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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
 
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?
sgunther
187 posts
 
You forgot a record cleaning machine. I bought the following used components about a year ago when I reentered the vinyl world at a total cost of $2300 and have been very pleased. Michell Gyro se table, tricked out Rega RB300 arm, clearaudio virtuoso cartridge and the Graham Slee Era gold phono pre. One addition I have made is the MintLP protractor which was probably the best $100 I have spent in audio. Accurate cartridge setup is a must. Good luck
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Turntable: KAB-modified Technics SL1200 with tonearm rewire and fluid damper. Add in the outboard power supply if it's in your budget. Replace the feet with an M6 threaded set of Soundcare Super Spikes.

Or SOTA Comet

OR Rega P3/24 + PSU

OR Marantz TT-15S1

OR Clearaudio Emotion CMB with Satisfy tonearm and Maestro cartridge

Clearaudio and Marantz include cartridge. There are several excellent cartridges in the $300-800 range for the KAB/Technics, SOTA, and Rega including Audio Technica AT150MLX or OC-9, Denon DL-103, 301, 304, Zu-103, carts from Dynavector, Clearaudio, Goldring, Rega Exact for the Rega, and Ortofon 2M Bronze or Black.

Phono stage: Musical Surroundings Phonomena II ($600) unless you want to spring a grand or so for the Slee Era Gold (which, unlike the Phonomena, doesn't do low output moving coil).
desalvo55's avatar
desalvo55 OP
257 posts
 
The Clearaudio Emotion solution looks like a great re-entry deal into vinyl. Nice

Here's a dumb newb question. Regarding the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II vs the Slee Era Gold, does the Maestro cartridge work with either phono stage and what would be better in case I upgraded cartridges at some point?
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
01-12-10: Desalvo55
Regarding the Musical Surroundings Phonomena II vs the Slee Era Gold, does the Maestro cartridge work with either phono stage and what would be better in case I upgraded cartridges at some point?
The Clearaudio Maestro is a MM cartridge with 3.6mV output, so it will work into the Slee Era Gold. I personally don't have experience with either phono stage, so I hope someone with experience with one or the other speaks up here.
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