@signaforce that's really interesting. Before my recent analog epiphany I had considered purchasing the Denafrips 15th hoping to add some R2R warmth to my Lumin.
My Analog Journey - Opinions Sought
When I first started out in this hobby 10 years ago, my first source was a Bluesound Node 2. Eventually I upgraded to a Lumin T2 which was a nice step up in sound quality and I’ve been happy with it ever since.
Around 2021 or so I decided I want to explore the analog side of things. With the guidance of this forum, I settled on a Technics SL1210GR, AudioTechnica VM760SLC cart, and a Herron VTPH1 phono stage.
Somewhere along the line I decided that I preferred the convenience of streaming and there my turntable sat. Collecting dust as they say.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. I decided that maybe it was time to start letting some of this gear go that I’m not using. The Herron was first up on the chopping block, but something told me I better turn this thing on and make sure it still works.
So, I hooked everything up. Dropped on Everybody Digs Bill Evans, a recording with which I’m well familiar. Well, I almost cried at how good it sounded. <Insert all the flowery audiophile language here>. The background was blacker. The tone richer, more air and separation around the instruments within the soundstage, and the imaging is more precise.
The difference between my digital and analog rig could not be more apparent. I heard someone say on this forum that you need to spend much more on digital to obtain the same results as analog; or maybe it was the other way around?
I am absolutely hooked on vinyl right now and don’t see myself turning back. Although I do see myself looking into MC carts in the not so distance future.
Thanks to everyone on this forum that shares their knowledge so freely. Comments welcome on future upgrades or anything else.....
Cheers,
Joe
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@audionoobie I wasn't referring to you! You are more than welcome here. |
@dogberry ok cool, thx man! |
ghdprentice,
I am in a similar place as you are, except all of my gear is fairly modern TOTL CJ tube equipment. I too have a well appointed modern LP12 and it is sporting a Grado Aeon 3 cartridge. Although I have just North of 3K vinyl LP's my wife laughs that there are really on 50 or so in regular. The sound is wonderful. However, in the never ending search to get my digital (currently using Cary DMS 600) closer to that of my analog set up, I have earmarked $15K- $20K . That may sound lie a lot to some people, but my LP12 has that amount in it without the $6K cartridge included. I have two other TT's: a new Rega P10 with a Transfiguration Proteus D cartridge, and a Nottingham System Deck with a Koetsu RSP. At 64 years old with a progressing retina disease, I find it easier to have several TT's set up which I can swap in and out rather than changing a cartridge on a tonearm. From an ease of use, and an economics view point, digital gives a good bit more value. |
+1 for both posts from @ghdprentice . My experience is identical to his and I could not have articulated it better. I only use my vinyl rig when I have a recording not on Qobuz, which is not often, or if in a nostalgic mood to play a rare record like a red vinyl 78 of Enrico Caruso or a special edition Benny Goodman record. |
- 37 posts total