For $1500 you can buy a pretty decent new table and cartridge. Presumably being new you are less likely to run into issues with parts pooping out due to age, and there have been enough advances in manufacturing to take advantage of.
However logic isn’t the operative issue here. It’s the love of resurrecting a vintage piece. So spend what you feel is reasonable but I wouldn’t look for validation unless you need some people telling you that you aren’t crazy to enable you to do what you really want to do anyway
What would you do?
I just bought a Denon dp-57l turntable in really , really nice condition for what I feel was quite a bargain ($250). It functions perfectly, gorgeous rose wood veneer, scuff marks on the dust cover which can be buffed out with lens restorer. Even though it functions perfectly, it is 43 years old and has never been recapped. A recapping can cost up to $700. It also came with an Ortofon Red cartridge not worthy of this quality of table and I'd say needs at least a Bronze. So my question is:
Given the initial $250, plus $700 for a recap, plus let's say $500 for a good mm cartridge, we're looking at $1450 give or take a couple hundred if recapping isn't that much. Is this beautiful table worth it quality and sound wise to put that into it, or would a comparably priced new table beat it in sound quality? Looking for those with a similar Denon who've recapped theirs and have a quality cartridge to voice their experienced opinions. I'm putting it in a system that has Belles integrated, but I'll be using my BAT phono pre.
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Thanks for the responses so far. No, not seeking validation, asking from a purely financial standpoint. I love the look of these tables, so it's a keeper no matter what I decide. There are certain components on these table that if a cap goes bad it will take out an irreplaceable part and I don't want to end up with a 26lb paperweight! More of a peace of mind thing, I guess. That Clearaudio looks very tempting.
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https://forum.audiogon.com/users/thecarpathi OK, that makes sense. I didn't know it had an "active" arm. |
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