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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
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


analogluvr
859 posts
 
 It seems you may have less of the audio file disease then most of us. I would go with the best used table I could afford for now and then buy a good cartridge separately later but I’ve been at this for 20 years  
 But you would probably be happy with any of the deals you quoted… 
analogluvr
859 posts
 
 That last comment may have sounded snarky and I didn’t intend it as such. I just mean that there is no real wrong answer ultimately it’s whatever you’re going to be happy with. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
No, it didn’t sound snarky at all. 🙄
bignamehere OP
56 posts
 
@robelvick I looked at the MH 7.3, and liked it for the Bronze. Having previously listed to a Red and a Blue Ortofon on my Pro-Ject, I would say I do like the Blue Ortofon sound a lot. There is a Clearaudio Emotion for sale here for $925, but has a Denon DL-103R cart. Seems like a good deal on a used table. I’ve read that the Denon cart is nice, but never listened to it, and wouldn’t know if it paired well with the Satisfy tone arm.

@analogluvr I’m a bit less of a DIY or audio tinkerer for sure. And I dot have the budget to continuously update my table and cart.... vinyl is a different story!
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