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New to Analog and just played my first record in

30 years. Just thought I would try to see what all the fuss is about with records. Long time Aphile and well versed in all but analog. Love my CD's, but had to try.

Ok, I was given a B&O Beogram RX table with B&O MMC3 cartridge. I purchased a very inexpensive Applied Audio Technology phono preamp for $50 and am using a nice power supply on it. The ART phono preamp is said to be pretty good for cheap.

I was given 5 lp's that I am now listening to. Sounds decent, but not as good as my CD front end. Not sure if I need a better table, cart or phono preamp. Not sure which would impact the sound more and give me a better taste of analog. Please help me!

Should I look at a better table or phono preamp? I don't want to spend that much , but want to be sure I am not missing something special. I would spend $150 or so.

What model table or phono preamp would give me a better sense of good analog?

Based on what I am now hearing I don't think I would bother with analog. My CD front end simply sounds much better.

Bill
grannyring
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,430 posts
 
Grannyring, without a doubt. But, it will give you a better sense of whether this whole effort is worth pursuing.
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ejlif's avatar
ejlif
1,243 posts
 
It seems ridiculous that you would even have high expectations with what you are running, maybe a taste of what it's all about. Fifty dollars on a phono pre, come on. How do you even know the table and cart you have are set up right and working right with the phono pre? There are A LOT of variables that go into getting vinyl to sound great. Seems like you might be trying to convince yourself it's not worth the trouble??? It's a well known fact that good vinyl beats digital every time, but do you want to go to the expense and trouble is the question? If you want to find out for yourself I'd say you are going to have to be willing to do more than spend 150 dollars.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I've gone down a similar journey over the past couple of years, and I can clearly
see analog becoming a deep, deep money pit to get to where it sounds as it
should.

My rig already costs $4k+ with table/cart, phono, cabling, set-up tools, cleaning
supplies, etc., and it's very good...sometimes better than CDs, but it has a long
way to go before it sounds as it should, IMO.

Never say never, but I'd like to stop here with the vinyl rig. I simply don't have
the LPs to warrant the expense, and inexpensive vinyl has proven to be worth
the money spent...i.e., not very much. Lots of surface noise/damage to the
gooves. I'd say maybe 20% of the used vinyl I have purchased is of high enough
quality to replace CD (or SACD, or DVD-A).
glory's avatar
glory
1,373 posts
 
Ring,

Enjoy your digital playback system until you are ready to jump into analog. When you are ready, go all the way and don't look back.

I have 8K in analog and it's smokin. It eats digital for breatfast ,lunch and dinner. Digital is only in my system for back up to my analog. Background music for cleaning the house and making love.

Ej has wisdom and good insight. Hear him.
smeyers
181 posts
 
It's a well known fact that good vinyl beats digital every time...
Oh really!!! Where exactly did you find this fact?
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