Chakster, I noticed you never recommend "Grado"; that's my favorite cartridge, and I've tried many.
I believe a cartridge is like choosing a girl friend; this is the one for me, but not for everybody else.
New TT for ~$1500
As an owner of the recommended Marantz TT15, I would like to chime in. It is a beautiful table and it does sound good. I got it new a couple of years ago for $1000, which was a steal at the time. That said, I am going to be replacing it with a direct drive. Reasons: - The belt drive. I hate changing the belt for speeds. Especially on this table. The belt is located near the bottom and can come off. - The motor. It just sits in a hole in the plinth. I get it, isolation. However, when you turn it on, the motor moves. It is just a poor design, IMHO. - The cartridge. As mentioned above, the overhang is significant and I know people with this table that have broken it off more than once. I am SUPER careful and have not had any issues, fortunately. - Also as mentioned above, it does have an additional ground wire and no dustcover. I am not a fan of a giant acrylic box sitting over my tt(for another $200.) I have a vintage Kenwood KD-500 that I am servicing. It is a great looking table with a nice tonearm, a dustcover and has a Grado gold on it. It is made of a composite that Kenwood designed that looks like marble and is quite heavy. I am going to shoot it out with the Marantz when I am done and if I find it close, the Marantz will be sold. |
Chakster, I noticed you never recommend "Grado"; that’s my favorite cartridge, and I’ve tried many. @orpheus10 That’s not true, maybe you missed my recommendations for Grado, find my grado between Pioneer PC-1000 mkII and Grace LEVEL II BR/MR. This is Joseph Grado Signature XTZ and this is what i have right now on my Denon DA-401 tonearm. This is the best Grado cartridge i ever tried, but i must say i did not try all Grados. Prior to this i’ve been using a lot (and still have them) a $150 Grado DJ200 which is based on cheap Grado Black, those are not for the main system. Grado Signature XTZ is high-end MI cartridge from the 80’s, i love it! XTZ styli are available from Grado |
My .02 I've come as a long time user of JVC TT's. Namely the famed QL-Y7, QL-Y5, QL-Y55, etc. Great turntables all around. I don't know Techniques product. But I do know a little something about direct drive. I've been using direct drive TT's since the late 60's. That said - We're talking $1500, or less, including a cartridge. That settles it. The Marantz TT-15S1 kind of stands on it's own. The cartridge is what an $800 cartridge? I mean come on! And I"ve seen this Marantz sell used for less than $800. Oh, and I own one! Run, don't walk...buy the Marantz...and come back here to thank those of us who suggested the Marantz. All the best! |