Is it worth expanding into Vinyl???


I've been kicking around the idea of going vinyl for awhile so I figured I'd post some questions. I understand the difference between Vinyl and Digital from a sound recording and reproduction standpoint and the pros/cons of it, but I guess real world opinion specific to my situation is what I seek.

I was born in '79 so by the time I got into music, Digital had already taken over. As such, I was never exposed to Vinyl as a child and have been raised on the digital "sound". At this point, I have a fairly substantial collection of SACD and DVD-Audio which serve as my primary listening material. Genre's are very dispersed including just about everything.

If I decided to venture into Vinyl, I would want to do so with a minimal investment up front (for the hardware)...perhaps around $500-$600. I also see that one can spend over $30k on a turntable with tonearm and cartridge, so that's a little intimidating to me. I don't want to waste even my measly $500 on getting into vinyl if I need to spend substantially more to get sound that exceeds that of my current all-digital setup.

Here is my current setup, so the only addition would be that of the turntable itself, played through these components. I suppose I'm just looking for opinions from anyone who has one regarding whether a ~$500 turntable on this system can yield sonic results that equal or exceed my current capabilities (realizing that the recording itself plays a tremendous role in the reproduction).

SACD/CD Player: Music Hall Maverick (stock)
DVD-A Player: Denon 3910 (stock)
PreAmp: Outlaw Audio 950
Amplifier: Outlaw Audio 750
Fronts: Axiom M80 v2 (Bi-Wired)
Center: Axiom VP150 v2
Rears: Axiom QS8 v2
Sub: Axiom EP500 v2
Interconnects: Outlaw Audio
Speaker Wire: Monster M1.4s BiWire

I should also mention that a nice, wide and open soundstage is the most important characteristic I look for in listening. The more "real" it all sounds, the happier I am.

Any opinions or feedback would be greatly appreciated. Turntable recommendations would also be greatly appreciated!
fatgh0st
I agree with Johnnantais. You can make this as much or as little work as you want to. If you see it as work though maybe it's not for you. It's a hobby and no hobby is for everyone. There's gratification in being able to have direct impact on the sound you're getting in so many ways. Digital formats simply don't have the same potential for involvement. If putting effort into a hobby weren't satisfying why would anyone build a ship in a bottle, tie flies, or needle point? People threw away their records when the CD came out not because CDs are better but because they're easier. Convenience will always win out with the general public.
>>Remember nearly EVERYONE toosed the records when CD came out. IT WAS FOR A REASON.<<

Yes they did.

And for a very bad reason.

Convenience.

Paradoxically, nearly "everyone" regrets doing it.
Johnnantias, One reason that 'vinylphiles' want to discourage 'new members' is that success would result in less competition for those few remaining great RCA Living Stereo's in the Goodwill bins.

However, I believe that many who may sound discouraging to you are nothing more than unvarnished realists faced with helping inexperienced folks who seem (to them) to be driven by the popular resurection of vinyl but have no idea of what the actual problems are in setting up and utilizing a TT system not to mention the acquisition of high quality LP's.

There is a lot of good music to be heard in vinyl over any system, but high quality software and sound is neither cheap nor easily acquired. As someone already said, Vinyl playback is a hobby within a hobby. If a fellow can be easily discouraged by a few 'reality' remarks, then it probably wasn't a pursuit to be pursued.

Audiofeil, No arguement about tossing LP's out for CD's...you are right! BTW, are these the same folks who now hawk the benefit of liquid based tweeks for CD's? :-)
Paradoxically, nearly "everyone" regrets doing it [tossing their records].

You said it Audiofeil! I had a collection of abut 1,000 LPs at one point. Should have just stored them somewhere while I was moving around. Instead, I'm slowly rebuying many as I find them at my local used record store.
A few points to reiterate on all the above (cause some of it is really bull-hockey):

If you do not honestly believe that records sound better than CD, then; (1) you should go listen to a modest, well-implemented vinyl rig; compare for yourself, and then you will agree/understand that records do in fact sound best, or alternatively (2) Immediately sell all of your stereo gear and invest in a good IPod.

Of course records are more ‘trouble’ over-all; you don’t get something for nothing (that’s what we got with digital)… Most things well worth doing require a little extra effort.

In the final analysis, if the original recording was not well executed, then the end product whether it is a record or a CD will reflect that poor execution. But, on most days and in most instances, I would rather listen to a poorly executed record than a poorly executed CD…

Ericjcabrera Nope; I’m not a drummer…wish I were though… 