2. analog
  3. 160106-23638

Help with TT ideas for my first TT

Hi All,

I have been reading alot of reviews and searching around for my first TT.  ALot of recent recordings that i want are basically only coming out on vinyl or super crappy mp3.  I have an Aaron integrated amp, with some custom built SB Acoustic Monitors (Bromo).

I am looking at the marketplace in the 1 - 1.5k range and see I can find alot of different solutions and wanted to get peoples thoughts:

Marantz tt-15 - Seems like  bargain at 1500, but difficult to setup
Clearaudio Concept - good reviews, bumps against the magnetic arm (Cement floor at my place)
Music Hall MMF 7.3 - Seems like a great solution
VPI Cliff Wood
Pro-ject X1 or X2 - Have read some reports of motor noise
Rega Planar 2 or 3 - Seems to be they are what they are

With such a crowded field how do people choose?  I live in Central Mass, and dont have alot of options in terms of auditions so would love to get peoples thoughts. 
kro77
kro77 OP
69 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback.  Why Ortofon? I was wondering is there a bug used market for carts or do people just change them out as the mess with them. 
Sorry for all the newb questions, but how do people decide on one? Seems like hard to demo compared to cables.

I have read blue and bronze are good but the mofi has some decent ones.  Thinking of sticking with mm to start. 
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
Just stick with the MoFi cart to start. Get your feet wet, and when you desire to get in deeper, by then, you will have done more research to decide if another cart is desired, or not. From what I have read, their carts are very good at their price point, and really, you are getting a good deal with the table package, as purchased separately, they aren’t ‘cheap’ carts. The StudioTracker, which comes with ‘your table’, I believe, sells for $200. The UltraTracker sells for $500.
kro77 OP
69 posts
 
Great thanks for the tips
kro77 OP
69 posts
 
My Studio Deck arrived today so will work on figuring and setting it up.  Ended up spending less than i had talked myself into at 918 bucks which seems like a really reasonable starting point.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,470 posts
 
Im with TooBlue.....they are easily repaired/modified and keep their trade-in value if you should want to move on, They are competitive at every price point. The most important contributor of good sound for vinyl is the setup.
More to discover