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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
grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,507 posts
 
Amen Rushton.
My goodness this is my final post in Agon. Please read what I have said. I don't expect my minimal investment in analog to sound better or as good as my digital front end. I did not say that. I said I wanted some of the analog magic - and taste of it.

Some of you need to read and try to understand before making out of context remarks.

In terms of investment please consider the following.The table I was given is worth $100 or so. It sold for $300 new some 20 years ago. The cartridge costs $250 new right now. I am using a power supply on the phono preamp that costs $150. The phono pre costs $50. Add it up and it is a decent amount of money.

I am astounded by some of the responses. I thank those that made some good points.

Thanks,

Bill
herman
2,259 posts
 
Oh come on, don't go away mad. You must admit what you asked for may be just a little bit silly.

"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."

The point of your critics was they don't believe you can find what it is that is "special", assuming there is something, for that kind of money. Perhaps the responses were harsher than they should have been but their underlying reasons were well founded. On the surface it seems very simple but playing a record requires an extremely complex electro-mechanical system so getting to that special place probably isn't going to happen on your budget. Then again, maybe it will. I would get a cartridge and see.

In any case enjoy the journey. I can't remember who said it but it is something like "The beauty is in the walking. We are betrayed by destinations."
grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,507 posts
 
Herman

You're right. I have no idea if the cartridge is sounding its best or if it has lost significant fidelity.

After playing that one Sting LP I have heard enough to know that analog is indeed special. It sounded pretty darn good on a 20 year old table and cartridge. Yes, my CD player still beats it, but the gap is more of what I expected.

Still missing some dynamics and yes surface noise is an issue on the LP's I have.

It is fun to play records however and I am planning on doing some slight mods to my phono preamp and upgrading or replacing the cartridge.

Bill
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Gwyn Thomas.
sns
3,298 posts
 
Grannyring, I'm right in the middle of what seems a long, long, road to getting my analog to sound the way I want. Tvad's experience mirrors mine, the only difference is, I have around 2,000 lps so I'm very motivated to get my vinyl setup right.

I think you could get a much better taste of what analog is about with a VPI Scout, Thorens TD160 or something similar. I believe you will have to spend at least 1k to get that taste.

Once you've gotten that taste, you may be in for a very long trail down a dark winding road. At this point, I would call the trail to analog bliss a trip through the wilderness. There are so many choices in analog, and making the right choice is damn difficult.

Perhaps my expectations are too great for analog, but I don't find it to be a plug and play instant bliss exercise. Cd players are plug and play, this is damn hard work! Be prepared for a long and difficult trip if you get bitten by the analog bug!
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