2. analog
  3. 126199-38973

Hated my Pro-Ject Debut III looking for another budget option. Kind of thinking Thorens

Hi,
I finally got rid of my Pro-ject debut III and I am looking for another budget.   The ultimate deal breaker for me was that it was crazy noisy, loud hum,  also would generate a ton of static a couple of minutes into playing a record.  I always use an anti static brush,  and I started using an antistatic gun from work but the problem always continued. 

Lifting the plate up to change speeds was also way more annoying than I expected, and I listened to less of my 7" records because of this.   that fishing line counter weight was so corny,  for something that cost almost 500.00 USD I think Pro-ject could try a little harder (also has anyone ever had the knot come undone, took me over an hour to rethread the weight)  its like they finished designing this thing on a friday before a 3 day weekend. 

I am looking to get another turntable in that price range.  I can get a Thorens TD-170 next time I am visiting my in-laws in Germany for 380.00 USD and swap out the power supply for the US.   I like the idea of a built in phono stage so I can run line level straight into my passive volume control in then into my amp for even lower noise. 

Any suggestions?   people seem to say great things about the decked out U-turn but other than being less expensive at its core looks like the same thing as the debut III/carbon,  Music Hall,  entry level rega,  etc  

Also to note a lot of my records are relatively rare and have never been re-issued or released so I am not always listening to perfect 180 gram virgin vinyl. 

Any suggestions would be welcome.  Thank you, 
128x128mwrenne
paraneer's avatar
paraneer
818 posts
 
Unfortunately you’ll find most entry level TT’s at your budget of usd 500 all about the same. You know which ones they are already - you listed them. I think you’ll also find that the Thorens TD-170 is no better - might as well save money and get the Denon DP-29F which is very similar. But still an ill performing entry level deck.

If your serious about sound, my advice is to stay away from modern automatics and especially any TT that has a built in preamp. They are noisy and even when bypassed to be used with an external phono stage, are still noisy. Most try and remove them altogether so why have it in the first place.

If you can triple your budget, you can then get a true hi-fi TT like a VPI Scout Jr. or Clearaudio Concept. Now you’ll have something a cut way above your current Pro-ject Debut. But if you can’t, then look for a good used modern TT but it will still cost you a little more. I have seen Marantz TT15S1’s (basically a hopped up Clearaudio Emotion) for $800 used. There is we even a Concept for sale here on Audiogon for $800.  

If you still can't do that, then look at used vintage.  $500 will get you a good quality vintage deck like a Technics SL-1200MKii. Good luck.

Post removed 
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,751 posts
 
There is a VPI Nomad listed here for $700. It has all the features you are looking for. It just might fit the bill!
reubent
7,050 posts
 
mwrenne,

That is a bummer that you had such a poor experience with the Pro-ject Debut III. I have a new Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Esprit SB and have not experienced any of the issues you described. I don't love the counter-weight setup, but it seems to work and I've not had any issues with any of the other features of the TT. It has electronic speed control which is switchable to 33 or 45 via a pushbutton switch on top of the plinth. I did have the setup checked/adjusted by my guru/TT Setup buddy. It was off a bit from the factory.

Regarding the noise and static you were experiencing: Did you have the TT Grounded using a ground wire from the TT to the pre-amp? 

I also would recommend that you don't buy a TT with a built-in phono pre-amp. As far as I know, they are all budget units, built to a price point and they will likely have compromises in all areas to meet the price-point.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I was never impressed much by the Pro-Ject Debut III, but I was *very* impressed with the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with Ortofon 2M Red cartridge. The Debut Carbon DC, even more so, and at the same $399. I heard none of the static and noise on the Carbon; maybe the carbon arm neutralizes static? Or yours had a defective ground? I dunno, but when I was auditioning a Perreaux amp with my own LPs, the Carbon DC really *brought it*.

On a different note, how about a SOTA Comet at $850? Also available through Amazon, dust cover included. I never heard anyone dislike a SOTA.
More to discover