Need turntable advices

[khanhhuynh4u]

Hey guys,

I WAS looking for a CD player for my new setup of NAD C320BEE and Epos ELS 3 but i been reading alot of types of sources and mostly everyone agreed or prefer turntables(LP) over CD and cassettes.

First, is this true? i heard yet to hear from an LP player but for those of you who has is there a good difference to go with one over the other? Second, I need one no more than $500 because its my first system setup so i dont want to go overload yet. Also does getting a new cartridges over the stock cartridges improve the sound quality alot more?. I saw recommendations of Pro-ject turntables, what other ones should i look into? Basically im trying to get the clearest sound in a budget system....

O crap my NAD amp dont have a phono output!!...man this sucks....

[madmax]

$500 won't buy you much in sound quality. A good phono preamp can cost you a lot more than that as can the cartridge, tone arm and table. For fun you can get something cheaper but for best quality at that price I would go with a good CD player.

If you enjoy all different genres records are fun to collect but if you are particular about a given play list your choices can get limited really fast.

madmax

[Random Destruct]

If this is us dollars then you could be in business. I bought a pro-ject Xpression, and must say its hella table for the money. Carbon Fibre tonearm, nice heavy platter, AudioTechnica 95e cart. Now it doesn't slaughter many cd players in my opinion, but its up to the point where I'd call it equal.

The real benifit of TTs (in my opinion) is the massive quantities of software available. Especially if youre into non-modern music, as non audiophile pressings of today tend to be a bit of a dissapointment.

To be honest, I think you'll have to find someone who is into it, and listen to their rig to decide for yourself. Vinyl is a lot more work, but if audio is a hobby of yours, tweaking / building isolation tables / cleaning records is fun.

Perhaps you should get a good cd player, and try to find an old dual, or other equivalent turntable *of sufficient quality* to play with on the side. Just please dont get a cheap turntable, and become convinced that vinyl is obviously inferior :)

[Random Destruct]

oh, and nad PP-2 cost me like $120 cdn w/ tax, so keep that in mind too.

[khanhhuynh4u]

So should i get a $300 NAD C521BEE CD Player instead? I was thinking about getting a pro-ject Xpression myself but if it's the same quality then i guess not since CD are more space saving. Also im still using Monster Cable speaker wires and a cheapo interconnects. Whats is a good but noticable performance upgrade? thanks guys

[dragon1952]

Do not get the NAD C521BEE for $300. It's an older model and you can get the NAD C541i used for $250 and it's a better player plus it's got HDCD decoding. In fact it's an awesome player. The 521 series is an older model which I believe had skipping problems on MP3's also. If I were you I would stick with the CD player for now and see how you like it. Vinyl is great but it is a hassle compared to CD and many will argue whether or not it's better. It's a very subjective opinion.

[shack]

Dragon - The C521BEE is a relatively new model (about a year and a half) that came out about the same time as the 542 (the replacement for the 541i). IT IS NOT THE OLD 521!

khanhhuynh4u - The C521BEE would mate very well with your C320BEE. Is that $300 US or Canadian? If it is US then that is full retail and I bet you could find one a little cheaper. I only have a turntable for those albums I can't find on CD. Others will disagree....but I've been there....done that with vinyl. I'll take the ease and convienience of CDs over vinyl anytime. JMO

[Spawndn72]

I have a dual 704 with a crappy cartridge that I got off ebay for $100 or so. With a clean record and stylus I can do an A/B double blind and not be able to tell the difference. I like vinyl for the coolness factor, but I agree with everyone else. Vinyl is effort and expensive if you do it right. CD is so much easier and much cheaper. You can always get a TT later.

[dragon1952]

Regardless of which came first, the C541i has a 24 bit and HDCD and retailed for $500. The NAD C521BEE has a 20bit DAC and no HDCD and retailed for $300.

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by madmax
$500 won't buy you much in sound quality. A good phono preamp can cost you a lot more than that as can the cartridge, tone arm and table. Well we had a good run of agreeing going... ;)

There are some very good used phono pre's for $100 to $200 USD that will not hold back a good turntable/ arm/ cartridge combo, e.g., AA, Creek.

And $200 to $250 of the left over fundage will get you a very servicable Thorens or Dual among other used TT's leaving $100 for a nice, mid-line cartridge.

As for the ease and convenience... hey, we can all use the exercise.

[shack]

Originally posted by Tour2ma
As for the ease and convenience... hey, we can all use the exercise.
I get plenty of excercise....and it is much more enjoyable than getting up and down to flip the disc, or move the arm past a track I don't want to hear, etc.... If you enjoy the cleaning and caring for the LPs and the fusing with the stylus, cartridge, arm and so forth...have at it. I'll pass (as a general rule - I do have a TT and use it when necessary).

Listening to Tom Petty's Full Moon Fever the other night, right in the middle of the CD he says "If you are listening to the CD of this album, this is the time where people with LPs or Cassettes will be getting up to change to the other side, we'll take a brief intermission and wait for them". I of course didn't move.


Originally posted by Dragon1952
Regardless of which came first, the C541i has a 24 bit and HDCD and retailed for $500. The NAD has a 20bit DAC and no HDCD and retailed for $300.
True. My point was the C521BEE does not have the problems you mentioned and is a very good CDP.

[cmy330go]

Sorry just have to throw in my $.02 worth.

I have heard sub $300 dollar turntable phono stage rigs out perform $1000 cdp setups.

Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to stir things up here. As you can see by my signature I'm not completely loyal to either format. But on the other hand I wouldn't give up either of them.

You might want to consider the Project Debut III, Music Hall MMF-2.1 for new tables. Or as suggested above many great deals can be found on the used market.

Enjoy your new system!
Dave

[dragon1952]

Originally posted by shack
My point was the C521BEE does not have the problems you mentioned and is a very good CDP.

Point taken and I stand corrected ;)

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by shack
I get plenty of excercise....and it is much more enjoyable than getting up and down to flip the disc, or move the arm past a track I don't want to hear, etc.... If you enjoy the cleaning and caring for the LPs and the fusing with the stylus, cartridge, arm and so forth...have at it. Golf doesn't count...

Actually I find that the tactile element of dealing with vinyl is part of the charm... more involving like driving a stick instead of an automatic. Don't tell me you have auto's in your 'Stangs... :eek:


Originally posted by shack
Listening to Tom Petty's Full Moon Fever the other night, right in the middle of the CD he says "If you are listening to the CD of this album, this is the time where people with LPs or Cassettes will be getting up to change to the other side, we'll take a brief intermission and wait for them". I of course didn't move. Must be the SACD version... ;)

[shack]

Originally posted by Tour2ma
Golf doesn't count...
Sure it does Bruce! When I went to the doctor a couple of months ago, he suggested I get more exercise and cardio stuff. He said I should walk when I play golf instead of the cart and even suggested that more sex would be good (you know, elevated heart rate, blood flow, etc...). He said a moderate amount of both would at least be a start to better health. I mentioned that to the wife....I get to play a LOT of golf these days. ;)


Originally posted by Tour2ma
Actually I find that the tactile element of dealing with vinyl is part of the charm... more involving like driving a stick instead of an automatic. Don't tell me you have auto's in your 'Stangs... :eek:
Two do and one doesn't. Actually I haven't had a daily driver with an auto since 1978. (and that was one of my Mustangs). Bad analogy though. Cars like vinyl would be a classic British roadster (MG, Triumph, Sprite, Healey...) that before you drive it you have to spend an hour cleaning and adjusting the carbs and setting the timing. Then after starting out just when you get half way to your destination, it stops. Then you have to get out of the car, hit the starter with a hammer before you can get it going again and resume your journey. Repeat several times if it is a long trip. While you're driving...it's enjoyable....but the rest is a PITA. Now some folks enjoy the driving and the other stuff....It adds a certain aura to the driving experience... Those folks LOVE vinyl.:D

[Tour2ma]

Whatever makes your putter-flutter... ;)

[outlander]

I have a decent TT and cartridge and a ton of vinyl from the old days. Every once in awhile I spin the wax and try to convince myself it sounds better or at least as good as cd’s, but after about an hour reality hit’s and I have to face the fact that the cd’s sound better. I go through this about twice a year but the result is always the same. Maybe is my equipment or it could just be me?
O

[madmax]

It's been my experience that to get as good as a CD it costs a lot. 3 to 5 grand maybe. However, if your goal is to get better than a CD you can do it. It may cost as much as a small sports car though. :D

[khanhhuynh4u]

LOL thanks guys i guess ill stick with CD for now. I rather get a sport car than a Lp player. But for a CDP with NAD you get HDCD decoder and with a SACD you get whatever....whats the diff between the 2 and which ones sound more realistic?

[khanhhuynh4u]

OOHH i just read this is this the biggest deal ever???

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/onix/onix.html

im convinved that its an awsome 2 ch system but its is worth the money?

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by madmax
It's been my experience that to get as good as a CD it costs a lot. 3 to 5 grand maybe. Out of respect for your recently demonstrated, Polk SRS Logo Badge craftsmanship I will not contest this statement...





even though I still disagree with it... :D