"Yeah it may be better than digital. But come on. 3K+ for a cartridge. Cleaning machines. Preamps. VTA adjustments. noisy records. expensive software. By the time you get it all set up you are ready to just turn on the tv and watch Sportscenter. Is there any alternative?"
Gregadd
LOL, you do get up to make your own sammich, or wait for delivery? ;)
Apparently you have spent too much time reading the audio mags and threads by the analog BIG BOYS. Great analog can be done very well on a very modest budget. As far as the tweaking, cleaning etc. You can be just as anal about that as you want to be, but usually your efforts are rewarded.
The world is full of great vinyl that can be had for $1 or so. Sure, you can't sit at home in your recliner and find them, but the hunt is alot of the fun for those of us who enjoy such things. There is alot more pride of ownership when you have to search for and find some truly amazing vinyl for next to nothing. Much more so than left clicking on your mouse and waiting for the mailman to bring it to you.
There are also some very nice cartridges in the $150 or less range (Denon 103, 110, 160, AT440MLa to name a few). Very good DIY phono transformer stepup devices can be built for $150 or less.
You mention cleaning machines. I built a DIY RCM for $50. It may not look like a $700 machine, but it does the exact same thing. It sucks the suspended crud off the vinyl. Add $50 for fluids, $40 for brushes and viola, clean records. (The misnomer of vinyl being full of pops and tics is BS)
I think you would be surprised at how musical some of the vintage turntables can be. $500 or less spent wisely will be very satisfying for most. Again, it all depends on how deep in your pocket you want to go. My $200 Thorens would probably surprise you.
I would imagine that most of what I mentioned above probably does not appeal to you. Nothing wrong with that. But some of us still have the instinct to hunt, explore and build. Others prefer to stay home waiting for dinner.
I won't get involved with which sounds best, (you already said it with your first sentence) as that is for each to decide for themselves. But the premise that vinyl is too expensive, noisy and troublesome to persue just isn't the case. It can be done very well with very little investment.
When I am in a wheelchair and eat my meals thru a straw, I will then reluctantly convert all of my listening to digital. ;)
Gregadd
LOL, you do get up to make your own sammich, or wait for delivery? ;)
Apparently you have spent too much time reading the audio mags and threads by the analog BIG BOYS. Great analog can be done very well on a very modest budget. As far as the tweaking, cleaning etc. You can be just as anal about that as you want to be, but usually your efforts are rewarded.
The world is full of great vinyl that can be had for $1 or so. Sure, you can't sit at home in your recliner and find them, but the hunt is alot of the fun for those of us who enjoy such things. There is alot more pride of ownership when you have to search for and find some truly amazing vinyl for next to nothing. Much more so than left clicking on your mouse and waiting for the mailman to bring it to you.
There are also some very nice cartridges in the $150 or less range (Denon 103, 110, 160, AT440MLa to name a few). Very good DIY phono transformer stepup devices can be built for $150 or less.
You mention cleaning machines. I built a DIY RCM for $50. It may not look like a $700 machine, but it does the exact same thing. It sucks the suspended crud off the vinyl. Add $50 for fluids, $40 for brushes and viola, clean records. (The misnomer of vinyl being full of pops and tics is BS)
I think you would be surprised at how musical some of the vintage turntables can be. $500 or less spent wisely will be very satisfying for most. Again, it all depends on how deep in your pocket you want to go. My $200 Thorens would probably surprise you.
I would imagine that most of what I mentioned above probably does not appeal to you. Nothing wrong with that. But some of us still have the instinct to hunt, explore and build. Others prefer to stay home waiting for dinner.
I won't get involved with which sounds best, (you already said it with your first sentence) as that is for each to decide for themselves. But the premise that vinyl is too expensive, noisy and troublesome to persue just isn't the case. It can be done very well with very little investment.
When I am in a wheelchair and eat my meals thru a straw, I will then reluctantly convert all of my listening to digital. ;)