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
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Denis,

I'm so thrilled. Keep in mind that everything will just get better as the bits and pieces break in. During this period you will grow accustomed to whatever cleaning and handling procedures you settle on and they will become second nature. Yeah, you have to get up and flip the darn things every 15 to 20 minutes but you won't mind. The greatest gift of all is that you now can concentrate on the best recordings of whatever fomat it is found on. The best of both worlds, indeed. Again, I'm very happy for you. Just watch out for the upgrade path. He he.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Denis,
Glad to hear you're finally up and running, and achieving the kind of results you were hoping for. Your summary of the differences between analog and digital matches my experience (and that of many others) exactly.

As Cello said, much of the vinyl hassle will become second nature. That upgrade path he warned about is also there. If you decide to follow it be assured that even more lifelike presentation is possible. Whether you do or not, enjoy the tunes!

Doug
springbok10 OP
711 posts
 
Thanks Pat & Doug. I hope to delay the upgrade path as long as possible............
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