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Buying a new TT today

So I’m pretty hellbent on buying a new TT today! Or should I be?!?!? 
I started off kind of sour on vinyl several years back when I ignorantly bought a cheap TT that had a built in phono stage.... Talk about a disappointment! And a buzz kill for vinyl!
Anyway a year or so later I bought a Project Carbon Debut and it blew my mind!!!!  The step up in most aspects of the TT, carbon fiber tone arm/heavier plinth/much heavier platter/motor and remote position/better cartridge in a Ortofon m2red, along with the fact the it was now running through my Integrated’s Phono Stage was just such a leap in sound that I never expected, that now I’m looking for yet another leap like that again lol
Anyway, with pocket flush with cash and headed to two hi-fi shops I pause....
In my new price range, $2,000 or so, should I be looking for a new TT? Or a new cartridge for the TT I have ?
thoughts.
264win
lewm
13,258 posts
 
Soko, if your phono stage has more than 60 dB gain, consider an AT ART7. Its recently been discontinued but you may be able to pick one up brand new by perusing the internet. I am more or less in the same camp with Chak when it comes to cartridges, although not as dogmatic, but I think the ART7 among modern cartridges is a real exception in terms of both performance and value for money. It’s really terrific. And when it’s been off the market for a long enough period of time, I think even Chakster will recognize its excellence.
sokogear
1,100 posts
 
Max gain the Insight offers is 60 dB. Looks like the ART7 would be more than the VDH maintenance cost any way. Probably will just keep it. Just have to figure out when to do the service....Will be 9 years in November-about 5 hours per week, but last 4 months has probably been 15-20. So total of about 25-2600 on it. 
Does anyone have a way to figure out when to do the service? The range is so big (2500-3500 hours) It’s hard to know for sure. I’m within the range now. I know that my records are in fantastic condition -almost no warped albums which cause faster cartridge wear.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
You have to ship it to Van den Hul direct, but make sure to check if he can personally work on your cartridge. If he can personally work on it then this is the best service. You can always ask via VdH distributors. 
big_greg
6,669 posts
 
I don't think you can ship your cartridge directly to Van Den Hul. I think you have to go through their distributor. It's now VPI for the US. I had my MC two special done a year or two ago. It was done by A.J. Van Den Hul himself. It was completely rebuilt for $500. Totally worth it. 
sokogear
1,100 posts
 
Thanks. I live within an hour of VPI, so I would drive up there and let them handle it (and hope they don’t sabotage my Rega when removing or reinstalling the cartridge 🙂). Hopefully they can insure AJ dies it himself or maybe swap a remanufactured one for mine for the same cost.

Any idea how to know when it’s time?
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