Getting into Vinyl...

I own a Lehmann Black Cube SE. It's a no-brainer at its used price. One of the great values in analog audio.

You can't go wrong with either a Rega or Music Hall. A vintage table like a Thorens TD160 or TD147 will hold its value.

You will get outstanding performance from a MM cartridge or a high output MC cartridge. At the entry level, anything else is a waste of money, IMO.

Even an entry level table will sound better than a CD...if you can ignore the surface noise, pops and clicks of vinyl.

IMO, FWIW, YMMV.

Thanks Tvad...I read so many positive things about the BC se it just seemed like the right avenue to travel. I think it is important to system match properly when adding something. Some of the pieces I was originally thinking about might be outclassed, so I decided to at least put a little more into the phono stage. Great advice here, thanks alot.

Even an entry level table will sound better than a CD

Not in my modded 1200 rig, and according to someone I trust, not even with a Walker Proscenium. The mastering quality is what determines whether a vinyl record or its CD version will sound better, not the format. That's happening with my beloved Fania salsa records, which are now being PROPERLY digitally remastered for the second time. To that effect I suggest a modified belt drive transport. Then vinyl and analog will start sounding close to each other.

With Psychic power and primal intensity,

03-07-07: Psychicanimal

Even an entry level table will sound better than a CD

Not in my modded 1200 rig, and according to someone I trust, not even with a Walker Proscenium.

Are you sure your read my statement correctly? You seem
to be arguing the opposite of what I wrote. A Walker Proscenium table does not sound better than a CD?

My comparison consisted of two selections that I own on both vinyl and CD. The CDs are re-masters. In both examples, the vinyl had more “life” and dimensionality than the CDs. My statement was somewhat hyperbolic, I will admit, and for that I apologize.

Nevertheless. My ears tell me that what I wrote is correct as it applies to my system. Your observations may vary in your system.

Here's mine:

Digital Sources:
Modwright Sony DVP 999ES Platinum Signature modification (Bybee AC and RCA filters, Upgraded clock) including tube rectified 9.0 power supply
Sony C77ES Changer

Analog Source:
Music Hall MMF-7 w/Goldring Eroica H

Preamplifier/Amplifier:
Lamm LL2 Deluxe with Mullard 6X4, 12AU7, and E88CC
Lehmann Black Cube SE Phono preamplifier
Moscode 401HR with stock RCA Black Plate 6CG7 and Mullard Blackburn 12AU7

Loudspeakers:
Von Schweikert VR4 Gen III HSE loudspeakers with Audiopoints brass spikes

Interconnects and Speaker Cable:
Purist Audio Aqueous Anniversary Contego RCA interconnects (CD>Pre) and Purist Audio Venustas interconnects (Pre>Amp)
Stereovox HDSE interconnects (phono preamp>Pre)
MAS Signature Hybrid speaker cable

Power Cords:
Purist Audio Dominus Ferrox plugged to dedicated analog 20a AC line with Porter Ports > Hydra 2 > Empirical Audio Grand Slam (amplifier)
Purist Audio Dominus Ferrox plugged to dedicated analog 20A AC line via Porter Port wall outlet >Hydra 2> Volex 17604(preamp)
DCCA Extreme Reference plugged to dedicated digital 20A AC line via Porter Port wall outlet > Hydra 2> Volex 17604 (Modwright Sony 999ES)
DCCA Extreme Reference plugged to dedicated digital 20A AC line via Porter Port wall outlet > Hydra 2> Purist Audio Dominus Ferrox (Modwright 9.0 power supply)

Isolation and Rack:
Neuance shelf for digital source
Neuance platform for turntable. Sorbothane discs under the Neuance
Symposium Rollerblocks II under preamp
Custom Sorbothane footers under Moscode, Modwright 9.0 power supply and Lehmann Black Cube power supply
Salamander Synergy audio cabinet w/perforated steel doors. Shelf supports padded with 1/8" sorbothane.

I agree with you about mastering. Mastering is everything. In fact, I own a Classic Records re-mastered DVD-A of Cannonball Adderly's "Somethin' Else" that blows the vinyl version out of the water. I own both.

My comment was specific to redbook CDs, and specifically the two I compared.

Tvad: Just curious. Is your vinyl pressing of "Somethin' Else" an original Blue Note, a solid blue label Blue Note early 70's reissue or the more recent Blue Note re-issue?