Do I REALLY want to start the TT road......

Start with a super cheap used table. Buy a few records.

If you still like it after a year....dive in head first...

brettw22 wrote: »

I like the idea of Vinyl..........

I do not know that I will like manually having to flip over a record to keep listening to music - no matter how nostalgic of a process that is.

I would have to get a TT, but have a virgin pair of LSiM707's that I am sure would do amazing and the plan would be to run that room off an old B&K AVR307.......

I don't know what I'm after here......maybe sell me on it? talk me out of it?

Hi @brettw22 I just went down the rabbit hole after many many years of no vinyl. Picked up a really sweet vintage Micro Seiki TT as a result:
http://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/180385/show-me-your-tts/p1

I like my vinyl like many here, but it's an ever growing commitment to get real satisfaction out of it, a whole new level of tinkering with everything. I agree with PMan - deep down, you probably know if all that is for you already.

I think I'm in vinyl more for all its associated rituals than for the actual listening itself. For all I've put into it, I still don't have a system that offers superior sound quality over what my digital side does. Vinyl listening does, however, add another layer of atmosphere to the listening experience that I just don't get with digital, but that's just me. I think this atmosphere is what I enjoy most about it.

I also like the cleaning, and the process of setting up to listen. The tangibility.

There's also this odd bit about how listening to a record actually seems to make me sit and relax and listen to an entire album. For me, it's too much work and babysitting for background listening, so for me, vinyl sessions require a measure of time and commitment.

I hadn't been collecting all along the years. It was expensive to get into. Actually took me two tries. First time I lasted less than 2 weeks, but I wasn't long in the hobby and didn't know what I was doing. At all. Nothing sucks worse than buying a nice new turntable and getting all set up, and only having two records to play. Most of the music I like is rare on vinyl, so it's that much more expensive to acquire, not to mention hard to find, so I only buy my favorites. Even then only those that fit the vinyl experience; what that is to me.

A lot of newer pressings are plagued with problems. Noise, warps, off center, etc. I'm always amazed at how clean older records look, and at how much better they play. They're quieter, and can clean up beautifully. Even a new Mofi Natalie Merchant Tiger Lily, for example, absolutely sucks for press quality, and it does not clean up to be any better. It's damn near criminal the crap these places are peddling for $45.

If you've already got a bunch of records or have access to a bunch of great local shops for quality used vinyl, you might enjoy it.

I use an AVR 507 with one of my setups. With a nice, relatively modest Vincent PHO-8 phono preamp, it's pleasing to me. Did the 307 have a phono stage? If not, you'll need a phono pre, or a table like the AT LP120 with the phono preamp built in. This'd get you started, but if you're getting into this for the sound quality, you'll likely need to put more into the system. You'll also need some basic cleaning and maintenance supplies and accessories. If you really get into it, you'll be buying antistatic inner sleeves, and nice outer sleeves for the jackets.

Maybe just forget you posted this question.
kharp voluntarily checks himself into an institution on the weekends because of what vinyl did to him. They won't even let me in anymore.

Vinyl is like a marriage, it takes work. But when you get it right, it’s very rewarding. I tried viny twice before I finally dropped some serious coin on my setup, and it sounds very, very good. I’ve had people over who were shocked when they saw me slipping the record. They said they had no idea they were listening to one it sounded so good. And the main comment I get is... where are the clicks and pops? It’s so quiet.

If you don’t have any records, don’t do it.

And the choice was that's he's done it.
And been institutionalized.

You're likely to not not beat digital unless you spend a lot of money and time both on cleaning and a proper recording device. I think @nooshinjohn was looking into this. @DarqueKnight digitized some rare albums he has, I think.

Of course, it'll depend on how clean you want your recordings to sound as well as desired quality/resolution.

Are these albums unavailable on cd or streaming music service? Unless you go all in, I'm not sure you'll best a subscription to Tidal or Spotify, or buying cheap used copies on cd to rip to flac.

Inexpensive but decent way to get vinyl straight to DSD is to use a Sony PS-HX500. It’s a relative bargain, the only drawback is the cartridge.