If you’re going to dip your toe into vinyl, I would start with as simple a good quality system as possible.
With an inexpensive vinyl rig, you’ll still get a good sense of the difference between vinyl and digital and if the bug bites, you can upgrade from there.
@RonP
This is the way…
Maybe add a Spin Clean
Vinyl can be a pain in the ass, but there are so many recordings I wouldn’t have access to without my TT. Sure there are digital versions but if you’re into jazz, 70’s, 80’s music there’s really no substitute for some albums. Once you’ve got things dialed in (yes it can take years and cost quite a bit) it takes little effort to maintain and you’ll always be on the lookout for that special LP that got away.
It’s what makes this hobby fun if you don’t mind some effort to achieve something that will always be different (not necessarily better) than digital music.
Hope you don’t “go” anywhere anytime soon
Unless it has palm trees and sun
Vinyl is what you make of it and can be an aural step up from digital IME. Also, not all turntable and cartridge set-ups require one to obsess over set-up. Having a Rega Planar 8 I can attest to a no fuss setup using an Apheta 3 cartridge. An economical system may be had with the Rega Planar 6 or even the Rega Planar 3. If so inclined I say take the plunge.
… and a desire for an improved listening experience compared to digital.
It’s a matter of how one defines their hobby. Is it listening to music, or is it listening to gear. My vote is the former. When I got into music vinyl was “it”, FM radio being an option, but nothing special overall. The internet has changed things considerably. Should one decide to pursue vinyl a budget and a plan can take one a long way. Their are many affordable vinyl options out there. Ron suggested a good start for a phono preamp. Another is a used SimAudio LP-110.
Not necessarily! Certainly more exercise.
Curiously, I was reading a comparison of the Luxman 509x and 507z. This is not an entirely fair comparison, but it is interesting that they preferred the 509x. The 509z has been released in Japan and I did see some reviews suggesting it is a bit bright.
The New Luxman L-507Z amplifier reviewed and compared.
I’ve not used the phono stage more than a couple of times. I think I’ll give it a spin later.
Since I upgraded my turntable system, I haven’t been listening much to digital lately. If you can, why not have both a digital and vinyl system. There are many recordings I have in vinyl that is not available in hi-rez digital and the other way around, but there are some things that my digital cannot give me that I can get from my vinyl and that is the degree of full natural subtle textures, and same degree of realness of images, and although the measurments shows the opposite, my Turntable has way more dynamic contrast with the drums explodes with it full unrestrained glory, and my digital is also powerful, but always leans out a bit. And then there’s that involvement factor, my vinyl gets me more excited when I hear a really good recording than digital. Yes, my digital is nothing to sneeze at, but it really does’nt hold a candle to my turntable system. For serious listening, I always go to my turntable.
In my analog oriented systems vinyl sounds more realistic than digital. The DSD MkI Sunlight stepped up the digital game considerably, but not to the point of surpassing my analog rigs. I also have a Metrum Onyx R2R DAC which is nice sounding but doesn’t approach analog. In my early digital days the digital sound brought forth a grainy, edgy, and harsh sound. It has certainly come along, but these ears prefer analog and vinyl playback.
As far as the Luxman 509X, I like what it brings to the party, a slightly laidback warm sound with plenty of detail. It draws me into the music. One description is a more mid-hall sound, versus a front row sound. It is a nice all in one solution, and more importantly it a system my wife is happy to use to listen to music.
I couldn’t have said it better. Your description sums up my experience as well. Three of my systems are ambidextrous, analog and digital capable.
Wait, wait… LP are my initials, that’s another reason why I love them!
Luca, I thought your middle name is “stream” now 
I am still kicking myself for selling all my vinyl! I so much loved having the artwork and lyrics.
There was a thread here started a couple years back. It was something like list your audio beliefs or tenants of audio. Did a quick search didn’t find it
Anyway, at the time I wrote something to the effect of:
Vinyl just sounds better
Cables matter and all watts are not created equal
Still holds true today and I have upgraded my digital a bit this year. If I’m doing critical listening or evaluating equipment or tubes (aside from DAC tubes of course) or just want to feel the soul of the music, I always reach for the vinyl
Best,
-JP
JP
I took the liberty (stole from you) of quoting your wise words.
Ron
Nothing wrong with this hole, except it keeps getting a little smaller as all these records pile up around me.
Excellent advice, especially a good store that has a steady stream of inventory coming in. I’ve been lucky to have lived in places where stores just kept the recent arrival bins over flowing. Nothing worse than seeing the same records every time you visit.
Vinyl is the standout winner at my house. It’s plain and simple.
But all that getting out of my chair stuff is a challenge. Thankfully digital is close.
And start with a 2M Black. Shibata is a great place to start!