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?....
Are you sure you want to go whole-hog on a turntable right off the bat? Might it not be better to start with something a bit less expensive (but still fine) to "get your feet wet?" For instance, a UTurn Audio Theory with an Ortofon 2M Bronze for $1,239? Or a Technics SL-1500c for $1,299? There are many others in that price range. Just a thought. You'll get at least 90% of the performance for 40% of the cost of a mid-line VPI or similar. |
I've thought about that believe me. Thought process is to get good enough gear that with the swapping of tubes or carts it will satisfy my itch for years to come. The other rout as you suggested, I've went down with my digital end and within a year I had completely revamped my system. So in the long run I would have been money ahead with better gear to start with. Problem was I didn't have the knowledge or know what I was missing. Hence the rabbit hole of pursuing better sound. I know what pretty damn good sounds like now. So I just assume to start my analog journey at about the same level as my digital set up and do it in such a way that allows growth and not get discouraged because the sound is inferior to what I have already. I hope that makes sense. Not saying it's the correct way of thinking of things it's just how I'm looking at it. |
My Marantz TT-15S1 is a nice TT (made by Clearaudio), but if you prefer a different TT, I would recommend that you consider the Hana ML moving coil cartridge and the Sutherland TZ Vibe phono stage. The Sutherland is lesser known, but there are a lot of really good reviews of the Hana ML cartridge. That pairing brought my vinyl playback to the point that it gives my digital setup a run for it's money. |
I have had Two VPI Primes, and would discourage the unit and brand for workmanship issues. It will require the addition of dual pivot, the tone arm lowering devise was replaced twice still doesn’t lower slightly or straight. In addition I had the send back the Speed Controller, hum and indicator light. I’m so frustrated with VPI. And everytime returns had to go thru dealer rather than direct waisting more time. Rethink VPI |
+1 @noromance technics is very solid and extremely easy to work with.. |
