Only you can decide what your best option is. I can tell you that if you spend $1K you are going to have a vinyl playback system that does not sound as good as any decent digital playback system will that I can think of. Were I you, the first thing would be to evaluate the record collection as follows: How interesting is the music that is on those records? What condition are the records in? Do they need to be properly cleaned? The answer to that question is most likely yes. What are the options there? Do I clean them myself or have them cleaned professionally? What will that cost? Clean records sound good, dirty or scratched records sound like crap. The old Discwasher will not cut it. It all gets down to time and money. A vinyl record that cost $4-$5 in 1980 something costs $40+ now, whereas the CD version of that same record costs less than $20 today. Streaming costs $20/month. A good CD system will sound slightly better but costs more. A good vinyl playback system will sound better yet, but costs substantially more. It is your money and your life. You have to make a life choice here. Like I said, only you can decide what is best for you.
Possibly Looking for a Turntable/Cartridge Under $1000
I'm getting back into audio and trying to decide if I want to include a turntable and cartridge too. While I have collection of about 300+ LPs and EPs, for the most part I'm a digital guy at heart. All of my vinyl is over 30 years old. Once I heard the dynamics of CDs I never went back to vinyl and only did tapes in the car.
Of course vinyl overall fell out of favor for a while, but has since made a come back. I never understood the attraction to vinyl given the dynamics and headroom available with digital music. However, in getting back into audio I had a thought, that maybe I didn't see the appeal of vinyl because I've never had anything thing more than an entry level turntable.
My current system for 2-channel is Martin Logan SL3s, a Hegel P20 preamp, and currently I'm using an amp based on the Purifi EVAL1 Stereo 1ET400A module, though the amp could change later if I can swing a Hegel H30a.
I know my budget of $1000 is not high end level, but it's a little better than entry level. Given my setup, would a turntable/cartridge in the $1000 ballpark give me anything more in terms of sonic refinement and dynamics over an entry level turntable?
Thanks in advance.
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+1 If you love the idea of fiddling with the physical media... it can be fun. I have a 2,000 album collection of vinyl, much is audiophile pressing and or top condition albums and a $45K vinyl end which I don't use because my streaming end sounds just as good or better. I'd look at Rega for a starter turntable. |
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It seems, based on several responses in this thread, that $1000 is still considered a "starter" turntable. What get’s me beyond the starter realm and how much will the sound differ? The Fosi looks interesting. I’m still trying to figure out what I get for $1000 that I wouldn’t get for $300-500. Is $1500 any better than $1000? I don’t really know what features/specs I should be looking for that will make a sonic difference. My Hegel preamp doesn’t have a phono input, but I was looking at the possibility of building a Pearl 3 phono stage (https://diyaudiostore.com/products/pearl-3-phono-preamplifier) or buying one in that same price range. I don’t know if I will digitize my vinyl. I might, but I’ve seem several videos of people doing that and it seems painful. I just ripped all of my CDs and that was painful enough, but I’m not saying no. Yes, I will need to clean my records. As for the condition, I wouldn’t say that they are in excellent condition. I tried to take care of my records but I wasn’t the only one using them at times. I did have roommates that would on occasion play the records, but not often. But caring for them as a true audiophile would, no. I was just a college student living in conditions that college students live. Of course I will try to thoroughly wash/clean my records, but I will not be paying anyone to do that. Again, I’m looking at approximately $1000 on the turntable and cartridge and about $300-400 on a phono stage. I would imagine that having someone clean my records is not cheep, so no. I will do it myself. No, I am not versed in turntable setup. I’m only versed in the art of YouTube and trying to figure it out. :-)
I don't need or expect a turntable to exceed the capabilities of a digital source. I'm sure I won't get that with a $1000 turntable and a $400 phono stage. I do want to experience the best analog playback that I can at that price point, and exceed that capabilities of what I can experience with $300-$500. If I can't exceed what I could do with the $500 setup than it's not worth doing. Again, I've had the real entry level turntable which is why I said I don't understand why people love vinyl so much. I am looking to make that next step to get a sense of why some feel vinyl is so magical. That's what I'm trying to get to. That doesn't mean the pinnacle, just get to that point. Are my expectations too high for what I'm willing to spend? |
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