re: educate me on record players

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The Pro-Ject Debut 3 Carbon with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge is fantastic for the $$$...$400 retail and can be had new for about $350 delivered.

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What I'm running on mine

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Just looked at that Audio Technica LP120 you mentioned in your post. If you're going new, that looks like a really nice choice. Well worth the $250 it cost.

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That's what I've heard. I'd really like to find something decent vintage like a Denon or a Kenwood but it's tough. I don't really know where to look/where to go.

Do any of you guys have experience with the LP120 such that you could recommend it? I'm gonna go to my parents this weekend and see if I can get that 2245 running. To the earlier poster about the 901s - I'm also a HUGE fan of 901s. A long time family friend designed and built Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, and his favorite speakers of all time are the 901s. He turned my old man onto them years ago, and my old man turned me onto them. I'd love to get her some 901s and if I can get the Marantz running and get a LP120 or something else to keep the total under $1500, then that's a definite possibility.

Also--vintage tables are like vintage cars--parts wear and get old and brittle. No matter how good the table was originally, after 25+ years the belts or idler wheel will need replacement and the bearing may also need work. Just because it turns doesn't mean it is accurate.

If you are just starting out, I recommend a new table. Once you really understand the world of 'tables and vinyl, then experiment with vintage. You sort of have to know what you are doing to understand if a vintage piece is in good shape or not.

Audio Advisor usually has Focal for 40% off retail for the 700 and 800 series.

Look at Canton, KEF, Mordaunt Short, PSB..there are more--just can't think of them now.

Check out Music Direct, Elusive Disc, Acoustic Sounds, Audio Advisor websites.

Also go to the forums on AudioGon and ask questions.

I run the audiophile society of Greater New Orleans and have been into this hobby for 30 years. I have had every conceivable type of gear you could imagine over the years (Amps---high powered tubes, low powered tubes, solid state, hybrid, class A, A/B, D, switching... Speakers--ribbons, planers, electrostats, horns, single source, line arrays, ported, acoustic suspension...)

I usually go to at least one of the high end audio shows every year (Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver)

I still have a good bit of older gear as well that I rotate in and out upon my music and moods.

I will try to help you with any questions you may have as I have helped many younger folks starting out get systems off the ground.

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Here is my rig...

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Holy crap! That setup must be worth over $10K!

Those Omen DWs look pretty awesome. More curious to see how they would sound with a working 2245. Found two reviews with a Fisher 800B that seemed really positive. From a sheer power perspective it seems that the Marantz would sound equally as good if not better, but you guys know how that goes.

Not joking. He's got 5 McIntosh pieces in there. Those things by themselves run about $1500-$2000 each.

That's why I said at least $10K. I don't follow the really expensive stuff too closely.

I wish I had $70K to drop on a stereo system. That's just insane!

Vdrine,

I have a pair of the Zu Audio Omen in electric blue that I use for rear surrounds. They are crazy efficient and can jam with just a 10 watt amp!!

The 10" driver is a full range--some like, some dont.

I got mine a couple years ago on a Black Friday sale for $1000 delivered (regular $1500)