I heard my first 200k vinyl system today

Alrainbow

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Dec 11, 2013
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Well I did a quick impromptu listen today at lyric NYC. It's where I have purchased two pairs of infinities from years ago.
Anyway the speakers were a brand called focul utopia 111 90 k for them alone they looked like a the Wilson audio alexia but far nicer looking. Similar in drivers at looking at them anyway. No ribbons . The turntable and cartridge was about 5k. So no big money there . So just one record so far. They are setting me up with something analog and digital of the same music and artist so for me an equal sample of both.
Imidiatly came the familiar ill sounding crackle and pop. And mike did warn me ahead of time. The music was simple jazz and male vocals. Amps Macintosh . And I think the preamp was too. It was all lighted up the blue they have . Mike was kind and explained the analog sound to listen for. And even commented on the sound of the speakers I was about to hear as well. As it sounded very well
And the pops and such really did not take anything away from the sound. It was nice but my dac sounds far better in the same direction. I then spoke to mike and explained what I have and how it sounds. He said the record that was there is an old record and did know it . As one of my comments was when the music increased in it's complexity it blurred slightly. He blamed this on the recording and said all analog does not do this. I honestly do think what he said is true. Now the overall tone and clarity was fine as the lows to highs . I think the speakers were very good . And the record was the low point in this. Hopefully this week we can work out something. As for suggestions I can use some . Please help me pick some to email him with . I know there is some vinyl junkies here , who and what . And it should also be for cd as well. I already know the mixing and mastering will most likely be different and I am fine with it. I just want the same stuff. To compare. It's one thing to here a totally new system but at least familiar music would be a great help. I am also taking there two cd,s I use as a reference as well. And I did not ask what dacs he has either as it does not matter to me. It's really the analog I want to hear. As I seriously consider a turntable he also said about that it is a ritualistic process in picking out the album cleaning it and watching it spin on the turntable. I laughed as he said it. And told him I already kinda do that when I turn on all the stuff remotely from my iPhone with the Ps audio P10,s. He just starred back at me when he heard my answer. Hahaha. Maybe I have gone to far in this audio stuff. As most hear as well.

Please help me .

Al
 

GaryProtein

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I'm sorry, there is no hope.

What's done is done. We make our own beds and so, we must sleep in them.
 

Alrainbow

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? What did I say wrong . Explain. Please
Oh vinyl guy. Why do people always get upset with someone else who dis agrees . I did not say it was bad just that most regard vinyl so high . And it was one time I ! Not done .
On fact show me the way brother pic for me . Please
Al
 

GaryProtein

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I'M SORRY for the misunderstanding.

I was being sarcastic. I should have used one of these: :p

Your post was fine, nothing wrong at all. Vinyl has its aficionados, but I am no longer one of them. I find the occasional to continuous snap crackle and pops in the recordings to be unnerving. I have a hard time listening to "audiophile" CD's recorded analog because I hear the tape hiss in the background.
 
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Alrainbow

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Help guys. I really do need great vinyl,pics for going back to lyric. I am the first to admit my ignorance in vinyl . And wpuld like to buy one not joking. But I do want to hear it's worth it. With the money I have invested in this hobby already a 5 or 10 k more investment in something that is both cool and great sounding is welcome. Help me pic.

Al
 

Alrainbow

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Gary I did not know you went digital I looked at your EQ and thought I seen vinyl stuff. The crackle and pop was cool though , back in the day the speakers were not the only thing popping as the room filled up with smoke hahaha. It was really cool to hear it again.
Al
 

MylesBAstor

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Next time you're at Lyric, you can come by and hear a real analog system, both vinyl and tape. Not quite 200K but close, esp. if the Magico S5s arrive shortly. Otherwise will have to slum with the ML Summit-Xs. I'm only four blocks away. :)

PS. Much of the noise you complain about is a function of the electronics, table and especially the arm not to mention stylus profile. The Atlas and Proteus are among the most quiet cartridges I've ever heard.
 

GaryProtein

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You should go to the Mobile Fidelity website and check out their recordings. They probably have remastered recodings of material you are familiar with on CD and LP

Also check out http://www.referencerecordings.com and www.elusivedisc.com
 

rockitman

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Next time you're at Lyric, you can come by and hear a real analog system, both vinyl and tape. Not quite 200K but close, esp. if the Magico S5s arrive shortly. Otherwise will have to slum with the ML Summit-Xs. I'm only four blocks away. :)

PS. Much of the noise you complain about is a function of the electronics, table and especially the arm not to mention stylus profile. The Atlas and Proteus are among the most quiet cartridges I've ever heard.

Hah, I knew you had Magico S5's on your horizon. Congrats Myles.
 

MylesBAstor

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Al M.

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Vinyl has its aficionados, but I am no longer one of them. I find the occasional to continuous snap crackle and pops in the recordings to be unnerving.

+1

I disliked LPs already in the pre-digital days because of this, and for that reason I was quick to embrace CD even with all its early problems which now, three decades later, have completely melted away like snow in the sun (well, the 'sun' has been the hard and often heroic development work by leading high-end manufacturers).

I haven't had a turntable in almost 25 years.
 

GaryProtein

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Al M., It's good to know I'm not the only one.
 

ddk

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May 18, 2013
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? What did I say wrong . Explain. Please
Oh vinyl guy. Why do people always get upset with someone else who dis agrees . I did not say it was bad just that most regard vinyl so high . And it was one time I ! Not done .
On fact show me the way brother pic for me . Please
Al

Hi Al,

I thought Mike retired around ten years ago and Lenny was running the store, I guess he couldn't keep away.

I think the mistake that you're making from reading the conversations here is expecting a so called "Analog Sound" to suddenly appear and bite you in the ass. Well, it doesn't really exist. Analog is more of a Quality than a sound. Best turntable setups won't have any particular sound or wow you in any way except with a very natural quality. An overt character is a sign of coloration, not analog.

What you experienced at Lyric is typical and I'm not surprised at your reaction; and you're not wrong. I think I know what they played for you for $5k but I don't want to get into it here, just that many well known turntables with audiophile reputations and big money are CRAP and you're better off with digital. FYI, this is coming from an analog guy with heavy bias against most things digital!

My recommendation, get into it slowly and like it before blowing a ton of money hoping that you'll end up liking it if you give it time, you won't if its bad to begin with. Record players are finicky and there's a learning curve to understand them and learn how to set them up, that's a big part of the battle. Spend some time listening to friend's systems with record players if you can and see if you like any of them. If you really want to try it go with a good sounding easy to set up front end that won't blow the bank and give you an upgrade path.

For my money you can't beat the Denon record players, easy to set up, very musical and great value. If you can find one, get a DPA-100 Limited edition around $2.5k. Comes with everything including the cartridge already installed and setup. If not they have other very good models in the $1500 - $2000 range that's not on their US website but you can get them on ebay. The EAR 834P phono stage, $1900-$2500 depending on the model is wonderful and another bargain in high end. Then head on over to Academy records and buy a few dozen records of the music that you like. They usually have a good selection in the $1-$5 range. Some are bound to be bad but you'll be surprised how good some these old recordings are. To think of it I don't know what kind of music you listen to. If its hip hop, rap or that kind of thing which is all digitally recorded getting the analog version is a waste of money imo. Maybe you should start with Academy and see what you find before going any further.

Have fun!

david

PS. Don't waste any money on overpriced cables and cords or audiophile recordings, plenty of better ones were pressed years ago and cost next to nothing today.
 
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DaveyF

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To the OP, I would suggest that you don't give up on vinyl just yet. The quality of the TT and the arm and cartridge plus one other thing ( the set-up) is fairly crucial in listening to vinyl. IF you are missing something with the vinyl set-up, you will definitely be leaving SQ behind.
The cleanliness and condition of the record is also VERY important. A great quiet pressing which is correctly cleaned will minimize- and many times do away with, any pops and clicks.
Problem is IME it is far easier to get average and sometimes worse than average sound from an analog set-up than from a digital one. OTOH, I do believe that analog, when done right, does have a higher SQ.
 

astrotoy

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Al, it sounds like you heard a $5K vinyl system, not a $200K one.

Larry
 

MylesBAstor

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