Greetings from Melbourne! This is something I should have done 21 years ago...
I noticed that most of our members either had some sort of analogue gear with very phono stages, and were always listing these items above their digital sources.
Going back 20 years, when I left the US and was heading home before coming to Australia, I sold off my last TT which was a top of the line Technics 1500 something model... not sure. Then went completely digital, getting rid of all my LP's. I started with a Marantz CD player, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Conrad Johnson-DV2B (tube stage CD player), BAT, Cayin (CD50T), Audio Research (Ref 7, highly regarded tube cd player), and finally onto a McIntosh SACD player.
Just last week headed out for a hair cut, and right next door was opened a new store called "Goldmine Records". I walked in and started to cry... They had all sorts of LP's from rock/pop/Jazz/Blues etc., and located on the side windows were several vintage turntables displayed in heavily used condition. Although they were badly looked after, they were most recently serviced with tube phono stages, and a very old Yamaha and Marantz speaker & amplifier. I asked the chap to hook it up, and boy! I really started to cry. My eyes and ears just opened to the heavens!
Everything about that last TT I had was coming back, the soundstage, depth, dynamic modulation, extensive bandwidth and sheer musicality cannot be duplicated on CD or SACD or whatever crazy high-res download there is out there... digital is no where compared to phono. This was something of fresh air, and like I said it was my last TT back in the US.
I just had to get hold of a new TT, but which one, and for how much? There a million varieties out there, and some at crazy prices. So I ventured into the store that is the distributor for ARC and Rega, all a bunch of really nice guys who know their stuff! I came out with a spanking brand new Rega RP3 with an upgraded phono stage using the Ortofon 2m black cartridge. I bought approximately 9 LP's to start with, and defintely need some more. One thing for sure is that the Russel Malone SACD album will be "the last CD" for me.
With a Rega RP3, Conrad Johnson tube amplification, Quad electrostatic speakers, what really more does one need?
In another room with the Stradivari, and ARC Ref monoblocks, they had the awesome souding Michelle Gyro Deck for a very good price, that just might be the next upgrade...
As for now, I am absolutely stunned by the RP3 and what it does, conveys music in its' most natural form, and now I understand why you audiophiles and music lovers truly cherish your vinyl. Cheers to the phono stage!
I know I am going to be on a truly happy journey with this TT since both my wife and daughter actually appreciate it way more than the digital source. They are thrilled with it, and she has now bought a Lady Gaga and Adele Lp, and wants to listen to it nearly every day! Lady Gaga go figure... I prefer just jazz!
Nice one, and hats off to Rega!
Plenty of Scotch and couple cigars tonight...
I noticed that most of our members either had some sort of analogue gear with very phono stages, and were always listing these items above their digital sources.
Going back 20 years, when I left the US and was heading home before coming to Australia, I sold off my last TT which was a top of the line Technics 1500 something model... not sure. Then went completely digital, getting rid of all my LP's. I started with a Marantz CD player, Arcam, Musical Fidelity, Conrad Johnson-DV2B (tube stage CD player), BAT, Cayin (CD50T), Audio Research (Ref 7, highly regarded tube cd player), and finally onto a McIntosh SACD player.
Just last week headed out for a hair cut, and right next door was opened a new store called "Goldmine Records". I walked in and started to cry... They had all sorts of LP's from rock/pop/Jazz/Blues etc., and located on the side windows were several vintage turntables displayed in heavily used condition. Although they were badly looked after, they were most recently serviced with tube phono stages, and a very old Yamaha and Marantz speaker & amplifier. I asked the chap to hook it up, and boy! I really started to cry. My eyes and ears just opened to the heavens!
Everything about that last TT I had was coming back, the soundstage, depth, dynamic modulation, extensive bandwidth and sheer musicality cannot be duplicated on CD or SACD or whatever crazy high-res download there is out there... digital is no where compared to phono. This was something of fresh air, and like I said it was my last TT back in the US.
I just had to get hold of a new TT, but which one, and for how much? There a million varieties out there, and some at crazy prices. So I ventured into the store that is the distributor for ARC and Rega, all a bunch of really nice guys who know their stuff! I came out with a spanking brand new Rega RP3 with an upgraded phono stage using the Ortofon 2m black cartridge. I bought approximately 9 LP's to start with, and defintely need some more. One thing for sure is that the Russel Malone SACD album will be "the last CD" for me.
With a Rega RP3, Conrad Johnson tube amplification, Quad electrostatic speakers, what really more does one need?
In another room with the Stradivari, and ARC Ref monoblocks, they had the awesome souding Michelle Gyro Deck for a very good price, that just might be the next upgrade...
As for now, I am absolutely stunned by the RP3 and what it does, conveys music in its' most natural form, and now I understand why you audiophiles and music lovers truly cherish your vinyl. Cheers to the phono stage!
I know I am going to be on a truly happy journey with this TT since both my wife and daughter actually appreciate it way more than the digital source. They are thrilled with it, and she has now bought a Lady Gaga and Adele Lp, and wants to listen to it nearly every day! Lady Gaga go figure... I prefer just jazz!
Nice one, and hats off to Rega!
Plenty of Scotch and couple cigars tonight...