Buying a new TT today

The engineers have told me that it really depends how much you want to spend. To get a quality direct drive that limits vibration due to the motor being directly underneath, you need to spend at least $3k, if not $5k.   Originally I was way under that, under $2k and was told by everyone ( and i mean the real scientists and dealers that carry both), hands down belt drive over direct drive at that price point.  It's worth revisiting for me now...

Wojo - there is no Rega merry go round. You must be thinking of Linn. Their LP12 has an option list like a Porsche. I've heard 

Rega is pretty clear- with each rung up the ladder you get a better arm (usually) a better power supply (usually) and better platter (I think always). Cartridges are separate, but packaged with a discount. I don't buy the Rega cartridges, because they would be better with a Rega phono stage, and I p/refer flexibility.

AJ - Excluding cartridges, P8 is $3100 and P10 is $5700. Even if you can get the dealer to give you all your money back from the P8, it's still $2600 more, not $2K. I know, it's the round down factor when you're buying as opposed to the round up factor when you are selling. Please let me know if you do it and your thoughts.

I wanted to keep my total out of pocket below $10K. If I ever want a very noticeable improvement, I know I will probably have to spend another $10K or more (electrostatics, subwoofer, more amp(s), P10 or Linn LP12, Lyra or Koetsu or upgraded Van den hul cartridge & phono stage) so if I can get an audible improvement under $1K at this level, I'll do it. All depends on your philosophy and how the law of diminishing returns affects you.

Now when I do get something new, it's with the mindset that I am done "for now". My amp is 15 years old, cartridge 8 1/2 (will need an overhaul or replacement within a year or so), table is a little over a year old, and when I discovered how much a phono stage would help, I got the Sutherland Insight with Linear Power Supply a month or two ago. I didn't even know how important this was until this damn virus unfortunately (or fortunately) has given me more time to think about my system and look at the Audiogon site, and discover that this was a giant step over the Phono stage in my Plinius amp that has a switch inside between MC and MM. I had always thought that it either has a phono stage or it doesn't. Furthest thing from the truth.

 

Sokogear,
Splitting hairs I know,but assuming one gets the 8 or 10 with the new Alpheta 3 cartridge (which every dealer and review online recommends doing) the difference in cost is 50%. $4,395 vs. $6,695. My dealer (Audio Advice) gives me 30 days to decide with a full credit including shipping cost. I have the Sutherland 20/20 with LPS coming in today so will compare to the KC Vibe.

AND if I’m going to spend $6k+, should I reconsider and look at DD (as suggested by some posters here)....

But I really do LOVE the Rega and TT’s with their engineering philosophy are their niche for 50 years.

The engineers have told me that it really depends how much you want to spend. To get a quality direct drive that limits vibration due to the motor being directly underneath, you need to spend at least $3k, if not $5k. Originally I was way under that, under $2k and was told by everyone ( and i mean the real scientists and dealers that carry both), hands down belt drive over direct drive at that price point. It’s worth revisiting for me now...

Did your scientists ever heard about Technics SP-10mkII, Denon DP-80, Victor TT-101 turntables ? They are all under $1500 and all of them have superb Direct Drive motors, different but all good. They are all in best buy category today.

Try to find anything better than Denon DP-80 for the price you can get it for (in mint condition), simply amazing.

For higher price we could add Kenwood L07D, Luxman PD444, Pioneer P3 or P10, Technics SP-10 mk3 ...

When someone telling us you have to spend at least .... i wish to know what does that mean ? You can spend much more on the worst turntables ever if you don’t know where to find and what to find.

The best Direct Drive are from Japan and from the 80’s. Prices on used market is way different than retail prices on the shops, it’s another world, parallel reality. Someone will tell you you have to spend $1000 for phono cable or interconnect, but you can buy same cable used for $300 online.

Don’t forget there is a Direct Drive motor under the Neumann cutting Lathe. They cut on Direct Drive. This is where your record get started, and you know somehow there is nothing bad coming from the motor under the platter to the cutter stylus and the lacquer cut on constant speed. Every lacquer disc must be approved by the producer/musician before the label will send the master disc to the pressing plant, then there will be a test press for final approval.

Direct Drive is reference technology, all those Direct CUT made using direct drive motor. This happens when signal from the mics goes throught the mixing console to the cutterheard direct on disc. There is a Direct Drive motor under that disc.

We can learn more about Direct Drive motors made for Cutting Lathe, the Technics SP-02 is only one of them.

P.S. thanks to jpjones for posting those pages in his blog.

I went from a ProJect Debut (2M Blue) which sounded good to me to a Technics SL1200GR with Nagaoka MP-150 and its really nice.

The Nag has none of the rising top end of the red/blue 2M carts and great bass. Very happy and look forward to upgrading the Nag after a phono upgrade happens.