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Turntable/arm/catridge choices have me spinning

I'm looking to upgrade into audiophile territory with my analog setup - currently a Music Hall MMF 5.1 with Pro-ject arm and Ortofon Magic Blue cartridge into a Belles Soloist phono stage; the fun begins thereafter with a Bel Canto Pre-1 (will upgrade to Pre2P when I find a good deal) preamp and a Vac Phi 200 amp powering Magico S1's - digital input is Luxman DA-06 DAC fed by an Auralic Mini streamer with an internal SSD and from Tidal. Back to analog: 
I live in an apartment block so have a high amount of structural vibration and footfall issues due to wooden flooring, etc so I was looking for suspended designs (is that right?). Sound presentation-wise, I prefer performance that has lots of musicality, tonal accuracy, air, soundstage; don’t need the last word in resolution and detail. In terms of looks, I need a modern design/look, not the traditional box/wood plinth look to go with the rest of the living room where this will sit. I would definitely consider a good condition used setup as well.
So now to the question: with a upgrade budget between $5k-$10k , what TT, Arm and Cartridge would you recommend I take a serious look at.
Hoping for some helpful advice.
Thanks in advance.    

comedus76
7 responses Add your response
jbrrp1
423 posts
 
Check out a SOTA Millennia tt for a modern looking piece with sonic qualities that hit your buttons (I run a SOTA Cosmos, which is pretty comparable, but has the stodgy old wood plinth).  Pair that with a Graham Phantom tonearm and you have a great combo.  Bought used, it will fit into your budget range.
effischer
560 posts
 
+1 for Sota & Graham - they have about the best isolation out there.  At your budget, you could consider the Sapphire (it does have a basic wood plinth, but I think it works well with my Scandinavian modern furniture - very clean design IMO) with the Phantom and a DV XX2 cartridge, all new.  That's the rig I run and I find new stuff in music I know really well every time I run it.

Good luck & happy listening!

jperry
2,448 posts
 
Given your environment and budget you should consider purchasing a Vibraplane for your turntable system. Sounds of Silence sells them and a great isolation platform make a difference, even under a SOTA, Basis or other turntable with excellent isolation. No affiliation with Sounds of Silence, just a happy customer. Another alternative to the Vibraplane in the same price range is a Minus K platform.

A used Basis turntable and arm would fit into the high end of your budget including a Vibraplane under it, a used Oracle would also fit in your budget, and it also has great Isolation. Both Basis and Oracle based on your description would comply with the appearance you want.

comedus76 OP
3 posts
 
Thank you for the great advice especially around the isolation platform. After some research and talking with a couple of Vibra owners and to Minus K, it appears that its best to have a non suspended high mass table with the Minus K, else they could counteract each other. So reversing my search to non suspended designs. Anyone have experience with Origin Live or Acoustic Signature TT/Tonearm combo's?
 
tbromgard
814 posts
 
I have a lot of experience with the Origin Live Aurora Mk III w/Silver arm
and the Resolution with Illustrious arm.

I cant recommend highly enough. Anything you want to know?
comedus76 OP
3 posts
 
Would like to know transient attack performance, bass oomph and tonal accuracy compared to the Acoustic Signature or a REGA or similar non-suspended design. Also, is it a "setup and forget" type setup or requires TLC once in a while kinda deal.
Thanks

effischer
560 posts
 
If you really want to get the best performance on transients, bass and accuracy simultaneously, the table is somewhat less critical than having the capability for VTA adjustment on-the-fly in the arm and a cartridge that is complimentary to your downstream rig.  Even the most minute changes in angle can drastically improve performance.  That means you might want to consider what sort of arm you like first and then build from there.  Choices include Graham, Tri-Planar and JMW, among select others.  The catch is that depending on how "free" the isolation platform is and how "tight" the VTA adjustment, you may have to develop a steady, gentle touch.  Also means that you can forget "set and forget".  No way to extract maximum performance without tweaking for each side of each LP.  Even on the same side, depending on a whole host of variables.  Totally worth it, too.  You might want to look up some of the archived threads here on VTA/SRA for more background.

FWIW, I had good results with the Rega line in unsuspended platforms and VTA on-the-fly back in the day.  Did not have to isolate for footfalls however, so can't speak to that.

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