price differences.

[lmr]

I get it. You get what you pay for but is there a noticeable difference between turntables that are in the $500, $1000, $3000 and $6000 range? I guess the same question could be asked on the phono preamps.How much would I actually be able to hear? Would there be a suggested ratio on spending more, less or the same amount on turntable/preamp? After visiting a sound store locally, it seemed that spending more on the preamp would be the ticket. Yeah, yeah, I'm just trying to justify my own spending.

[chaosrv]

It only sounds good if it is expensive!

[stads77]

I would say the most on the table, folowed by the cartridge and then lastly the phono stage (assuming it is well made, which many are even in the 200-300 range). I believe the table and arm are by far the most critical and will tend to yield the most fruit.

A good metric if you needed one may be to spend $1 on the table, $.50 on the cartridge and $.10-25 on the stage. this is obviously dependant on other things, but may be a pretty good simple analysis of what I have found to be true.

[stads77]

My friends VPI Scout sounds many time better than my Expression III, with the same cart. and preamp. My Expression sounds much worse than the VPI even with a better cart. and phono stage than in the VPI.

[flamingeye]

what I did was buy the best table and cartridge I could afford then go from there , but I just use the phone input on my pre/pro and it sounds pretty damn good to me

[chaosrv]

I was only kidding, of course. I agree with Stads77. A well built table will last you a lifetime. That is not to say you need to spend $6,000 on one but get what you can afford. I had originally planned on a purchasing a display model VPI Scout but opted on a used Scoutmaster. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I will very probably still own that table 20 years from now.

Cartridges are also very important. That said they can be very fragile and will eventually need to be replaced (or a new needle swapped out) I wouldn't get something crazy expensive until you really know vinyl is something you want to invest in (and get used to handling)

As for the phono stage - some can be rather overrated/overpriced. Emotiva offers a great phono stage in the USP/XSP-1. I had planned on spending $800 for a phono stage but opted to spend the a bit less than that on an XSP-1 and have had zero regrets and have taken full advantage of the additional functionality. If you can wait a bit longer you can get a standalone phono stage, the XPS-1 but there is no definitely date for availability yet.

Emotiva is also working on their own turntable but there is no information on price, specs or availability yet, just a few teaser pictures from Big Dan.

And just because I can - a shameless plug for a fellow lounge member - Matt a/k/a Aluminati is selling record weights in the emporium. If I didn't have a weight already I would jump on them. Record weights can offer a large improvement and at the prices Matt is offering, they are practically a necessity.

[garbulky]

If you didn't know....Emotiva is coming out with a turn table. It looks great too.

[harri009]

I agree with all the above advice. My buddy has a VPI classic 3 and while my Marantz TT-15 sounds 100% better than my old Project 1.3 his VPI adds another 50% of greatness.

[lmr]

I am pretty set on getting a XSP-1 and regret not getting it when it was on sale. I have the XPR-2 and figure the XSP-1 would be the best match. For some reason the TTW Eliminator excites me. If not that then the VPI scoutmaster. I am not worried about if I will get into vinyl or not, just to have something that will last and I won't feel like I settled for a lesser piece of equipment. I am not close to buying yet and am just trying to make sure what I get will be right. A lot of times, I have impulse bought only later to regret not reading more or to have been caught up into internet hype.