Back to analog ..was it a mistake???

Dear Missioncoonery: +++++ " even though the analog systems Ive heard recently never came close to my setup. " ++++++

well seems to me that you and your ears are already " equalized " to digital: nothing wrong with that.

Your statement could means to me that you own a good audio system ( do you buy/own the Avalon speakers you talk in past posts?. ) that was build around digital source.

If all that is true and especially that you own a good audio system and that you want to enjoy again LP's seems to me that you need to give a better opportunity to LP's, IMHO you decide to spend almost the less to comeback so the result was/is according what you decided about. Of course that I can be wrong, you are the boss here.

In the other side and even with that analog rig things can't be so bad, obviously in your system are.

+++++ " new Akito2 arm,belt,oil,Denon DL160,cables..had it setup correctly. " +++++

in the last 30 years somethings already change or improve and one of them is the critical importance match between cartridge and tonearm where any one aspire to find the right synergy. Akito is not one of my favorities ( maybe the Grace that coming with the LP12 is a lot better if in good operation condition. ) as either the 160 cartridge that is not a good LOMC cartridge and that is not a good MM/MI cartridge either.
IMHO if you want a good analog source then go for better choice: a LOMC or a MM/MI, not a " hybrid ".

There are at least four set up factors that like you say must be correctly: overhang and cartridge offset angle, VTA/SRA, VTF and Azymuth. Could be important that you make a check up again.

In the other hand is convenient that you can hear during the cartridge set up and during the cartridge fine tunning time ( after cartridge settle down. ) to LP's that you know very well with out digital source comparisons, you will have time latter to made comparisons.
Better if you have an audio friend that could help about in case that you don't have any " reference quality sound " with LP's.

All my comments are in good shape and trying/figuring how to help you.

If I was you and after what I posted if things goes the same then my first move will be the Dgarretson advise: try a new cartridge with the MM/MI Ortofon vintage NOS analog source alternative for " cents ", this cartridge is really good and I can't see a critical problem with your Akito/LP-12:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=400085013949&Category=64620&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

Certainly is very difficult to know ( at distance and with out hearing it. ) what is happen in your analog rig performance so take my advise with a" grain of salt ".

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Lewm: This person not even say thank you for your time you take to post.

What seems to me and to conform with the thread title: maybe was and is a mistake to be here.

Take a look to other/lattest thread of this person with no single answer by him:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1264795722

Anyway, another learning day.

regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Missioncoonery: Good that comeback.

All what you say is ok but you have to make changes in that analog rig.

A dealer recomendation on a cartridge means almost nothing: that's what he sale and not what you need.

Don't diminish that Ortofon vintage NOS cartridge only because the 160 beats the MM you own.
IMHO the M20E Super is so good that you need to spend at least 3K-4K on other cartridge to beat it.

IMHO too, first step to achieve good quality performance depend on the analog source quality performance that in this case that analog source is the cartridge.

Your call.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear friends: I'm a little surprise why so much emphasis on " soundstage " ( Mapman, Newbee, etc, etc. ) and what overall means.
Is it does not suppose that the music is the important subject? : tonal balance, pitch, dynamics, instrument real tone, frequency extremes, etc, etc.

the soundstage is important but can't tell us the whole " true " about analog and digital.

I like both formats and understand its " natural "/technology differences as its each one source trade-offs, there is nothing perfect ( yet ) both formats has its ong advantages and limitations learn to know this will help to live in high pleasure with both " formats ".

Which better?, IMHO we can't say if an " orange " is better than an " apple ".
The best IMHO that can do is enjoy both! not compare each to other.

regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Bluebottle: +++++ " if you can, go tube phono. it will expand the stage, speakers will disappear. this can be an issue if you use a low output cart cuz good QUIET tube phono's are quite expensive, but in my opinon it's the only way. " +++++

I respect your opinion but IMHO " it is not the only way ", very far from there even overall IMHO tubes are not the right technology for a phono stage especially on LOMC cartridges.

It seems to me that like you say: " it is the only way " FOR YOU and nothing more.

There are excellent SS phono stages out there that not only compete with but that surpass the tube performance.

If you are interested about you need to learn on the subject and then you could find that what you think today is only a " myth " a false myth.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear friends: IMHO this is a learning thread coming by the three Missioncoonery posts.

He begin asking for ( almost crying for. ): """ Any positive imput or suggestions is appreciated. """"""

After that everyone of us give him our best advise according our each one knowledge trying to help and trying that his " comeback to analogue could be change and be successful ".

Then he answer that everything in his analog rig set up is fine ( that obviously is not. ) and he decide not to make any single change or follow any of the advise posted here.

Finally, he say: thank you all.

I wonder why any one begin a thread looking for help and when he has that " help " he says: NO?????I'm just fine.

Of course that he has the right, and I respect that, to do whatever he wants to feel satisfied.

Anyway, only a thoughts.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.