AudiogoN Forums: Help a rookie.... kind of....

Help a rookie.... kind of....

I'm not a rookie to audio, I've been enjoying this hobby for almost 25 years. I've decided to get back into analog. I still kept my album collection of about 400 LP's, in my second system. A low rent system albeit, but I kept it nonetheless. It's basically a Technics turntable with a Pioneer receiver and JBL speakers.
I just bought a Classe CP-60 preamp with MM/MC phono section, to go along with my Threshold T400 amp and Vienna Acoustic Beethoven speakers. I'm now looking for a high end entry level analog rig. Here is where I'm a rookie. I don't want to spend more than about $600-800 right now on a 'table,arm and cartridge, used is fine. Where should I start? If satisfied, I may spend more later, but I'm just dipping my toes in the water for now.

Thanks,
John

Jmcgrogan2 (Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

03-08-02

Responses (1-32 of 32)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

03-08-02 John. you don't want to mess with that old crappy vinyl.... ... Albertporter

03-09-02 Hahahaha.... good one albert and good to see you haven't los ... Sean

03-08-02 Same deal here. looked at all the choices and went with a vp ... Ncarv

03-09-02 Still using the well tempered "classic" i bought i ... Maxgain

03-09-02 Look at the music hall mmf-5 which lists new for $500 which ... Sugarbrie

03-09-02 I'm just book marking this page. i may jump into analog one ... Glen

03-09-02 Thanks for your responses so far gentlemen. it looks like we ... Jmcgrogan2

03-09-02 A little over your budget but oracle mk2 with epa 100 tonear ... William7

03-09-02: Maxgain
John, audiophiles are just as fickle as women who read fashoin magazines, SOTA is not stylish for this years"groovy"(pun intended) spring collection. There are many VERY good products out there that still perform well, that for some reason or another don't have "buzz" at the moment. SOTA is one of those. They are still around and building tables as far as I know. You can do very well building a system on a "budget",if you just pick up on last years trendy "color". Cables are the best example of this "style" thing. Buy last years sexy hot low-cut push-up fashion cable now for pennies on the dollar!
I read a post here that made me laugh so hard I nearly pissed my self, this pompous nerd was going thru a list of products that had fallen from grace, "old school" and and in his mind just so much crap for people who are not "hip & audiophile" . Audio Research and Conrad Johnson made the list. Please take advantage of people like this as much as possible. It will put a big smile on your face! And laugh at them when you see them wearing their pink pasley bell bottoms and platform shoes!So John "get with it".
Maxgain (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

03-09-02 I have the mmf 5 and it does music fine. i may upgrade latte ... Miami_a1a

03-09-02 Hi john, welcome back to vinyl!! i replaced a 20+ year old ... Pcs

03-09-02 John, it may not be that digital is less desirable that driv ... Maxgain

03-09-02 Maxgain, lol, i've been in the audio hobby long enough to kn ... Jmcgrogan2

03-09-02 Other than the good advice above, i'd recommend either a reg ... Egoss

03-09-02 I've owned an orcale delphi (moderately expensive setup), bu ... Coltrane1

03-09-02 John, you don't mention your digital source, but with the le ... Jsbail

03-09-02 Check out sotaturntables.com and you will see that they have ... Franklapdog

03-09-02 Egoss, i'm sure all your advice is good, but it kind of scar ... Jmcgrogan2

03-09-02 Rega 3 with the modified 300 arm if you want not to tweak it ... Chazzbo

03-10-02 John- shipping a turntable _properly_ is no problem at all. ... Egoss

03-10-02 Linn sondek lp12, with linn ittok lv-ii arm and linn karma c ... Jmcgrogan2

03-10-02 John, that sounds like a nice table for the price and you ha ... Maxgain

03-10-02 Thanks maxgain, i've had a couple response on aa as well. my ... Jmcgrogan2

03-10-02 Go listen to it, if it sonds fine it probably is. if it has ... Maxgain

03-10-02 Maxgain, i did talk to him on the phone today, he doesn't se ... Jmcgrogan2

03-10-02 John- three words: buy the linn! if it's in any decent cond ... Egoss

03-11-02 To stay in your budget i would recommend the rega tables. if ... Tazuser

03-15-02 After reading everything here, i must tell you that i agree ... Gumbydammit

03-15-02 Gumbydammit? is that the little clay guy from tv having a b ... Albertporter

03-15-02 No, it's angry green gumby. Dekay

03-15-02 Could also be any color gumby who attempted to mount pokey w ... Cornfedboy

03-16-02 Is that why they called him pokey? Maxgain