Entry Level Vinyl or Higher End CD?

dmag · « **Reply #20 on:** 5 Mar 2012, 02:23 am »

I'd have to agree with the Birdseye analogy.
The worst thing for me about LPs is having to turn them over. And take care of them.
Can't just press shuffle.
But if you compare a record with a half decent belt drive and an acceptable cartridge, to a cd/ipod etc then throw in a Dynaco setup, to keep cost down ,there will be a smile on your face when you go retro.
Plus there is so much stuff on vinyl ....sorry, except hip-hop

Minn Mark · « **Reply #21 on:** 5 Mar 2012, 02:12 pm »

For not a lot of money, I put together a 2nd system setup which has both a CDP and a vintage Technics fully automatic TT (Ortofon 2M Red cart) , with variable repeat function (SL-D3). These can be had for a song on eBay. Also includes a cassette deck, so when I'm in the "set-it-and-forget-it" mode I can listen to any of these formats, LP, CD, cass. For a fully emotional experience, I have manual TTs in my 'reference' set-up. LP has always been my favorite.

M

Kinger · « **Reply #22 on:** 5 Mar 2012, 09:06 pm »

I'm one of those goofballs who didn't have a huge record collection (Can you say two LP's?) and yet still went out and bought a turntable. Why? Because I liked what I heard of an analog setup at my friend's house and he and I have very similar gear so I thought it would be fairly easy to reproduce that sound in my listening room if I wanted. Analog just has a more natural presentation in my system if I had to put a word to it. On many LP's, I also thought the soundstage was better than on CD. Many albums of CD's that I enjoyed in the and early 90's just sounded better to me on vinyl. Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream is a perfect example of an album that I thought sounded quite a bit better on the big ol' black circle. It's like the LP has breathed new life into albums I previously had given up on via my digital front end.

Vinyl was a bit more expensive to get started with considering I wanted to cut down on as many pops/clicks as I could so I puchased a KAB EV-1 record cleaning machine. I also invested in two brushes and some record cleaner. In the end though, those cost were not ridiculously outrageous to me especially for the enjoyment I'm getting in the sound. Record flipping isn't a real bother as it keeps me engaged in the music instead of doing other things while music is just playing in the background. My biggest complaint with vinyl? Probably the occasional pop and click that still pops up now and again on a clean record, but honestly it's not THAT big of a deal

With all of the above said, I can tell you I did not spend a fortune on my table especially compared to some of the costs I've seen out there for gear. I've got a Rega P3 with an Ortofon Blue MM cart which was about 1k all said and done. The digital half of my setup is an Eastern Electric DAC with a Logitech Squeezebox delivering the tunes. (Again about 1k in total.) For me and my ears, I think the 1k investment in the analog side of my rig is delivering more enjoyable music. Your opinion may differ however and obviously if you have some friends or acquaintences with TT's it would be a good idea to get a sample on them just to see if you like the sound before you start dropping the cash on a setup of your own.

drjjpdc · « **Reply #23 on:** 5 Mar 2012, 10:54 pm »

There is just one thing I would advise all the vinyl guys to add to the "ritual". I can hear the groans already but it's not a great ordeal. What I do is clean the LP in my VPI machine. Then it goes on the TT, give it 1-2 rotations with my Audioquest anti-static brush, lightly brush the stylus with your soft stylus brush and my "last" step is to use a product called Stylast. It has it's own brush and lightly run it across the stylus tip not the cantilever. It costs about $30 a bottle or so but it will probably "last" (sorry I just couldn't resist) forever. It greatly quiets down the surface and protects the stylus.

http://www.lastfactory.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=13&category_id=4&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

An easy tip that I was taught to use for those whose eyesight make the tip hard to see. Do not mute the sound when using Last; leave it on, it makes it easy to hear the stylus being brushed, since the cantilever does not make a sound only the tip does.

Scottdazzle · « **Reply #24 on:** 6 Mar 2012, 04:54 am »

Lex,

I got re-energized about vinyl with a modest setup of a Music Hall table with a good $150 cartridge. Of course the $4000 figure of Rollo's will get you a superb rig, but you can get vinyl magic for a fraction of that. There are lots of good tables and cartridges available these days - at many price points. Plus you can always buy used gear at reasonable prices and move up to better stuff as you learn what you like most. It's a fun ride. Enjoy yourself!

doug s. · « **Reply #25 on:** 16 Mar 2012, 03:34 am »

imo, entry lewel winyl will sound better overall, than higher end digital. but, i would stay away from the entry choices you mentioned. buy used, especially for the turntable. w/a wintage turntable, (i am partial to empires), you can do an '"entry lewel" set-up, to include a nice cartridge and fono stage for under $1k, if you shop used, and are patient. for my ears, it will sound better than any redbook rig at any price. of course, i was raised on winyl, and was not able to enjoy listening to cd's at all, (except in a car), until ~2000 or so...

ymmv,

doug s.

coverto · « **Reply #26 on:** 16 Mar 2012, 05:07 am »

A short while ago, I connected my old JVC QL-A7 turntable with Denon DL-110 cartridge (total outlay, about $375) to an Advent Model 300 integrated that I bought off eBay for $100. The result beat the pants off most digital configurations I've heard in the $2000 to $3000 range.

JackD201 · « **Reply #27 on:** 16 Mar 2012, 06:01 am »

IME there are no absolutes especially with Analog where there are so many variables. I mean an ordinary CD player could outperform a good analog rig if that rig is set up poorly. Assuming it is though, (analog addict that I am) I feel that even for a modest LP rig and MM cart it is the quality and condition of the LP being played that will be the biggest determining factor. An LP with a lot of groove wear and scratches will be trounced by a CD player. A well kept, clean LP however is another story!