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VPI table, cart and phonostage? - Novice.

I am strongly considering getting back into vinyl. I've got 200+ lps in boxes, many relatively new.

My current digital setup is Bel Canto PL-1 Universal player, Krell HTS 7.1 prteamp, Bel Canto 6 channel amp, B & W N 805 speakers. I play mainly Classical and Jazz.

Houston has almost no high end TT dealers. The one store I went into had a Nottingham Spacedeck and I heard a 45 rpm Belafonte disc, and got the vinyl concept in my brain. Wow!

I probably will get a VPI, based mainly on reviews and reputation...also made in USA!

Scout or Scoutmaster? Is there that big a difference? Both are Stereophile Class B,I believe. Are there carts that are "wasted" by putting them on a scout, whereas on a scoutmaster you get that extra value you paid for? Basically, to what level of cart would you go on a scout or scoutmaster?

Should I get a aolid state or tube phono stage for these TTs? Any suggestions. I am somewhat open minded about budget, but I want to get components that are about in the same league. I mean, a $1.5K TT with a $5K cart and a $7K phono stage seems crazy, or does it?

Is the SDS worth getting for either of these?

Also, does anybody out there think I, a novice, can install a cart and set it up myself without an analog saavy compadre around? I've read the beginners guide to cart setup and its not rocket science, so I think I can.

Thanks for the input.
dolifant
audiotomb's avatar
audiotomb
1,112 posts
 
hey don't dismantle the poor guys thread

I'll second the spacedeck/spacearm for great performance at reasonable cost. plus these things are sexy

now who sells them in Houston?
I'm a Hurricane Katrina refugee who will be there 8 months
left my vinyl at home, but want to shop around a little in Houston

oops, now I'm sabotaging the thread

Tom
warjarrett
105 posts
 
It is truly amazing to me that this ZYX Airy-3 versus Shelter 90x debate keeps cropping up in various different threads. The ugliness that this particular comparison inspires suggests to me that they are BOTH truly GREAT cartridges. So, what I have done is purchase one of each. Both are used, supposedly under 100 hours. I will compare the two cartridges IN MY SYSTEM, and I will decide FOR MYSELF which I prefer. Then it will be my turn to be harassed and insulted by whichever group of fans disagree with what I hear.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Warjarret,

I'm not sure why you resurrected a two year old thread, but congrats on your new cartridges.

A word of caution about any used cartridge, especially one with a micro-ridge/line contact stylus like the ZYX: make sure the stylus is properly cleaned before doing any listening. I have rehabilitated no end of "defective" cartridges for friends by doing nothing more than removing layers of built up crud from their styli. Sometimes a Magic Erasering is enough. Occasionally I've had to resort to Linn's old trick, a bit of fine sandpaper.

If the stylus is gunked up, you won't hear what either cartridge can do.

Have fun!
Doug
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