Converting to Analog

You should just get out and listen to some TT rigs at various price points to get an understanding of how much it costs it takes to pull it off. IME, there is less diminishing of returns for TT rigs than for other components, so the answer to your first question, for me, is no. That is, if the rig you listened to was $10k. I don't think it takes $10k to beat SACD, though.

I would also suggest that you learn about cartridge and arm setup before you buy. There is a great FAQ section on setup at audioaslyum.com. You really have to be honest with yourself when you consider whether or not you will like or not mind looking for records, cleaning them and setting up your TT. Its a lot more work than comming home HMV and hitting .

GO for it. A second hand table with no movement in the platter at all apart from round and round (sideways rock is BAD). I got a VPI Jr cheap and upgraded it slowly to Mk4 as I could afford it - an Orogin Live modified RB250 arm unless you are feeling rich..... I vote for a Benz 2 glider (with my walett!). mine is medium output, but if you want a cheap phono stage then a high output one will work into a low gain moving magnet preamp fine. Try to listen to a high output Dynavector as well. Grado is also worth looking at, most of all - TRUST YOUR EARS!
Next up for me is an Orogin Live DC motor kit.

Brtritch:

Great post. Oh.... I like the nickname ("The Cheapskate) as well.

--Charles--

Jim-I clean my jackts with windex and a paper towel.It gets all but the most stubborn stains off and leaves them smelling fresh.If the jacket is rough texture I rub very softly with windex and a rag. A paper towel will flake on the rough textured jackets.
As far as groove-glide,Im not impressed with its ability to remove ticks,pops and fizzle.I just don't hear a difference in that regard.The reason I use it, is it makes the music sound smoother and more refined.I don't spin an LP without first using it.

Marakanetz- Always the negative! To answer your question "how the hell do you clean inner sleeves" Place the sleeve on a hard,flat surface.Wipe with a clean cloth that has been dampened with windex or some other cleaner and THATS IT!!!! That wasnt so hard! Besides getting the inner sleeves cleaner and fresh smelling it helps to get some of the creases out.
I sell vinyl on eBay.Original and excellent condition inner sleeves add value to collectable vinyl.When I write my descriptions I always describe the inner sleeves condition.I include also, that all my vinyl has been cleaned on a Nitty-Gritty and treated with Groove-Glide.Buyers love that!!
LP's need to be taken very good care of.This includes jackets and inner sleeves.The inserts and posters that came with many LP's of days gone by need to be taken care of also.These LP's can't be replaced

I don't like the idea of using Windex. Most glass cleaners are a combination of water, isopropyl alcohol, ammonia, and lemon extract. Assuming the water doesn't damage anything, ammonia and lemon will have serious consequenses long term. The cardinal rules of restoration are to do no harm, and make sure all work is reversable. I strongly suspect that 10-30 years down the line, these album covers will be noticably browner, and more brittle. The arts supply store cleaning pad is suitable for archival purposes. If your only concern is making things look better temorarily so you can off the item on eBay, then maybe you also want to try Armor-all on your vinyl. It will make it so pretty!

The Cheapskate