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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
flynnrd
41 posts
 
“Contest winner?” Could anything possibly sound more like a shill? Have the dealers/owners just stopped trying?  Who ever wins a “contest” that isn't CHOSEN to win the “contest?” No one.
So I say, to help the common man, get the Rega! Even though I’m a VPI guy, myself... This site could rapidly devolve into a grifter’s paradise with posts like these! 


stevencason
93 posts
 
OP to do a true comparison of your rig to another one it is necessary to get the same cartridge on both tables and then compare the same music between the two.
To be honest I agree with the folks who have recommended you wait a bit before spending a bunch of cash. 

At the end of the day it doesn't matter what any of us tells you.  If you are satisfied with the sound you are getting then your system is made of Gold. 

Have fun with the hobby.
davidclarke
43 posts
 
My Linn LP12 is for sale on eBay if you are looking for a nice belt drive unit.  

I have a really good system; Quad ESL 2912s, mono-block amps, a couple of fancy pre-amps etc.  With the exception of a few very special records (direct to disk etc)  my record playing is nearing non-existent. I like the records for nostalgia value and for music that is not available anywhere else.  I have digitized many of my records and I really can't hear a difference; and I wanted to hear a difference.  
robert53
466 posts
 
I'm no turntable expert, but I like Rega turntables. I was considering one myself and was comparing the RP3 to the MOFI Studio Deck. I wound up getting the MOFI Ultra Deck + M which was more expensive, but I really like it, except for the cover which has to be removed when listening and is tricky to put back on because of the plastic hinges. The Studio Deck is within your budget. Of course it is only a belt drive without wifi or anything else. Tubes are great, but can be more maintenance. Also, purchasing good tubes can be expensive. I use some current production tubes which are cheap, but use NOS tubes in certain places where they blow away the sound of the new production tubes. Good luck.
musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349
237 posts
 
" No offense, but whenever someone has such a high loyalty for one company and downplays all other brands and even downplays huge advances in technologies to be trivial, I have to take the advice with a big grain of salt."

That might be the most sensible thing I've read on Agon...
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