My vinyl set-up isn’t anything crazy expensive but sounds good to me for what it is. I’m currently using a U-Turn Orbit Theory, Ortofon 2m Bronze and a Vincent PHO701 Preamp. I really like the U-Turn as it’s very well made and extremely simple to set up and use.
Vinyl somehow has piqued my interest.
I never ventured into the world of vinyl personally. At 52 I have gone from cassettee to cd and end at streaming... and I am starting to miss actual media in hand, thus my interest in getting a cd transport, and now vinyl has made its way into my interest. Maybe because of the nostalgia of it - much like CD - a time in history that I don't want to disappear into the ether and be forgotten.
With that said - I would like to dive in - and get a vinyl player - but I have NO idea where to start and what brands to focus on - that would also include tonearms and cartridges. I could hit up chatgpt - but what fun is that...
I know a few brands that seem to put out decent products that I would probably be happy with - given my current system - which I will be migrating to a 2ch system this year but for now I have what I have:
marantz 7704 preamp
b&w cdm9nt towers
cambridge mxn10 and dac200m
kimber 8tc speaker cables
I would like to get some recommendations for a 'decent' vinyl transport. Nothing crazy expensive. I am talking less than 1k to 2k all in... that means player, cartridge, tonearm etc... much less if that is possible.
Just something I can listen to and it doesn't suck. So really the only restricitions I have are budget, and placement of gear -- has to go in a cabinet with the rest of my gear -- I no way to display it on a top shelf of some furniture etc...
Is there a sonic difference between them? Everying in audio seems to have its own character - so is it the tonearm and cartridge that 'matter' more than the thing that spins round and round? :)
Technics, Rega, Fluance, Music Hall, Pro-ject -- I am sure I am missing a lot on this list...
Is there a sleeper that punches way above its price point?
Thanks in advance.
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basic P mount cartridge with replaceable elliptical stylus https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT85EP-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B077QG5QSJ/ref=sr_1_2?sr=8-2 there are P mounts with advanced stylus shapes, Shibata or Microline, I’ll look for one, that is what I am using this is a custom build Shibata on Boron LP Gear Vivid Line https://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGATSER05L.html LP Gear Shibata https://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGATSER05S.html
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my recommendation would be to hold off on getting into vinyl. It’s based on few important details
with $2,000 to spend, my advice is to direct these funds towards upgrading your speakers to something like the latest B&W 7 or 8 series. Then upgrade your integrated amp down the road. I love vinyl and I dumped it but returned to it several times. The most recent comeback is after I got my digital and all other components to the highest possible level I can reach at this time. Don’t get me wrong. Analog is fun and done right it will sound amazing. But that comes with a hefty price tag. If you want to dive back into physical media, there are great cd transports like audiolab and Cambridge that can be had around $350-$400 used plus a nice digital cable you can use with your existing dac and you will be well under a thousand. CDs on ebay or discogs are affordable. May be this is a better option. |
My wife loves the "idea" of having a turntable, but she maybe uses it 5-6 times a year. Our 9 year old loves the idea as well, but he uses it even less. Interestingly, some of our kids' friends know how to use a turntable - I was shocked when one boy was able to operate our fully manual Technics 1200 like it was nothing. But overall, we only keep a turntable and a tape deck as a curiosity and a conversation starter now days - nobody else we know has anything one, and we know a lot of people. We hardly every use them anymore, though - and personally I would not buy either one if starting now. But if I did - it would be a restored vintage direct drive Technics. |
Your question can elicit a myriad of responses that would only confuse and confound you. Elliott knows what he is doing and his recommendations above are good ones that you can trust. Let him guide you, you will not go wrong. Lets us know how you do as you progress. BTW, I recommend you look at discogs.com for used records, buy from US sellers because of the tariff situation and stick with VG or better condition. |
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