No appreciation for the OriginLive tables? One rarely sees them on the used market and when they are ... they move extremely fast. They appear to have a very high cost to performance ratio (big value). They have a stelar trade in and upgrade policy.
End Game Turntable suggestions
Hello all, looking for insights to help me narrow down to some core choices; I am open to new or preowned. My system details can be seen under my profile.
In summary I have significantly expanded my vinyl collection and as of now I am looking to purchase an end game turntable appropriate for my setup. As you can see I use Mola Mola Kaluga Monos, and I really like the Zesto Pre and Phonostages. I find the class D/tube pre combination very pleasing.
I would appreciate suggestions for around $5-8K (table + arm), new or used. I will have separate budget for cartridge. One preferred option (but not must-have) is universal voltage, as I may move the unit to Europe later. My current vintage turntable (Project Perspective) is 22 years old, and while I don't know how to compare to something really amazing, I can say that my setup is lacking detail and bass. The tonearm is terrible to keep aligned. Based on visits to Axpona and Cap Audio Fest and other research, I am thinking of a few in my budget, but will really value your suggestions of other brands:
- Origin Live Sovereign
- VPI Signature
- SAM Sinner
- Thorens TD 1601 (semi automatic)
Visual appeal is important to me (which is why Technics 1200 is not on my list despite great reviews everywhere). I love the idea of set it and forget it DD tables, but unfortunately mostly out of my budget (eg VPI HW-40 going for abt 11K used)....
Sorry for the long post but my hope is this background and help solicit good suggestions. Thanks
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- 187 posts total
Yes, that is a strange omission. They've been around for ages and ages but like a few other companies they've always somehow slipped under the mainstream reviewers radar. Perhaps they're publicity shy? Or perhaps it's the fear of expansion and all of its potential pitfalls? I can remember the days when Rega used to get some criticism for plodding along doing quite well nicely but with no apparent ambitions to expand anytime soon. Of course all of that changed after the infamous Linn/Naim schism which broke up their stranglehold on the UK market Perhaps Origin Live are the same? There must be dozens of similarly sized companies who are happy to keep a low profile and more importantly keep their order book full for the near foreseeable future.
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A friend who has been a long term owner of a SME 20 / 12 using a SME V. Not too long ago changed the TT and after a Idler Drive Experience has chosen a Scheu TT, that is modified with OL TT Parts and has a OL Illustrious. Their assessment as they have the best recollections of A respected Belt Drive Set Up in the home system is that it is a exceptional TT and great VFM. |
@kahlenz actually i am most likely NOT getting a Rega RP10. I am inclined toward a high mass design. Also I accept the Technics SL1200G is one of the best at price class. But my wife hates the looks of it and that is a big factor....and I find it hideous too. |
@drawding @cd318 thanks for bringing up Origin Live. As you can see from my original post, OL Sovereign was already on my shortlist, but its not well known in US and they are rarely found in used market. I actually exchanged notes with Mark Baker earlier this year and he seemed to recommend the OL Resolution table (with best toneram i could afford), and said Sovereign is mostly for the looks and very marginal performance upgrade. If I can generalize my findings, two things emerge: a. there are great small manufacturers who are not very well known, but seem to offer excellent quality at lower premiums. They have also existed for decades, they are not fly by night operators. This class includes Origin Live, Acoustic Solid, S.A.M just to name a few. I am sure folks here can name half a dozen more b. a combo of a mid priced table+arm (say 5-6K) and a high quality cartridge (say 3-4K) perhaps is a better choice in my situation. I also think (thanks to many members's recommendation here) having two tonearm setup (or at least an upgrade path) will be useful so i can have one high end and one mid-end catridge. It will also be more fun. |
- 187 posts total