I just got a new turntable for Christmas. Knowing that the 950 doesn't have a phono input, I bought a Musical Fidelity X-LPS phono stage. Is there a recommended input to use on the 950 for this application? I am using "AUX1", but frankly it doesn't sound at all good.

Any stereo analog input will do, but you may want to set the processing mode to "analog bypass" so the analog signal stays analog.

Is this a return to vinyl or a new experience for you? I've never owned a 950 but would agree with Gonk that bypass is probably the best way to listen to LPs. If the 950's analog bypass works like the 990's you will get a summed left and right bass fed to the subwoofer so you may want to lower your sub's level.

I returned to vinyl about a year ago when I bought a vintage Pioneer TT originally sold in 1978. I've added a new Ortofon cartridge and it sounds pretty sweet. I must admit I had to get reacquainted with all the mechanics and variability of turntables and it can take some time to get at TT dialed in. vinylengine is a good resource for TT info. Enjoy working out the kinks in your turntable!

Which turntable did you get?

Thank you all very much. Perhaps most impressive is that this forum continues to be monitored 10 years after product release and 5 years (or so) after its been discontinued!!

Thanks, gonk.

AvFan..I guess it's a return to vinyl, of sorts. I grew up with vinyl until cassettes, then CD. My daughter bought a cheap Sears stereo recently to take with her to college. It had a turntable on it, but needed a new stylus. We researched it together, found one, and bought it. I pulled out what was left of my vinyl "collection", (the rest of it having long been unintentionally "donated" to friends I haven't talked to in 30+ years), and we cranked up some records. I asked for a player for Christmas and my wife came up big! I'm with you on having to get reacquainted with the whole turntable experience and issues inherant to vinyl! But I'm diggin' it.

XenonMan..After doing some research, I got a Pro-Ject Debut III turntable in gloss black (color was wife's choice). I also got the MF phono stage due to the limitations of the 950. I continue to wait for the new processor from Outlaw which I hope will have a phono stage, but I'm prepared either way.
I hope to be able to use the TT in a dedicated two channel system that has been a long time in the works. I have yet to get the Maggie 1.7's for that
Your equipment list looks similar to mine, but mine is older versions (orig. Klipsch Reference 3's, Oppo 93, Outlaw 950/770, Harmony One, SVS sub, BJ, Monoprice,Outlaw cables)

Thanks again to everyone who responded or for any more feedback anyone wants to give.

Good choice on the TT. If I were to have to replace mine it would be on the short list with a Music Hall 2.2 and another SL series. I was actually surprised when my Technics worked perfect after sitting in a hallway closet for almost 20 years. Took it out dusted it off and hooked it up to the 990. Been going strong for the last 2 years. If I remember the feature list for the 978 and 998, it doesn't have a phono stage built in. At least we are in the right year for the 978. Have you looked at the AV7005? Its gotten rave reviews everywhere I have seen and it has a phono stage.

Yeah...they sure don't build 'em like that anymore!! Good for you. I knew the 978/998 wasn't touting a phono stage, but I guess I hoped either they weren't hyping it or that it might be added before the actual release. Mostly because they're claiming that the 978 is designed or built with "sound" in mind.

I had not looked at Marantz. It was great stuff (many) years ago and then, I thought, it kind of dropped off quality wise and just became more big box, mass market stuff. Honestly, when I saw Outlaw offering it, I assumed it was a receiver which I have no interest in. At your suggestion, I looked more closely and discovered it's a pre-pro
We'll see. Obviously I don't upgrade often and I tend to be brand loyal until they do something to let me down (Klipsch).

Actually, yes they do. I have a Technics 1200 bought new a few years ago. They are still built completely like tanks and are one of the best deals for getting back into affordable quality vinyl playback. There's a guy in New York who fits them back up for vinyl listening rather than DJing, adds back the dust cover and sells some nice add-ons like upgraded wiring and tonearm damping.

Mine is an original with all of the vinyl stuff. It was bought way back in 86 but has very little run time on it. It isn't fancy but it does sound good even with a cheap cartridge.

Go look at the ortofon with the upgraded stylus at KAB. Designed for the 1200, and a pretty good combo.

Kinda funny. We have a 990, an Onkyo 886 (mine's an 885), the 1200 and 1.6QRs in common.

It has a Sumika Black Pearl now and it sounds really good.

Which Ortofon cartridge are you referring to? Most are way more $$$ than I would invest.

It's the Ortofon ProS30 here:

http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/phoncart.htm

Click on the Ortofon HiFi link at the left. He has some stylus options to hit different price points. Several times the Sumiko, so maybe not worth it to you. KAB is the place to go for info on the 1200 for hifi use though.

I was restarting from scratch (ha) on a vinyl setup, as i had foolishly given away my ol Dual 510 and Shure V15III several years back, so I sort of went all in.

Here's a review of the rig:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue17/kaborotfon.htm

Edited: I believe I have the 30, not the 40.

The cartridge would cost more than the TT did way back when. I don't have those golden ears anymore so I probably won't hear a delta between the two so I'll save the $$$ for a new walker or cane or somethin.