Hello, I have an audio system that fully satisfies me but I am thinking more and more about getting a turntable. I had one in the 80s and I would like to get back into it. The only problem is that I don’t have any vinyl so I would have to go for second-hand, new ones tempt me less. I am not necessarily looking for quality equivalent to my digital source. I asked a reputable hifi site in France for advice and they recommend, at a minimum, a Rega P3 RS with a Goldnote ph5. What do you think?
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For many reasons, I got out of vinyl records 10 years ago.
I saw a video the other day by “Cheapaudioman” on Youtube. He explains that there is only one sole plant in the world, that now make the lacquers from which vinyl records are made.
For that one reason alone, I would avoid buying a turntable.
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This exact question has been asked a good few times. One example is here:
Another is here:
A Forum search will throw up many more examples, all saying pretty much the same thing.
Just get a rega p1 plus, it has a built in preamp.
No point blowing £1k if you don’t have any records.
In fact, go record shopping first. You might return empty handed in which case tt ownership is pointless.
In the last few weeks I’ve visited many charity shops and found plenty of records, but bought zero.
Compact discs on the other hand are plentiful and 50p or £1 depending on the shop.
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Yes. But it gives the opportunity for people to repeat, in great detail, why they stopped listening to vinyl.
Which in itself appears to be a hobby to some people. 
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A Rega P3 RS is a good place to end let alone start your turntable journey. Any Rega turntable from the P1 will fulfill your vinyl needs they are all very good at their respective price points.
Your biggest expense is going to be the vinyl collection if you’re starting from scratch, which I am sure you have already thought about.
Budget would help with any suggestions from other forum members, but your choice of turntables is quite broad if you’re looking at a P3 RS.
Other members will no doubt make many other suggestions but the best place to start would probably be your local dealer and demo what they sell
Best of luck
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If you dont have any vinyl, don’t bother.
Yes, collecting is fun, TTs and all the faff is fun. But only if you have already got sone vinyl.
If you have a streamer, just use that.
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That’s like saying to everybody who posts in the “show us you watch” thread. If you have a smart phone you didn’t need to buy that watch.
Owning stuff doesn’t need to based on logic.
Why spend £500 on a pair of 19 century Japanese vases, when a £5 pair of vases from Home and Bargain will function just as well. 
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If you want a TT the p3 and ph5 is a cracking combination that will allow you to try different cartridges over time as you upgrade and develop your interest. On the other hand if you just want to try out vinyl it is unnecessarily expensive. I’d look at a Denon or even the P1 mentioned above.
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Thanks for all your replies. I’m not likely to be disappointed with the sound with the P1?
Only you can answer that question. We dont have your ears.
I tried the getting into vinyl thing with a P1, when I had an NDX2/555 as a source. I wasn’t happy with the vinyl until I upgraded to a P10.
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The main thing you need to ensure when buying a turntable or any front end, is it isn’t outclassed by your amp and speakers.
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Rega P3 is a good starting place , or Technics
Vinyl to me is an itch, I got rid of my LP12 but kept my records , I am thinking of a major system restructure , even if I get rid of my current TT , I won’t get rid of my records
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Finding a happy place that isn’t equivalent to your digital source, but is still rewarding, sounds like the main issue then, is your budget implied by P3RS & the Goldnote stage? Or that’s just what has been recommended? Can you share what your budget is?
And is your digital source your Zen stream feeding the DAC in your SPL Director pre?
There are definitely two answers to the question of “I have no vinyl, but want to give it a try (should I?)” I’m with @Fatcat on this one, if the money isn’t stopping you doing something important, why not put it into something fun, you’ll soon know if it’s fun or not! 
Maybe buy good second hand equipment, you could sell it on if it doesn’t work out, and your money will fund a better TT and phono stage, more likely to be rewarding, if you buy used. The only issue would be auditioning, which I feel is probably sensible to help you decide how far away from your digital source is acceptable.
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A P3 recommended by your dealer is a minimum. Don’t bother with the P1.
If depends now of the kind of music you listen too. If you listen to pop rock from the late 70’s and 80’s, it won’t cost a lot to buy second hand albums in good condition from Discogs. Don’t buy remasters. The lps todays are disappointing and many are complaining.
If you listen to jazz from the 60’s, be prepared to pay a lot , around 40 euros minimum per album.
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I asked the seller for a budget under 2000 euros… I’m not against a second-hand one… I replaced my 272/xpsdr with the current system, it’s way above the ATCs. I don’t know anyone who has a TT so for listening at home it’s going to be difficult… I’ll think about all that! It would be especially for jazz, blues, acoustic…
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This is worth a read in the context I think (as well as the threads linked earlier)
A favourable comparison between the Rega I think you’re considering, and the Naim NDX2… and the paths that present themselves thereafter X)
I suspect it’ll be difficult to know for sure until you have something at home to listen to, maybe see if you can do that with as low risk as possible, either if you can speak with a dealer to loan you one, or buy secondhand and be prepared to sell it on if things don’t work out?
