To get into vinyl, or not?, I was set on constructing an analogue system, but.. Options

[almostmitch]

I was set on constructing an analogue system, but I have seen several users criticize the various aspects of the vinyl medium.
(sound quality/accuracy, cost of equipment, effort to play/digitize)

I'm 20 years old and have never truly experienced vinyl. However, I am extremely intrigued by it. I very much like the idea of setting up an affordable but quality system to listen to vinyls on. Also, I would be digitizing my dads old albums and some of my own. I look at it as more of a hobby/interest than its practicality regarding current tech and sound quality. I like the idea of starting a record collection and listening to them with my friends. The nostalgia and audio technology are other aspects that interest me (big tech geek here). I'm aware of the imperfections of vinyl's sound and this is why I want to make sure I get a quality system to achieve the best possible sound the LP will produce (within budget). For my system, I had the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon and a pair of decent floor standing speakers in mind but was not set on which components I wanted to use with it (pre-amp + receiver, integrated amp, or just a receiver w/ phono inputs). This was originally the question I was going to ask you guys. Something I could connect my computer to in order to play music files is something I'd like to be able to do. I have always cared about sound quality and the majority of my albums are perfect CD rips (.flac). I currently do not have a hi-fi system to fully enjoy my music on which is another reason why I'm looking to purchase one. Also, this is something I plan to take with me and enjoy for many years to come.

-So I ask, how do you like the vinyl experience compared to the CD experience? Can the added complexities with vinyl add to the experience?
-Also, if I decide to go for a system, which device(s) combination might produce the best sound quality at a reasonable price?

Thanks for any input!

[Porcus]

If you are playing old vinyls, and at the risk of TOS#8:

Not only will the stylus matter, but the wear from previous stylii will also. You may actually expensive less wear-related noise with a tip that has smaller radius, which will read the groove where it hasn't been that much worn ... then OTOH, that might mean digging in the dirt. Some drawings here. Other HA users might fill in details, and, likely, corrections – I haven't played vinyl since the Ortofon MC30 Super.

As always, there will be lots of pseudoscience around the 'net, especially in the higher price brackets. (S(h)urely, a $2000 Rohmann has to sound excellent and for some damn good reason, or what?)

From the historical records [sic]: http://shure.custhelp.com/app/answers/deta...and-record-wear

[2Bdecided]

I have a soft spot for vinyl, but let's not try and kid ourselves that it's a superior method of experiencing music.

I have an analogy for you. Some people are really into old cars. There is something "soulful" about them, and their incompetent handling and useless brakes can impart some degree of fun. But they are nowhere near as efficient a means of transport as a modern car.

Vinyl's a bit like that. The care required to get the best out of it is a bit like the high degree of maintenance required to keep an old car on the road. Who knows, you might be the type of person who enjoys the effort required in getting a good sound from vinyl.

But if your goal is to hear recorded music as well as possible, and you're wondering if by some chance vinyl is the route to achieving that, don't bother - it isn't. (With one possible exception - the mastering of some CD reissues is so messed up that the original vinyl does actually sound better).

Listen to this man. He is too modest to tell you just how much experience he has with vinyl.

From the historical records [sic]: http://shure.custhelp.com/app/answers/deta...and-record-wear

I like that. Interesting claim that a perfect condition diamond stylus causes no wear on a perfectly clean record, but that after couple of hundred hours use the stylus is worn to a very damaging shape.

Cheers,
David.

This post has been edited by 2Bdecided: Nov 29 2012, 10:51