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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
 
@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. 
bignamehere OP
56 posts
 
@stereo5 you would be 100% correct. The TT-15S1 is basically a “rebranding” if the Clearaudio Emotion. They slapped on the Marantz name because they “designed” it, but it’s still a clearaudio at heart.

so, what’s your point or purpose of that statement?
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
619 posts
 
Another combo I would say to take a close look at: The Music Hall MMF 7.3 w/ Ortofon 2M Bronze. Same price range.

I also used to own a Clearaudio Emotion CMB (which is a slight upgrade from the Marantz). I had a Maestro V2 cart on my Emotion (better cart than the Virtuoso that comes with the Marantz). I’ve also had the Virtuoso mounted on other tables. I have a lot a carts.

I liked the MMF 7.3 much more, and the Ortofon 2M Bronze I like more than all the Clearaudio carts. The 2M Bronze can also be fitted with a 2M Black styli, which will take it up a notch further.

Just my $.02


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