2. analog
  3. 1401025949

Thinking about getting into vinyl again...

After 25 years. Any suggestions (besides don't ; )?

Thanks to my Audio Note Dac, I have an Awesome Digital setup and am very pleased with the sound. However I do love vinyl setups when I hear them. Further, now that my system's just the way I want it, I have nothing to obsess about, research, tinker with...etc.

I have a Modified Musical Fidelity A5 integrated...to my, ears the best sound I've ever heard and I've tried many many pieces. (In fact, that may be why I've run into a wall, I'm done looking at amplification too). Hoping to avoid the whole phone stage thing... assuming the A5's is decent.

I want a decent vinyl setup -- but don't want to spend a fortune either. After exhaustive research I'm pretty set on trying a Rega P3 w the Elys2 cartridge (bit over a thousand new). Right or wrong, part of the reason I chose this is relative simplicity of setup and use. Although I'm open to messing with accessories and upgrades, I don't want to mess with spacers, complicated adjustments, changing arms, or hacking the table in any way.

Any thoughts about:

The move in general
Tips and tricks
Accessories: Cleaning Kits, scales, etc.
Upgrading that MM Cart (slightly, I don't want to spend more than a hundred or so more)
I thought a bit about getting a professionally restored Thorens?
Vendors (No real table dealers around me...looking at Music Direct...especially because of the easy return policy ....and they've been good in the past)

(Note: I will very likely stick to new on this as the idea of buying and shipping (again) a used turntable seems fraught with risk)

(One bonus question: When I switch my a5 to phono (nothing connected) i get some hum/noise...I'm assuming that's because nothing's connected to the the inputs or the ground?---Just hoping I don't go through all of this just to find out I have a bad phono section!)
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ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Rega's are still a great table for the money. Do you care more about looks or how it sounds and stands up over time? I stopped by to see John at Audio Connection yesterday on my way to Philly (I'm in CT) and I walk out of there with a Heed phono stage, Basis 1400S with Benz Glider S. He sells the VPI, Basis, Clearaudio and Rega tables. Has most of the big boys covered. It will depend on your personal tastes like anything else, but I've learned that in audio, some of your best values are not always wrapped in 1" aluminum housings or the hand finished wooden plinths.
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
My Rega p3/24 has all the Groovetracer upgrades : acrylic platter , Ref sub-platter,white belt,Groovetracer 3mm spacer for RB301.I installed a Dynavector 10x5 and this table kicks butt! The Dynavector is the best match for the RB301. I have tried Denon and Nagaoka and they are good, not as good as the Dynavector though.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Sounds like a nice rig. I heard the Lynn and Rega 6 today with Vandy Quattro's. loved em both. Totally different sounds. I won't say which one I liked best, but the Vandy's ROCKED.
abrew19
146 posts
 
I have a hunch that dealers do better monetarily selling the Rega line, than with other brands, e.g. VPI. Had too many dealers try to nudge me over to Rega when I wasn't asking about them. These dealers normally don't do that with other types of products. Had it happen too many times to be a coincidence. Rega must a have a healthy distribution network in the US that makes them appealing to stocking dealers.
abrew19
146 posts
 
Keithtexas has a point about the Rega. There's not much too them to justify their price. The tonearms are very nice, but everything else is pretty crude. Something that just about anybody could make in their garage with some basic tools. Methinks that in the US much of the price is made up of import and exchange costs, not product. Not saying they don't sound great, I'm just saying that they are overpriced for what they are.
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