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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
bpoletti
1,551 posts
 
San Diego is a little far from St. Louis.  If you were closer, you could try my HW-19 Mk III "spare" table.  It just isn't getting enough play time.  
leotis OP
182 posts
 
bpoletti-
Appreciate the thought.
Already ordered the Gem PolyTable though.
"TAS Product of the Year" 2015
Stereophile Class B rating.
At $1495 looks like a steal.
Had to hurry up and order before they changed their mind! Haha.
They will put the Hana cart on and adjust everything.
Total package for less that $2K. (Still need a phono pre though)
George is a stellar guy. Owns several patents. Kind of a phono pioneer it seems. Apparently doesn't mind explaining stuff on the phone either.
oleschool's avatar
oleschool
722 posts
 
Let us know your first lp play .. like i said before $3 lps happen most are $15up . And some Japanese etc will be $35-$150  . Ya i know , i lost thousands in a fire and have been rebuilding many have been $25-$45  keep us posted 
leotis OP
182 posts
 
I feel your pain.
I had probably hundreds of LPs when I was a kid. Pretty much lost or given away over the years. Fortunately I gave the last batch to my brother in law a few years back, so now I can reclaim these at least. Pretty sure all were original pressings from the pre CD era. :)
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
They will put the Hana cart on and adjust everything.
Total package for less that $2K. (Still need a phono pre though)
Congrats on the PolyTable and Hana cartridge. I am sure you’ll love it.
I thought I read in one of your previous posts that you bought the Hana EL, right? That’s the low output version MC.

So the phono stage becomes even more important and just not with its ability to give you 60db of gain to properly drive an LOMC of 0.5mv. It must do it as quietly as possible. There are a lot of entry level MC phono stages out there are pretty noisy (audible hiss at this gain level), so suggest you avoid these. Look for a phono stage that will be utterly quiet at 60db before signal. Your TT/Cartridge deserves it.
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