Where to start with vinyl

Audiofeil. What is your opinion about Musicmaker II and III ? How it compares to others within its price rage ?

Please private email.

Other than specifications and/or technical questions, I avoid discussing my products in the threads.

If you're main goal with getting a vinyl rig is to get "better" sound than your CD player I think you're going about this for the wrong reasons.

Vinyl sound isn't necessarily "better" .. it's just different. It still has it's down sides.

Don't get me wrong, my system is totally geared towards vinyl and that's where I'm going to stay. I prefer it over CD by far. But it's not because it always sounds better. It has to do with ritual, emotion, being connected to the music in a different way.

I personally feel that it has a nicer sound, more warmth and depth. But finding a record in perfect shape isn't easy unless you stick completely to brand new reissues and invest in a proper vacuum cleaning machine.

I'm not trying to be discouraging, I absolutely love (obsess over) vinyl in all forms, even used slightly worn albums.. and I would encourage any music lover to explore the amazing music available on record that never came out on CD.

But you'll get the most pleasure out of it if you go into it for the reasons I've stated rather than the quest for perfect sound.

Just IMHO...

I will double up on what Emenel says...

However the real issue in vinyl is getting the vinyl you want if you have nothing, and good enough copies to warrant saying it is better than the Cd's you wish to correct.

A good vinyl rig can for sure be put together in many forms and manufactures, cartridge outputs etc.. at your 2k to 3k range for sure. But remember this to take advantage of the best in analog much of the investment is the time, learning, and Tools of the trade such as a good cleaning machine, and other setup devices etc... to get the best out of your investment. so if you decide to drop 3k on a nice vinyl rig, new or used, remember you will start to find the need for many other little key items down the road to really have a library of proud and excellent sound... For example good inner sleeves for your black discs.

One good thing about all Analog rigs over any CD player in general, accept if it has tubes and you can play with the flavor a little, you can really adjust the sound to your liking once you know how on a turntable. So yes if your looking for a fun different version of what your Opus does now you can get it, just depends on how far you are willing to go to get there.

SGunther,
I did the same thing.. I just got into vinyl/analog. I also have a similar system as you do (ML Summits). I purchased a VPI Scoutmaster with Dynavector 20XH cart to go with my Cary SLP-98Phono preamp. It's going to be a long process (collecting albums, getting a vacuum/cleaner, working the kinks out)... but I'm sure going to enjoy the journey.

We had the same budget and we have the same system... I'm going to look forward to hearing what you have decided for your system when the time comes. Let us know what you choose to do (or what rig you choose to buy).

Thanks,
Joey