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Turntable options

Looking for a table in th 10k range with arm and cart. Could stretch the budget to 15k if worth the extra $’s. I’ve considered, Clearaudio innovation or ovation with Koetsu Black Cart and universal 12 arm/ Brinkmann Bardo with Pi cart or AMG Giro. 

All insight and options welcomed. It’s fun to evaluate, but not sure if the juice is worth the squeeze. I’m also interested in recomendations for table platform form vibration. 

Thanks
hambon
terry9
2,354 posts
 
Suspension. Do you need it?

My TT's live on a concrete floor sited on rock. Miles from the nearest highway. I don't need suspension, so I don't pay for it.

Like a Nottingham Analogue Dais TT. I have the previous model with the Dais bearing, and I upgraded to the latest motor/power supply combination (Wave Mechanic). For a tonearm I went to the air bearing TransFi Terminator (yeah, yeah, I didn't name it). Buy it in spite of its name. Both of these punch far above their weight, and within your budget.

I run this TT with either a Mayajima Zero mono or a good MM for casual listening. The combination will support a higher end Koetsu, but this normally sits on my DIY air bearing.

Don't be afraid to check out the smaller manufacturers, who sometimes give you a whole lot more for the money. Like NA. I suggest that you spend most on the TT (to eliminate bearing noise), then the tonearm (to get precise registration of cartridge to vinyl), and last on the cartridge, which is a depreciating asset.

Good luck!
terry9
2,354 posts
 
@whart 

What Koetsu did you decide upon? Welcome to the Promised Land!
terry9
2,354 posts
 
Hambon, consider a budget for cleaning your vinyl. I found that US cleaning made about the same improvement as doubling the cost of a major component. Of course, YMMV.
whart's avatar
whart
3,215 posts
 
Jade Platinum. What's surprising is that after several records, it sounded very good, even though it has no hours on it, and I really haven't fiddled much with VTA. What's also surprising (to me at least) is that i expected that midrange, but the bass? Tuneful, taut, punchy. Whoa!
I want to get some hours on it. Right now, it's installed in the Airline. When the 4Point9" gets here, I may try it in that as well. 
It is also quite beautiful- not that I am about the bling of this stuff but it is a piece of art in the way that I think the Japanese excel at-- the miniature perfection of beauty. And sonically, on a scale writ large, the cartridge performs as it looks. I've joined the cult, such as it is---though most people who love these cartridges don't seem to proselytize --and I'm down with that too. Let's call it a not very well kept secret that, for some reason, I just didn't savvy to; now I'm glad I did. 
terry9
2,354 posts
 
Yes, I think that the jade is the most beautiful of all. Glad it's worked so well for you!
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