TOTALLY CONFUSED about analog

Pbb, you get the point about records:

"You will wind up with two hobbies: fussing with the tt. and going through bins for records, throwing out every second one because one can only eat so much bacon without having cholesterol problems."

That's why I went for the 'DJ turntable'...no fussing.

However, Direct Drive is not just for DJs...otherwise records would be cut with belt drive systems--right?

There we go...I already have my TT--and just one hobby. I buy used records that for $2-$4 it's a very good deal to me. No problems.

Well, I think lps and cds both have their place. If you want "general listening", and "no background noise" is your primary criteria, then you certainly can't argue with your argument about cds Pbb. I have been hoping that technology would step in and put an end to this dilemma with some miracle technology, but ...it seems we are moving toward HT and MP3. There is a good argument that these are suitable for general listening. Likely that quite a few will argue that MP3 and downloading is so easy that "there is very little percentage" in cds. I think they will have lost something.

Have you seen some of the audio systems around here? There seem to be folks interested in more than "general listening." If you have a pair of Mezzo Utopias in your listening room and like to discuss the suitability of Vienna Mahler speakers for orchestral music, as does the good Bishop, it seems to me you have more on your mind than "general listening." That being said he is not an lp fan and does not like the "bacon problem". Only goes to show.

I certainly like your point that we should listen to more music and not obsess on the tech stuff.

Sincerely, I remain

This has become more confusing now!

Psychicanimal, you definitely have some arguments that the others can't seem to contradict by reasoning, only by regarding your table as 'DJ quality'. I read your post about the electrical engineer who has one. I have seen no tonearm dampers for Rega, Music Hall, Project, Basis or VPI. So what you propose is a viable alternative. Now, how good can that table really be? I mean, there's some real quiet belt drives in this thread...belt is quieter, from what I understand.

Clueless, can we trade usernames?

Ken

Collecting/cleaning vinyl is fun! wanna pay $16 for a CD when you can get better sound from a free or 25 cent LP.Cant get new releases on vinyl? ha! too many to even try to list are avaliable on vinyl.Many times a few dollars cheaper than the CD version.Who spends lots of time 'fussing' with a turntable? Not me! A few minutes to set it up and thats it.If ya want to tweak your table,fine.Tweaking is a big part of this hobby and isnt exclusive just with turntables.Surface noise with vinyl? Sure,if you have an abused copy.If I get a copy of a LP that isnt quiet enough I just find a better copy.Most of my LP's are as quiet as a CD.If there is a bit of surface noise its only audible between tracks.I only recently bought a decent CDP.I listen to CD's much more now than I have in the past.When I do my most serious listening though vinyl is the choice I make.As far as what turntable to buy.Get the best used table you can afford.I wont recommend any.A used table/arm for around $1000 and new cartridge for around $500 will get you 70-80% of what the best analog set up can offer.Keep asking questions,do research and listen to tables if you can.You will make the right decision in time.Be cool and dont hurry.

Ken-

What is confusing you, I think, are these references to all the tweaks, modifications, specifications and opinions. A few random thoughts- 1) Are all these guys that are spending time and $$$$$ modifying their gear THAT much smarter about such things AND have more/better test equipment, education and experience than the engineer that designed it to start with? 2) Does all of that time and $$$$ spent for modification really qualify as "no fussing"? 3) Comparing a $700 table to a $3000 table is futile. 4) There are usually multiple ways to solve any problem, but first there needs to be a problem. 5) When I first got involved with audio, I tried very hard to listen to a spec, but never heard one. 6) CDP makers brag about their players getting closer to sounding like analog, but when was the last time you heard a turntable maker brag about their product sounding like a CD?

Develop a short list of good used unmodified moderate-priced belt drive tables and reasonably good used high-output MC to get started. Most of them have already been mentioned above. Don't get wrapped around the axle about trying to achieve audio nirvana with $600 'cause it's not going to happen no matter what you get. But at least you'll get an idea what direction you want to go to get there.

Regards
Jim