Leaning towards a SOTA with vacuum. Hope it can cure the common edge warping issues I recall (quite unpleasantly LOL)... anyone with experience with these higher end SOTA tables with their vacuum system? Does it really take out most edge warps for a smooth ride for the needle?
$5,000 to spend for analog front end - advice please...:)
Long-time audiophile who has not touched analog for ~15 years... thinking of getting back in.
Reading about current choices in analog gear makes my eyes glaze over... info overload...
Last rig circa 2000 was Ariston RD11/Black Widow/Grace F9E into CJ pre/ARC power and Maggies. Remember that table was quite touchy... but had moments of brilliance. Remember VTA was super important, but was hard to get right. Also remember edge warping on some records was a major PITA.
Now have Modwright/Sony tube CDP to CJ ET5 to ARC VT50 to ProAc D30R/Rel sub for lowest octave support -- a good, reasonable, high res system without going overboard. Jazz and vocals listener, discerning ear for detail, body and PRAT, don’t like to tweak too much, just want to re-enjoy my LP collection which has been dormant/stored for years in addition to my CD’s.
Thinking roughly $5,000 would be a good number to throw at a fresh analog front end. That would need to include the phono stage as my CJ is a line stage...
VPI, SOTA, ClearAudio, Rega, Project... not sure where to turn, plus new names like Lehmann, Shelter, Soundsmith. Would prefer a relatively turn key system -- can handle follow-the-instructions set-up just fine but don’t want to get into endless fussing. Don’t want to do another Linn/Ariston. Something easier and more consistent.
Don’t think $5K will get me into a real low output MC rig given cost of proper amplification, even with solid state head amp. Also seeing the very cool Thorens retro-updates by Vinyl Nirvana... can those really perform like the modern stuff?
Reading no-brainers tables are VPI Scout or bundled Project tables... not sure about arms and cartridges. Prefer a classic TT look, no thanks to Michell Gyrodecks or giant air pumps or huge acrylic monstrosities... :)
New/demo or used from A-gon? Used VPI Classic or Aries?
Thoughts appreciated from those who are current and in the know. Thanks.
Reading about current choices in analog gear makes my eyes glaze over... info overload...
Last rig circa 2000 was Ariston RD11/Black Widow/Grace F9E into CJ pre/ARC power and Maggies. Remember that table was quite touchy... but had moments of brilliance. Remember VTA was super important, but was hard to get right. Also remember edge warping on some records was a major PITA.
Now have Modwright/Sony tube CDP to CJ ET5 to ARC VT50 to ProAc D30R/Rel sub for lowest octave support -- a good, reasonable, high res system without going overboard. Jazz and vocals listener, discerning ear for detail, body and PRAT, don’t like to tweak too much, just want to re-enjoy my LP collection which has been dormant/stored for years in addition to my CD’s.
Thinking roughly $5,000 would be a good number to throw at a fresh analog front end. That would need to include the phono stage as my CJ is a line stage...
VPI, SOTA, ClearAudio, Rega, Project... not sure where to turn, plus new names like Lehmann, Shelter, Soundsmith. Would prefer a relatively turn key system -- can handle follow-the-instructions set-up just fine but don’t want to get into endless fussing. Don’t want to do another Linn/Ariston. Something easier and more consistent.
Don’t think $5K will get me into a real low output MC rig given cost of proper amplification, even with solid state head amp. Also seeing the very cool Thorens retro-updates by Vinyl Nirvana... can those really perform like the modern stuff?
Reading no-brainers tables are VPI Scout or bundled Project tables... not sure about arms and cartridges. Prefer a classic TT look, no thanks to Michell Gyrodecks or giant air pumps or huge acrylic monstrosities... :)
New/demo or used from A-gon? Used VPI Classic or Aries?
Thoughts appreciated from those who are current and in the know. Thanks.
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- 26 posts total
If you’re in the USA and want a brand new plug and play TT, then I would not hesitate to get a VPI Scout V1.1. at USD2200. Cartridge - something like a ZYX R50 Bloom Mk III if you want MC or an Ortofon 2M Black if you want MM. Phono stage - TRON Convergence - high end boutique British phono stage for almost beer money (well at least compared to some of their more expensive USD10k+ products) - GBP900 for MM or GBP1000 (USD1250) for MC - direct sale from the UK manufacturer. Vacuum Record Cleaning machine - VPI HW16.5 - USD700. That should just about all squeeze in for your budget of USD 5k and it would be all brand new :) |
Purchase a Technics SL-1200G, a Denon 103r, LP Zupreme 15gram headshell and an iPhono 2 and iTube 2 and you will be set for a very very long time. You could spend many tens of thousands more than this combination of products (which I'm using right now (except that I have the GAE version of the Technics) to listen to Stacey Kent) and not come close to its beautiful and natural sound. |
All you guys are missing a great potential recommendation: Rega RP8/Alphetta 2/Aria which comes out at $5700 a bit more, but here is what you get: 1: An extremely musical, no fuss, table with a great cartridge all ready alligned. The new ultra light weight plinth with extreme damping offers a very fast energetic presentation with low amounts of stored energy which makes the table sound more lively then a VPI. 2: An extremely good cartrige, the Aphetta 2 is a fantastic $1,900 cart that when you purchase together with the table Rega takes off $700 from the price of the cart. The new Aphetta 2 is an incredible cart that gives many upper tier cart a run fot their money. The cart employs some novel technology and is a world class cart. 3: An Aria phono stage, look at Tone Audio's review, the Aria again gives alot of expensive phono stages a run for their money, it is quiet, has great dynamics, and has fantastic resoloution, and THEY ARE ALL MADE TO WORK TOGETHER! So here you have a fantastic well engineered package from one of the best brand in audio. We sell this very same package and it is one fantastic analog rig that is literally no fuss you can have the entire setup running in 20mins! Troy resident geek, Dave Owner Audio Doctor Jersey City www.audiodoctor.com 877 428 2873 |
- 26 posts total