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Should I keep the Turntable or sell it?

I’ve been back and forth on this decision for about a month, and the more I learn, the harder this decision gets.

Backstory: I won the brand new Cambridge Audio Alva TT turntable in an online contest in mid-May, and while it sounds great, I decided to list it for sale a couple weeks ago. I’ve always wanted to try out a Rega P6 or P3 with a really nice cart, because I feel like I’m not getting enough out of my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. Prior to winning the Alva TT, I switched the Red Ortofon out for the Blue, and there was a great improvement in sound quality. But after comparing the Pro-Ject to the Alva TT and hearing what a $1700 turntable can sound like, I definitely am interested in exploring more high fidelity turntables. The issue is that I feel like I prefer the sound of tubes over solid state, and the Alva TT uses an integrated Alva Duo phono preamp for the RCA out, and their own DAC for the Bluetooth out if I want to go that route. I don’t have a ton of experience with tubes, and maybe it’s just the “cool factor” I actually like and I’m just having a placebo effect.

So I decided to list it for sale to try and get a Rega, because I heard so many great things about them. But over the last week or so, I’ve learned more about the Alva TT and how it uses Rega’s famous tonearm. I looked up the cart and it is listed at $500 separately, which is probably why it sounds better than the Pro-Ject w/ Ortofon Blue. I’ve also read on these boards about direct drive being better than belt, which the Alva has as well. It also has the added bonus of Bluetooth that go directly to my KEF LS50 Wireless, but I would most likely just use interconnects.

So I would love to get some advice from you all. I’ve gone back and forth about keeping the Alva or selling it, along with my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, and buying/trading for something like a Rega P3 or P6. If you had my first world problem, what would you do?
bignamehere
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
can you provide some details as to why I should do that? Also what cart would you recommend?

Technics is much better turntable and it's Japanese Direct Drive with nice arm, you can't buy anything better for $1800 (new with warranty). If you trust reviews simply read about SL1200GR, but it's a nonsense comparing chap belt drive to Direct Drive from Matsushita, the last one alway win.

Actually everything about cartridges and technics turntable is here on audiogon. 

I prefer vintage MM like Grace (F14, LEVEL II), Audio-Technica (AT-ML150, AT-ML170, AT-ML180), Victor (X-1II, X-1IIe) cartridges to anything new/modern. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,181 posts
 
Agree with @chakster . The Technics is your best option for relatively little money and will give you a lot to work with until you decide to upgrade in the future. 
bignamehere OP
56 posts
 
With all due respect, saying because it’s a “Japanese direct drive” as a reason to sell the Cambridge Audio Alva, which IS direct drive isn’t an actual reason, that’s just “legacy hype”. Since Cambridge Audio has openly discussed partnerships with other manufacturers, this Direct Drive is probably made by the same plants that build for Technics. And since I know for sure the tonearm is a high end Rega, it seems the Alva is best of both worlds. But is a Rega alone the better option, because they have built their turntable themselves with all parts and components taken into consideration?

I haven’t read anything about Technics yet to make me think their technology is superior to any other midrange table, so why would I get rid of a direct drive table to buy another direct drive. What about Technics tables are better than other components, removing the drive from the equation?

Anyone have an options on Rega vs Clearaudio, or other non-Technics tables?

Anyone have an opinion on TT to speaker via aptX Bluetooth? I’m doing some research, but having spent a few decades in marketing, I know most of what I read is hype.

thanks for your responses!
bignamehere OP
56 posts
 
 @chakster I forgot to mention, I found out the cart is an Audio-Technica, but not sure how to identify which one it is. 
lewm
13,722 posts
 
Why the fascination with Rega?
i’d say stick with what you have for at least several months before you jump to something else. Also, and this may be unfair criticism, there are some who claim that the low end to mid level Rega tt’s tend to run “fast”. That can make them sound lively, which is good for sales. I hasten to add that I have no personal knowledge of this putative issue. Anyway you’ve got nothing to lose by waiting and listening.
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