Fired up the TT for the first time

That Basis/Graham/Herron combination sounds like a real winner, and actually I'd love to own that rig myself, but my bank account is much healthier without spending that much cash. I use the Michell Gyro II SE with the Origin Live Rega RB250 and Benz Ruby II, and that is the best sounding analog I've had in my system by a good margin. I owned a VPI Aries/JMW, with ClearAudio Gamma and Transfiguration cartridges, but just couldn't get that rig to perform like it should have. I also got excellent sound from the Townshend Mk-III Rock with modified RB300 and Transfiguration cartridge, but it always sounded a touch bright for my taste. The brightness may have been related to a slight upper midrange resonance in the RB300 arm, I suspect. I would have really liked to have tried the Townshend with the Origin Live Rega RB250 and the Benz Ruby 2, because that combination might have been excellent too (a beer-budget giant killer if you could get a good deal on the Benz).

This is like giving an alcoholic a bottle of Night Train, but in Kansas City is a shop with at least 3,000 sq.ft. of vinyl. Pretty sure I remember it as Streetside Records and Tapes 816 561 1580. Best of luck and I'm not responsible.

I expect to get back into vinyl after a many year absence from both high-end audio and vinyl. My timetable is approximately within the next 6-9 months. I will be using an Atma-Sphere modified Empire 208 table, probably with Graham 2.2 arm. I am looking for cartridge recommendations. I listen to most music types. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. God bless.

P.S. I would enjoy receiving any commentary on how the Origin Live modded Rega's would sound in this setup.

I am not looking to start a war or anything like that ... just looking to share honestly and see what might be wrong with my memory. As I remember the vinyl experience, it was always a function of how good your taping facilities were. Even with good gear, and my vinyl gear was at least mid-fi most of the time (Technics/Dual/B&O/Shure/Grado/ Discwasher, etc.), the first time I would listen to an album, I would also make a tape copy and I would listen to the tape most of the time. I (and lots of others) would do this, because records just scratched up and acquired noise way too easily. CD was a godsend, for this reason alone. What precisely has changed ... or maybe nothing and my recollections are just off ? I would buy both normal editions, as well as audiophile pressings. Thanks.

Rar1 I find the allure of vinyl to be primarily in the area of dimensional realism. There is a "fullness" to the sound, even in modestly priced equipment, that I have not heard from digital.

Walk into a vinyl store and listen for yourself. If you like what you hear, great, if not that is fine too. Go for what turns you on.

Keep in mind that what you hear in the vinyl store will probably be at the lower end of what vinyl is capable of.

I have not heard any super high-end digital with the exception of limited exposure to SACD. SACD was very nice and I will probably purchase a SACD player some day.

I am very glad that I did not dispose of my LP's even though I sold my equipment years ago. The limited availability of current music in LP format is also an issue for many.

I hope this post has not come across as condescending, I am just trying to give my perspective. There are also other facets of vinyl enjoyment that I have not touched on here. God bless.