Budget considerations?

[pigmode]

What is your recommendation on how much to budget for a vinyl setup, including TT, Phonostage,and cart? Here's the rest of the system.

Quicksilver Mini Mono amps
LW-1 Passive Pre
AH! 4000 cdp
LS3/5a
Silver Audio ICs (Appassionata, 4.0)
Cardas Neutral Ref. speaker cables

[Gary]

I really can't help but how's this for a guess....

Same amount of $ for the TT and the Cart. $500.00 for the phono pre.

So if the TT costs $600.00 a good cart. could also cost $600.00.

Good used equipment will cost you less........

[Jeffrey]

Hi,

Personally, i think ya need to budget @$3,000 to be in the same league as the rest of your equipment.

How do ya like the LS3/5a's?

-Jeffrey

[pigmode]

Thanks Gary. That was the budget I had in mind, but...


Originally posted by Jeffrey
Hi,

Personally, i think ya need to budget @$3,000 to be in the same league as the rest of your equipment.

How do ya like the LS3/5a's?

-Jeffrey

...Jeffery's figure sure would provide some be fun shopping! I'm not sure I'm ready to spend that much, so I think somewhere in between might be the sweet spot.


Re: LS3/5a's
I'm very, very happy with them. I had a problem with a slight case of bass/midrange bloat, but have brought that under control by going to all silver ICs. The LS3/5a's have a really forward midrange, but also have a detailed HF response as well. Sometimes when listening to classical music, I feel that it lack in dynamics just a bit. Other than that, they're great.

I forgot to list my ACI Force sub-woofer. Any more suggestions would be appreciated.

[Steve Hoffman]

Perhaps a used Thorens table of some kind, like a belt driven model 2001 (or something like that) with a new Shure V15 cart would work for you? Should cost around $700.00 for the pair.

I mean, why spend more, unless you REALLY want a M/C cart...But with your playback system being on the cool side, I dunno...

Just trying to save you money..

[pigmode]

Thanks Steve, I'll take that into consideration. What makes you say my system is on the cool side?

I was thinking about a M/C cart, but to tell you the truth, I haven't had a record player in about 12 years so all my knowledge at this point is purely theoretical. Additionally, I have very little chance for auditioning equipment so I am reliant on the advice of my online buds...

[Gary]

If I were in your shoes, I'd find a used Oracle or other high end TT, get a MC cartridge, consider having the wiring upgraded (I heard that Cardash has good after market wires) and be happy for the rest of my life!

The used Oracle would cost you $1,000.00 (I saw one on Saturday for $1,000.00 - it was one of the earlier models) and $500.00 - $1,000.00 for a cart. .... sounds like heaven! :)

Save up for a phono pre later!

Pigmode, I hope I am not stepping on your toes here, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to ask Steve a Q about my TT set up.

Steve, I have MX110 and MC240 tube equipment (as you probably remember). I don't know if you'd consider these "hot" or "cool" but I love the sound. Would there be a specific type of TT that you'd suggest for this equipment? How about a phono-pre? I don't think I really need a phono pre but as I've never tried one, I may not know what I am missing.... you know? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

BTW, I have a Rega (stock arm) and an Ariston Audio RD11 with the SME arm and a Sure cartridge.

Thanks ! :)

[Jeffrey]

Originally posted by pigmode

...Jeffery's figure sure would provide some be fun shopping! I'm not sure I'm ready to spend that much, so I think somewhere in between might be the sweet spot.

Re: LS3/5a's
I'm very, very happy with them. I had a problem with a slight case of bass/midrange bloat, but have brought that under control by going to all silver ICs. The LS3/5a's have a really forward midrange, but also have a detailed HF response as well. Sometimes when listening to classical music, I feel that it lack in dynamics just a bit. Other than that, they're great.


Hi,

Well ya know it's always easier to spend someone else's $ than your own. :D

Thanks for the review on the LS3/5a's!

-Jeffrey

[Steve Hoffman]

Good morning!

Pigmode, you mentioned that your system sounded had a really forward midrange, and a detailed HF response. That sounds like it's on the cool side to me.

If you get a M/C, you're going to get even more top end detail. If that floats your boat, go for it. But that is the pop and tic region also!

Actually, getting back into records is fun. Enjoy the world of retro!

Gary,

You have a McIntosh MX-110 tuner/preamp and a Mac 240 amp? On the cold side? Uh, no. :)

You have a turntable now, right? Have you hooked it up to the MX-110 using its phono section? What does it sound like?

I use a modern LA Audio (from Denmark) tubed MM phono section in my "retro" system, instead of the phono stage in my Marantz 7C, because I think it's more dynamic. I just feed it into a line in on the Marantz and go. If you're looking for a tighter more dynamic phono sound, you could try a solid state phono section plugged into the MX-110. You'll have the best of both worlds that way. Tom Port is storing my 1993 PS Audio Phono link in his back room. Make him an offer!

As for needles (as I like to still call them), it's such a personal thing.....

[Scott Wheeler]

Not all MC are zippy on top. My Koetsu is anything but. i have heard some pretty smooth Benz cartridges as well. I know they aint cheap

[Gary]

Hi Steve!

Well I never thought the McIntosh was 'cold' but I am always looking for something new, better, upgrade-ish! :) My TT's sound wonderful thru the McIntosh's and I certainly have no complaints. But if I can upgrade it or get more out of it somehow, I'd be interested!

I know of several SS phono pre's in a used shop that I may be able to borrow to try out. An idea... !

As for needle$, they are $o much $$$, it'$ hard to decide on what to get a$ I'd probably be only to afford one. And if I drop $1,500.00 on a needle and I am not impre$$ed, I will... errr... not be impre$$ed! ;) But I did see a Stanton - brand new - once in a flea market. Cheap!

I think I'll hunt around for a used Oracle for myself first. Play with other upgrades later...

Thanks, Steve!

[Dave]

Steve,

As long as you're into TT discussion......I was curious about the MM/MC in my Classe' DR-6 Pre. I've heard that it's supposed to be pretty impressive for SS. Any comments are appreciated.

[hfloyd5]

Do you have any vinyl? I yes, then spend as much as you can afford on a TT, Tonearm, Cartridge and Phono Pre. If not, save some of your money for software. There are plenty of Web sites to buy vinyl and several are very good to work with. If you need a list, drop a line. Excellent performance can be had with integrated Turntable/tonearm setups from Rega, Sumiko, SOTA, Music Hall and even the entry level VPI's. This also eliminates the problem of matching the components and installing them. I think that $300 - $500 would be a good budget for a cartridge. There are many interesting choices from Grado, Clearaudio and Dynavector in this price range. The good MC cartridges are much more than this. I currently use a Clearaudio Aurum Beta S which sounds very good to me. The most expensive cartridge I have had was a Koetsu Black and the Beta S sounds better. Phono preamps at about $500 are a pretty good bet, such as the Lehmann Black Cube. to get much better, you would have to double the price. Of course, you can find very good used equipments of higher quality. The problem is that you can't be sure what you are getting.