VPI & Soundsmith
turntable recommendations
I'm currently running a rega rp6 with a groovetracer subplatter and a dynavector 20x2 cartridge. I quite like it, but Upgradeitis has set in. My goal is to get a noticeable improvement without breaking the bank, say $5 K absolute tops. I prefer new. Based on my search to date, my current finalists are a rega p8 with apheta 3, or a dr. feikert volare with Origin silver mk3a tonearm and a hana ml. Others I seriously considered are a clearaudio performance DC wood or a VPI prime, but with those I would have to put the Dynavector on it to stay under budget and it already has high hours on it. None of these choices are available to demo in my area (Seattle) so I'm reaching out to my audiophile brethren for your experience, to better inform my decision.
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- 56 posts total
Get yourself a real turntable son. Check out the 1st link. Here's an Oracle DELPHI III for $1500 bucks, no arm. Next link is for an SME Carbon arm for $1300 Canadian. That's $950 U.S.
Get your Dynavector 20X2 rebuilt by Soundsmith with a gem stone, or boron cantilever, mated to an Optimized Contact Line stylus for $400 dollars and now you've got something. So for a pittance of $2850.00 I can promise you one thing .... you'll never look back on a Rega. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649639325-oracle-delphi-iii-with-sme-iv-tonearm/ https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649581927-oracle-audio-carbon-tonearm-with-oil-dampening-lik... |
I have owned a VPI HW with a Sumiko MMT arm since 1985. Bought as an HW MK II, with a Benz Micro. About ten years ago, I considered an upgrade to the VPI Classic. I noticed a change in the design philosophy so I called Harry to ask wassup? We had a moderately long discussion. The upshot of it was that Harry persuaded me to forgo the Classic, to patiently look for and buy the parts to upgrade from the HW MK II to the HW MK IV, bring it into him and he’d put it together. He said it would be at least as good as the Classic, and that I would save myself $4,000. So who am I to argue with Harry? Kudos for him: breathtakingly honest! And that’s what I did. So much for the “new is better” mantra. If it ain’t broke... The cartridge is now a Koetsu Onyx. |
I went through a very similar situation last year. I had a P5 and got to talking with someone who took over the store of the guy who sold me the P5. Starting from a conversation of rewiring the arm from the P5 (RB 700) to upgrading the arm (which I did to the RB880) to finally giving in to the P8 which includes the RB 880. I can tell you this: The arm made WAY more of a difference than the table, even though the P8 looks cool and has a better platter, etc. I don't necessarily regret paying much more for a much lesser improvement, but I think if you want to be as value conscious as possible, spend that extra $1500 on a good phono stage - you didn't mention what you are using. I did that after the turntable upgrade and was once again blown away with the improvement. I think if the table is spinning at the right speed (you have a PSU) and is properly isolated, the table is less important than the arm or the cartridge/phono stage, and is typically much more expensive. That's what we're all after - NOTICEABLE improvement. Beware of the law of diminishing returns, and have an end goal in mind, or at least an intermediary goal in mind. |
Technics 1200G I love mine and have various headshells/cartridge combos to play with. A removable headshell makes sampling carts easy and fun. Superlight wood headshells with high compliance carts...middleweight magnesium headshells with medium or low compliance carts...endless possibilities. The 1200G is very stable, quiet/transparent and heavy. It looks better/more impressive in person. The gimbal/tonearm is supremely light and airy to handle. It is all business...no joke. Pair it with an outstanding phono stage and you will be set for a long time. |
- 56 posts total