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Need to re-discover analog - please help

Like the short-sighted, lazy, modern moron that I am, I threw away all my LPs and turntable when I got hooked on my first decent CDP, a Kinergetics Platinum KD-40, 15 years ago. Because it was easier to take care of CDs. Now, my mother who was a musician, and had a classical collection of about 200 really absolutely great recordings, collected from the 1940s til the 80s, has left me her collection. They just have to be preserved, played and savored. I need an analog set-up that will a) do them justice and b) not sound noticeably "worse" compared to the digital set-up I am now used to. My analog set-up that I discarded (I know, I know.........please dont rub it in, what's done is done.) was a Denon 103D and Sony PS-800 linear tracking TT and also a Kenwood marble platter with SME tone-arm and also Denon 103 D cartridge and circa 1980 PS Audio MC phono stage.
The present system, to which must now obligatorily be added a turntable: EMM DCC2/CDSD; Atma-Sphere Line-stage MP-1 MkII, Atma-Sphere MA 2.2 modified (27 tubes each); Kharma 3.2; Indra Stealth i/cs; PAD Dominus i/cs and S/Cs (Rev C & B).

I tried MM cartridges before - Dynavector,Ortofon,Shure V15 iv - but only liked the MC Denon 103D - so would prefer that MC "sound".

I have not kept up with the analog market, nor new equipment, and am totally ignorant about the components but would greatly appreciate input as to what TT, tone-arm, cartridge and phono preamp to get that would neither bankrupt me nor do the wonderful collection my mother left me a disservice, nor my ear that is now spoiled by the pretty "good" digital, ancillary set-up I have. Nor, obviously, sound "inferior" to the CDs:)

What sort of a budget am I looking at to keep the system within the overall quality of the associated equipment that I have, without going crazy, since i will still mostly be listening to CDs (unless i get totally hooked and go bonkers..........)?

I listen to classical 90% of the time and 95% of her collection is classical.

As always, I appreciate your advice.
springbok10
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Springbok10,

All of my suggestions are based on personal experience. Regarding a ZYX, I have recently purchased a R100H Yatra MK II. It has most of the qualities of the more expensive versions. It is dead silent in the grooves at high volume. Amazing. The Fuji and Universe are better but not by much to my ears. I own an LP12 with an Ittok arm running into a Supratek Syrah. I'm sure this would float your boat inserted into your system. Still, if you have the change I stick by my suggestion of a Teres 265. Incredibly well built and not fussy to set up. Once set up they stay that way but do need a mass loaded stand. I'm intimately familiar with the Schroder II. You could hang a $10K cartrdige on it and it would do it justice. This arm is, IMO the best tonearm value in analog, bar none. I've heard it directly against the Scroder Reference, the latest Triplanar and the Graham 2.2. Of these four arms the Reference is incredible but the Triplanar and Schroder II are very close. There is just something about the ZYX line of cartridges that is very real. The designer has something like fifteen patents implemented in the lineup and most of them are for eliminating time smear. I'm not technically oriented but my ears tell me he has it right. I've never heard detail and smoothness blended together so well once broken in. Did I mention how spooky quiet they are? Also, there is no need to go out of country to buy one. Mehran is a class act. Truly one of the best vendors I've ever dealt with. The lineup is confusing unless you discuss the possibilities with Mehran of Sorasound. Getting one is like finding religion.
c123666
871 posts
 
Slightly used DPS turntable with wonderful Schroder arm at 2500 euro/offer looks excellent and almost a turnkey solution.

Scheu Premier II table is about 2000 new and a superb value and performer.

Used Forsell at just over 6000 bux looks very good, too.
sailfishben
65 posts
 
Interesting post 4 sure... I'd also call Larry at Hollywood Sound (you can find him here at a-gon). My dealings with him have been right on the mark... not too much or too little for my more modest system. And what I wound up with still astounds me. My particular sale certainly didn't allow him to close up shop for the day, but you wouldn't have know it from the time he spent making sure I bought the right product for my needs and then some.

Likewise I've no affiliation with him, just a customer who's been rewarded with solid help in an area I knew so little of.
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Springbok10, we'll all suggest for you a system that will match our respective tastes. I won't be any different. Assuming you're not quite ready to go the all-out route I've taken with a Walker Audio Proscenium turntable and Aesthetix Io Signature phono stage, consider this alternative combination that I've found very engaging and just enjoy those 200 LPs you've inherited without breaking the bank. You'll get a large slice of great analog sound. Later, if you want to take it further, re-sale should be no problem.

Turntable:
VPI Scoutmaster with JMW 9 tonearm - $2400

Cartridge (MC):
One of the following: Benz Glider 2 ($800), Dynavector Karat 17-D2 ($750), Sumiko Blackbird ($750). (Sure, one of the $2-5,000 cartridges will be better, but any of these would be very good. Live with one for a while before moving up market.)

Phono stage:
Your existing Atma-Sphere MP-1, assuming you didn't have Ralph eliminate the phono stage when he built it for you.

Welcome to analog once again!
.
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
Rush,
I like the budget and simplicity. Would the JMW 9 tonearm mate with the ZYX cartridge? If not, which of the cartridges you mention would be closest in character to the XYX? My MP-1 is linestage only. Dont feel like shipping it back so which Phono preamp has balanced outputs? And is in keeping with budget above?
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