Listening to a $500 dollar analog set up will kill many digital setups.If you want to be serious about exploring the possibility of getting into vinyl then you better spend more especially if you are going to compare it to a Levinson set up,although I would probably prefer the analog set up.Im sure the difference in sound isnt worth several thousand dollars more to spend.The fact is digital has always strived and failed to sound like analog.I say if you want analog sound then buy it.Why buy digital when true live music is analog despite what one previous poster said.Natural sound IS ANALOG.A person speaking to you is analog.A live performance is analog.The best thing about digital is its easy to use.I say you want the best sound you have to work at it.Proper turntable,arm and cart. set up is so important. Clean,treated records a must.And in regards to another posters comments about the avaliability of L.P.'s I have found EVERY recording I have looked for on vinyl,including modern rock.Usually $2-3 cheaper than CD's.I understand why many prefer CD over LP.It is lots of work,but its work I enjoy.Nothing like finding a rare treasure LP at a yard sale for a quarter,taking it home for a good bath and treatment.Sitting ack and spinning it and knowing the best MOFI,DCC, etc.. CD will never sound this good.(on todays CD players)
Vinyl vs. CD
Hey out there,I've been listening to a high quality CD playback system for the past couple years and have recently become interested in going to turntable rig.(I still have an LP collection).I have a quality tube pre with phono and decided to buy an inexpensive turntable to spin some of my old favorites (Rega 2 with grado silver) I had no pre-conceived notion of what would sound better,I just remember the enjoyment I got from playing Hendrix, Rolling Stones ect.on an a good ole' record player.After listening to the Rega for a few days I switched back to CD's (Meridian 500 trans 566/24 dac)and found that the remastered CD issues of the same LP's sounded alot better.Must I drop several K's to experience "Vinyl Dreams" ?