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

I have just introduced analog into my system in the past 6 months, with some joy, and some frustration. I spent very little $$ on a Denon 300f TT with a built in preamp. I connect it to a B&K Reference 50 preamp line stage input to play via a Parasound 2205at amp and NHT 2.9 L-R speakers. The B&K has an all analog path for direct analog passthrough.

My frustration is when I have properly volume matched my inputs for the TT and my CD, I only have some minor improvement with the Analog music vs the Digital music.

I am in Vinyl to stay, so With a budget of less than $2000, what would you recommend? I would buy used via Audiogon.

Thank you for your opinions - in advance!

Jeff in Detroit
jbryngelson
phasecorrect's avatar
phasecorrect
2,013 posts
 
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?
jbryngelson OP
25 posts
 
Wrtickle: I like your thoughts on the VPI table, but I am concerned that I will end up blowing my budget on a table/arm/cart before I even get a Phono-Pre. The Dynavector looks like a winner: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preaphon&1250559771&/Dynavector-PHA-1-phono-preamp-

Maybe a complete table-arm-cart combination for 1100-1400? It seems the Scouts all are 1300 without the cartridge.
jbryngelson OP
25 posts
 
Tfkaudio - I agree, the built-in phono is likely the weakest link, but I am looking to match a complete TT and a Phono-Pre for about 2K. I am guessing I should look at Phono-Pre's in the 700-1100 range, with a table in the 900-1300 range.

Agree? Thoughts?
jbryngelson OP
25 posts
 
Jaybo: I agree, there is lots of good digital out there, and I plan to keep listening to both. Likely BluRay for my video-audio needs (Including DVD), but for a sit down of pure music will come from my TT in the future. Thanks for your response.
jbryngelson OP
25 posts
 
Les-creative-edge: I do clean my records on a VPI record cleaner. I have a good friend who is kind enough to share his cleaner. I am using the Walker 4-step process, including enzymes and high resolution rinse. It makes a great difference.

Your turntable and preamp are a little lower end than my thoughts, but then maybe I don't need to spend so much. Do you find Vinyl to sound better than digital in your system?
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