2. analog
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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
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
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.
thorman
1,262 posts
 
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...
dawgcatching OP
139 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far. Yes, I don't mind doing research and learning the ins and outs of working on my gear. The main reason I was considering visiting a dealer was that I really have no idea what I am doing at this point, or where I can source good LP's. Unfortunately, a call to them revealed that their cheapest setup is $3,000, which is not going to happen at this time. I would love to learn about it and have an analogue setup, but I doubt it will be my only source: I have a ton of CD's.

Perhaps incorrectly, I have heard that a $1200 "cheap" analogue setup beats a digital source at nearly any price. Correct, or not? As I love jazz, it might be great to get 15 of my favorite albums on vinyl (I tend to like a few albums and listen to them most of the time, anyways) My CDP sounds great, so what can I expect from vinyl?

Perhaps I am wasting my time (and money!)
rockvirgo
587 posts
 
Never fear, every noob on the block used to have a working TT setup. For a new cartridge go to garage-a-records.com for a Shure M97xE. For a new TT get one somebody on here suggests that fits the Shure and has an understandable installation manual. Once you put it all together recheck the settings every few months. For a phono preamp find the cheapest Rotel wherever you can find it. Look online locally for unwanted record collections. Vinyl playback sounds good even when pretty it's screwed up. It's simple. Don't worry. If you ever tear off a cartridge connector or crimp a cantilever just don't do it again. If you use your new TT every day change the stylus or the cartridge once a year.
goldeneraguy
442 posts
 
Take Newbee's advise.Vinyl takes dedication.If you are unsure about setup and have no source for Lp's stay with digital.
Could you explain what is meant by "their cheapest setup is $3000"
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