2. analog
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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


saki70
lohanimal
659 posts
 
IMHO for plug and play:
Rega RP10
Townhend Rock 7 (my fave)
Helius (aurora II think)
Nottingham analogue spacedeck
Out of interest must you buy brand new? For 2-3k with arm there are some superb second hand decks that you can get.
saki70 OP
907 posts
 

Just a short follow up ...

Straight out of the box this VPI Prime is a very noticeable improvement .

I had the dealer install the Ortofon 2M black cartridge and set up everything before shipping it to me . The counter weight had moved and needed adjustment and the arm and cartridge alignment were checked just to be sure .

With a cold tube amp and phono stage this is at least twice as good as my MMF 5.1 with stock cartridge ! There is just more of everything , which is what one would expect . Extension at both ends , definition ,macro and micro details , clarity , air it's all there in abundance . What I didn't expect was the individual placing of each performer and instrument , the 'they are here' presence and realistic tone . Now I know what is meant by a black quiet background . It sounds as if they are in the room with me . Everything is just so much clearer and realistic than before . Warmed up , takes it another couple of steps further up the ladder ! And it still is not broke in yet . VPI recommends at least 20 hours of play . Working .

 I am still using the same phono stage , a Hagerman Cornet 3 . This is a nice piece but I don't believe it to be in the same league as the VPI Prime . I feel another thread coming , down the road a bit ! 

I would like to thank my salesman Jeff Harris at Reference Analog in Moore OK.

When I had a problem with the counter weight , as mentioned above , he made himself available via telephone and was most gracious and helpful . He even went so far as to have me call back to make sure that all was well after trying it out , these calls were placed Saturday evening ! A classy guy who actually cares what happens 'after' the sale ! Kudos Jeff and thanks for the great deal too !

Listening to some really nice music .

saki70

dorkwad
548 posts
 
I just got a Pete Riggle Woody tonearm from an Audiogon member. After many tries to get sound as good as the Maplenoll Ariadne air bearing straight line tracking TT/arm combo I had for about 10 years, I’m now combined the Woody with my heavily modified Lenco rebuild and I was very impressed. I once had a Pete Riggle VTAF to use with an Origin Live Silver II arm on the Lenco. It was very good sounding but not the equal of the Maplenoll setup. I’ve been through about 5 TT’s and 5 arms prior to this and none of them could remind me of the ’Noll. The armband I have was cut for the VTAF so installing the Woody was a simple drop in replacement.

On first listen, I just sat there and smiled--FINALLY, a combo that could at least equal the ’Noll, actually surpass it in almost all areas. The sound was so live, yet beautifully full, with deep articulate bass, and hoppin’ dynamics you just don’t get to hear with analog often. The Woody is so versatile, and easy to adjust, once you understand all the functions and how they work. Things can be accurately set by ear on the fly. Like the ’Noll, all kinds of music was just better sounding than before, even the just OK recorded albums. Unlike most of the users of this arm, however, I found after trying it both ways for several hours each, that I prefer the sound of the arm with no damping over vs. using the silicone fluid in the cup. The sound looses some of the jumping dynamics and articulation it has with no damping used.

Lastly, the arm looks beautiful on my 100 lb. Lenco plinth, like it was made to go with it. My Lenco is quite beautiful also, albeit large. I haven’t even had a chance to hear this with my components on my Sistrum racks as the rods were being cut to make 2 shorter racks while this came from the seller. The Sistrum racks make everything sound much better, more LIVE, with incredible details at even low volume levels. The rods are arriving Monday as I write. Will give an update to the sound soon after. The Woody is a definite KEEPER, as is my super Lenco. I should note, I’m using a Soundsmith level 3 rebuilt Benz Micro Ruby 3 w/ myrtlewood body. This is a very nice sounding cartridge, the best I have had in my system.
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