2. analog
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Yet another turntable recommendation question

Hello all,
Longtime reader of the forums, but I rarely post. As a relative noob, I have learned much from reading your conversations, so thank you.
I am currently looking to upgrade my turntable situation from my old plastic Technics and Onkyo hand-me-downs.
Budget would be stretched at $600-ish.
Features I like...
- removable headshell, or at least a way to easily change carts and related tonearm adjustments
- speed stability!! (as a musician, pitch instability drives me absolutely insane)- some prospect of upgrading over time (tonearm, platter, sub-platter, wiring, etc.)
- belt drive- good (dare I say great?) sound quality- Auto shut off would be very nice

I don't want bells and whistles like built-in phono stage and USB nonsense. Simple is good.

I have considered buying used (Thorens, Dual) and haven't necessarily ruled it out, but I don't want a project, and I darn sure don't want to inherit someone else's problems. Warranties are kind of awesome.
The rest of my system is...
Schitt Mani, Jolida JD1501BRC, Wharfedale Diamond 10.7, Audioquest, BlueJeans, and Morrow cabling.
Mid-fi, I suppose, but I think it sounds great for the price, and I have no immediate plans to change any of that.
I listen to everything from classical to hard rock to jazz to ambient drone.
So far I have looked at Music Hall, Fluance, Denon, Rega, Pro-Ject, but all are compromised in some way.
Are there any others I should be factoring in to the equation?Or any I should steer clear of?
Thanks for any advice and cheers!

earworm22
elliottbnewcombjr
5,559 posts
 
I simply will not have an arm without a removable headshell.

I was at my friends house last night. To specifically listen to some 'new to us' Jazz records. He didn't even realize they were mono.

I had packed the headshell with my new Grado ME+ Mono cartridge, and my digital stylus gauge, expecting to let him hear the difference.

He had a Grace Arm, integral/non removable headshell.

No way can he change headshells, You would need to pull the tiny wires off the cartridge pins, unscrew the cartridge, install and

completely align a different cartridge, EVERYTHING. How many times do you want to mess with those tiny wires?
...........................

That TT is fixed headshell, and belt drive. I won't do belt drive, and you mentioned specific sensitivity to small speed variances.
It may be a great deal, looks to be a carbon arm, .... but, I bet you will regret compromising on those 2 features.


elliottbnewcombjr
5,559 posts
 
how about new, warranty, direct drive, removable headshell, probably a step up from your existing

Still Plastic, but White, 3 speeds

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01K1WUTUM?tag=amz-mkt-chr-us-20&ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-win10-other-smile-us000-pcomp-feature-pcomp-wm-3-wm-8-wm-1&ref=aa_pcomp_prc1_prdg2

white with some orange, 3 speeds

https://www.amazon.com/Roland-TT-99-3-Speed-Special-Turntable/dp/B01M0TUXT9/ref=asc_df_B01M0TUXT9/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312061887551&hvpos=1o15&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14111127561519770510&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003511&hvtargid=pla-522794072859&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=63780739602&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312061887551&hvpos=1o15&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14111127561519770510&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003511&hvtargid=pla-522794072859
elliottbnewcombjr
5,559 posts
 
going back to your request for auto stop.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Yamaha-YP-D71-Direct-Drive-Auto-Stop-Quartz-Locked-Turntable-1979/163631447975?hash=item261931bfa7%3Ag%3A9xUAAOSwRY1d8XIb&LH_BIN=1&LH_RPA=1

I don’t know anything about it, but I would expect you could clean that arm up, and it uses hanging weight anti-skate which I like.

$700. over your original, may accept offer.
.....................................

have you increased your budget, or sticking with $500.00 ?
elliottbnewcombjr
5,559 posts
 
new original stock, in budget, 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Onkyo-CP-1050-Manual-Direct-Drive-Turntable-with-Pre-Mounted-Cartridge-NEW/401916165154?hash=item5d9411fc22%3Ag%3A%7EUsAAOSwd0tdnfFN%3Asc%3AUPSGround%2107062%21US%21-1&LH_BIN=1&LH_RPA=1
earworm22 OP
22 posts
 
Thanks for all your help people. I clearly have a lot of factors to weigh and options to consider. You folks didn’t disappoint. Fortunately I’m not in a big hurry, so I will spend some time reassessing priorities, and checking out some of your suggestions. Cheers everyone!
T
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