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Help me get back to vinyl

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I can't take it anymore. I've got a 25-year-old Rega Planar 2 sitting around doing nothing, and my parents just moved and brought over 4 boxes full of my old records. There's even an Original Master Recording of Donald Fagan's The Nightfly that I forgot I even had and can't wait to cue up since the CD sounds horrible. Ditto Aja. God knows what else.

Anyway, I'm looking to do this on the cheap just to get the disease started while avoiding divorce. I need a new cartridge and a phono pre (I have interconnects already), and the whole thing has to cost under 1000 bucks. I tend to favor neutrality and transparency with good imaging and 3D soundstaging, and I definitely do not want something that sounds polite or rolled off in the highs if that helps. I assume I should buy the cartridge new, but I'm open to a used phono stage and would prefer solid state but am open to tubes if the benefit warrants.

Also, the Rega hasn't been fired up in probably 20 years, so what service should be performed and about how much should I expect to pay for it? Or should I just start it up and see what happens? Would I be better off just buying one of the newer less expensive turntables rather than resurrecting the Rega?

Many thanks for your thoughts/suggestions.
soix

Showing 4 responses by strateahed

strateahed
297 posts
 
OK, based on your budget of <$1,000, if I was in your exact same position ... knowing what I know now (picked up almost entirely from A-gon and a few email exchanges with the good folks at needledoctor.com ... this is exactly what I'd do:

1) forget about the Rega. I had an old Thorens. It's history. Instead, pick up an Audio Technica AT-PL120 direct drive table. Retail is $300, but they can be had on eBay for $250

2) Replace the stock cartridge with a Audio Technica AT150 MM. Go to J&R Electronics. Available for $250. Or go with the Ortofon 2M Blue ($200) for a little better gain.

3) Add a Bellari VP129 Tube Phono preamp $250. I really like the sound I get with mine. This allows you to do a little tube rolling, so you can tailor the sound to your musical tastes. It comes stock with a 12AX7. I prefer the NOS 5751.

4) Invest in a MintLP cartridge alignment protractor $120 delivered.

There you have it; and it leaves some left over for, stylus force guage, spare tubes, upgraded interconnects, record cleaning supplies, etc, etc ...
strateahed
297 posts
 
OK, based on your budget of <$1,000, if I was in your exact same position ... knowing what I know now (picked up almost entirely from A-gon and a few email exchanges with the good folks at needledoctor.com ... this is exactly what I'd do:

1) Forget about the Rega. I had an old Thorens. It's history. Instead, pick up an Audio Technica AT-PL120 direct drive table. Retail is $300, but they can be had on eBay for $250

2) Replace the stock cartridge with a Audio Technica AT150 MM. Go to J&R Electronics. Available for $250. Or go with the Ortofon 2M Blue ($200) for a little better gain.

3) Add a Bellari VP129 Tube Phono preamp $250. I really like the sound I get with mine. This allows you to do a little tube rolling, so you can tailor the sound to your musical tastes. It comes stock with a 12AX7. I prefer the NOS 5751.

4) Invest in a MintLP cartridge alignment protractor $120 delivered.

There you have it; and it leaves some left over for, stylus force guage, spare tubes, upgraded interconnects, record cleaning supplies, etc, etc ...
strateahed
297 posts
 
Sorry about the double posting.
strateahed
297 posts
 
Soix

I had a similar concern about the Bellari, so the Pro-Ject Tube Box was a consideration. My buddy got a Pro-Ject pre to go with his Denon MC cartridge. It has MM/MC cart flexibility at about $450 retail. Understand your leaning more toward SS; but this would be a good tube alternative IMHO.
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