thank for all the advice
in answer to a few questions
no i don’t currently own any records so literally starting from scratch, love the idea of owning LPs and that it is one album a time
curious to sound difference vs my digital front end, swinging between Linn LP12 and technics currently as local dealer would support me and would get to demo them no rega dealers near me unfortunately (bit bothered about how to use/setup record player) will have a look at second hand options too
thx all
What about the suggestion of setting up a second vinyl system to try it out first?
If you buy a Rega with a cartridge already mounted, there’s nothing to do except put on the platter…
If you are indeed bothered by the setup of a turntable then I would advise going for the Technics and not the Linn. Both sound excellent but the difference in setup and continued support is night and day.
Got to say that any turntable that needs dealer support to set up seems like huge faff. What if you need or want to move it?
I also think that learning how to do this and other bits is half the fun but that’s just me.
But the most important thing has to be how to buy records. Everyone has their own ideas. Me, I will never buy below VG+ or new and even then, have been stung a couple of times. I would read as much as you can about this particular part of living with the format, label and pressing quality and suggestions on original vs re-mastered quality as to not waste money and time. I once had to return a new warped (tone poet) record twice only to get another warped copy the third time. I subsequently found out through forums that others had a similar problem.
Enjoy 
I still owned a vinyl collection, mainly 12-inch records from the 1980s, and decided to get back into vinyl playback. My initial setup—a Nait 2 paired with a Rega RP3—did not immediately deliver the satisfaction I was looking for.
That changed completely about five years ago when I replaced the Rega with a Technics 1210GR. I absolutely love this turntable and no longer feel any urge to upgrade and it is a nice change to my 333 Streamer. It comes highly recommended.
Not quite my experience, as you need to fit counterweight and set correct tracking force and antiskate. Not always easy for newbies.
Just to slightly hijack this topic but have a related question as like the OP, am thinking about getting (back) into vinyl - this prompted by inheriting an old Thorens TD-125 mk2 with I think original tonearm and cartridge. My question is whether those more expert than me would think it worth investing in getting the Thorens serviced etc v starting from scratch? Have also inherited quite a few mainly classical records from 70s and 80s (in good condition) with it. Thanks!
I’ve hundreds of LPs from my collection in the 70’s and 80’s….
I bought a couple of decks to play them and to accompany my wee nait 50 in my home study.
the novelty wears thin when digital is so immediate and clean.
for nostalgia, I may keep the decks and records, its soothing now and again to drop the needle, but the faff over-rules the enjoyment for me. YMMV.
That’s true, but it’s still very simple to do.
I’d get the Thorens serviced . I have a Td 160. I love it. It makes music
There are many vinyl enthusiasts on this forum and I love all the pictures. I just can’t decide if I want to give it a try. Would love to experience it for myself. All the stories about bad pressings, setup issues etc. have kept me from actually trying. The LP’s are also really expensive. Maybe when I retire in a couple of years 
I honestly don’t get all the difficult to set up stuff. Been an LP12 user since the 70s. My deck has needed zero fettling between cartridge changes. On arrival (new) the deck is virtually plug and play - dealer may install if not there’s nothing more to do than remove from the box, place on flat surface, install inner platter, belt, outer platter, mat and lid. Then set tracking force and anti skate. That’s it until the stylus wears out. It requires zero skill.
I’m not encouraging anyone to buy an LP12, although the fact Linn produce a turntable with a proper lid is a huge plus I’d suggest, just trying to bring some balance to the debate. And yes records can be expensive/poorly pressed but they don’t have to be (expensive). There’s regular deals on line. S/H offers endless opportunity - especially at record fairs. At record fairs there’s always, in my experience, some bloke selling new/sealed overstocks for £15 - the price of a CD. He usually has a £5 box as well. Crate digging doesn’t have to be expensive and for me, like many others, it’s an essential part of the fun. I don’t buy audiophile pressings - there’s really no need although I understand why people do. Ripped CDs cover any ‘must own’ music. Vinyl is about enjoying what I’ve built up over the years, gifts (receiving a record for a birthday/at Christmas still excites) and crate digging.
I upgraded from a Nait 5si to a Nait XS3 (which includes a phone stage) last year as a first baby step. I will have a look at the 2nd hand LP market in The Netherlands. A relatively cheap turntable and 2nd hand LP’s could be a good way to try if I like it.
At least 2 decent record shops in Delft when I was there last month. One had a decent selection of second hand TTs too.
Enjoy, should you go ahead.
I just realized that I have a problem. I do n’t have space near my amplifier. From what I have read, a long phono cable (I would need approx. 3.5 meters) is not a good idea. I would have to buy a separate rack and move everything there. Stupid that I did not think of that.
Or you could get a TT with build-in phonostage, then line signal to amp should be ok in that length.
On a brighter note Amsterdam is a lovely city 
You are 100% correct, it is a belief system, not something to be understood. Dealers have been making a ton of money for over half a century out of perpetuating this myth. The machine is well designed and will perform satisfactory unless something in the setup is really messed up.
