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Beginner in Vinyl - How far should I go?

I'm full of questions these days, but...

My question is, how far should I go? I recently went on holiday in Europe and picked up a few vinyls for really cheap (Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel, Diana Ross & the Supremes), and I'd like to listen to them, but I'm not sure how far I should go into investing into a turntable.

How much difference is there between getting some fully-automatic Sony/Teac turntable with built in phono pre-amp and actually making a further step up to a manual turntable with separate phono pre-amp?

For example, I could:

1) Get the TEAC PA688 turntable with cartridge, phono pre-amp, already included for $79.88 off J&R;
2) Get a Project 1.2 turntable with Sumiko Phono Box and a cleaning kit for $500 from Needle Doctor; probably less if I go with something like Music Hall.

How much of a difference would there be in the sound? I've also heard that vinyls get worn out and sound a lot staler and less detailed, so perhaps I'd be better off just getting the TEAC (or any other el cheapo one - any recommendations?)

I guess how much I invest into buying vinyl records depends on how nice the sound is, and how durable it is as a medium.

I appreciate any recommendations on hardware, both ways. Thanks.
lennychen
angela100
435 posts
 
Kelllllllleeeeeeeee. yer dyin' I just KNOW it! --aj
Lennychen, do a search on vinyl in the forums, there is probably tons of info for you :)
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
You need to get out of the mass market or junk stuff.I hadn't used my B&O turnatable since early 80's and then the jazz collecting bug made me break down and buy a Rega 2 w/cheapo Dynavector made for NAD.Blew me away.So much better,so little surface noise.You can get used for $300 that will get you "in the door" but as somebody who sold that Teac for a few years and other junk plastic tables i can tell you they are only for folks who don't care about sound quality one iota and want something to listen to the 15 old records they have.If you like jazz listen to a Miles Davis LP in good condition from the 60's ot and audiophile re-issue (Not that OJC crap for $9.99) and then the excellent current (4th gen ) CD out there.So much warmer,chromactic,and harmonically correct you really want at leat a $500 list to start.BTW in a month I ditched the NAD for a real Rega 3 and could have been happy with the $700 I spent there forever.But now my$5000 rig mightbe overkill but I dig it.Yet that Rega and a VPI 16.5 would leave me happy for the rest of my days collecting oldewr music,in my case jazz, which i love so much.I only play CD's of newer stuff that I can't listen to wax.GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
This reminds me of the famous line from Hans and Franz on the old SNL's. HEAR US NOW AND BELEIVE US LATER! :-)

I, too, started from scratch and started building a quality system about 6 months ago. I had a late-70's Sony DD table with a decent Ortofon cartridge. Used it with my higher grade stuff and, by God, it sound pretty dang good with my old vinyl. Then, I recently bought a Nottingham Spacedeck. First album I threw on was a thrice played Maxell Jazz sampler album that I got free for buying blank tapes years ago. Queued it up to "New York Sate of Mind". Nearly fell out of my chair upon hearing the difference.

Someone above said it best, if you have anywhere near decent components - you OWE IT TO YOURSELF to get a good table.
lennychen OP
28 posts
 
I have a NAD & B&W system, consisting of the C370 integrated, C541 CDP, C420 tuner, and B&W DM601S2 speakers.

This probably decent enough, eh?

So going into the slightly more expensive route...any recommendations on turntables, cartridges, and phono pre-amps? Could any of you recommend a package below $500? (Preferably as close to $300 as possible)

What do I need? Where can I learn more about it? Where can I buy it?

Thanks for all the great info guys.
vayasteve
171 posts
 
Go to Ebay and search AUDIOGON there are plenty of good TT and cartridges for 300 skins.
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