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
 
Well, my day has finally arrived. Tomorrow John from Audio Connections will be delivering my Vandy Treo's along with my Heed Quasar Phono stage and my Basis 1400, Basis/Rega 300/Micro Benz Glider. It's a demo and he was very fair. In the end, this set up is about as good as I could find for the money. For me, this is the perfect set up and I'll now sell off my lightly used Rotel 855/Van den Hul MM1 cartridge (any takers? ).

I'll let you all know how it sounds after it all breaks in. I'll upgrade to the new belt soon I'm sure. Just need to get a VPI 16.5 cleaner now.
kiko65
279 posts
 
Really Abrew19?

Still trashing Rega TTs without any SUBSTANTIAL evidence/comments/observations. Very professional of you I may say.

What kind of TT do you own? How long have you been in this hobby? How many different set ups have you EVER owned? Have you ever done a head to head comparison between the Classic and the RP8........or any other decks? Heck, have you ever auditioned an RP8........or even a Classic? Doubt it very much. Do us all a favor and stop pretending you know what you're talking about Abrew.

I believe you have "selective hearing". I praised the Classic. You want to know why? Because I auditioned one. I took the time to stop by my local dealer and I had an extensive listening session in order to be able to make a consensus decision based on taste, not looks. Not only that, I used to own A Scout! Just not my cup of tea. Again, there is no right or wrong, just a matter of taste.

Instead of "pretending" that you know what you're talking about let's do this. Start writing about WHY you don't like the Rega SOUND and not about WHY YOU THINK Rega products look cheap. Anyone can make that assumption based on looks.

Let's hear your comments based on personal experience and NOT on bias information about your perception on cheap construction. Do us all a favor and talk like a someone who knows what he is saying!
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
You know the Rega wasn't my cup of tea when I've heard it, but it was a very very good table and much better than anything near it's price. It didn't stand up to a 5k plus Linn or a 8k plus Ayre table. I liked it better than the VPI's I heard (VPI's were at least twice the price). I think it's a very solid performer and not a Bose type of product. Can't go wrong with a Rega and upgraded cart.
jperry
2,450 posts
 
Ctsooner
"Well, my day has finally arrived. Tomorrow John from Audio Connections will be delivering my Vandy Treo's along with my Heed Quasar Phono stage and my Basis 1400, Basis/Rega 300/Micro Benz Glider"

Great setup, when you can swing it upgrade from the Rega to a Basis Vector arm. That will be a very significant improvement.

Sounds like you have a great system going and John is a great guy to work with.
abrew19
146 posts
 
This Kiko guy thinks he has mental telepathy. He seems convinced that he knows what my own experiences and thought processes are....
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