how many extraordinary recordings aren’t available in other formats. I wanted to start small, but now that I’m a little more comfortable with the gear and know I like the format, I’m interested in where the biggest improvements can be found. Generic suggestions are always welcome, but there are issues that seem to come up more often with of these old classical discs so if anyone has extensive experience there I would be particularly grateful. My budget is around $1000, and any gear that holds value is preferred.


My current setup:


Prep: Ultrasonic/IPA/detergent, new sleeves, quick wipe with dry swiffer duster before play

TT:  Denon DP-51F

Cart:  Ortofon Red

Phono: Pro-ject Phono Box S2


Then (usually):


MiniDSP

Scott 222C (EL84 PP amplifier)

Klipsch RF-5s (discontinued floorstanders, similar sound to Heritage)


Thanks in advance for any advice!


bluemountain
@vinylshadow

"Hahaha. I can’t believe I’m reading about springs again, it’s almost in every thread already. Unbelievable.

Maybe because it works? Believable.


Works for whom? For you with your turntable? What is your turntable and who designed it if it doesn’t work as is?

" Nothing will change the sound more than a good cartridge in your current set up @bluemountain."

Whatever you say professor.

If you don’t know the basics and believe in snake oil then I feel sorry for you. Cartridge is the only thing in analog chain that physically extract music from the vinyl groove (way before any other components involved), what your springs can do for the sound if your first component in analog chain is weak? Anyone with cheap awful sounding cartridge must change a cartridge first before all the minor tweaks everyone can do later when cartridge, tonearm, phono stage, speakers, amps are perfect.

If you start from the springs maybe you can explain the logic?

Better cartridge with better stylus profile will make the OP’s system much better, you can’t do that with springs. We are talking about MUSIC and VINYL here, not your measurements with oscilloscope or some others devices. 

Hey chakster, it sounds like you are taking this spring thing a little hard. Who cares if they waste their money silly springs and such.