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Looking for a mid-priced TT to install my 2M Black Cart

I am in the process of shopping of maximizing the value of some of my second system and doing some strategic upgrades.  my first TT was the Project Carbon Debut DC with an Ortofon 2M Red (MM).  I upgraded that to the 2M Black (MM) and it turned it into a great rig (to a point).

I am very aware. that the 2M Black exceeds the capabilities of the TT, so as I optimize this second system, I am looking for a good turntable that would provide a significant sonic improvement over the Project Debut Carbon, and would match well with the 2M Black.  I would like to keep it below $1500 (ideally under $1000). 

I am leaving out the other details of my system to keep this focused on the TT and not have this turn into a poll of what part of my rig's chain I should optimize next... ;-).

Just want some TT options under $1.5K that will help the 2M open up even more!
Thanks!
128x128sircheech
tablejockey
3,893 posts
 
I would inquire on this listing, and negotiate a price with shipping included.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9a566-vpi-hw-19-sumiko-ft-3-arm-denon-103d-turntables#&gid=...

With the cart, you will have a nice setup.
pbnaudio's avatar
pbnaudio
1,613 posts
 
Bsmg,

Speed Stability must not be an issue for you then :-)  The best Turntables available today are ALL Direct Drive :-)

There are no absolutes however after going back to DD some years back I cannot imagine going backwards to a Belt drive TT

For entry level Technics makes some great solutions, VPI is relaunching their top flight DD table too.  

For an experiment you should get yourself a Timeline or perhaps a RoadRunner Tachometer just to see just how accurate your TT is spinning.  

Good Listening

Peter
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
@sircheech

I started with a Pro-Ject Debut Esprit & 2M Black, and it was a good setup.

I now use the 2M Black with a Technics SL1210GR, and I'm in heaven.  There had been 5 other turntables (VPI x 3, Music Hall x 2) in between, and they were all slight upgrades from the Pro-ject or just lateral moves.

@noromance has great advice, and avoid what I did, and just get the best you can, and not necessarily a Technics either.  Saves a lot of money/hassle/frustration.  
mountz's avatar
mountz
132 posts
 
I got an well tempered amadaeus TT last year for a little more than your seeking. I found it fun and easy to use.  It has a weight that looks like a golf ball but offers a great deal of control.  Ping me if you are interested in learning more.  I was going to list it in the near future and though it might fit within your parameters.
bsmg
296 posts
 
Peter, I have a speed controller for my table so I don’t have to move the belt when I want to play a 45RPM record; the controller has a three digit digital readout showing the speed. I will claim it’s as accurate as your motor that runs on 60 cycles straight from the wall. Furthermore, I can use a paper stroboscope to confirm if the table is running correctly if for some reason I would want to do that. I do not believe that most turntables are direct drive; at their most popular, they probably only had half the market back in the 80’s. I would wager that at present, of ten turntable owners, maybe two of them will be DD. Edit: I went and checked the specs on my speed box; it is plus or minus .001% I don't know the stated accuracy of any DD tables but I would be surprised if they are any more accurate than that.
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