2. analog
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Every day I see another turntable recommendation...

After digging into this topic, I am convinced now I need to go a bit higher on this first vinyl set up. I think all in, I am prepared at this point to go up to $5k, for the table alone, not including arm or cartridge.

But frankly, being on this forum is like drinking from an information firehose. I have learned a bunch and yet somehow, I am less convicted than before.

With that in mind, to narrow down the decision, I am want to restrict myself to things I can buy, hear and, if necessary, service locally. My local dealers stock, AMG, AVM, Basis, Clearaudio, Michell, Musichall, Pro-ject, Rega, VPI, so I am likely restricted to those brands. I am certain my view will change by the end of this thread.

saulh
saulh OP
54 posts
 

@tablejockey sounds like you are saying I can’t share by with the Hagerman Trumpet?

slaw's avatar
slaw
20,573 posts
 

I'm salivating over the Pure Fidelity Harmony, definitely in your price range just not local

tablejockey
3,813 posts
 

"sounds like you are saying I can’t share by with the Hagerman Trumpet?"

Absolutely not. It’s just considering what you will have invested in the complete table assembly. Your sports car with budget tires?

By all the positive reports by user and reviewers it’s a winner. Reality-it’s a $1K very good phono stage that can be bettered with all the choices you have. Listen to a setup with equipment in your desired price point. It won’t have a $1K phonostage for a reason.

The most phonostage you can afford to fully exploit the table's potential.

 

sns
3,005 posts
 

All I can say is I was somewhat disappointed with tt's in price range of $1k-$5k area, this including arm. Always had issues with at least one area of sound quality in this price area. I had various phono stage in price range of $500-nearly $3k and cartridges in range of $300- $2k to match with the tt's.

 

My reference for sound quality has long been really top flight analog setups, the best being many multiples of $10k. Not having owned this I rely on my aural memory. What I recall from those setups is extremely high resolving capabilities along with the ease and/or natural qualities analog is renowned for. My setups did pretty well with the natural qualities, resolving capabilities not really close.

 

My other reference has long been my digital setups which have usually exceeded my analog setups in resolving capabilities. I have issues accepting lower resolving capabilities from analog when my digital exceeds here, I easily get bored from lack of involvement when I'm aware of missing information. Missing info means far more than simply lacking detail.

 

IME, obtaining higher and/or highest resolving capabilities from vinyl is what differentiates the big buck setups from the lesser setups. But  then, what is acceptable in this domain depends on the individual, seems many get pleasure from less costly setups.

slaw's avatar
slaw
20,573 posts
 

It is largely dependent on equipment isolation, power quality and room. I'd spend more on those three aspects and be happier with your current setup, then,  any going forward.

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