2. analog
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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
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
I also dont want to argue - I would love to buy a VPI - and I certainly respect what you & Rush say. Let's just say I "misheard" Larry, since he is a VPI seller according to the website that I have just checked - maybe he just said that by omission. I think I'm treading on dangerous ground here, since Larry was extremely helpful and I probably should have shut up about my sources, as I will do in future. Blame me, not Larry. Let's say it was NOT Larry. OK? I certainly dont want him to be blamed by VPI because I was indiscreet.
Can we drop this now? I certainly appreciate all the input from everybody and dont wish to impugn any make/manufacturer/dealer.
readster
241 posts
 
consider it dropped, good luck on your hunt.

Reade.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,055 posts
 
Dear Springbok10: There are many options out there. Here is my advise:

TT: Acoustic Signature Final Tool. To beat this turntable you have to go for a Walker, a Verdier or the like. Great performer for the price. Hard to beat.
Tonearm: Moerch DP-6. An excellent one and you can match with any cartridge, because the use of different effective mass arm wand ( this is a plus. )

Cartridges: Sumiko Celebration ( lower price than the ZYX and great performer. Truly a bargain. ), Dynavector XV-1, Clearaudio Discovery, Allaerts Boron, Ortofon Kontrapuntk B, Denon S1, Shelther 90X.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
opalchip
355 posts
 
Just a reminder - A turntable spins a platter. If it spins at a constant speed and imparts no (or virtually no) vibration to the lp as it does so, that is the best it can do. Period. Doesn't matter how much it cost.

98% of the differences people think they hear from turntables result from:

a. the cartridge's unique characteristics
b. the interaction/combination of the arm and cartridge.
c. the interaction/matching of the cartridge's output with the signal path, primarily the phono section.
d. the quality and quantity of isolation of the turntable from acoustic and mechanical feedback sources.

All this dwelling on which TURNTABLE is silly advice - especially for someone with only 200 lp's at the moment! My advice would be to get any decent deck with a good arm - like a VPI Aries Scout, play a bunch of lp's with a Denon 103 and Shelter 501, and see if this whole vinyl thing is even what you really want. You can always shop for something to impress the neighbors later.

If an Aries Scout or it's equivalent isn't enjoyable to you, then neither would a J.C. Verdier. It's different, but it ain't THAT different.

IMHO, of course.
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Denis- I am not a vinyl (or digital for that matter) expert by any means, but it seems to me that Opalchip's advice is excellent. Plenty of decent TTs for sale used here, including SOTA, Well Tempered, Rega, VPI, etc. I was very pleased with the service I got from Donna and Kurt at SOTA; they drilled an armboard, mounted the arm and cart I sent them, balanced it, and shipped it to me, all ready to drop into the arm board cut-out of my used Star Saphirre with the appropriate amount of lead shot for the suspension, all for a VERY reasonable price. I recommend them highly, and you can deal direct with the owner/manufacturer. I'm sure there are others out there who would do the same for their product.
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