Should I Get A Turntable?

[WOStantonCS100]

As has been said, I think if you have the time and lifestyle to enjoy vinyl playback or the willingness to change your lifestyle so you do, go for it. If you don't/won't... no point, really.

I try very hard to do nothing but sit and listen to music via vinyl playback for at least 2 hrs a night. I often get lost in the music and 2 hrs turns into 3 or 4. On average I spend about 15 to 20 hrs a week or more, if I'm not working, just listening, serious listening with little to no distraction. I believe you can get quite good sound pretty quickly rivaling a good (not necessarily great) CD playback system without a huge outlay of funds, often better. However, you know, to get the kind of sound that we wacked-out vinylphiles rave about, takes quite a bit more investment in time, funds and catalog. It is definitely rewarding; but, conditionally so.

EDIT: Even on just the simple level of record collecting and listening to music, as a music lover, (via) vinyl... without a serious "audiophile" commitment... it's still pretty fun, if one were to consider it just a hobby. I did that for years in my youth; because, that's all I could afford.

[Thing Fish]

As stated previously I too only listen to vinyl as a playback source. Being the best reproduction medium by a country mile (to me and countless others) it's a no brainer.

Again as stated you can get the best return for your money by buying an older style turntable but you will need to tweak it yourself.

If that is not an option a Rega is a good purchase.

Once you go vinyl you really should never go back...

[WOStantonCS100]

Once you go vinyl you really should never go back...

What he said. I know very few folks who've ever gone back... without regretting it. Not all; but, most I know.

...folks who sold off large, meticulous, collections only to have one of "those" moments later. Ouch.

[Andrei]

A pretty emphatic No from me. I have gone down that track and here is what I have blown in approximate pounds

1000 turntable with arm
500 cartridge
500 phono stage
200 interconnects
30 turntable mat
100 record cleaning machine
30 antistatic sleves
75 record shelf
60 granite slab for tt
10 carbon fibre brush
75 dust cover
200 worthless "near mint" LPs
1000 good to great LPs
you will also have to replace your stylus or cartridge every so often as well.

In quality terms it beats a CD on my Cambridge Audio 650, but it is behind SACD and well behind computer audio system. In money terms CDs and CD quality downloads are vastly cheaper.
I do enjoy my LPs and the turntable looks really cool in the lounge, but this money could have been better spent elsewhere. With all I have spent on the TT, vinyl, and accessories I could have purchased a top Audio Reference Amplifier. I think I have spread myself too thin. I have three sources but a savvy audiophile will have one source or two at the most.

There is another really compelling reason not to go down this route. If you want that gorgeous analogue sound then invest your funds in a high class valve amplifier. There is more of that beautiful holographic sound in a well fettled Amp than in vinyl.

That said, I have about a dozen LPs that can't be had for love nor money in the digital domain. I have only been into vinyl for less than two years and I make rare purchases of vinyl only if it is 45 rpm, or 180 g or something I want but can't find digitally. I enjoy following the Tecchie threads in this forum and there is definitely more to it than 'turning on the music'. So I reckon that if you have the passion, then go for it. All I'm saying is that if you want good sound: be aware of the many costs, not just TT.

[Colin Wonfor]

A pretty emphatic No from me. I have gone down that track and here is what I have blown in approximate pounds

1000 turntable with arm
500 cartridge
500 phono stage
200 interconnects
30 turntable mat
100 record cleaning machine
30 antistatic sleves
75 record shelf
60 granite slab for tt
10 carbon fibre brush
75 dust cover
200 worthless "near mint" LPs
1000 good to great LPs
you will also have to replace your stylus or cartridge every so often as well.

In quality terms it beats a CD on my Cambridge Audio 650, but it is behind SACD and well behind computer audio system. In money terms CDs and CD quality downloads are vastly cheaper.
I do enjoy my LPs and the turntable looks really cool in the lounge, but this money could have been better spent elsewhere. With all I have spent on the TT, vinyl, and accessories I could have purchased a top Audio Reference Amplifier. I think I have spread myself too thin. I have three sources but a savvy audiophile will have one source or two at the most.

There is another really compelling reason not to go down this route. If you want that gorgeous analogue sound then invest your funds in a high class valve amplifier. There is more of that beautiful holographic sound in a well fettled Amp than in vinyl.

That said, I have about a dozen LPs that can't be had for love nor money in the digital domain. I have only been into vinyl for less than two years and I make rare purchases of vinyl only if it is 45 rpm, or 180 g or something I want but can't find digitally. I enjoy following the Tecchie threads in this forum and there is definitely more to it than 'turning on the music'. So I reckon that if you have the passion, then go for it. All I'm saying is that if you want good sound: be aware of the many costs, not just TT.

"Ditto"

[Audio Al]

Yes

[MikeMusic]

Yes

At least 2 reasons

I did a quick comparison between LP and CD weekend before last
The LP on my system beats a Rega Isis which is saying something

Some music is only available on LP and may remain so
I'm tracking an LP on Ebay right now where there is no CD that I can see anywhere

And if you would like to hear for yourself choose the A3 or the M3 and pop in an hear the difference !

[Clive197]

Emphatic YES from me. The only things you have to worry about is the cost of feeding your new habit and that all your non-HiFi friends will think you've lost the plot. Vinyl is king and May The Force Be With You.

[hifi_dave]

If you want plug n play and troubkle free enjoyment for decades - buy a Rega. New or s/hand, you can't go wrong.

[YNWaN]

I agree. Plus, if you choose to upgrade in the future, you will find the Rega very easy to sell on.