TCar
27-10-2017, 10:43
I moved to London from Chicago in 1998, expecting a 3-4 year stay wouldn't merit moving about 1,000 LPs across the pond only to need a new 240v system on this end while leaving my 120v one behind. Especially given the constraints of tiny London flats. So the collection went into storage. For the most part it's still there, and I am still in the Smoke, almost two decades later.
Recognising that I was unlikely to return stateside, I decided each trip to Murica would be an opportunity to bring some LPs to London. A system would be necessary. Two years ago I bought a 1st series Sugden a48 in the teak case, Michell Focus One (since replaced with a Gerrard 401 with RB250/full OL mods/Ortofon MC15 Super) and a a Pro-Ject Phono Box S with what little cash was left. That front end drives ProAc Studio 125s. I'm pretty happy with that, and I could do better, but have no idea what I am doing (If I did I would have found a Sugden a21).
By now about 100 LPs have made it across, as anyone familiar with vinyl knows carrying even 50 along with luggage is no small feat. I cherry picked some favourites, the Meters original pressing on Josie; Replacements Let It Be on Twin/Tone; Pharoah Sanders first pressings of Karma and more on Impulse! Al Green on Hi Records; original press of VU White Light/White Heat; Neil Young Tonight's the Night black Warner Bros label GF with poster insert, etc.
I'm pretty patient but if anyone has thoughts on how to move 100s of LPs across the Atlantic without spending thousands I am all ears.
Like anyone, I'm contemplating updates to my system, which is pretty much just vinyl replay. I think for my money the best way forward is a servicing for the amp at Sugden (sounds fine but inputs stick and history is unknown), and after that the phono stage is the weakest link. So thoughts on what you would do here are welcome.
TL;DR: Hai! I'm slowly moving 1,000 LPs from the US to London and have 1st gen Sugden a48; Garrard 401/RB250 with full OL mods/Ortofon MC15 Super; Pro-Ject Phono Box S; ProAc Studio 125s. Thoughts on moving 100s of LPs across an ocean and best pound for pound upgrade path welcome.
Recognising that I was unlikely to return stateside, I decided each trip to Murica would be an opportunity to bring some LPs to London. A system would be necessary. Two years ago I bought a 1st series Sugden a48 in the teak case, Michell Focus One (since replaced with a Gerrard 401 with RB250/full OL mods/Ortofon MC15 Super) and a a Pro-Ject Phono Box S with what little cash was left. That front end drives ProAc Studio 125s. I'm pretty happy with that, and I could do better, but have no idea what I am doing (If I did I would have found a Sugden a21).
By now about 100 LPs have made it across, as anyone familiar with vinyl knows carrying even 50 along with luggage is no small feat. I cherry picked some favourites, the Meters original pressing on Josie; Replacements Let It Be on Twin/Tone; Pharoah Sanders first pressings of Karma and more on Impulse! Al Green on Hi Records; original press of VU White Light/White Heat; Neil Young Tonight's the Night black Warner Bros label GF with poster insert, etc.
I'm pretty patient but if anyone has thoughts on how to move 100s of LPs across the Atlantic without spending thousands I am all ears.
Like anyone, I'm contemplating updates to my system, which is pretty much just vinyl replay. I think for my money the best way forward is a servicing for the amp at Sugden (sounds fine but inputs stick and history is unknown), and after that the phono stage is the weakest link. So thoughts on what you would do here are welcome.
TL;DR: Hai! I'm slowly moving 1,000 LPs from the US to London and have 1st gen Sugden a48; Garrard 401/RB250 with full OL mods/Ortofon MC15 Super; Pro-Ject Phono Box S; ProAc Studio 125s. Thoughts on moving 100s of LPs across an ocean and best pound for pound upgrade path welcome.