Need some guidance

If you really want to learn about vinyl and all the skills that go along with optimizing turntable performance, I'd recommend a Technics SL1200 or any of its variants.

Reasons...

1) Relatively inexpensive entry to vinyl.

2) Easy set up and adjustability...removable headshell (easy to swap and compare different cartridges), VTA on the fly (learn the effects of Vertical Tracking Angle changes), easy VTF, easy leveling, etc.

3) Certainly not "starting at the bottom", especially when you consider the upgrade path that exists (e.g., KAB).

4) Plays good music! Dead-on speed stability.

5) Strong resale value when you do decide to move up the equipment ladder.

6) Built like a brick &*#@house!

Also - spend some time reading the archives of the vinyl section of the Audio Asylum and Audiogon websites. Learn how to clean and care for LPs.

Good luck - and above all - enjoy the music!

I like Charly got into vinyl about a year ago it has been alot of fun and I now listen to CD very infrequently. Keep in mind that vinyl has its flaws they are just far easier to ignore than CD.There are lots of good tables, arms, cartridges out there to chose from, it is hard to go wrong with later model known brands. I would consider going used on the table and arm and new on the cartridge. The most important piece of advice I can give is don't forget about accessories i.e. record cleaning machine, electronic scale to get VTF right, a good cartridge set up tool (I ultimately bought the MintLP setup tool which is custom made for each turntable and arm $100 and it made a world of difference. Good luck and have fun.

I'd recommend picking a price point and finding a knowledgeable and reputable dealer that specializes in turntables to work with to get a well matched phono combo (table, arm, cart, phono pre-amp) that will integrate into your existing system well.

As the boys here will concur, getting into vinyl can be a very expensive conquest. Are you sure you are willing to dive headfirst?

Lots of very smart gentlemen here (who have helped me over the years), and will help you from Cartridge Selection, Set-Up, trouble-shooting, the best tools to use, either at cost no object, or within your budget.

The big question is of course "What If?" What if you decide you don't like vinyl, or the associated work involved? In vinyl, many things have a uncanny tendency to lead to another, such as Cleaning, Cleaning Machines, Brushes, Cleaning Fluids, the tools of the trade,Scales-Protractors, etc.

Then come the Cables, Shelves, Phono Stages, Power Supplies, the list goes on, and on.

Me, I'm just a pimple on some of these guy's butts, but I betcha I got well over $10K invested in my analog front end. Figure around 1/2 that to go to the VPI Clasic, a decent Phono Stage, and decent Cartridge.

It may depend on how much money you've already tied up in the rest of the system, to peoperly determine where you should start? The Technics might be a very good first choice..... unless maybe you're using TOTL components, then I would say your system (and ears) deserves more.

As for the VPI Classic, I think you would find (With a really good phono stage, and cartridge) a Table that will keep you very happy for many years. Mark

Get yourself a nice Bang & Olufsen Beogram. Something like the 4000, 4002, 8000, or 8002 (check out a couple threads here on Audiogon on these tables). These are pretty much plug and play tables. A nice phono stage should run you another few hundred (something like Vista Audio should suffice). Buy a few records, some cleaning supplies and for under $1000 you can get started. If you like what you hear, and bear in mind these B&O's are overachievers, then you can think about upgrading.