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$2000 turntable system

Been putting it off long enough, but decided it’s time to bite the bullet and take the vinyl plunge. (mixed metaphor alert)
Don’t want to take my usual multiple expensive false steps. The learning curve here looks pretty steep, so I figured to ask you all for some advice. Thinking to spend $2K - 2.5K. Likely to pair it with my PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Integrated and Revel F206s. Might possibly set it up with my Classe SSP-800/ Classe CA5200/ Martin Logan Montis.
What I came up with after a couple of hours of research were:

Rega PL3 turntable $945
Rega TT PSU power supply $395
Rega Exact 2 MM cartridge $595
Parasound Zphono phono stage $199

Total: $2134

Was considering Vincent PHO 8 phono stage $299 and Dynavector 10x5 MC cartridge $650 as alternatives.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Leo


leotis
leotis OP
182 posts
 
johnnyb53 and yogiboy-
Thanks for the PolyTable tip. I owe you.
As for the Vincent, I went with the PHO 8. I'm feeding a PrimaLuna tube amp so I maybe got the tube effect covered. George is of the opinion that a tube phono can introduce too much distortion sometimes. I have a ModWright Oppo tube mod feeding a SS system and it works really well to eliminate the digital effect. But when I tried it with the PrimaLuna, to me it sound too tubey. Kind of lacking definition a bit.
mofimadness-
Thanks for the Jelco tip. I almost went for that VPI, but as you pointed out it was not the MK4. And a little bit older unit.
Oleschool-
Thanks for the link to your LP thread.
sjtm-
Sadly, predictions about vinyl dents in the budget may be accurate. :/

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,784 posts
 
Don't forget that you can change the tubes in your amps for different sound characteristics. 
leotis OP
182 posts
 
Been there done that :)
Swapped in the KT150 and the Mullard CV4003.
Sounds freaking wonderful with that combo IMO. In case any PrimaLuna guys are interested, the Mullard really smooths out the ultralinear mode. Sounds about as sweet as the triode mode. And the KT150 allows the Amp to really get a grip on the somewhat inefficient Revels.
Thanks for the suggestion. :)
Ag insider logo xs@2x
samzx12
1,220 posts
 
I just put in some KT150's a couple of nights ago and WOW!!! Freaking awesome power tubes and so far the best yet. My next step is to put in the Mullard CV4003 but I wanted to get a feel for the KT150's first.
leotis OP
182 posts
 
I tried the Brimar first and initially was impressed by how it opened up the sound. But eventually started to seem a little bright on some material, to my taste anyway. The CV4003 are sooo good, I’ve got no interest in trying anything else. First tried just the 2 input tubes. So good I replaced the other 4 as well, not expecting the same degree of impact...wrong. The driver tubes make a big difference as well. Unfortunately Upscale bumped the price. Now $105 each. I'm sure you can find them cheaper but 6 perfect matching tubes that you know are gonna be good may be worth extra to some people.

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