Analog Noob: I have a few questions


Hi,

I am hoping I can be pointed in the right direction. I am looking to get into analogue, and as far as I know, will need the following: turntable/cartridge (usually sold together on lower-end product), a phono preamp, and some cables. And, some LP's!

Where should I start? I don't have an unlimited budget: trying to keep it around $1000 for starters, perhaps a bit more. Any suggestions, either new or used? I am typically an A'gon shopper, buying used from the boards, but there is a good 2-channel analogue shop a few hours away, so I don't mind buying new, either. They know their stuff, but I am not sure they have anything in the price range I am looking at.

I listen to jazz, vocals, acoustic guitar, and orchestral and chamber music. My system is solid yet forgiving: Dehavilland preamp, upgraded McCormack DNA-125 Gold, and Tyler acoustics Linbrook Signature full-range. I am anticipating some great-sounding music with LP's!
dawgcatching
I started to creat a long post about analogue, but instead let me ask a simple question. Are you up to speed on how much effort is involved in getting and setting up a good analogue system? It is a lot of work and a long learning process. Analogue is not plug and play - as reading all of the various threads in the analogue forum will reveal. Analogue is a hobby within a hobby.

Finding good used vinyl is not a walk in the park either, and IMHO getting good used LP's is the only reason to get into analogue. The quality of audiophile company reissues of the classic LP's is more often than not both expensive and unsatisfactory. QC is the pits much of the time. Another hobby within a hobby.

While you can get an entry level TT/Arm/Cartridge for around $1000, I would expect, judging from your other posts about much more advanced equipment that you might not be happy with it very long, any more than you would want to go back to lesser electronics or speakers.

BTW, Rega's are a good place to start, but unless you are already up to speed on set up, or have a good handy friend, buy from a dealer who can AND WILL help you with set up issues. It is a time consuming process and a lot of them reserve their set up time for customers who have bought expensive rigs and/or have bought their high end stuff thru them.

Just in case you aren't at all discouraged, and you decide to get a bargin priced used TT (etc) and have it shipped to you make sure you get a guarantee that it will arrive in perfect working condition. Most folks aren't up to packing these delicate devices adequately and the shippers destroy them without damaging the box.

If you are prepared to proceed, I would confine myself to looking for used TT (etc) within driving distance of your home - you can get some excellent quality TT's locally if you are patient, and when you have some decisions to make you can always ask specific questions of folks here.

FWIW

BTW, I just noted the post below about antiskating - read it and get a feel for just one of the parameters involved in set up....That aught to get your head scratching. I'm still trying to figure that issue out, and I can speak Greek too. :-)
Start with the Rega P3.It is straight forward.Read some of the reviews on cartridges in the price range you are considering.After deciding on a cartridge,it should eliminate some phonostages.It might be best to look at mm/mc phonostages,just in case you take a liking to analog-I did.
Records are available from Acoustic Sounds,Music Direct,GEMM and others-plus swap meets and local stores.
Pick up a nice Vintage Thorens turnatble ( $300-$400 ) from Audiogon ( or Ebay ) . Throw in Grado Gold cartridge $200 ) and spend whats left over for a Phono stage, ( maybe ) Graham Slee Phono ( $399 ) ....your good to go...Until you get hooked and need more!!!!!!!

I picked up a nice TD160..Put some time and effort into it..Installed a Grado Gold..Rebuilt the internal interconects..Upgrade the Power cord..added a Tube Phono amp and am amaized at how good this thing sounds...