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New to Analog and just played my first record in

30 years. Just thought I would try to see what all the fuss is about with records. Long time Aphile and well versed in all but analog. Love my CD's, but had to try.

Ok, I was given a B&O Beogram RX table with B&O MMC3 cartridge. I purchased a very inexpensive Applied Audio Technology phono preamp for $50 and am using a nice power supply on it. The ART phono preamp is said to be pretty good for cheap.

I was given 5 lp's that I am now listening to. Sounds decent, but not as good as my CD front end. Not sure if I need a better table, cart or phono preamp. Not sure which would impact the sound more and give me a better taste of analog. Please help me!

Should I look at a better table or phono preamp? I don't want to spend that much , but want to be sure I am not missing something special. I would spend $150 or so.

What model table or phono preamp would give me a better sense of good analog?

Based on what I am now hearing I don't think I would bother with analog. My CD front end simply sounds much better.

Bill
128x128grannyring
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Bill, in all seriousness, don't invest more money at this point. You would be far better served by finding someone who has a decent vinyl setup and listening to that first. I'm a serious vinylholic, so this is no slam on vinyl. It's just that listening to someone else's rig will give you a better clue about whether this is something you want to spend time and money pursuing.

Best wishes,
grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,506 posts
 
Understand. $1500 in CD player, but sounds better then many $4000 players.

I have heard some say a good TT and decent phono will sound better then most CD players. The ART is really pretty good according to some who own it and have compared it to other phono stages costing up tp $500.

I don't expect it to sound better then my CD player, I was hoping for some of the magic! I taste if you will. This taste could propel me to spend more time and $$ on upgrades in the future.

LP's can be had so cheap that I thought LP's could be a neat secondary music source.

I just put on a String LP that does sound really good. Perhaps the table and pre need to warm up.

Bill
grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,506 posts
 
Rushton, good idea. Problem is it would be different room, gear etc.

Bill
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Grannyring, without a doubt. But, it will give you a better sense of whether this whole effort is worth pursuing.
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ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,375 posts
 
It seems ridiculous that you would even have high expectations with what you are running, maybe a taste of what it's all about. Fifty dollars on a phono pre, come on. How do you even know the table and cart you have are set up right and working right with the phono pre? There are A LOT of variables that go into getting vinyl to sound great. Seems like you might be trying to convince yourself it's not worth the trouble??? It's a well known fact that good vinyl beats digital every time, but do you want to go to the expense and trouble is the question? If you want to find out for yourself I'd say you are going to have to be willing to do more than spend 150 dollars.
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