Analog System to Beat Digital - - for little$$ ??

Can you bypass the turntable's internal preamp? If so, just buy a new phono stage. That will put you over the top vs. digital all by itself.

I assume you have a decent cartridge already?

Cheers.

Tom

first of all, one type of media is not always better than the other. it varies from title to title. going to another table may make an improvement, but don't have unrealistic expectations.

To get more out of your vinyl playback I suggest to consider the following.

1: You need to invest in and take time to beable to clean and keep clean your vinyl records. If you want to budget you can buy a good vacuuming machine for around $200 (Kab USA basic unit) up to more pricier models by Nitty Gritty and VPI etc. You may want to give a portable steamer setup as a low cost alternative. I find these work pretty good to. Yet other make their own DIY vacuuming setups using spare turntable platters and shop vac etc.

You also need an ability to keep your vinyl playing clean, a good carbon fibre brush works. I also use an older Discwasher D4 brush and fluid. These help keep my everyday playback cleaning fine. Still others also add a Zerosat static gun to aid in static control.

2: I suggest you consider the Technics SL-12xxMKII series turnatables especially ordering a modded one from KAB USA.

3: Get a good basic cartridge, look at Denon, Audio Technica, Dynavector and other in the sub $500 range. I like my Denon DL-110 on my Kab modded SL-1200MKII.

3: Pick up a good phono preamp a bargain would be the Cambridge Audio 640P.

You can get all this including a record vacuuming setup for under $2000.

I agree: Get a Technics SL1210 M5G (for the better tonearm wire), the KAB fluid damper, a better mat (e.g., Herbie's Way Excellent), Audio Technica AT150MLX cartridge, LPGear Zupreme headshell, and Cambridge 640P phono preamp.

This rig retains the strengths that attract people to digital--speed, slam, tight driving bass--while offering superior smoothness and a more organic presentation of the music.

I like the speed accuracy and consistency of the Technics as well, something you won't get from other turntables at its price. I am a big Count Basie fan, and the Technics never wavers on piano notes, and always conveys the exact, magical tempo and sense of swing that the Count always set.

I've had the SL1210 M5G for two years and the rest of the items I mentioned for over a year. For the first year I listened exclusively to LPs. Now I listen to some digital, but only when I have to, such as if the music isn't available on LP or I'm busy and can't tend to the records.

But whenever I drop the stylus into a groove I feel like I'm giving myself a special treat.

If u can bypass the denon preamp upgrade to another~i like project phono box~use nice cable~ top with nice cart~most sensible route~but when was audio ever sensible?