found the analog on-ramp …finally

[aKnyght]

after a recent amplification upgrade i felt quite bad that my beloved almarro a318b integrated was now just sitting on a self and presumably relegated to being a display item. so, i had the idea to set up a second rig in the upstairs study. along with the almarro, i moved a pair of jmLabs speakers and on old salamander designs a/v cabinet up from basement storage and into the study. as a source, i was using the audio-out on an apple airport express as a roon endpoint just to get things set up. however, instead of just replacing that with another DAC i realized in a moment of inspired clarity that this presented the ideal opportunity to finally add analog …something i have been agonizing / obsessing over for the better part of 3 years.

the opportunity here was to get involved at a quite modest level yet still have a high-quality vinyl experience. after some research, i ended up getting an entry level turntable that came with a tonearm and cartridge pre-installed and set-up:

clearaudio concept with the satisfy tonearm and concept v2 MM cartridge. i did go for the panzerholtz wood plinth upgrade which adds to the minimalist elegance of the turntable — if not to the SQ.​

so after 30 minutes [placing and leveling the TT; checking the cartridge set-up; and connecting the (integrated) tonearm cable] i am up and running.

and just to maximize the nostalgia of the moment the first album played was abbey road, the very first LP i bought over 50 years ago.

impressions after 4 LPs …i think i am liking this new technology !!

______________________________________
note: until the schiit mani phono-pre that i ordered arrives, i am using the equalizer-out on my ATC-5 pre-amp as a phono-pre into the almarro — which might be a high bar to meet and, therefore, lead to the first upgrade …and so the cycle begins

 

[Mr Peabody]

Good choice of table if I say so myself.

Seriously though, Clear Audio tables have super low distortion which gives them a bit of a unique analog sound compared to other brands. The Concept delivers a lot for the money as well, IMO.

 

[aKnyght]

Good choice of table if I say so myself.

Seriously though, Clear Audio tables have super low distortion which gives them a bit of a unique analog sound compared to other brands. The Concept delivers a lot for the money as well, IMO.

based on my experience here, clearaudio certainly delivers value for money ...i am truly amazed at both the the build-quality and sound-quality of the modestly priced concept. in terms of the SQ, i was not expecting anything near this level of performance. extremely happy with how it has turned out.

just getting started but after 8 LPs my initial thoughts are that for well recorded, mastered and pressed LPs, this analog setup matches or even exceeds the digital on my main rig for the same title from the same mastering ... or at least i am really liking the difference.

cannot stop listening !

 

[Randy Myers]

Oh noooo.... I made that move a couple years ago... I am addicted... I still love my digital but find I enjoy listening to vinyl!

WARNING... get ready for the addiction to exploded and coming home with records at least once a week...

 

[Mike]

Great to hear! Enjoy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Nikhil]

Congratulations! That looks like a great place to listen to some tunes.




.

 

[aKnyght]

in keeping with the modestly-priced-but-quality-analog-listening-experience prime directive for the secondary rig, i got this record cleaning machine ...well, the "machine" part is actually me but notwithstanding it works quite well.

i practiced and listen-tested on a defective LP (that will be returned) in order to get the process, technique and work flow ironed out. the one process detail i would point out is that using only half the prescribed cleaning solution is preferable.

working carefully, deliberately and methodically LPs come out quite clean with a noticeable uptick in SQ and an almost total absence of pops and clicks.

i suppose it would be nice to have a degritter RCM -- but that is for down the road when i get serious about vinyl

 

[Randy Myers]

A vacuum machine is a huge benefit. Record Doctor makes a pretty nice inexpensive RCM that you manually spin but uses a vacuum (I have owned both the V and the VI). I current have a Project which does even a better job.