Taking the Vinyl Plunge - What is YOUR Table Recommendation

[charles 1973]

My biggest complaint about vinyl isn't the equipment, it's the LP's quality and selection of music.

Some new LP's from legendary artists are so poorly mastered their not worth the effort. Spotify's lossless streaming sounds better. Maybe I'm just spoiled listening to CD's and streaming but a whole bunch of LP's, including from legendary artists have at least one song per side that seriously sucks.

I thought I'd get back into LP's now, since I gave away my LP's when CD's came out, But have reconsidered that option. So it's back to CD's and streaming for this old dude for my primary music listening. I'll only be using my Recent Rega Planar 2 turntable, New Rega Nd3 Cartridge and Rega Fono MM Mrk5 phono stage for LP's sides that have good sonics, and no songs that suck.

Digital Mastering, CD's and Streaming has come so far now, In many respects LP's are redundant anyway, unless of course you already have a significant LP collection, in which case, enjoy.

 

[Mr Boochie]

My biggest complaint about vinyl isn't the equipment, it's the LP's quality and selection of music.

Some new LP's from legendary artists are so poorly mastered their not worth the effort. Spotify's lossless streaming sounds better. Maybe I'm just spoiled listening to CD's and streaming but a whole bunch of LP's, including from legendary artists have at least one song per side that seriously sucks.

Two words: Ultrasonic cleaner.

 

[Mr Boochie]

I have one familiar tune I uploaded from an LP and a CD, as a quick comparison between formats.

Definitive Collection - The Temptations. Motown-UM. B0011662-02. 2008.
Sony XA-777ES SACD player.

"The Temptations Sing Smokey." Tamla-Motown. SWX-6057. STEREO. Victor Musical (Japan) pressing. 1973.
Runout: 〄 Ⓡ GS 912A Ⓢ KE Ω D ▭ 1
Sony 2251 turntable. Denon DL-103SA cartridge.

 

[charles 1973]

Two words: Ultrasonic cleaner.

Actually the New Rega Nd3 Cartridge is so quite, I often wonder if I left the mute button on. Considering I'm Listening to mostly new LP's with perhaps 20 plays on them, they should be reasonably quite. it's just that some LP's have been compressed with brick wall filters that just suck the life out of the music, sometimes to fit more songs on a side

Rega' Nd3 cartridge is expensive, but it is worth every penny. It elevates their Planar 2 sonically to the Planar 3 with one of their legacy Cartridges of the price.

 

[krautmaster]

I have one familiar tune I uploaded from an LP and a CD, as a quick comparison between formats.

Definitive Collection - The Temptations. Motown-UM. B0011662-02. 2008.
Sony XA-777ES SACD player.

"The Temptations Sing Smokey." Tamla-Motown. SWX-6057. STEREO. Victor Musical (Japan) pressing. 1973.
Runout: 〄 Ⓡ GS 912A Ⓢ KE Ω D ▭ 1
Sony 2251 turntable. Denon DL-103SA cartridge.

While the CD sounds good (vocals seem a bit recessed) the vinyl is just perfect ! (IMO- others ears may disagree)

 

[Mr Boochie]

While the CD sounds good (vocals seem a bit recessed) the vinyl is just perfect ! (IMO- others ears may disagree)

I really like vinyl records. The instrument and vocal "edges" are smoother. That Temptation is a very good CD compilation, too. Motown re-release in 2008.

I rarely play CDs anymore. It's streaming for background and LPs for enjoyment. These old-school records can be so good with female vocals. Even in regular non-audiophile pressings. CDs often put this unnatural, harsh sharpness to the voice.

Midnight Blue.
"Melissa." Arista Records. AL 8-8055. 1975.
Run-out: AL8 8055 SB-1 TM-M

 

[DeadTrader]

I have one familiar tune I uploaded from an LP and a CD, as a quick comparison between formats.

Definitive Collection - The Temptations. Motown-UM. B0011662-02. 2008.
Sony XA-777ES SACD player.

"The Temptations Sing Smokey." Tamla-Motown. SWX-6057. STEREO. Victor Musical (Japan) pressing. 1973.
Runout: 〄 Ⓡ GS 912A Ⓢ KE Ω D ▭ 1
Sony 2251 turntable. Denon DL-103SA cartridge.

A couple of years back, I ran the same experiment. The album was Mighty Popular s/t. With the purchase of the album it included a 24/96 digital download. It was an expensive experiment, after the purchase of a new cartridge and phono stage.

 

[Mr Boochie]

A couple of years back, I ran the same experiment. The album was Mighty Popular s/t. With the purchase of the album it included a 24/96 digital download. It was an expensive experiment, after the purchase of a new cartridge and phono stage.

What did you end up liking?

Thanks!

 

[DeadTrader]

Started with cart. I was running a Mofi Mastertracker. I believe due to hints in the ads, it's a AT VM760 in a solid aluminum body. A friend lent me a Benz Micro Glider while I shopped. I ended up buying a Wayne's Audio Master Signature. Gave back the Glider.

Now I knew that my Mofi Studiophono wasn't able to present everything the cartridge had to give. So.....
Phono stage I went with the Hegel V10, just a dead silent background and amazing detail presentation.

Analog was better, then I upgraded the digital transport, now it's pretty much a dead heat.
Does it ever end?

 

[Mr Boochie]

Analog was better, then I upgraded the digital transport, now it's pretty much a dead heat.
Does it ever end?

It does. Trial and error, with a touch of patience, will hopefully get you to a point of true happiness — no more experimentation.

Another nice female vocal LP pressing.

Blue Bayou.
Linda Ronstadt. "Simple Dreams." Nautilus Recordings. NR26. 1/2-speed remaster SuperDiscs. 1981.
Run-out: NR 26 A1 IAM RD 1/2 KM - 6432 - A1