Looking for comparable analog setup to Cary 306SACD/SLP-05 combo.

[asindc]

Hello All,

I'm beginning to educate myself on what I call 'modern analog' (my last real involvement with analog was with a Technics TT/Pioneer receiver setup in my college days). As the thread title suggests, my setup will soon look like this:

Cary 306SACD
---PC laptop running Vista and iTunes into Apple TV, toslink to 306SACD
Cary SLP-05
Parasound JC1s
Martin Logan Vantages
Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC/Nordost Heimdall IC/Nordost Heimdall SC

I am going to start with a very low budget setup just to get a feel for things (maybe a Technics or Sony TT with Parasound zPhono), but I want to eventually build an analog front end comparable to the setup above. I would rather save up and buy big to begin with than tweak my way there. What price range should I be looking in? I'm thinking about the $2,500-$3k range. Thoughts?

Anthony

[Bernard]

Normally I would say buy used, but it's iffy with turntables, unless you know the owner. In that price range the first one that comes to mind is the VPI Classic. While I haven't heard it, VPI is well-rated - I have a VPI (albeit an old model) which I'm happy with.

Note: there is a VPI Classic available on Audiogon right now for $2,000 with a cartridge, if you want to take a chance.

[asindc]

Bernard,

Thanks for the comments. What digital front end would you say is comparable to your analog front end?

[Bernard]

I've not heard a comparable digital front end, but then I stopped comparing a while ago. I just concentrate on enjoying the music, and I no longer do the head-in-a-vise thing - life is too short for that.

[twich54]

Anthony, good morning........... OK questions ....questions......first.. how comfortable do you feel with tt setup ? I'm talking arm, cart, isolation, etc.

[asindc]

Anthony, good morning........... OK questions ....questions......first.. how comfortable do you feel with tt setup ? I'm talking arm, cart, isolation, etc.

Dave,

I'm still in the beginning stages of educating myself about 'modern vinyl' and all that it entails. I'm talking about baby steps here, like learning the difference between moving coil, moving magnet, and moving iron, for instance. That's why I want to start with a super cheap setup at first while I'm learning more about it. DrJRapp took a similar approach to what I'm thinking not too long ago. Here is his thread on it: http://www.martinloganowners.com/for...ghlight=sl1200

In my case, I'm going even cheaper than that to start with, but that's the basic idea. I do want to hear from others like yourself who have both a high-end analog and high-end digital end to get thoughts on what digital they think is comparable to their analog rig.