Advice on good turntable solution

JazzRock

JazzRock

New member
Joined
Oct 9, 2013
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11
Location
Altoona, PA
I have spent the past 10 years or so building my digital system. I have an old (13 years) Pro-ject turntable that I haven’t had fireed up in many years. I have a collection of about 800 vinyl albums, many of which are out of print or specialty or Radio station programs that are never available on a consumer level. I have avoided the audiophile “analogue” arena only because my investments have gone towards building my current system. And I have enjoyed the whole process. While it continues to be a work in progress I am developing an interest in integrating my vinyl collection into my playback system.

I have always planned on doing this although at a much later date, However, as I have completed ripping my entire CD/DVD-Audio collection and bluray concert video audio (about 3400 albums in all) I am now really into the idea of being able to digitize my vinyl as well as play it back on a good vinyl playback system.

I need suggestions as to what turntable, phono-amp, etc will provide me with the best playback as possible but within a more moderate budget that I have spent for my digital system as my digital system will remain the primary playback format. As far as budget…I am open as I don’t want to limit the potential. Just don’t want to spend 35k on a turntable!

My primary 2-channel system consists of a Viola Audio Laboratories Crescendo Preamp & a pair of Symphony power amps. Beautiful performers, Can't wait to hear how well they support the right turntable! Would like to consider options that will pair well with these components. While I am not one who wants to take short cuts that may minimize or impede performance, i am not very knowledgeable about calibrating arms, cartridges, etc that many turntables require. I would prefer something that is lower maintenance but i cringe as I write this as that usually means something that will be limited in performance. But alas that is why I am deferring to what I hope is some good input from those of you on this forum as i feel if i can find accurate advise it will be here.

Thx for reading and for your support!!
 
Mike the PSAudio Nuwave just got a bad review from MF and then PS Audio sent him another unit and it didn't do much better. For digitizing vinyl, I think the OP can't go wrong with the Ayre QA-9 ADC (analog to digital converter): Ayre Acoustics QA-9. I think it's what Michael Fremer uses to digitize vinyl.

Jazzrock...as Mike said, if you give us an idea about budget, that will help narrow things down more.

Here are Mikey Fremer's reviews of the PS Audio Nuwave Phono piece:

1) PS Audio's NuWave DSD/PCM Phono Converter Reviewed | Analog Planet
2) Second P.S. Audio NuWave Phono Converter Brings Some Sonic Relief | Analog Planet
 
Can I butt in (you know I will)

You don't need a dedicated unit to do this. The rip is easy (with the right software - free) and it is stored LOSSLESS. It is then up to your what you want to convert it to.

Basically you need :

A decent table
A good cart that extracts detail (microline MM or MC cart)
a good phono stage
Output to your computer

when I started ripping vinyl I bought a DAK(not DAC) unit which was basically a small mixer/ps and jacks to get into the computer. You don't need that. Just the table, PS , cart and some RCA to 3.5 for input.

The there is a variety of capture software, hiss and click removal and track separator.

I always use this clip as an example. Straight rip from CHEAP ATL120 turntable ($200) AT440Mla cart ($200) and Art DJ pre II ps ($50)

Called NEEDLE DROP LONG

Its the same one I sent Matt

P.S> There was a real bad thread on AK about PS audio...BAD cust support was noted...I have no first hand knowledge

P.S.s - The whole DAK system is $69.99 with some pretty amazing (and simple to use) software
 
JazzRock, why not tell everyone exactly what you have now? If we knew which Pro-ject you owned, and which cartridge, that might help with recommendations. And a dollar budget would help as well.

Plus, if you don't mind (never) used, between Joe and Mike there are probably 5 or 10 analog systems gathering dust in various closets. :)
 
JazzRock said:
I need suggestions as to what turntable, phono-amp, etc will provide me with the best playback as possible but within a more moderate budget that I have spent for my digital system as my digital system will remain the primary playback format. As far as budget…I am open as I don’t want to limit the potential.
Click to expand...

First off, as Mike said dust off your old Pro-Ject and give it a whirl……..

As for new options, they are many but given your lack of TT tweaking skills you may want to go with a complete package if you don't have a friend or dealer close by to support you. The new Rega RP-10 setup (msrp 7k complete….table, RB2000 arm, and Apheta cart, moving coil I believe) that was shown @ CES is getting great reviews along with newer offerings from the Pro-ject / Music Hall family.

In so far as Phono pre's my personal choice for best sound for the $$ spent is Fosgate (tube) , Parasound (SS), both of which msrp around $2500


Just don’t want to spend 35k on a turntable!
Click to expand...

no worries the is absolutely no reason to ! ………. well unless you want to fatten up your ego !
 
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