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Best sounding turntable and cartridge for $1100

I have seen a lot of turntable and cartridges packages in  $1000- $1100, such as the Project RPM3 with the Sumiko BP-2 MC.   Project Xperience 1 with a Sumiko Pearl MM;  Rega Planar 3 with a Elys II cartridge. 

 I have formerly owned a Rega 3-24 with Elys II  and a Project Carbon DC with Ortofon 2M Red (which I did not like at all) . Would like to try something different, but can live with the above brands depending on their overall performance 

Need recommendations for turntable/cartridge new or used combo that punches far above its price of  $1100.  Thank you

   

sunnyjim
hedgehog's avatar
hedgehog
185 posts
 
You should definitely keep an eye on the SoundStageDirect used/CPO section
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
You may want to check out the Merrill Gem Dandy with the Jelco 750. Put's you a tad out of your $ range, but..... Another thought for less money, would be the WAX Engine table. I've only heard the Wax, and was impressed. I know you're done with vintage, but the Thorens TD145 you had, I believe is the auto-return version of the 160. In that model, you had no other arm options. I would love to hear a Jelco 750 on a TD160 or 160S. Sunnyjim- regarding your thoughts in your initial post: You say you can live with the brands you once had. I don't know either well enough to pass judgment, but I would aim for something beyond which you can live with. Admittedly, I also have a reluctance to dive in to a vintage table. If I do, it will likely be the 160/160S.... I did it with Altec Valencia's 846A's, and have NO regrets, but that's a story for another thread. Cheers, and best of luck!
bpoletti
1,557 posts
 
sunnyjim....

IMO, a properly set-up HW-19 Mk III (remove the spring suspension and use pucks, level the system, etc.) will outperform anything remotely close in price, new or used, except for a HW-19 Mk IV (typically a few hundred more).  Arms are important, but pretty much all the true Mk IIIs have good arms.  They are good tables and had good arms installed.

And the really great thing about VPI tables is that VPI is still around and supporting their products. 
sunnyjim OP
927 posts
 

To fjn   Where did you audition the Wax Engine turntable??  I found there website, but they have no dealer in the USA.  

Also, the company is in China and any factory direct sale could entail expensive shipping, and possibly import and/or brokerage fees. 

I sent them an e-mail about two tables in their line: "Wax Engine": and  :"Isolde"    I am not hopeful that these tables are worth the money or possible hassles of buying directly from a foreign manufacture which I never heard of before today.  Thanks   


fjn04
1,561 posts
 
sunnyjim- In Living Stereo in NYC. Don Better in Cleveland is a dealer as well.
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