Should I keep the Turntable or sell it?


I’ve been back and forth on this decision for about a month, and the more I learn, the harder this decision gets.

Backstory: I won the brand new Cambridge Audio Alva TT turntable in an online contest in mid-May, and while it sounds great, I decided to list it for sale a couple weeks ago. I’ve always wanted to try out a Rega P6 or P3 with a really nice cart, because I feel like I’m not getting enough out of my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. Prior to winning the Alva TT, I switched the Red Ortofon out for the Blue, and there was a great improvement in sound quality. But after comparing the Pro-Ject to the Alva TT and hearing what a $1700 turntable can sound like, I definitely am interested in exploring more high fidelity turntables. The issue is that I feel like I prefer the sound of tubes over solid state, and the Alva TT uses an integrated Alva Duo phono preamp for the RCA out, and their own DAC for the Bluetooth out if I want to go that route. I don’t have a ton of experience with tubes, and maybe it’s just the “cool factor” I actually like and I’m just having a placebo effect.

So I decided to list it for sale to try and get a Rega, because I heard so many great things about them. But over the last week or so, I’ve learned more about the Alva TT and how it uses Rega’s famous tonearm. I looked up the cart and it is listed at $500 separately, which is probably why it sounds better than the Pro-Ject w/ Ortofon Blue. I’ve also read on these boards about direct drive being better than belt, which the Alva has as well. It also has the added bonus of Bluetooth that go directly to my KEF LS50 Wireless, but I would most likely just use interconnects.

So I would love to get some advice from you all. I’ve gone back and forth about keeping the Alva or selling it, along with my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, and buying/trading for something like a Rega P3 or P6. If you had my first world problem, what would you do?
bignamehere
bignamehere"@clearthink follow your own logic then... and since you can’t seem to keep on topic, please refrain from: You will not post information that is malicious, false or inaccurate."

I think you are the one dear sir who is suffering from a lapse of logic, reason, and sense do you really want me to refrain from not posting information that is malicious I do not think so! Of course I have never posted malicious information hear anyway so it does not matter.

I wish you a fine day as well filled with unicorns, cotton candy and lollipops.
tatyana69,

Please post a virtual system page. I would be interested  in seeing your Linn LP12 by AudioOrigami and your Avid Acutus Dark. What tonearm do you use on each TT and which cartridge on each tonearm?

My Technics with Triplanar tonearm and Lyra Kleos  and my Kuzma Stabi with 12" VTA arm and Dynavector XXII mk2 are posted on my virtual system.

Best on your Journey