2. analog
  3. 1064785054

Advice wanted on mid range setup

Hi,

Having heard an SME 30 setup blow away a DCS elgar digital at Sound by Singer last year, I am finally ready to get back into analog. (BTW, it was an all out assualt: All boulder electronics, into the JM labs grand utopia using a chesky reissue lp against the same recording on CD. It only took about 10 seconds to come to the conclusion, it was by no means a sublte difference)
My idea was to see if I could find software, stating this weekend. So far, after 2 days of hunting, I have about 70 lps. Cost: Zero.

People will just give this stuff away, amazing. So, I am humbly asking the advice of the analog denziens here for ideas on a rig that will be of matching performance to the rest of my system.

Currently, I have ARC electronics (LS16 MK2, VT100 MK3, CD), running through audioquest cabling (diamond X3 silver balanced interconnects, Caldera Biwire for the speakers) Speakers are Martin Logan Ascents and room treatment is by ASC

I Would like to spend an upper limit of $7,000, including phono stage (tubes, if possible), arm, TT, cartidge, and interconnects. I would be looking for used stuff here on Audiogon, with the possible exception of the cartridge. I have some reservations about buying a pre owned cartridge: is this a valid fear?

Thanks in advance for all you help.
rlips
cylinderking_1
130 posts
 
The problem I beleive that you have allready addressed that seams to get overlooked is the output of the MC cartridge verses the phono stage output. For a ph3 w/ 53db gain and say a .5MV MC cartridge it is pushing it. I know allot of fellow audiogoner`s will argue that issue. My settup .8MV Benz Ruby H / BAT vkp-5 56db gain and I feel I need more gain. Im going to step up to Aesthetix Rhea 4K new. 40 to75 db gain, load 75-47k 9 settings all from the front panel.
I know you are thinking 7K for the whole settup, there has been a few great tables disscussed so I won`t get into that issue. Keeping in mind when you listened at Sound By Singer the signal was going the 28K Boulder the best phono stage available today. I personaly feel the phono stage is the heart of the anolog settup don`t skimp on the phono stage. David
jrd351
332 posts
 
this analogue demo you heard(. sme, etc.)is by no means normal.... and basing an important purchase on a chesky audiophile recording is not a good idea, no matter which format sounds better. audition at home before you buy anything!
jjmali
108 posts
 
I am always amazed by the drastic statements made by people like you with no real basis of fact. This is a very impulsive statement you are making - based on what, maybe a half an hour of listening. I am not saying you are wrong, what I am saying is you don't have enough information to base your statement on. Do what you want. By the way what are you going to purchase from Sound by Singer? Or do you think they are there for people like you to waist there time.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Jjmali, having a bad day?
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Jrd351 and Jjmali,
The man heard what he heard. If he listens to my sytem he'll hear it again. It doesn't take half an hour to hear the superiority of a good analog rig, half a minute might be enough. As to the choice of music auditioned, who are we to say? Surely he knows his own tastes.

Rlips,
I can add little to Twl's recommendation, which will give you an immensely satisfying rig that is much better than mid-level, and much handsomer than an SME! My Twl-ophiled analog front end also cost about $7K, see my system for details.

I chose stepup transformers because I already had a MM phono stage in my preamp. I am very happy with the BentAudio stepups: variable loading and enough gain to bury all tube noise. Strongly recommended. Even some well regarded tube MC phono stages like the $4K Aesthetix Rhea are admitted to be a bit noisy. I might keep the stepups even if I had one of those.
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