Can I match or beat my digital, and at what cost?

I agree with Bob. Your budget isn't big enough to do vinyl right. I tried 3 times and never could get what I wanted without having to spend $3k or more. Once you factor in phono stage, record cleaning system, vinyl collection, fragility of cartridges, and the cost of a good TT and arm, my Audio Aero CD player was the obvious winner. So I sold the TTs and bought CDs instead. Been super happy even after hearing my neighbor's $12,000 vinyl rig many times.

Arthur

I don't think you can even get close for $1000 new. Used you can get close but you have to up your allowance a bit. I think that at $1,500 used prices you can have a fine phono system (complete). Less than that, they become more disposable/plastic.

Bob

They have Rega so I was thinking of starting with a p1.

The P1 doesn't really bring much to the party. Everything is noticeably compromised and it doesn't upgrade gracefully. The P2 isn't much better, but the Rega P3-24 (which is just inside your budget) starts strong and offers ways to upgrade as your ears demand over time--outboard power supply, upgrade the platter, upgrade the tonearm. Another alternative: If you shop online and google for the best deal you can score a Technics SL1200 mkII for about $350, or the M5G version (better tonearm wire) for under $500.

If you go with a P3-24 you'll definitely hear a different presentation than digital. The P3-24 has good 3-D imaging right out of the box and a relaxed presentation that eludes most CD players until you get into the stratospheric price range. Even then, you're still making do with a 16-bit dynamic range (64K increments of amplitude).

To keep it under $1K NEW, I'd go with a Technics SL1210 M5G, Foculpods to replace the feet ($25), a Herbie's mat ($72) and record damper ($22), and Ortofon 2M Blue ($199) or Audio Technica AT150MLX ($299) cartridge.

OR

The Rega P3-24 with Ortofon 2M Red ($99) or Blue ($199) cartridge to stay just within budget or a tiny bit over. The 2Ms are a good match with the P3-24.

picked up a P-1 and NAD pre for now. I can bring the table back for full credit for up to 4 months. Hopefully by then I can go for the P3-24. So far the p1 sounds pretty darned good.

Thanks for all the input.

and.... upgraded to the P3-24.

Much closer to what I was hoping to hear.