The best TT system for under 30K

Dear @terry9 : From the very first time that you started in analog till today how many cartridges do you owned? only 2?

The OP is starting with his first cartridge ever so yes in the near future he will be looking for new alternatives.

Koetsu is the best for you but not for every one and something that analog gives us is the opportunity to change the " color " and quality levels of what we are listening: this is the real advantage of any transducer as cartridges and speakers.

Cartridge manufacturers, including Koetsu, will follow in the cartridge research for better designs to give us that diferent or better color/quality level performance.

Please tell me 2-3 cartridge manufacturers that offer only one cartridge model for 5-10 years with no new improved cartridge designs.

In the other side not all cartridges performs the same mounted in the same tonearm, always exist differences and these differences belongs to the " analog game ". Ok, you finished your " game " no problem with but the OP is just starting with ! ! ! and the analog world is truly wide and he has the rigth to discover it by him self ( as this time. ). Through the time his research and learning issues are mandatory.

Terry, not all audiophiles share the same MUSIC/audio priorities and certainly do not own the same room/system. The OP needs to know the " fun " and learning behind the analog land exploration because all that is main part of the analog game, give him the chance to do it. Just an opinion.

Everything in the life is in continuous movement/changing and audio is no exception.

R.

@rauliruegas 

Well, I think it's likely that the OP will continue to enjoy his exceptional cartridge long into the future. Why? Because I fell in love with the planar sound as soon as I heard it fifty years ago, and that hasn't changed. I wanted a Koetsu from the first time I heard one, 40 years ago. That hasn't changed either. I wanted a good belt drive from the first time I heard one of those, 20 years ago. Even that hasn't changed, despite lots of auditions. Linear tracking tonearm too. Maybe the OP has a similar mentality.

You don't agree, doubtless for similarly good reasons. Shall we agree to leave it there? You have your viewpoint, I have mine?

@chakster - I think your taking shots at the high end through this new user's thread is a little misplaced. You seem to know old MM cartridges well based on what I've seen and that's a valuable contribution.

 The turntable this person bought is a good one based on my experience with it. Perhaps you should take your own advice, to the effect "that there is not such things as "best" for everyone, you can only try and compare yourself." The poster did get to hear the table and is buying the set up at what is apparently a good price. Don't begrudge him that.

I read the title of the topic and that's enough, $30k for turntable is insane even if "it's good based on your opinion". 

In my opinion there are many more turntables, cartridges and tonearms at better price and with better performance. 

And I don't understand why any person would like to buy 1 expensive cartridge based on other people opinions instead of trying 5 different cartridges at the same total price to make his own opinion about them. 

Anyway, this is just my opinion. 

P.S. Apart from the MM you have mentioned above, I own and use some of the best LOMC cartridges including Miyajima, Miyabi, Ikeda, FR, Dynavector, Shelter and others.  In my opinion a cartridge with $5000+ retail price is insane too (no cartridge can justice that price tag). 

I think I see what's going on.

Midway down the first page, the OP reports that the exact analogue front end that he fell in love with, the exact same demo unit, was suddenly offered at a price he could afford. He accepted.

Perhaps we came to different conclusions because we were using different information?

TW ACUSTIC RAVEN AC1 with Black Night feet,arm board,platter(all copper),3 motor unit,copper 3 motor cover and TW ACUSTIC 10.5 tonearm the best by far.