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Turntable upgrade recommendations, please.

Hello,

I am a bit of a newbie, but have have been chasing the "magic" every since I got started on this journey about 2 years ago. My system currently consists of:

Denon dp-47f w/ a Denon 301 mkII cartridge
McIntosh MAC6700
Magnepan 1.6qr

I am interested in upgrading my turntable, assuming that there are real sonic benefits to be had from a new rig at approx. $2500. I have been looking at the usual suspects from VPI, Rega, Pro-ject, etc. 

I am curious to hear if those of you with more experience can tell me how my Denon stacks up against these and if the view will be worth the climb. To my ears, the Denon sounds good, but I am anxious to upgrade if there are significant gains to be heard.

I am also very interested in a McIntosh MT2, but haven't seen any new info or announcements on the release.

Please share your opinions and experiences. 

Thanks in advance!


sdmbdad71
sdmbdad71 OP
13 posts
 
Smer319, thanks for your reply. There are a couple of retailers that are about 65mi from me, and I am certainly more inclined to purchase a new unit than a used one. However, if a nice table comes up that would otherwise be outside of my self-imposed budget, a used one could be a consideration.

Specifically, I am asking if anyone has experience with the Denon and also any of the newer units that can hopefully tell me if a new unit is really going to be a significant upgrade. My table/cartridge is fairly well dialed in and the cart I am using is generally well regarded. I am game to upgrade, I just don't want to drop $2.5k and later find out that my Denon is in the same league sonically.

Again, thanks to all who have replied





rbstehno
1,471 posts
 
IMO, I would continue saving until you can get a vpi prime or something similar. The tt’s you mention are not that much better and in a couple of years you are going to be doing another upgrade. The tt base is important, but I think the tonearm is much more important so you can start upgrading cartridges. If you get a similar tt/arm that is equivalent to what you have, the tonearm will be a limiting factor
sdmbdad71 OP
13 posts
 
Thanks rbstehno, I am interested in the VPI's for sure. I.m not looking at anything similar to what I have.

My Denon is a full automatic direct drive and has a low mass electronically damped tonearm with a Denon DL-301 mkII  MC cart installed. All of the tables on my list are fully manual belt drives.

I am curious to hear if tables such as the Scout, Prime, or etc. will best the Denon I already have?
rbschauman
138 posts
 
SOTA. 

Another great American brand like your McIntosh and Magnepan equipment. 

Have the star w/vacuum. Purchased on Audiogon about three years ago for $1300, leaving $'s for arm and cartridge. Love it! 

Good luck and have fun shopping!
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,860 posts
 
FWIW, there is an Agon member who reviewed your Denon. He replaced it with a Rega P2 and is happy with the upgrade. 

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