JTC
PFM Villager...
I've ended up drifting from vinyl a bit, my P25 doesn't see a lot of use and most of my listening is done either via streaming (car, mobile) or from my own library (digitally). However, what I'm missing is part of that whole ritual, that somewhere along the way got lost. Just like making a good coffee, part of the enjoyment is the 'guddle', and - where vinyl is concerned - another one is the fact that listening becomes an event.
I had an LP12 which was a good deck but fragile, and when kids came along, I went to a Spacedeck HD, which was better than the LP12 I had, but with kids starting to toddle about, I was nervous and stopped playing my records. I picked up the P25 that I've had ever since, and although it's a decent, fuss-free deck - maybe comparable to an entry LP12, but definitely not as good as the Spacedeck - now that my kids are much older (the youngest will be 11 next May) I can consider a better deck again.
The problem is what to consider. So many new decks have come onto the market since then, and I'm well out of the loop as regards what's good and what's not.
The easiest option would be another LP12. It'd be my third. But I baulk at the way the prices have gone, and I'm not sure I want anything that leaves the door to further (expensive) upgrades. Anotjher Spacedeck? Maybe, but it's a big deck and I'd rather something a touch more compact. Regas? Perhaps, but I don't know what's going to be enough of an improvement over the P25.
I haven't set a budget but I'd prefer this to be relatively modest, and whatever I buy has to be easily sold on if I find that returning to vinyl is a whim. I'll use my ATG PT33 cartridge, which still has low miles, and sell on the P25 (with RB300, not RB600 - it was like this when I bought it s/h 10 or so years ago). I only have ~400 LPs left from the 1500 I once had, as many were dupes, rubbish, or things I'd moved on from. I sold some artists in near completion - Zappa, Beatles - at a tidy profit - but kept others. I'm not unhappy that I did this, I still have way more music than time to listen to it, and I can start buying again.
OK, rambling post, but a bit of a steer is very welcome. FYI the target system options I have are: Mytek Brooklyn DAC -> Adam Compact Classic actives (my main system, with a Mjolnir/Stax headphone setup), OR perhaps a new system with a new phono stage into our Nait 2 and then into Spendor S2/2s as a dedicated, vinyl only rig. Not sure how well the Nait 2 will cope with the big Spendors however.
I had an LP12 which was a good deck but fragile, and when kids came along, I went to a Spacedeck HD, which was better than the LP12 I had, but with kids starting to toddle about, I was nervous and stopped playing my records. I picked up the P25 that I've had ever since, and although it's a decent, fuss-free deck - maybe comparable to an entry LP12, but definitely not as good as the Spacedeck - now that my kids are much older (the youngest will be 11 next May) I can consider a better deck again.
The problem is what to consider. So many new decks have come onto the market since then, and I'm well out of the loop as regards what's good and what's not.
The easiest option would be another LP12. It'd be my third. But I baulk at the way the prices have gone, and I'm not sure I want anything that leaves the door to further (expensive) upgrades. Anotjher Spacedeck? Maybe, but it's a big deck and I'd rather something a touch more compact. Regas? Perhaps, but I don't know what's going to be enough of an improvement over the P25.
I haven't set a budget but I'd prefer this to be relatively modest, and whatever I buy has to be easily sold on if I find that returning to vinyl is a whim. I'll use my ATG PT33 cartridge, which still has low miles, and sell on the P25 (with RB300, not RB600 - it was like this when I bought it s/h 10 or so years ago). I only have ~400 LPs left from the 1500 I once had, as many were dupes, rubbish, or things I'd moved on from. I sold some artists in near completion - Zappa, Beatles - at a tidy profit - but kept others. I'm not unhappy that I did this, I still have way more music than time to listen to it, and I can start buying again.
OK, rambling post, but a bit of a steer is very welcome. FYI the target system options I have are: Mytek Brooklyn DAC -> Adam Compact Classic actives (my main system, with a Mjolnir/Stax headphone setup), OR perhaps a new system with a new phono stage into our Nait 2 and then into Spendor S2/2s as a dedicated, vinyl only rig. Not sure how well the Nait 2 will cope with the big Spendors however.
