Analog newby question

If you want to buy on-line AudioAdvisor.com sells the Creek and Music Hall. Check the demo section first for deals.

"I don't think I've ever owned a record... "

Why do you want records? That's the first question that needs to be answered.

If you want a toy, or just to start out for the hell of it, I'd recommend a used Music Hall MMF 2.1, a Grado Prestige Blue cartridge and the Radio Shack battery phono preamp (no joke here, search the posts in www.audioasylum.com).

If you want to collect and search for good vinyl, then read my analog posts. I recently purchased the Monolithic Sound phono stage and I wouldn't trade it for anything under $1200. My TT? Go find out what I've got....pretty controversial. Pretty sturdy, musical and revealling, too.

Sugarbrie has some good suggestions. Other things you might want to look into : I had a Rega planar 3 / Rb300 / super bias MM cartridge while I was in the UK and enjoyed its smooth but detailed sound. A used Rega could be resold for its purchase price if necessary. I have also read of people tweaking the RB300 arm and getting it to perform very well, though I have no personal experience with such teaks.

Also consider getting a Hunt EDA record brush to remove the dust before each playing to improve the sound and maintain the records. If you would like to start buying used vinyl (which is kind of fun since it is cheap and plentiful) then perhaps also budget for a record cleaning machine such as the nitty gritty or even the KAV cleaner which uses your existing vacuum cleaner (I can find the URL if you're interested).

Have fun !

KAB record cleaner from KAB Electroacoustics: www.kabusa.com/

Be warned: Kevin is a self appointed evangelist of the turntable I own and will eventually convince you (for your own good). I have become an evangelist, too(no glass, no particle board in my TT).

If you decide to buy one, buy one from a dealer. They can help you with setup. Also, what you need to buy extends a little from the four major components. You will need to get, at the very least, a stylus force guage, and record care items. audioasylum.com has a decent FAQ for vinyl playback.

Psychicanimal- How does the Monolithic compare to the AES PH-1 and the EAR phonostage? I have not run in to anyone who has listened to these three, let alone everything under $1200, and have some post hoc curiousity (I won the PH-1) about differences. Thanks.