Nottingham Spacedeck vs Rega Planar 8 vs Technics SL1200G


Hey Everyone,

An analogue newbie needs your advice.

Firstly I am not looking for any TT recommendations other than these 3.

My system is Devore O96, and the amplification would be either Lyngdorf 3400/Coincident Frankenstein combo or a Shindo pre/amp combo (forthcoming). The phono stage is TBD.

The sound I like is rich, full-bodied, with a good bass (I love percussion, and the double-bass instrument and  Mingus is my fav jazz artist). I am very sensitive to even a hint of brightness. I don't care about the typical audiophile presentation -- gobs of detail and soundstage but no soul.

My music of choice is jazz, vocals and small-scale instrumentals. No rock, no pop, no western classical.

Would love your thoughts on these 3 choices.

Since I am a newbie, easy setup is big win, which might tilt me towards the Rega or Technics, but with Nottingham I have a great dealer support that I would completely miss out on if I went with Technics (no Technics dealer in a 5000 mile radius).

I used to own a Rega RP6, so am familiar with Rega sound, and like it. But my RP6 was bested by my DAC (AMR DP-777) so sold it a few years ago. So I want a TT that will compete with any sub-10000$ DAC.

Looking forward to your thoughts that will help me scratch my analog itch.


essrand
People understand. Record mat is also a tuning mat, which means that there is no one universal solution for any set-up and preference. As for the physics of platter/mat/record/cartridge interaction, it is so complex that even highly qualified mechanical engineers might struggle. And then there are ears and brains that are the most qualified of all.
I’ve heard the nag 500 on a Clearaudio Concept and if memory serves it was very nice. 
Good question, Ralph. I suspect that my spectrum analyzer is too slow - but I’m sure that it’s too heavy! That will have to wait until I have help to move it.

However, since the AP LP was an order of magnitude quieter than the other LP at all frequencies, and only somewhat more audible at 400Hz than at other frequencies, does this not suggest that the coupling is pretty good? Agreed that 400Hz seems less good... The graphite platter has a natural resonance of 2KHz, the cast iron subplatter of 500Hz.

Settled on this configuration after other platter pads sounded muddy by comparison.
do you guys ever just sit back and enjoy the music?:)
I really appreciate the experience that you all bring to the table, but sometimes it seems like your just looking at the numbers and not appreciating the music.

Relax...........