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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
bignamehere OP
56 posts
 
@analogluvr I would definitely agree with that statement... there are too many variables. But my original hypothesis still stands and aligns with your statement that cartridge plays a large role in the overall quality and character of the sound. So if we want to just look at the cartridges that come with the tables, that might be better. An additional hypothesis is that all the turntables I am considering are within an acceptable range of quality and performance to each other, so we can consider the “turntable package” as a whole, with the cartridge being the major determinant. Also, from a retail “package” perspective, tables come with only one or two options for cartridges. For example, the Pro-Ject Classic SB can come with an Ortofon Silver, Ortofon Red Quintet MC, or a Sumiko Blue Point #2. You can assume the Pro-Ject table is within the same quality and performance range as a Rega P3, Marantz TT-15S1, and Clearaudio Concept. 

With all that in mind, would higher quality cartridge be the main determining factor? I would say yes, so I am leaning towards a turntable that comes with the highest quality cartridge... the Marantz.


uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I know your mind is pretty much made up already but imho you are possibly looking at it all a little off kilter.

As your testing has already determine the better cart has made the most impression on you, NOT the better table.

I would be shopping for the best TABLE I could afford even if it did not have the best cart right now.

Then I would be shopping for a better cart later as funds allow knowing that the better table combined with the later purchase better cart is going to pay big dividends.

However that’s me and if you are just looking for the best package deal right now within your budget then so be it.

But you likely already know this merry go round never stops......


Just my view from " been there, done that" and not meant as any criticism at all.
bignamehere OP
56 posts
 
@uberwaltz I have to disagree with you about the approach in this price range ($1500 package). And I have to remind you that I have always stated I am looking for the best turntable “package” currently, not the best options for latter upgrades. If that were the case, I would easily just buy the Clearaudio Concept with cheaper Concept MM, and then save up for a $2000 Clearaudio MC cart. But I’m realistic, and know that my next eupgrade efforts would put me into the $4000 -$6000 package range in a number of years. I will “play with tubes” until that itch needs to be scratched.

So it seems my efforts should be focused on optimizing my cart choice over the table, based on the tables I have listed above all having very similar quality. Do you agree that the tables I have mentioned are about equal, or would you rank them differently. And if you rank them differently, would the cart option that usually comes with the table influence your opinion.

in the end, it might come down to a can’t pass up deal, but the Marantz TT-15S1 has a great $950 cart (that I’ve heard), and seems to give me the best bang for my buck. Based on staying under the $1500 budget, I have come across a Pro-Ject Classic SB with Sumiko Blue Point 2 that I have heard great things about. I might buy that cheaper option and roll some good tubes instead.

In any case, the Alva TT sold today and was shipped off to it’s new home, and I plan on listening to one or two more table packages, before I pull the trigger.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
As I said, just my opinion.

i have been seduced by a package deal before and ultimately been left wanting.

Its a tough call but as a package deal at $1500 I can see the Marantz has curb appeal.

I would be the Clearaudio Concept buyer, lol.

Project Classic or Marantz?

That might just boil down to best deal however I would lean towards the Marantz there just for the superior cart.........
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,442 posts
 
I was under the impression Clearaudio manufactured the Marantz turntable. 
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