I have quite a few, a dealer for several. Last with VPI for second time, no trouble the first but I got out for a little while. They are very good and easy to set up but dammed heavy and I say this as someone who could carry a B&W 801 by himself when younger. I have a Basis 200 series [I had brain damage and numbers sometime escape me] With a Graham arm and now have a modified LP12 with Rega 1000 arm. My best advice to you is BUY USED! Both of mine were bought that way. Turntables do not hold their value very well and their owners are very erratic. A friend is selling his top SOTA with SME V to get a Technics 1200 because it sounds as good and they all sound the same anyway. He is not some newby but profoundly mistaken in my mind. They all sound different but many are very good. And tastes differ. If you get one from someone with good feedback you are likely to be all right. Almost everything I have was bought used and I have a hell of a lot of stuff [check it ] Most tables are quite rugged and requires a new belt once in a while. I find belts better but others can argue the point. Good luck. Yes the do sound better than CD and I have a good CD system.
My final table , hopefully !
Back in the 80's I was seduced to the digital side ! At first it was lovely . But then , I became hooked , it got cold and ugly . After a lot of work and many years , I was able to get onto the recovery road to analogdom .
I returned with a MMF 5.1 turntable and stock cartridge . Oh that warm cozy feeling , I missed you so !
But now , as luck would have it , I want MORE ! More dynamics , more detail , more extension , more rich tone and above all else more of that sensuous musicality . I've grown old , fat and out of shape since I quit tapping my toes , bobbing my head , playing air guitar & and dancing around the room ! I'm greedy and I want it all !
Unfortunately , my addictions have forced me to the land of the small budget . I need to stay in the 2K + 3K range . If I can trade in my MMF 5.1 table and cartridge , that would help .
I would like to spend a majority of my money on the table and arm . I need a faithful dog , a table that will stick with me through thick & thin and never leave my side . To grow older with me without the need for attention . I am a set it & forget it / plug n play kind of guy . I want to listen to music , not futz with stuff . I am not able to go out and hear a lot of stuff so my ideas come from the net ...and my help comes from you !
I have read that different manufacturers tables have different sound characteristics . How much of this can be attributed to the arm and cartridge used ? How much can it be altered ? I prefer classic rock , singers & songwriters , contemporary blues , Detroit soul and classical . Not much for Disco , Rap , Techno or Hip Hop .
While most tables have an upgrade path , I would like to refrain from taking it . Again the plug n play / set it & forget it attitude .
Here is what I have come up with , in no special order :
VPI Prime - the most expensive , comes with the 3D arm .
Well Tempered Amadeus MKII - comes with the golf ball arm .
Avid Diva II
Sota Saphire V - no real need for a suspension system as I am on a slab .
Sota Saphire III - refurbished , again no real need for the suspension system .
Origin Live Calypso MkIII
Looking at the Jelco 750D arm for some of these tables .
Thank You .
Saki70
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- 87 posts total
- 87 posts total