2. analog
  3. 1133325352

How much $ to "match" digital in my system?

I know this is a difficult question, but let me explain how it arose. I'm currently using Apple's Airport Express and iTunes through my Musical Fidelity X-DAC v3, w/ the X-PSU power supply, as source. Sometimes I also listen to SACD, but nevermind that. For amplification, I have a Classe CAP-101, and my Paradigm 20's are soon to be replaced by revel m-22 monitors. I have no sub yet.

Visiting my parents for Thanksgiving, I happened upon a stash of old LP's. Wouldn't you know, there were all of these amazing recordings in beautiful condition: Ormandy, van Cliburn, Gould, Bernstein, and so on. Wow. My parents have a thirty-year-old crappy turntable, with a built-in amp. On that setup, the recordings didn't compare with cd quality, although there *was* something satisfying, despite all of the distortion. Anyway, they don't use or want the collection.

I started wondering what kind of investment it would take, in terms of turntable, tone arm, and cartridge, to enjoy their collection. Would I be better off selling their LP's and investing the money in digital software? Or could I, for a reasonable sum, get something out of that vinyl that cd's couldn't match? It's really all classical music, and especially orchestral. And I am not at all satisfied with my system's reproduction of strings. For whatever reason, it always sounds like strings are metallic. They just don't sound like live string performances. Piano and percussion are close enough for me, but strings, especially larger groups of strings, aren't. Hence, my question.

I know, I know... the sound will have different qualities. It will never reach parity with cd in some respects, regardless of what I spend, and it will better cd in some respects while spending very little. But I'm interested in hearing about your experiences. If you've added vinyl to an otherwise decent digital-based system, how much did you have to spend to feel vinyl was worth your time? And how did you spend it?

Thanks in advance.
qualia8
gilbodavid
62 posts
 
Have a look at the "building high end tt's at home despot" thread. I have a lenco and havent looked back.
qualia8 OP
49 posts
 
I have checked that out, actually. Cool thread. I'm afraid I also don't have that much free time... or creativity. But I did get some good ideas.
jdaniel18ee
88 posts
 
First of all, I too "travelled the world over" to find a CD player that could do strings right. I now have a turntable. A turntable to match digital? Try one for $150. I'm *not* kidding!! I think the reason you didn't like the sound of the albums...was because of the albums. Bernstein, Ormandy, etc., these are Columbia pressings, no offense, but sadly among the worst recorded and pressed albums in all of Lp history. I would like to strangle everyone involved. Try a late-analog Philips or a London ffrr, (there are millions of them), on that same system. I ended up with a VPI Scoutmaster, $2500, but turntables will beat digital for far far less than that--it's just that you will have to audition with anything but a Columbia or late RCA. The greatest news of all is that you like Classical. The used issues out there tend to be well taken care of, and most titles are available on inexpensive European pressings that were made to the highest standards. Try a VPI Scout or a Nottingham Horizon, both close to $1K.
qualia8 OP
49 posts
 
thanks jdaniel. that's very good news. after the holidays, i'll start shopping. (we'll see what the budget is *then*.)

what do you mean by late-analog? just before recordings were themselves made in digital, then pressed? when was that, for philllips? any particular recordings you'd recommend? i *do* like the philadelphia sound... ormandy is one of my favorites.

as far as my best string sounds, i'd have to say they're on sacd remasters of various kinds... probably late analog, i think.
jdaniel18ee
88 posts
 
Yes, the Philadelphia is one of my favorites too, Angel or EMI got a few recordings of them with Ormandy and then Muti, from around '79 up to '85 and they are a little better than Columbia and/or RCA. You will find that digital albums are not bad at all either. The ultimate DAC! I was just speaking of "late-analog" Philips as an example. I just think you will find London, Philips, EMI, DG and even Angel, not to mention early-pressing Mercuries and Shaded Dog RCA's to be excellent. The dynamics on just about all of the above, combined with almost CD-quiet surfaces will be just what the doctor orders. I know it's a painful purchase, but a VPI record cleaner with the Vacuum really is indespensible, though close to $500.

I've been buying albums for a year now and it's kind of an education process: you learn what performances you like, what recording engineers you like, what pressings, etc. Have fun.
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