2. analog
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Considering analog...but nervous

Well, I've been here before. Once again, I'm thinking of venturing into the Analog world, but before doing so, I wanted to pose a few questions to fellow agoners to make sure my head (ears?) are in the right place.

Some Background: My current setup consists of a Modwright Transporter, Musical Fidelity KW 500 (hybrid tube pre/SS Amp), and Focal/JM 1027be speakers. My entire current collection is digital and I have NEVER owned Vinyl before NOR have I ever heard a high-end Analog setup.

My Tastes/musical likes: I am all about soundstage and imaging. Vocal accuracy is hugely important and instrument placing (hence, imaging) are part of what I look for when listening. Genre wise, mostly rock, folk, acoustic and blues. Some jazz as well. I generally try to stick to labels that produce good-sounding material...not over-compressed garbage.

On with the questions:

1. One of the biggest things that has kept me from trying Vinyl thus far is the concern of excessive hiss and crackle/pop that vinyl is known for. Is it safe to assume that purchasing new Vinyl and played on a higher quality setup will reduce (eliminate?) the pops and crackle sounds? I have no problem purchasing exclusively new vinyl, knowing full well that the process of shopping used is what draws so many to this market...

2. If I purchase new vinyl, only play it on a decent player, and store it properly, will I still have to clean it? How expensive is a cleaning machine? Are there (reasonable), less expensive alternatives to a cleaning machine?

3. Based on my integrated (tube-pre,SS amp) and speakers, are these a good match for Vinyl? Does anyone know if the KW 500 Phono input is adequate for a good turntable? My digital system has a tendency to be on the bright side for a lot of material, but not everything. Strangly, even at 31 years old, I can still hear up to around 19Khz so I'm a bit picky about the highs...

4. How complicated is the setup of the TT? Being that I've never worked wtih it before, I'm somewhat intimidated by the "setup" requirements of the equipment. What are the core requirements/knowledge to properly setup a TT.

5. And finally, the most subjective question of all. If I had a budget of about $1,000-$1,500 for a TT, Tonearm and Cartridge, what would be a good starting place? I'd obviously be looking for used here from Agon.

I know this was a long post so thanks for hanging in and reading it all :-). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

-gh0st
fatgh0st
oregon
820 posts
 
I say GO FOR IT!
Everyone seems to think you are deciding whether to impregnate yourself. "should I have a boy or a girl?"
It's audio! Remember?
Audio is a FUN hobby...
The dude is talking about $1000- $1500.
I believe you will get your pleasure's worth with a table/arm cart combo.
If it's not for you, sell it and save my email- I'd like to get first dibs on the LPs.
Of course, it's a slippery slope which will very likely lead to upgrades.
Sort of like deciding on a boy, then wanting twin girls.
Go for it. You'll like it.
glenfihi
525 posts
 
Before you or any one goes for it, treat yourself to a day trip and fine some audio store or audiophile friend somewhere within two hour drive and listen to a good analog set up. If it really impresses you great. You may want to buy new and not have hidden hassles of used. And the dealer will set the table up for you if need be. If you don't like it so much spend the money on another new toy like the ipad, or just more music.
hotmailjbc
571 posts
 
if you lived near me you could borrow mine for a couple of weeks and a dozen good records and hear what your system would do with a turntable. i wish there was anyone out here in the ozarks that was into music and audio gear beyond a stringed washtub and a fiddle. ha i think i hear banjo music.....
mitch4t's avatar
mitch4t
1,610 posts
 
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Don't do it dude! Stay with digital, you will listen to a lot more music that way. Digital will continue to get better, analog now is as good as it's ever gonna get.

You never own a turntable and LP's, they own you.
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les_creative_edge
174 posts
 
One other positive as a music listener especially when one wants to sit down and really listen, vinyl by its design forces you (though without much complaint by the listener) to sit and listen to a whole side of an album. This will help you really get into listening to the artist's music. CD's and downloads can be too easy to skip to another track or even to another artist's music. Vinyl and even that other analogue medium the analogue cassette teaches you to be more disciplined in listening by design and I enjoy that when I want to actually listen.

CD's can if you hold off skipping tracks do that too but it's not the same.
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