mcintosh MT10 turntable good or not.

01-17-08: Beerdraft
Thanks Swampwalker, I actally went crazy trying to get better sound now from the CD player and bought the classe cdp202 today. This table is both a blessing and a bad thing being it made me want a better cd player as I won't even listen to a disc right now.

Everybody's different, but in my case, when I got my turntable last March, it sounded so much better than the CDs I'd been spinning for the previous 20 years that I didn't even play a CD again (except to compare to the same recording on LP) for 10 months. In the meantime I acquired somewhere between 300 and 400 LPs.

I finally got an Oppo DV-980H, especially for its SACD ability, and I use it some for music and a lot for upconverting standard DVDs, but when I want to connect with the artist and the music, I go to the turntable.

Back in March, before deciding where to spend my money, I took an SACD and direct disc LP of the same recording to Seattle's highest high end shop and played it on a very mid 5-figures Linn rig. The LP made the SACD sound threadbare and hashy. I bought a turntable the next weekend.

Thats awsome Johnnyb53, where do you get your LP's? I tested a marantz SACD player as my dealer let me take it home and they gave me a handfull of SACD's to use as I didn't have any. It was nice but I'd much rather listen to the vinyl to as one of the disc they gave me I actually had the record and prefer it. So I took the sacd back. I will definately start spending my money mostly on records now. Currently buy from musicdirect and have only bought 180g and 200g. Also the XRCD IS a verygood sounding CD and I prefer it over SACD. I haven't heard the same two disc on both formats but the few xrcd's I have are great evne in my rotel player. We'll see in the new player when it gets in.

You beat me to it Beerdraft, I was just about to recommend the Marantz. That's what I'm now using, a SA-11S1 w/ Ultimate mod from Underwood/pcX. Out of curiosity, which Marantz did you listen to? Was it broken in? If not the Marantz, then possibly look for a used Audio Aero, they sound very good (for digital). However, I've read quite a few complaints about transport problems with AA units, so be careful.

Face it, it sounds as if you're ruined for digital now. It's hard to go back to the same old town after cruising through the Caribbean in a private yacht......

I doubt you will find any magic cable to cure what ails you. Though you may want to try some cables made with Gold conductors. Either from Jade Audio, Gabriel Gold or the KCI Silkworms. I prefer the Jade Audio, though others have their favorites too.

Cheers,
John

01-18-08: Beerdraft
Thats awsome Johnnyb53, where do you get your LP's?

Most of them are from thrift shops and the dollar bins at used record stores. For titles that are important to me, I got a few from eBay in the $5-15 range, and I bought a few new ones at a local store. My most expensive new ones are a 180g 30th anniv. "Dark Side of the Moon" and 200g Classic Records edition of Diana Krall's "From This Moment On," cut on a tube-driven lathe.

I have been amazed at how many used records still have great sound in them and most need little cleaning. For those that need cleaning, a blast or two from a handheld steamer does a good job.

I'm in my 50s, so there is a lot of music from the '60s thru the '80s that I'm fond of, and none of it sounded right on the CD reissues (especially the Beatles). The used LP market enables me to rediscover these musical treasures often for .50 to 1.00 a pop (but not the Beatles). Still, I managed to find never-played Japanese pressings of Rubber Soul and Revolver for $12 ea.

Currently buy from musicdirect and have only bought 180g and 200g.

While most of those "audiophile grade" pressings are very good, I think you will be very surprised how well a good condition, clean old original pressing can sound. I have a mix bag of new pressings and older stuff, and many of by best sounding albums are used pieces I picked up cheap from local record stores.

Another way you might want to give your collection a nice jump start is looking for lot sales, both here on the ‘gon and ebay. Many go for about $1 or less a record when purchased in a lot.

While I pick up hard to find items online, I find that digging through old albums is one of the best parts of the hobby.

Happy listening!