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Is a GREAT turntable under $2000 possible???

Howdy folks-

I’m really enjoying my current set up and return to 2.1 channel listening and Home Theater. Here’s what I’ve got:

-Mc402 Amp
-Anthem Mrx 520
-Oppo 103 Bdp with Scott Nixon tube dac
-Mac Mini with a Scott Nixon Usb tube dac
-Audience and Wireworld cables
-Tekton Electron speakers

I’d like to introduce vinyl to my evening listening pleasure. Any recommendations for a turntable (including arm, cartridge, etc) under $2000? Is this a reasonable figure? I have no clue when it comes to turntables so any advice given is surely appreciated.

Brent

128x128knollbrent
harrylavo's avatar
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harrylavo
346 posts
 
Since you seem to like "old school" let me give you an option.  Find a Dual 701 direct drive turntable.  The table itself is as good as any every produced, and the arm is excellent.  It should cost you well under $500.  Then spend the other $1500 on the bes MC cartridge and headamp you can listen to.
 
If you want to save money, here's a used combo that sounds as good as anything I've heard in the last 30 years:  Aforemention Dual 701, Accuphase AC-2 MC cartridge, Marcof PPA-2 battery-driven headamp.  Find them (relatively rare, put them together, and you've got at least $4000 of sound.
jsm71
141 posts
 

Nobody chimed in on the isolation platform so here goes.  You can duplicate Mapleshades offererings for less money.  I use a Booz Block cutting board.  It's 2 3/4" thick as I recall.  I use the same iso block pads they offer as well but you can get them here, and they are bigger pads:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200658811_200658811?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&utm_source=Bing_PLA&utm_medium=Air%20Tools%20%2B%20Compressors%20%3E%20Air%20Compressor%20Parts%20%2B%20Maintenance&utm_campaign=Klutch&utm_content=49494&msclkid=460a15c02a3512b4f6484f30a11434ec

knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
526 posts
 
Excellent @jsm71  thanks for that valuable info!
alexberger
921 posts
 
Lenco L70, L75, L78
Nothing can compete with Lenco in this price range.
I hate belt drives. They destroy a PRaT the entity of music.
knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
526 posts
 
This weekend my buddy Erik is stopping by to help me set up the TT, carts, phono, etc. I've started purchasing some records and do a pretty good search on pressing reviews but would love to find a site that has lots of easy to read reviews of great albums new and old. I find navigating Steve Hoffman and Discogs a lot of work to get even a little nugget of info. Any recommendations of review album pressing sites???
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