Is the Merill "Gem Dandy" turntable far superior in sound than the Project RPM-3 TT??


I am thinking of selling my Thorens TD 145 which was upgraded, but has overstayed its welcome on my audio rack. Therefore,   I have initially looked at the Project RPM-3 turntable which has been improved and is also packaged with a Sumiko Blue Point 2 moving coil. The official retail is $ 999.00 on Audio Adviser and the Needle Doctor


However, I read a recent review in Stereophile about  George Merrill's "Gem Dandy" turntable which retails for $1695 with A Jelco SA-750 (9 inch tonearm), or $1495 with the Jelco SA-250 ( 9 inch  tonearm)  Both  DON'T COME WITH A CARTRIDGE.  I have seen a few already on sale used on Audiogon.

Would like some feedback from any member about either the Project table cited above or the two Merrill tables with different tonearms.   Will either of the Merrill tables be far superior to the Project in sound quality?? And is it worth the extra money, plus a quality cartridge would have to be added.with the Merrill's TT. which ups the bottom line in price 

Thank you

    

sunnyjim

Boofer,  No problem.   I did check with Sumiko which I discovered is the USA distributor for Project.  I asked the tech rep if the Project RPM-3 could be order with the Blue Point Special Evo III  He claimed no and seemed a bit unsure. 

Nevertheless, I saw an ad on AG for a Music Hall 7.3 with a Ortofon Bronze cartridge, but it was  more money than Project RPM-3.  I ask internet vendor  the same question about the  Project and whether the Evo III could be substituted for BP-2. for $50.00 more;  his reply  did not make much sense so I did pursue.the issue 

I think issue about making such a substitution, is  that Project probably buys BP-2 by the ton which reduces their best column "COST" to half or better. As I mentioned before, the 2BXpression comes with a choice of either the BP-2 or the BPS Evo III ( the latter has a high and low out put version) Audio Advisor sells it either way for $1599  which seems a bit strange considering the Evo III's retail is 50.00 more than BP-2.

 I wish they had given that option with the RMP-3. However, they probably want customers to step -up and buy the 2BXpression table if you want the better cartridge, and so collect $600 more. In comparison, 2B Expression probably is a better sounding table with better specs

However, I am going to check out the new Rega Planar P3 table on their website  Nevertheless, thanks for you advice.

Comparing the tables is really a matter of preference.  Some people really like all the colorations introduced by Rega tables.  Others prefer the more neutral performance of the Merrills.

The Jelco SA-750 is a significantly better arm than the -250.  Both are good, but the -750 is well worth the price difference.
I agree with bpoletti about preference regarding turntables; by the way, if you look closely, the 2b experience has the fish line cleaverly concealed in back of the counterweight rather than out in the open unlike the dial in system on the rpms. let us know the outcome.

To bpoletti.  I owned  a Rega P3-24 TT issued in 2008. It came with Elys cartridge which was trashed during a transit to Hawaii I happened to put a few hours on that spike, and was quite impressed with the sound. However, after the stylus collapsed, I bought a Dynavector 10X5 MC which is far superior in performance.   I never felt or discerned any colorations in the overall sound that you mentioned with either cartridge and, I listen to variety of music.

The Merrill Gem Dandy despite good reviews is overpriced, and may not sound any better than Project RPM-3  or, new Rega Planar P3, or the Music Hall Accura table. Yes, Merrill has been making tables for decades, but so has a lot of other engineers like Rega's Roy Gandy.

The review on the Project table in HI-FI News in 2015.(?) was very strong, noting its good  build and sound quality. At the time, it was pre-packed with an Ortofon 2M Blue which is OK. ( I used one with the Rega P3-24 ) It is now prepacked with a Sumiko BP-2, though Sumiko would have served their buyers better, if pre-packed with a Sumiko Blue Point Special Evo III which is supposedly an excellent MC 

I may have to buy the Rega Planar P3 so as to acquire thet Evo III installed The early reviews have been good/.  However, vendors like  The Needle Doctor and Elusive Disc are not running any summer fire sales, and allow just a 10% discount, and buyer also pays shipping. Both  carry Rega and Project tables.   

To Boofer, Thanks for the tip about the fishline anti-skating on the Project 2BXpression TT. I never used one of those devices that was either reliable or accurate.

To each their own.  Like I said, some people like the colorations of the Rega.