Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC with Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge vs.Pro-Ject - Debut Carbon Esprit S

Good question rp!

@klimt

I recommend it for people with budget limit at $2000, for those who need brand new and complete system. The GR is $1700 and there is nothing new that can beat it at this price (imo).

Personally i prefer vintage Direct Drive turntables like Denon DP80, Luxmam PD444, and my old Technics SP-10mk2. But after more than 25 years of my personal experience with many different Technics i’m pretty sure this is the best option for people who willing to spend less to get more. I don’t like plastic belt drive turntables and for me it’s hard to understand why some people like them.

Matsushita made over 3 000 000 units of SL1200mk2 series long time ago, it was a $500 turntable, an industry standard for professionals. Now they made much better models, but still at moderate price compared to others. Technics is a top quality direct drive today, number one is probably SP10R.

None of those plastic belt drives can pass the time test like Technics. My first Technics still working like new after 25 years of usage, another one (Technics SP10mkII) still perfectly working after 40 years of usage.

Even most popular cutting lathe like Neumann have Technics motor inside, our records cut with Technics motor. I can’t recommend anything better than SL1200GR (or "G" for double price) today for those who need a brand new turntable for reasonable price, except for some killer vintage direct drive (they are cheaper and better).

Even on audiogon almost every Technics user is happy. So why not recommend them instead of those belt drive plastic toys selling for crazy prices? Matsushita is huge and they can sell more at lower price, their price is fair for what anyone can get.

P.S. @klimt You can use Technics SP-20 if you don’t mind vintage direct drive, custom plinth and tonearm is all you need. This is what i put together for a friend.

Hey chakster!

I’m going to seriously look into this! I’ll probably go to a high end stereophile store to audition TT’s. This will be high on my list. I’m actually willing to spend a little more for something I actually like. (unlike the Pro-ject debut carbon dc)

BTW- what is your opinion of CD/Digital vs. Vinyl?

I’m going to seriously look into this! I’ll probably go to a high end stereophile store to audition TT’s.

Yes, just try it in the shops if they have demo, touch it, press play/stop, put the needle on the record, feel the tonearm ... You will understand why it was not only a Hi-Fi turntable, but also a choice of professionals (radio stations, clubs etc). And remember that GR is not a cheap dj turntable, for DJs they have new mk7 which is also very good at lower price, the GR and G are for audiophiles. I hope you will like it. 

BTW- what is your opinion of CD/Digital vs. Vinyl?

I know that modern digital rig can be very good, i've heard the best digital in my friend's apartment, the DAC alone was $20k. 

But i'm a vinyl guy, i collect vintage records from the 60s/70s, original pressing. When i checked some remastered high-resolution digital files played by my friend in his system it was too sterile for me compared to original records. He played 50's music for me, i like it better on vinyl. For modern music digital is fine, because new music produced digitally, recorded digitally, mastered digitally ... 

For old music analog is so much better, my favorite music is 100% from analog era, no digital involved, this is pure magic! And that's why i prefer vinyl! But i also like vinyl as media formal with big sleeves, record labels etc. 

In the 90's i was impressed by CD format for a little while, it was new here, CD player was better than my hi-fi vinyl at that time, i also enjoyed booklets in CDs. But since the mid 90's i start buying vinyl and sold all my CDs, upgraded my analog rig with my first Technics in 1995-96. Only vinyl since that day. 

I use digital to discover music or to listen to political talk shows online :)
I do not use digital in my main system.  

Awesomeness!

Thanks again!  You've been very helpful!

Awesome!  Thanks for helping!