Quote Originally Posted by Jimmy C
...you previously stated that a RCM is a ripoff. This may be so, but insane mark-up applies to much of audio. Look at A.N.s top speaker... over $20,000 for a minimally-braced, 8" 2-way! I also remember you saying that it (I think this was the A.N. you were referring to) was the best you have heard, so, therefore it's worth it.

I feel that's what is happening.... I paid $249 for my N.G. 1.0, and feel the sonic benefits are worth it. Geez, that's half the vinyl thing...fun! Scouring a good used record store, finding an an old favorite, cleaning it, etc. Besides, one can afford the RCM when buying $4 LPs...

As far as someone stating a starter table will beat up any CD... well, not sure who told you that. It is VERY software (and equipment) dependant. But, Hell... at least when one goes from a $100 table to a $1000 table, there is a big diff - unlike a similar disparity in CD players, IME.

I'm envisioning my "homebrew" RCM and man, is it cumbersome, half-assed, and ugly...lol.
I wince at the criminally overpriced products of dubious benefit like $3k cables, $13k mini monitors, $30k cd players...but $253 (my price) for something that lets me listen to music and not dirt? It's WELL worth it.

I met an audio dealer that had things from affordable to "I could buy a house for that much" stuff. He said he'd rather have a decent $700 vinyl rig than any cd player at any price. He had the cd stuff in his shop, but he outright dismissed them in comparision to the Michell orbe, and VPI tables he had.

I have hand-cleaned all my albums then listened. There was still noise evident. After a pass on the N-G 1.0, there was a night and day difference... no if and's or buts. No one can convince me that it isn't extremely effective, and worth the money.

If you are going to do vinyl--do it right. The extra work that vinyl requires is part of what gives it a soul.

Again, this is no different on an absolute scale than keeping cd's free of grease. If it skips...clean it.