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Need some turntable guidance

Hi,

I'm new here, so let me give you some background.

I'd say I'm more of a record collector than audiophile.  About 15 years ago, life happened and I had to re-purpose my dedicated listening room, so I put most of my gear in storage.  I now have my listening room back and I'm putting my system back together.

Here's what I have:

TT 1: VPI TNT 4 with TNT 5 bearing and flywheel, Eminent Technology ET 2.5 Tonearm, Supex SDX-1100 cartridge

TT 2: Denon DP-1250 with Magnepan Unitrack tonearm, Grado Reference Series cartridge

Phono transformer: Supex SDT-722

Preamp: PS Audio 5.0 preamp

Amp: Bryston 3B

Speakers:  Apogee Duetta II

The Denon was used to evaluate the condition of new purchases and some casual/background listening, so I'll probably leave that alone for now.

I'd like to "modernize" my system a little bit, but as a record collector, my initial focus is on the turntable.  I've been looking around, and seems I have several options.

1. Leave well enough alone, keep the table and arm as is.

2. Upgrade the VPI, I see there's an inverted bearing and platter upgrade available for TNT models, and sell off the current platter and bearing.

3. Sell off the TNT, and get something a bit less fussy as leveling the air suspension can be a bit of a pain.

If I sell, I'll probably want to keep the ET.

I'd appreciate any guidance I can get on this.

Thanks,

Ctor


ctor
sdrsdrsdr
196 posts
 
@chakster 

Have you ever owner a Garrard?  Yes. I agree DD would be a more costly approach. But to state not any better is wrong. DD and idler have a different sound. To state no better isn’t correct. They are different. 

I have a 301, along with two DD and a belt. My two close audio friends also have and one still owns an idler and a DD. One settled  on a Nantais lenco. The other has two 301’s and the DP80 all  in a row. He favours the 301’s. These are both very high end systems. But your correct the dp80 and sp10 mk2 are very cost effective.   Even more for your money is going the Lenco route. These can be purchased for about $500. 
I do understand the favouritism for the DD sound as I really like it too.  
sdrsdrsdr
196 posts
 
Correction to last post. 
I meant DD is a less costly approach.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Garrard 301 alone (without plinth and tonearm) can be $4k and this is the type of turntable that must be fully refurbished, maintained, many parts must be replaced, this is a very old turntable. I like the design, especially hammertone finishing. With tonearm, cartridge and plinth this is way over OP's budget. I wish to have Garrard 301 Hammertone when I will be rich, here is a nice article about this model. It is probably a $10k turntable. With $4k budget I wouldn't mess around with Garrard and at this budget DD is the way to go. Especially Luxman PD-444 that does not need any modification, refurbishing, plinth replacement etc.   
xaak
43 posts
 
I owned a PD-444 back in the late 70s and early 80s.  I attended a listening session at a local dealer in the early 80s that featured the Luxman, a Logic DM101, an Oracle Delphi and a Michell Gyrodec, all with the same arm and cartridge.

It wasn't even close, with the Luxman clearly the worst of the bunch.  I wound up trading mine for the Gyrodec.  As I recall, Luxman discontinued the 444 shortly after and came out with a similar belt drive table.
johnto
1,026 posts
 
Be sure you have performed any necessary cleaning, oiling and greasing and other maintenance on the TT and motor. Happy listening.
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