Need Advice: Setting up a basic analog system

Mofimadness - I really have no idea about this ML pre-amp, not sure if the phono stage is sufficient for an MC cartridge. Also not sure if it is in good working order, last time it was switched on was like 15yrs ago!

Hdm - Re LNP-2, beside one of the input level knobs, is a knob labeled "db Gain" and has increments of 0, 10, 20. Any connection to the phono stage of the preamp?

Good pick up on that Mofimadness. Never thought to check on a phono stage on that preamp. In looking at it, though, it appears to be MM only (although it is probably an outstanding phono stage). This changes things considerably.

So in this case, just to complicate manners, presuming everything is working ok with the preamp and phono, Monako would just need to find a step up or head amp for the AT.

Alernatively, he could switch cartridges to a MM which might be a better proposition.

I'd probably go that route under the circumstances and put a few hundred into a MM cartridge to start off with and then upgrade perhaps if you feel vinyl is for you. No step-up or head amp to buy and no extra set of interconnects to worry about. I would definitely try to have the ML tested, especially the phono stage by hooking up to any phono with a MM cartridge to see if it is in good working order before doing anything if it's been in storage that long.

But that is a pretty impressive preamp if it is in good condition!!

Guys, if I go the MM route, what would be an acceptable cartridge to try?

For around $200 Ortofon 2M Blue and Nagaoka MP150 are two that come to mind. Kind of a loaded question and you'll get lots of opinions.

The Nagaoka might be a very good match, though, with that arm and what is probably a heavier headshell than the original stock Technics shell.

I really like the Audio Technica AT150MLX. I have one on my Oracle and it's wonderful. The Denon DL-160, (high output MC) is really nice for the price.