What's the cost of an entry level vinyl setup?

$2500-$3500 for a decent turntable + arm
$1000-$1500 phono preamplifier
$800 - $1500 a good MM or MC cartridge
$300 - $500 a decent phono cable
$300 - $600 Record cleaning machine
$100 - $300 LPs

Oakleys: I find your posts, shall I say, thought provoking. From your syntax I presume you are Korean, would this be North Korea, land of otl?

"Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven".

Eleven is hyperbole.

Mceljo: Please excuse the sideline. If cost is your concern, consider vintage/used. Linn, Lenco, AR or the infamous Technics SL-1200xx are good starters. Plenty of avenues for upgrades as your system evolves. Duals are good "plug and play" units, nothing shabby about the better decks. Turntable, pre and cartridge perhaps $500 to $1500. Another "agree" with Mapman, Thom_macris, T-bone.

Mceljo, that is a good question and I would agree that in the 2-3K range sounds about the right spot for a beginning TT set-up. It is a slippery slope though, the next thing you know you will have 10K in an analog front end and all the associated accessories.

In looking at your system, you may want to first consider gear that is designed solely for 2 channel listening before going that route.

Maineiac,

I'd love to have a system that was more 2-channel specific, but I don't have the budget or space to do both so I'm stuck in the world of compromise. I am extremely happy with the sound of my system, but realize that the sky's the limit for those that keep looking. I had considered going with a 2-channel amplifier running out of a less expensive home theater receiver, but my old receiver didn't have pre-outs forcing me to purchase both and I couldn't find anything of equal overall quality for the same price. The other downside for me having another component is the WAF. She's been as supportive beyond any expectation that I would have so I'm always trying to keep her in mind with the system.

I'm not really planning to get into vinyl, most because of the dedication it takes to do it right and the added expense. It would take an investment of a significant percentage of my entire existing system to exceed the sound quality of my CD/SACD playback and at the age of 32 I'm not attached to vinyl in my heart like some of a different generation.

The general cost estimate seems to be $2,000+ for great quality sound. I'm enjoying learning about vinyl and what it takes to really get it right. I simply can't afford to start down that never ending path...