Looking to get back into Vinyl.


hello everyone,
I'm just getting back into HiFi after a couple of years in the wilderness. I'm looking to add what I suppose wil be a mid range TT combination. Reading through the press I was thinking of a clearaudio concept or a VPI Classic. I've had a Gyrodec(sme V) previously and enjoyed it immensely and I have 1000+ LP's that I'm looking forward to digging back out. So reccomendations for :

1. Turntable and arm around $2000
2. Cartridge around $500
3. Cheapish Phono stage that'll work with my AM-77 $500

I'm happy to buy second hand, in fact thats probably my preference as I'll be able to get more performace for my money.

Looking forward to hearing your suggestions.... please feel free to reccommend one compopnant or all three.

Thanks guys.
borg7x9
You can get the Clearaudio Concept with cartridge for two grand at several places(needle doctor.com comes to mind). What do you mean by "cheapish" phono stage? To me it sounds like you want to scrimp on it which,in my opinion,is a big mistake.You could add the $500.00 alloted for a cartidge to what you are budgeting for a phono stage and get a really good one.Good luck.
I second the VPI classic suggestion. Better sound, better value. It has a clear path of upgrades. Clearaudio stuff has many reliability issues.
If I were you, I would get a Denon DL-103R for about $260 and apply the
savings towards a better phono stage.

The 103R is an excellent cart. IMHO, you will have to go up to $1,000 range to
find something marginally better. I have a number of carts including a Zyx Airy
2, a Lyra Helikon, a Shure V15Vxmr, and the DL-103R. At the end of the day, I
find myself listening to the 103R most often. So save yourself some money on
the cart and get a better phono stage.

BTW, the 103R likes a heavier arm. If you are getting a VPI either with a
10" or a 9" arm, you will need to weight down the head shell a bit to
get the bass right.