2. analog
  3. 1295820131

Considering analog...but nervous

Well, I've been here before. Once again, I'm thinking of venturing into the Analog world, but before doing so, I wanted to pose a few questions to fellow agoners to make sure my head (ears?) are in the right place.

Some Background: My current setup consists of a Modwright Transporter, Musical Fidelity KW 500 (hybrid tube pre/SS Amp), and Focal/JM 1027be speakers. My entire current collection is digital and I have NEVER owned Vinyl before NOR have I ever heard a high-end Analog setup.

My Tastes/musical likes: I am all about soundstage and imaging. Vocal accuracy is hugely important and instrument placing (hence, imaging) are part of what I look for when listening. Genre wise, mostly rock, folk, acoustic and blues. Some jazz as well. I generally try to stick to labels that produce good-sounding material...not over-compressed garbage.

On with the questions:

1. One of the biggest things that has kept me from trying Vinyl thus far is the concern of excessive hiss and crackle/pop that vinyl is known for. Is it safe to assume that purchasing new Vinyl and played on a higher quality setup will reduce (eliminate?) the pops and crackle sounds? I have no problem purchasing exclusively new vinyl, knowing full well that the process of shopping used is what draws so many to this market...

2. If I purchase new vinyl, only play it on a decent player, and store it properly, will I still have to clean it? How expensive is a cleaning machine? Are there (reasonable), less expensive alternatives to a cleaning machine?

3. Based on my integrated (tube-pre,SS amp) and speakers, are these a good match for Vinyl? Does anyone know if the KW 500 Phono input is adequate for a good turntable? My digital system has a tendency to be on the bright side for a lot of material, but not everything. Strangly, even at 31 years old, I can still hear up to around 19Khz so I'm a bit picky about the highs...

4. How complicated is the setup of the TT? Being that I've never worked wtih it before, I'm somewhat intimidated by the "setup" requirements of the equipment. What are the core requirements/knowledge to properly setup a TT.

5. And finally, the most subjective question of all. If I had a budget of about $1,000-$1,500 for a TT, Tonearm and Cartridge, what would be a good starting place? I'd obviously be looking for used here from Agon.

I know this was a long post so thanks for hanging in and reading it all :-). Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

-gh0st
fatgh0st
bjbcab
131 posts
 
Hey Fatghost,

I say go for it. I just did. I should have my analog set up in the next two weeks.

In your original post you mention that your digital tends to be on the bright side on some material. Well that could be your digital source but mostly it is the digital software. I run into the same problem with some cd's on my DCS Puccini which I think is a great digital source and many agree with me. The issue isn't so much my player as it is what is being played.

Here is an example. I like Van Halen. Notice I said like not love but they can be very entertaining to listen to when in the mood. I have all of their CD's and most are so bright and compressed that it is not worth listening to. (Same goes for U2. UGGGGGH!) I recently did a direct comparison of 1984 on CD to STOCK LP and the LP is so much better. There is good digital out now but it is much more difficult to get audiophile or even higher quality ROCK recordings in digital versus LP.

PS. It is possible to get quiet vinyl. My dealer has a Monk cleaner and I can tell you that vinyl played back after a cleaning is so quiet you would swear it was digital until the music starts. :) I would ask the veteran analog guru's for advice on what to use. The Monk units are quite expensive.
fatgh0st OP
43 posts
 
My thought was that I would purchase the Music Hall for the sake of getting it into my listening room with a no obligation return policy. I'll pick up a few LPs of my favorite albums and give them a spin. Assuming I like the analog sound with my components and room, I can return it and purchase something more long-term here from Agon.

I have been watching the ads here at Agon and the VPI tables were of interest, but someone mentioned that their setup is a bit finicky for the beginner...

Thoughts?
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
You might just want to completely read through this thread that is currently running, before pulling the trigger:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1296166430&openmine&zzViridian&4&5#Viridian
raquel
841 posts
 
FatGhost:

Viridian is correct regarding the Music Hall (he is also absolutely correct in the other thread regarding the unimportance of primary resonance, which is usually irrelevant because of the low rumble of modern tables - arm/cartridge resonance is the issue, and it's totally unpredictable until an actual arm/cartridge combo is tried - but that exceeds the scope of your thread).

If I were you, I would buy a used VPI and then drive it to Soundsmith (Peter Ledermann) in Peekskill, New York (about 2.5 hours from Philly), for set up on a Saturday, and then pick it up the next Saturday - he might be able to do it all the same day, but you'd obviously have to ask. He'd probably charge you $100-$125. Peter uses VPI tables and he makes VPI's cartridges (he can mount any cartridge you buy - I just mention this for you to understand who this guy is). Except for maybe Frank Schroeder, no one knows more about analog then Peter.
manitunc
795 posts
 
I would absolutely get a vpi scout before a Music Hall anything if I was getting my first table. the arm that comes with the scout is superior and its resale value if you trade up is likely better. There are a lot of scouts out there used from people who are trading up.

That said, if you are going to spend the entire 2500, I would get the VPI Classic. Its about as plug and play as you can get, and has gotten great reviews from everyone who has heard it. I dont own one, since I tend towards suspended tables like Oracle and Sota, but the VPI is a decent product for the price.

You could pick up a very nice Sota Sapphire for that price, factory rebuilt or even a Star from a private seller. The Star adds a vacuum platter, which I find to be very effective.
But I wouldnt get the MMF or Denon.
More to discover