SACD vs Analog

As Zd542 mentioned ,you might want to listen to some records and make sure your OK with tics, pops,and surface noise in general.Because no matter what,,,you will be dealing with this to some degree.There are some records that will have nothing in the way of surface noise.Some records will be so bad you will refuse to play them, as it sounds like a hailstorm on a tin roof.That is the two extremes.I was brought up listening to vinyl and most of the surface noise(if it is not too bad) seems to be on a different level that is seperate from the music and does not interfere with my enjoyment.Do you have the time to search for good pressings and cleaning records,then brushing them for dust before playing them,and changing or flipping them every 16 minutes or so.I love listening to records,when I have the time.And Im glad I made the investment.

Whether one stands up for SACD over vinyl or not, SACD has one serious detriment, lack of program titles. The library on SACD is tiny compared to what one can find on vinyl. 33.3 goes back to the late 1940's, stereo LP's go back to the early 1960's. So be it SACD or not, vinyl rules in total library of recorded music.

Some people turn away from vinyl because they cannot abide clicks, pops, and surface noise. This does not have to be, but there is no free lunch. From new records to used, media care is a necessary condition of long term vinyl enjoyment. It's not really an option.

At the start, my suggestion is to include a record cleaning machine (manual or vacuum) and cleaning fluids (eg. AIVS) in your budget. If you are disinclined to clean each record (including new ones) at least once and/or the budget does not allow, then vinyl could turn into a disappointment.

If you're okay with the media fussiness and willing to tolerate a certain amount of newtonian level mechanical tinkering then "Living la Vida Vinyl" can be an Audio Joy like no other.
 

Jfrech, My line stage is ModWright LS36.5+PS36.5.
$4K is for analog front-end without phono.

That throws an entirely different light on component considerations. IMO, it would be good to consider a VPI Classic 2 with an AT-OC9ML/II cart. That will come in right at $4K and provide really excellent quality music vinyl reproduction. (It's NOT about sound, it's about the quality of the music experience.)

As others have said, it would be a good idea to do some serious listening to vinyl before you take the plunge. It is a tweaky source to get the best results, but IMO, those results are worth it.

(It's NOT about sound, it's about the quality of the music experience.)