Allocating Vinyl Rig Budget

[socfan12]

Must be something in the waters of the Shark Tank, but I have the analog bug. Bad. I am literally starting from scratch: no TT, no arm, no cart, no phono (don't even have a preamp yet!:facepalm:, but that's another story).

If I'm putting aside a budget for an analog rig, for arguments sake, say 20K, how would one allocate that budget across the different components? More to the TT? The cart? The phono?

I know lots of you have some great analog rigs and experience. Would love to hear your thoughts. Any recommendations for components would be appreciated, too. I think a Classic 3 with its new 3D tonearm would be a safe bet, but happy to hear any other suggestions you may have!:happy:


cheers,
allen

 

[Mike]

Classic 3 with stock arm. I'm curious about the printed arm - but haven't heard it to say one way or the other.
Ortofon Cadenza black (neutral) or bronze (hint of warmth) or MC Windfield if you can splurge a little.
Arc REF2SE phonostage
Leave a little to upgrade the tubes and a decent phono cable like the Furutech.

 

[bthomas9]

Save a little money and go with the bronze credenza. The left over 1k or so invest in a decent record cleaner, zerostat, and brush.

 

[mep]

Classic 3 with stock arm. I'm curious about the printed arm - but haven't heard it to say one way or the other.
Ortofon Cadenza black (neutral) or bronze (hint of warmth) or MC Windfield if you can splurge a little.
Arc REF2SE phonostage
Leave a little to upgrade the tubes and a decent phono cable like the Furutech.

Myles owns the 3d printed arm on his VPI DD table and I believe he is highly impressed with it. Maybe Myles can chime in here.

 

[highEndguy]

Myles is in Hawaii

 

[Bobvin]

Consider, perhaps, starting with something like a Clearaudio Ovation, a quality cartridge like a Benz Gullwing, perhaps a Fosgate phono amp. I started with a ClearAudio Performance (I liked the ceramic magnetic bearing), a Benz Ruby 3, and a Simaudio LP5.3. This was 5 years back, but gave me a great taste of vinyl and time to study, learn, and listen so I have ended up with AMG, Benz, and phono amp (Einstein Turntable's Choice currently, a piece up for possible change).

I'd feel a little anxious spending $20K without having first gained a little experience.

 

[ctop]

Safe bet would be tables from either Clearaudio or Vpi. For arm, it would be great if you can get a Graham Phantom, not necessarily the latest model...big difference IMHO over the stock arms of Vpi and Clearaudio. Then, I would go for an Aesthetix Rhea for phono stage, hard to beat in its price bracket. For carts, there are much much more to choose from...there are a lot of brands that offer trade up as you get more hooked.

 

[Petro85]

Allen im real happy to hear this, its about time!!! you should go to edison and hear the kuzma table. the kuzma arm is very impressive. hes got a real nice vinyl rig set up. and its not a fortune to buy either. i could meet you there if you like.
and you know your always welcome to come by here and listen any time.
hit princeton record exchange and pick up 20 records and only pay $70 or $80 that will really give you the bug. lol.

 

[Kt77]

Allen im real happy to hear this, its about time!!! you should go to edison and hear the kuzma table. the kuzma arm is very impressive. hes got a real nice vinyl rig set up. and its not a fortune to buy either. i could meet you there if you like.
and you know your always welcome to come by here and listen any time.
hit princeton record exchange and pick up 20 records and only pay $70 or $80 that will really give you the bug. lol.

+2 on the Kuzma Table/Tonearm combination.

 

[tunes]

Exciting Allen As i've mentioned in emails, analog is addictive. That's a generous budget as a start into a tt rig, especially if you are buying demo or gently used! Have fun

 

[Dpod4]

I have a Herron phono vtph2 I have been using with my Benz, Miyajima and MC Anna. It is the component (along with Benz LP-s) I have had in my system the longest. It is not as good as my arc ref2se phono but it is pretty darn close. I did a shootout between fosgate phono (a nice piece and tube rollers dream) and the Herron. The Herron won (more quiet and open, detailed, layered, textured, harmonically true). So I sold the fosgate. Now that I have my air tight reference that takes 4 cartridges I will be selling the Herron and the arc ref2se.

 

[asindc]

VPI Classic 3 w/3D tonearm: $7400.
---Ortofon Cadenza Black (or Bronze for less): $2700.

Aesthetix Rhea Signature phono stage (if you want tubes): $7000.
Manley Steelhead phono stage: (another tube option) $8000.
or
Audia Flight FL phono stage (if you don't): $6000.

Furutech Silver Arrow tonearm cable: $2000
or
Furutech AG-12 tonearm cable (if you want to spend more on records): $550.


*VPI Classic is a great bang-for-the-buck TT, which is why so many have one even if they can afford something more expensive. The Ortofon Cadenza Black (or Bronze) is underrated, if anything. Outstanding performance.

*Either phono stage will give you multiple inputs and is very flexible, and they both sound great. Great value phono pres.

*Don't look at the phono cables as an afterthought. Either Furutech punches well above its weight class. You cannot go wrong with either.

IMO, you can't do much better than these components for under $20K total. All prices are MSRP so you might get most of these components for a bit less. Of course, system synergy is critical. I've heard the Rhea Sig with a VPI Classic and Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and it was fabulous. The Cadenza Black gives you a bit more openness at the expense of some warmth. Heard the Audia Flight with another TT (can't remember) and was very impressed with the whole setup. I suggest the Manley based on strong feedback from users whose opinion I respect. I can't imagine any set up in which the Furutechs would not work. They are that good.

---

 

[socfan12]

Classic 3 with stock arm. I'm curious about the printed arm - but haven't heard it to say one way or the other.
Ortofon Cadenza black (neutral) or bronze (hint of warmth) or MC Windfield if you can splurge a little.
Arc REF2SE phonostage
Leave a little to upgrade the tubes and a decent phono cable like the Furutech.

Thanks, Mike! The Classic 3 really seems like a no brainer!

Not sure I want to spend that much on a phono at this time, let alone a tubed one. But would love to hear one given your experience with it.

Save a little money and go with the bronze credenza. The left over 1k or so invest in a decent record cleaner, zerostat, and brush.

I like that idea, bthomas!

Myles owns the 3d printed arm on his VPI DD table and I believe he is highly impressed with it. Maybe Myles can chime in here.

Myles?

 

[socfan12]

Consider, perhaps, starting with something like a Clearaudio Ovation, a quality cartridge like a Benz Gullwing, perhaps a Fosgate phono amp. I started with a ClearAudio Performance (I liked the ceramic magnetic bearing), a Benz Ruby 3, and a Simaudio LP5.3. This was 5 years back, but gave me a great taste of vinyl and time to study, learn, and listen so I have ended up with AMG, Benz, and phono amp (Einstein Turntable's Choice currently, a piece up for possible change).

I'd feel a little anxious spending $20K without having first gained a little experience.

Exciting Allen As i've mentioned in emails, analog is addictive. That's a generous budget as a start into a tt rig, especially if you are buying demo or gently used! Have fun

Haha, agree with you both! I don't know where I got 20 from!!:weird:

I do think I should start small and work up the chain as I learn what I like. I was thinking of a pre with integrated phono as an affordable first step. Any good recommendations?

 

[socfan12]

Safe bet would be tables from either Clearaudio or Vpi. For arm, it would be great if you can get a Graham Phantom, not necessarily the latest model...big difference IMHO over the stock arms of Vpi and Clearaudio. Then, I would go for an Aesthetix Rhea for phono stage, hard to beat in its price bracket. For carts, there are much much more to choose from...there are a lot of brands that offer trade up as you get more hooked.

Thanks, Carlo, Clearaudio and VPI are clearly on my radar. I love the way the Clearaudio Innovation Wood looks.

Thx for the Aesthetix recommendation. Seems like many TT owners seem to use tubed phonos in their system. Anyone recommend a SS one? Open to tubes, but just curious if any SS recommendations.

Allen im real happy to hear this, its about time!!! you should go to edison and hear the kuzma table. the kuzma arm is very impressive. hes got a real nice vinyl rig set up. and its not a fortune to buy either. i could meet you there if you like.
and you know your always welcome to come by here and listen any time.
hit princeton record exchange and pick up 20 records and only pay $70 or $80 that will really give you the bug. lol.

Was hoping you'd ask, Steve! Let's go hear the Kuzma setup with Allnic 3000 phono...:audiophile:

Work schedule should be lightening up soon, no?

 

[highEndguy]

ARC GSPRE
And they are ready for shipment late this month.
Get to your nearest dealer and put your self in line for a demo

 

[socfan12]

I have a Herron phono vtph2 I have been using with my Benz, Miyajima and MC Anna. It is the component (along with Benz LP-s) I have had in my system the longest. It is not as good as my arc ref2se phono but it is pretty darn close. I did a shootout between fosgate phono (a nice piece and tube rollers dream) and the Herron. The Herron won (more quiet and open, detailed, layered, textured, harmonically true). So I sold the fosgate. Now that I have my air tight reference that takes 4 cartridges I will be selling the Herron and the arc ref2se.

Thanks Darrin! I know you have great taste in your analog rigs and I trust your ears! Great to know there's some good options out there for me!

VPI Classic 3 w/3D tonearm: $7400.
---Ortofon Cadenza Black (or Bronze for less): $2700.

Aesthetix Rhea Signature phono stage (if you want tubes): $7000.
Manley Steelhead phono stage: (another tube option) $8000.
or
Audia Flight FL phono stage (if you don't): $6000.

Furutech Silver Arrow tonearm cable: $2000
or
Furutech AG-12 tonearm cable (if you want to spend more on records): $550.


*VPI Classic is a great bang-for-the-buck TT, which is why so many have one even if they can afford something more expensive. The Ortofon Cadenza Black (or Bronze) is underrated, if anything. Outstanding performance.

*Either phono stage will give you multiple inputs and is very flexible, and they both sound great. Great value phono pres.

*Don't look at the phono cables as an afterthought. Either Furutech punches well above its weight class. You cannot go wrong with either.

IMO, you can't do much better than these components for under $20K total. All prices are MSRP so you might get most of these components for a bit less. Of course, system synergy is critical. I've heard the Rhea Sig with a VPI Classic and Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and it was fabulous. The Cadenza Black gives you a bit more openness at the expense of some warmth. Heard the Audia Flight with another TT (can't remember) and was very impressed with the whole setup. I suggest the Manley based on strong feedback from users whose opinion I respect. I can't imagine any set up in which the Furutechs would not work. They are that good.

---

Thanks for the recommendations, Anthony! Finally, a SS phono recommendation!

Tubes or SS, it seems like it's best to invest in a good phono stage it seems... Maybe an integrated phono is out of the question?

 

[socfan12]

ARC GSPRE
And they are ready for shipment late this month.
Get to your nearest dealer and put your self in line for a demo

Nelson, you like ARC?

My local ARC dealer recently just shut their doors...:S

 

[highEndguy]

If I love it ?
ARC4LIFE !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RedSectorA]

Allen, I would also recommend the Audio Flight option as ss phono pre. It was the closest I have ever heard to my Aesthetix IO on a side by side comparo, a fraction of the cost of IO and ss to boot. Had a conversation with Jeff at A/V Solutions and he agreed, a stunner for the price.