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$2000 turntable system

Been putting it off long enough, but decided it’s time to bite the bullet and take the vinyl plunge. (mixed metaphor alert)
Don’t want to take my usual multiple expensive false steps. The learning curve here looks pretty steep, so I figured to ask you all for some advice. Thinking to spend $2K - 2.5K. Likely to pair it with my PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Integrated and Revel F206s. Might possibly set it up with my Classe SSP-800/ Classe CA5200/ Martin Logan Montis.
What I came up with after a couple of hours of research were:

Rega PL3 turntable $945
Rega TT PSU power supply $395
Rega Exact 2 MM cartridge $595
Parasound Zphono phono stage $199

Total: $2134

Was considering Vincent PHO 8 phono stage $299 and Dynavector 10x5 MC cartridge $650 as alternatives.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Leo


leotis
leotis OP
182 posts
 
Contacted George at GEM. Ordering the PolyTable with the Jelco SA 750-D.
he suggested the Hana EL cartridge. Plan to go with the Vincent PHO 8 of which he also approved. Will probably get his digital power supply later on.
Thanks for all the great info.
Almost feels like cheating.
Buying gear and then replacing it in short order is more my usual MO.

bpoletti
1,548 posts
 
leo -

Not sure where you live. 
bajaed
269 posts
 
Leo, I have been to George's shop, he makes outstanding gear.  I like my Music Hall 7.1 and 10X5 a lot but would eventually like to move to the PolyTable and a Hana.

You're going to be very happy.
leotis OP
182 posts
 
Hey bpoletti!
I'm in San Deigo area.
Thanks for the Jelco tip.
Got a few votes for the VPI with a Jelco.
When I saw the GEM used a Jelco I figured that was a good sign.
You guys done me a solid I think.
My first plan would have been OK no doubt.
But the PolyTable with the Hana is probably orders of magnitude better. (I hope. :)
And for pretty much the same price.
leotis OP
182 posts
 
johnnyb53 and yogiboy-
Thanks for the PolyTable tip. I owe you.
As for the Vincent, I went with the PHO 8. I'm feeding a PrimaLuna tube amp so I maybe got the tube effect covered. George is of the opinion that a tube phono can introduce too much distortion sometimes. I have a ModWright Oppo tube mod feeding a SS system and it works really well to eliminate the digital effect. But when I tried it with the PrimaLuna, to me it sound too tubey. Kind of lacking definition a bit.
mofimadness-
Thanks for the Jelco tip. I almost went for that VPI, but as you pointed out it was not the MK4. And a little bit older unit.
Oleschool-
Thanks for the link to your LP thread.
sjtm-
Sadly, predictions about vinyl dents in the budget may be accurate. :/

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