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Turntable suggestions for a newbie

Hello all. Beginning my journey into analog. I've recently gotten some advice on here in regards to my integrated tube amp selection. I may be going about things backwards, but here's where I'm at now. I'm 99% in on the Raven Blackhawk as my amp.  At Ravens suggestion I've purchased the Schiit Skoll as my phono stage. So now I'm looking at tables. I've narrowed it down to 3 although I'm open to suggestions.  Here they are in order:

1)VPI Scout 21

2)MoFi ultra deck

3)Michell Technodec 

The VPI is 1 because it looks bad ass and has really good reviews. Draw back is that it doesn't include a cart so is getting a little pricey for me with the additional cost of a cart. Not to mention that I'm not sure where to start as far as carts go. The MoFi is intriguing because it can be purchased with their ultra gold cart for less than the cost of the VPI. Looks are but not as nice as the VPI. Both are USA  made. Third choice is the Michell.  Looks great too. No cart either. It seems like the VPI is also upgradable. One concern that I have is that whatever table I choose will be placed on my council next to my center channel with L and R towers and a sub on either side.  Not really any other options unfortunately. The VPI and the Michell have isolated drives. My concern is that the the table location will be prone to vibration and may effect any table with an isolated drive.  Is this a legit concern?  Center channel wouldnt be used while listening to LPs.  Would an isolation platter mitigate any adverse effects from adjacent towers and subs?  Am I over thinking this?....

sandrodg73
sandrodg73 OP
124 posts
 

Good point

puptent's avatar
puptent
191 posts
 

Yeah, go with the Vpi... If nothing else, it will hold its value a little better. I have a Michell, actually the '23 Transcriptors with the Onyx arm. The lift off dust cover (which I prefer... Lower the attached lid when playing; a raised cover is a noise and distortion antennae) was easier to find than a drive belt. The Vpi is a more well known product with a bigger aftermarket. The only thing I would suggest is staying away from the Uni Pivot arms on a first TT., and factory support from Vpi is at hand. As to cartridge start out with a MM like Ortofon M2 series, Black or Bronze, or another high quality unit...Clear Audio, maybe. I recently purchased a second hand "upgraded" (many MM can move up with a stylus upgrade) Nagaoka, which has proven to be impressive. And since I've been disposing the disposable income on these things for 50 years I have a nice collection of Shure V15's (The real money goes to JICO), Most MM carts utilize a replaceable stylus. Which, in a way, becomes something like tube rolling. and it's set up set up set up.

sandrodg73 OP
124 posts
 

Thanks puptent 

Upscale Audio has VPI Super Prime Scout 21 with the 10.5: arm,and  VTA on the fly (not really sure what that is) for $3899 and they are giving a choice of 4 cartridges:

Ortofon 2m bronze $300

sandrodg73 OP
124 posts
 

Sorry wasn't done

Ortofon 2m black 500

Soundsmith zephyr MIMC ES $1700

Soundsmith Otello ES 400

Sound like a good deal?

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
478 posts
 

another interesting option in your price range is the Thorens TD-1500.  

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