Have you asked yourself this question?
Lately I have thought about selling my entire analog set-up: Turntable, phono preamp, and vinyl collection. It's a good system, but my digital system sounds good enough that I don't listen to the analog system any more.
For purposes of illustrating my dilemma, my system is as follows:
Analog system: Linn Sondek LP12, upgraded with Lingo II power supply, Karousel bearing, and trampolin suspension. Loci Psionic Tonearm with practically new Clearaudio Maestro cartridge. PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamp. Plus, about 450 records, mostly popular stuff from the late 60s, 70s and 80s.
Digital System: Metrum Acoustics Streamer (Roon endpoint) plus Metrum Onyx DAC.
Just curious if any of you have thought about selling your entire analog rig, because you don't listen to it. What did you finally decide? Interested in your experiences.
I still have a very good TT , phono pre-amp etc but almost never listen to it. Even though I started buying high performance gear during ( possibly ) the golden age of tables. Some vinyl still sounds fantastic. Nowadays I can't get passed Clicks and Pops, takes me out of the moment...... Still, my Thorens remains with me..... |
Thanks for the topic, hifinut51... I asked and answered your question in the mid-1990's. My vinyl was a long curated, pristine surface, collection. Raised around live music, I've zero tolerance for extraneous noise. The front end was an Allan Perkins improved SOTA Star Sapphire TT w/electronic flywheel (line conditioner) and vacuum. A Fidelity Research FR64-fx was a great dance partner, spinning better Grados. Early dampening using Marigo VTS tuning dots and sandbox/granite under-plinth isolation. Fine tuning an Arcam Alpha 9 cdp (dCS ring dac onboard) finally struck an emotional chord with digital efforts from Red House Records, RR, Proprius and a handful of other labels. HDCD shone through nicely with the Arcam. And again, a Marigo dot treatment, a well matched power cord and careful leveling of the box (don't ask.) My active preamp had a terrific phono stage, a built-in expectation of any great preamp in that day. My actual preamp, still spinning in Germany. Search:
Nova Electro-Acoustics CPA-100A JFET Co... For Sale | Audiogon
Did the Arcam sonics match or improve upon the SOTA rig? No. However, the path was clear that I could not pursue both technologies, financially. I have zero loyalty to the gear, only to the music. Audial memory is faulty at best. That said, my sound now easily exceeds, in all parameters that are meaningful to me, my recollection of that vinyl rig. I recently lost a close friend with "big boy vinyl stuff" nearby, and I clearly would not have been able to keep up with the progress made in both worlds, financially. My posts in AudiogoN cover some of my digital journey, so I won't belabor it. Oh, my close friend Thurston just is fine having moved to northwest Virginia. He is setting up his big rig in the basement of a raised ranch... 35' x 24' with 2 concrete side walls and rug covered concrete flooring. A big time Lampizator, Luminous Passive Pre w/volume, Dynaudio Heritage Specials and a soon to arrive McIntosh MC75 MKVI. He's having a ball streaming! (sold his vinyl) Vinyl is fun, tactile, exhausting, frustrating and extremely rewarding. I support you fully, Guys and Gals, wishing you nothing but the best. If ever Powerball...I'm back in with both feet!! Onwards! Pin More Peace (bold print for old eyes) |
@mijostyn I was told that a SP/Dif to USB converter is not really a great way to go, if one is concerned with SQ. I do not know of anyone who uses this, so no personal experience. Do you have a thought on this? Anyone else use this type of connection?
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