What's the cost of an entry level vinyl setup?

Let's be brutally honest. $1000 may get one into vinyl with a rig that requires no apology, but I can't identify one contributor here who would stay with that rig for very long, and that's the real issue.

The OP doesn't want to get on an escalator to higher and higher expenditures, and there's absolutely no indication that anyone posting and reading Audiogon discussion threads has the fortitude or willpower to stay with a sub $1000 analog rig.

I would direct the OP to AudioCircle, where there is a higher ratio of members on a budget, and many of whom remain true to their budgets.

The OP doesn't want to get on an escalator to higher and higher expenditures, and there's absolutely no indication that anyone posting and reading Audiogon discussion threads has the fortitude or willpower to stay with a sub $1000 analog rig.

Agreed. I wish I had the willpower to stay with any single aspect (cart, phono, table, arm) that is sub $1000.

Why would the OP necessarily get on an escalator to higher and higher expenditures?

I get the whole upgrade bug among us. In my case I'm always looking for my analog equipment to better my digital. So obviously I've been on the escalator. I also agree that other forums like Audio Circle and Vinyl Engine, maybe even Audio Asylum might be more appropriate for the OP. On the other hand we sure get a lot of those Technics SL-1200 threads and discussions around here.

What I can't help but ponder in this case is after looking at the OP's system, assuming it is up to date, that there are a number of vinyl set-ups under $1000 that can better the Pioneer and Integra players he has. The OP started the post by saying he felt a cheap investment would equal cheap sound. A few of us posted why this would not be the case. The OP also asked for a recommendation for a $5000 vinyl set-up. Considering it is early in his endeavor and considering his system, that's way to much IMO.

I think this is one case where the OP could assemble a nice budget sub-$1000 vinyl set-up and be happy with it.

Clio09 - My intent was to inquire about a recommendation for a vinyl setup that would sound great without being outlandish compared to my system that is worth about $5,000 in total, not a $5,000 vinyl rig.

A sub-$1,000 vinyl setup would be a fair investment compared to the total value, but it wouldn't, for example, make sense to spent $10,000 on a turntable to hook to a $1,400 receiver.

I was interested in finding out if it was possible to do vinyl with a buget that was within reason compared to my existing system. It sounds like it could be.

I've also noticed that I'm at a level of audio that is essentially picking up scraps from the kitchen floor compared to the average audiophile on this forum. I also know that my equipment isn't really considered "hi end" on this forum, but certainly is for the average listener. I personally only know of a single person that may have a better system than I do so even though I'm at the bottom end I'm certainly in the minority. I think that being a Harley 1%er makes a person part of a larger group than serious audiophiles (I don't consider myself a true audiophile, half-baked comes to mind).

08-03-10: Clio09
Why would the OP necessarily get on an escalator to higher and higher expenditures?

A cursory search of the analog threads will reveal several reasons why: quest for better sound, quest for "fixing" a perceived deficiency, insecurity, general dissatisfaction..."keeping up with the Jonses"...the list goes on and on.

I think this is one case where the OP could assemble a nice budget sub-$1000 vinyl set-up and be happy with it.
Clio09 (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Clio9, if he does, and if he stays with it for even six months, then he'll be the first in these threads to have done so as far as I can tell.

BTW, having owned a Technics SL-1200, I don't believe one can get a satisfying, long-term, "entry level" set-up based around this table (or a Rega P-3, or Music Hall MMf 7.1, or...) for less than $2K (including table, arm, cartridge, phono preamp, interconnects, platform/base, set-up tools, and cleaning supplies).

Sorry for being the persistent dissenter here, but sometimes folks deserve a reality check from those who have been down the road and discovered brambles among the roses.