I'm going to be starting a project digitizing my record collection soon. So far I've decided to use flac lossless format, and I'll purchase an M-Audio firewire sound card. I have a question, though, about what you guys think would be the best choice of equipment from what I've already got to make an "archive" of my music.

For turntables, arms, and cartridges, I have the following:

Micro-Seiki BL-51 TT
AR AX TT
Micro-Seiki CF-1 Tonearm
Shure V15-vmr cartridge
Micro-acoustics 2002e cartridge

What combintation would you use for archiving music? If buying a nice tonearm (grace or mayware, probably) and modifying the AR was an option, would you think it preferable to the M-S setup?

To digitize, I'll need a phono stage (i'd rather not go direct and use software to simulate the RIAA curve), so which of the following receivers do you think has the best phono stage?

MAC1700
Yamaha CR-600
Sony 6060f
Sony 7065

I know what I think sounds the best through my speakers in my listening room, but I'm looking more for what you guys think might be better for creating a digital archive.

Also, if there's a budget item you think I just can't do without, feel free to suggest it!

Thanks!

NAD PP-2 with the 1A power supply will the advantage of new caps and technology. Everything you've listed is 30 years old, or older. The Shure V15-VMR is tough to beat as a MM cartridge.

One thing you can try is to get a test record, record a sweep tone from the record and afterwards use software to see witch makes the better curve. Then select the candidates and listen to the different setups to hear witch you like best. That one is going to be you're best setup.

If it means anything, the MAC was completely recapped and brought up to exceed spec about 7 years ago, and it was checked out again a few months ago, so that is what I'm leaning towards, since I already have it. I will check out the NAD, though, in case it can be had cheaply. I mention the others because I've heard great things about the Yamaha phono stage (although I'm not a big fan of their overall sound, so I don't keep it in my system). I agree the Sonys are too old to really be reliable, but they do have their fans (me, among them).

The test sweep is a good idea. I'll plan on doing that before I begin. I was going to purchase the Hi Fi News record, but is there a better (or cheaper) one?