1. Home
  2. analog
  3. 197311-119892

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.

lightfighter2018
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,944 posts
 

I like @tablejockey recommendation to get a Fluance and you can have it packaged with nagaoka or ortofone. But then again check prices for the albums you like. It’s not a cheap adventure. 
 

@oddiofyl I sold my MoFi Ultradeck with Hana ML few years ago. Got my digital to where I want it and just picked up a new vinyl setup 2 months ago. VPI Prime X, Hana ML and Whest Two.2 phono stage. I have to say it’s pretty incredible and I’ve been enjoying it every day. Like you I kept the records so I have a couple f hundred albums to go thru. 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
4,575 posts
 

Enjoy!   I just set up my new Sota Quasar and it's had me up the last few nights until 1 and 2 AM... New table, existing arm and cartridge.   Going to enjoy for a while and buy a MC cartridge. 

parkergetdean
1,067 posts
 

Fluance and U-Turn are good suggestions

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,944 posts
 

@oddiofyl I know how that goes….been sleep deprived listening late as well. Enjoy!

motown-l
349 posts
 

I listen to my modest vinyl system about 50 hours a year. I have it mostly out of nostalgia as I used to sell audio in the late 70's, and feel that a stereo is incomplete without some kind of turntable. I also have a "thing" for vintage turntables and prefer an auto return function as at 70, I have been known to nod off before the side ends. To that end I'm using a refurbished/modified Philips AF 877 with a suspended chassis and a decent tonearm, for the period. I am also a tinkerer and enjoy the restoration/modification process as much as the listening.

More to discover