Audiohifila, reasons to learn set up for yourself (siding with Stringreen, etc.):
1. "Professional" set up is a meaningless term. Certainly a few dealers (such as Brook Berdan in LA area) have long experience and real knowledge, but how will you know you've selected a good one?
2. Vinyl playback demands more dedication than digital. It will help you in optimizing your system if you understand the basics of the interrelationships of stylus to arm to platter to record.
3. Few systems are static. What if you need to move your turntable, of it gets accidentally bumped, or we get a good So. Cal. seismic shaker? Wouldn't you like to be able to check things out without calling your "professional" again?
4. What happens every time you want to try something different? A new cartridge? A different mat?
5. Perhaps most important of all, what about the feeling that once you learn the proper procedure, you can always have the confidence in it has been done correctly?
Now you mentioned finding an analog vet to learn from, and that is certainly a possibility. But I'll venture to say most of us "grizzled vets" learned on our own. And today that is easier than 20+ years ago when we did it. There are lots of guides available on the internet with only a little searching. Fremer has his "how to" video, something I've not seen but it has received strong recommendations. Several audio books include full instructions, such as those by Laura Dearborn or Robert Harley. And remember a little "trial and error" can be a great educational tool -- you'll learn about the differences specific changes bring about.
1. "Professional" set up is a meaningless term. Certainly a few dealers (such as Brook Berdan in LA area) have long experience and real knowledge, but how will you know you've selected a good one?
2. Vinyl playback demands more dedication than digital. It will help you in optimizing your system if you understand the basics of the interrelationships of stylus to arm to platter to record.
3. Few systems are static. What if you need to move your turntable, of it gets accidentally bumped, or we get a good So. Cal. seismic shaker? Wouldn't you like to be able to check things out without calling your "professional" again?
4. What happens every time you want to try something different? A new cartridge? A different mat?
5. Perhaps most important of all, what about the feeling that once you learn the proper procedure, you can always have the confidence in it has been done correctly?
Now you mentioned finding an analog vet to learn from, and that is certainly a possibility. But I'll venture to say most of us "grizzled vets" learned on our own. And today that is easier than 20+ years ago when we did it. There are lots of guides available on the internet with only a little searching. Fremer has his "how to" video, something I've not seen but it has received strong recommendations. Several audio books include full instructions, such as those by Laura Dearborn or Robert Harley. And remember a little "trial and error" can be a great educational tool -- you'll learn about the differences specific changes bring about.