2. analog
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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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stevecham
3,340 posts
 
I owned Rega Planar 3 and 25 tables, and while decent, they in no way compare to the sound I now get with my $300 used Technics 1200 mkII and vintage Stanton 881s cartridge. This combo beats them all and I have also owned VPI Traveler (version 1) and Music Hall MM7 tables as well.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Steve, that's the neat thing about audio. To your ears and in your system you love the Technics/Stanton. I used to use that set up many years ago and changed to a Rotel/Van den Hul MM1 that I'm currently selling. I liked the Rotel much better for many reasons, but that's for me and my systems that I've used it in. I'm updating to a Basis w/basis Rega 301/Micro Benz Glider and it's a far step up the ladder (demo cost was awesome).

It's like anything else in audio, but especially vinyl. Set up is KEY. The room and equipment make differences, but cables in vinyl are a HUGE thing also. I heard the Traveler recently in a system that is very revealing (Maggie 3.7 and Hegel 300 integrated) and it made the Maggies sound ok. I don't like the Maggie sound and for me to be able to listen for even a few songs was amazing to me. I just hear the Music Hall 11.1 yesterday, which is a HUGE step up in price, lol...It sounded much better than the Project tables or the Regas I've heard recently. Not sure how the MM7 sounds in comparison.
this is why there are so many models in all price ranges.
jsouth72
7 posts
 
Music Hall mmf 5.1 with a sumiko blue point #2 cart and a project tube box s.

You can pick all this up from needle doctor or music direct, but either way it sounds wonderful.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Sounds like a nice rig. Personally, I've learned that getting through a local dealer is supporting the local shops, plus I"ve always had problems in shipping audio. My brother just opened 4 boxes of Paradigms he bought and had shipped. The first tower was crushed and the whole side of the speaker was crushed.It will sound OK, but not perfect adn it looks terrible. No resale value either. The store said it was too late and not their fault. Screw them for any referral business in the future. The other tower had a finger dent in it's tweeter. That came that way from the store and not shipping. No way, no how it was shipping....again, oh well. Also, they shipped speakers that weren't serial number matches. I always demand speakers who's numbers are next to each other. Just my deal I guess.

Glad you had no problems and that it's working well. Yes, those of us who listen, feel strongly that vinyl is the best way to go when you want to really relax and enjoy the music. Enjoy and relax.
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 
My Modded REGA P3/24 sits on a Mapleshade ISO system and it is so quiet now its thrilling!! I totally agree that with the mods and Isolation this table is a giant slayer!
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