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Want to play my vinyl collection - again

To boldly go where this man hasn't been for a long time.
I still have my vinyl collection cause I always knew that CD quality sucked - well up until lately it seems.

So many turntables to choose from I need the help of the knowledgable folks in this forum.

I'm somewhat clueless about what I need.

I don't believe the Cary has a phono preamp/stage (I'm guessing I need one).

My current system which doesn't include my Technics SL 1700 (I think) turntable sitting in the garage..

System
Source(s) - Oppo BP83SE universal disc player highly modded. Transporter and a highly modded Squeezebox 3.
Amps - Nuforce 9SEV2 and a Halcro MC50
Preamp - Cary SLP05 tube monster
DAC - Neko D100
Speaker cables - Synergestic Research Tesla's
Interconnects - Assorted DIY's using the finest wire I could find Furutech connectors
Power - Crappy power conditioners with DIY power cords on a dedicated circuit also with an assortment of great plugs.
Current Speakers - AV123 LS6 Line Arrays (12 ribbon tweeters and 14 mid base drivers)

Don't want to mortgage the farm and used is good.

I was inspired by the Opera Consonance LP 6.1 at CES. I said "hey, I think I can afford that" at 1.3K dollars minus the cartridge. So maybe sub 3K for everything seems reasonable? I don't want something that doesn't play well vs my other sources cause it's a waste of money if I don't play it..

Thanks for your suggestions!!
128x128desalvo55
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
LOL! Slikric great response! But I tried that turntable. Snap crackle pop. I remember those days and remember, it's like I'm a newb to vinyl again. I've been streaming FLAC for years. Hell, I've just revisted CD's cause my Oppo BDP83, which sounded like total crap stock is playing amazingly well after being turned into an SE and the additional mods made it a killer machine - wow!

What else do I have in the garage? Hum, a MAC 1700, original condition. Just sits there. Plenty of vinyl, correct again. Oh ya, boxes of cables like every other audiophile... Sony 777 DVD player, Yamaha RXV 2095? receiver. What's in your garage?

What about the Aeries series like the Aeries 1 or 3?

BTW, I'll look for the Sots Nova and the Clearaudio's.
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
Is there no Love for the Opera Consonance line? Specifically the Droplet 3.1 with the T988 tonearm.
slikric3000
638 posts
 
Well if I had a garage there would be a 388 Chevy stroker I had built but never got around to installing, a Muncie 4 speed M20 I believe out of a big block Chevelle ( takes the same yolk as the turbo 400 I believe or so they say ) and Craftsman 40 inch proline box. Of course I would also have a few Penthouse centerfolds pinned up.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Contact member Trelja for the scoop on Consonance. He was the North American distributor for a number of years. It was through his efforts alone that I was able to resolve a number of customer issues regarding product failures.

Consonance's support was pathetic.

Personally I would avoid anything in the line despite the latest attempts to resurrect the line.

Consonance's callous disregard for the end user will remain unchanged IMO.

Disclaimer: former Consonance retailer.
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
Good information thanks. Surprising too as it's been in my experience that performance audio companies treat users very well. Nuforce especially. I blew up one of my monoblock amps, told them so, dropped it off in the morning (they are close by) and had it repaired (new board) and back to me that afternoon. No charge.

It's still amazing to me just how expensive it is play vinyl vs a CD player. I'm scared to go too cheap because I typically I'm bad about selling stuff I don't like, so it sits in my garage (where a 388 stroker should occupy).

There seems to be 6 basic components to play vinyl. Turntable, arm, peamp, cartridge, isolation table and record cleaner. That could add up fast!

What is the ratio of cost per component? Seems like it may be prudent to a least find a good used turntable/arm/cartridge and then locate a suitable phono preamp correct?
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