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WC, unless you already one you will also need a phono-stage to go with the used TT.Scotty
*phono cartridge is a Grado Sonata Reference tho some moving coils would make for an improvement in speed and sharpness.
Anyone on a limited budget (or no budget at all), can set themselves up with a vinyl rig and enjoy wonderful sound if that is all they want to do.If there are any other motives involved, sooner or later there is going to be a problem.I don't think one could accomplish this without at least some support from otherswith more experience. And a lot of patience.I am not one with large reserves of patience, and over the years there have been times when I wanted to throw my TT out of the window. But somehow I forced myself to be patient and ask for help and advice. (that made me want to throw myself out of the same window). Fortunately, I made it through that time.Considering this topic is barely over a week old, I didn't see a lot of patience in the attempt to figure out the problems. And I think there were more than one.Whatever, I think I'll turn off the computer and put on a record.Enjoy,James
Okey dokey, switched in my digital front end evening before last. As I've been listening exclusively to analog for the last seven of so months, it was kind of a shock (you might try this for yourself, those of you who can). Now, I don't have the latest hi rez capability but some differences between what I do have vs. my analog front end were clearly evident. My digital playback is quicker and sharper, more lively. Imagery is more lucid. Depth of field was outstanding on perhaps the best example live in-the-club CD I own, jazz singer Kellye Gray's The Pink Songs (Proteus Recordings). The audience was there-there and physically layered outwards from the mic's. That recording is made very exciting and there is no grain. I also listened to Mapleshade CD, Clifford Jordan's Live at Ethell's and some other things. My digital front end may have more upper mid/lower treble energy than my analog which could account for what I'm trying to describe, that lucidity and sense of space. My analog by comparsion is a little duller but richer, or warmer in the venacular*, which gives it a sensuality that is particularly appealing on larger classical works, which I listen to a lot. I think my digital has more of an identifying sound to it but that serves some kinds of music very well and don't think the third dimension is better or worse as it compares to my analog rig. I can listen to analog longer if that tells you anything, but I'm learning how to pick my battles. One is more exciting, one is more sensual, not that they cancel each other by any means. I would hate to be without either. But, if I could only have one, it would depend on if I were just starting to build a music collection or already had one. As the latter best describes me, it would be analog. But, aesthetically for my diverse taste in music, that's not as easy as I had thought. *phono cartridge is a Grado Sonata Reference tho I'm thinking about a particular MC for the future.
Previously, when I referred to the subject matter, I wasn't talking about the OP necessarily, but about getting into records and expectations. Why is it, when I go to a record store in the past couple of yrs, I see mostly young people buying vinyl? To me, that's what's relevant here. Obviously the expectation of a bran new, untried vinyl rig, succeeding in a shootout with a good digital set-up, is inappropriate. To be honest, I'm really not interested in digital vs analogue debates. I think satisfaction depends on motives, expectations, and most of all, recordings. If someone listened to my music, and had a decent record player, they would prefer analogue. On the other hand, if I buy a new recording I go digital. neo
Why does there need to be an analog vs. digital debate at all? Both can be done well; both can be done poorly. Both can be very satisfying with a very moderate investment and a few sober expectations. In both mediums, the time and patience to set things up correctly really pays off.I love music. I also love holding a record jacket in my hands, reading the credits, pondering the cover art, and musing over times gone by... even if the record is noisy, isn't perfect and the cover smells like mildew. I love the warmth and romance.I love music. I also love throwing on a CD or playing a digital file. The music is so immediately convenient, the selection available is absolutely amazing and easy to store and the fast, digital slam is flat-out exciting. I love the impact and eroticism.I really enjoy the hunt for old vinyl and seeing what is being rereleased or introduced on new vinyl. I also really appreciate being able to get just about whatever I want on CD or digital, just about whenever I want.Good music on a good sounding rig is thrilling in any format. Glitches in gear, equipment breakdowns, bad sounding music, and mismatched expectations are all frustrating and nerve racking in any format.My 2 Cents
At the heart of the dig vs. analog argument is this opinion of some that analog reproduction is more organic sounding/feeling. A more organic medium? Can someone elucidate or would comment on this? I don't know the importance of this on all music or to all listeners, but it kind of sounds or feels that way to me with my gear, I must admit.
I made an incorrect choice of words in my post above, the correct word is sensuous, not sensual. Having listened to digital recordings for the past three nights, it popped into my head almost immediately after putting on an analog opera recording of mine. That's what's missing for me from my digital and evident on analog recordings like this which are important to me. Thanks.
I heard a Steve Hoffman lecture where his postulate regarding digital vs vinyl is that vinyl has a more pleasing distortion.The case for tubes as well perhaps.
