New to analog
In terms of simplicity, Nottingham is easy to set up. I remember it took me probably less than half an hour to do it. Cartridge installation and alignment takes additional time. After that you just change the oil every year or so, and you might want to check everything at about the same time. The belt lasts for a long time, the motor is reliable and not really expensive if you have to replace it. I replaced the record mat that comes with Nottingham, as does just about everyone, with Boston Audio mat. There are other options. I also don't use the Nottingham platform, I put the table on 3" thick maple platform. Again, most people do just that. 2" thick is minimum, some do 4" thick. And you would need some decent cones under the platform. |
I would buy from a local dealer. The dealer might have a trade-in that would allow some additional value to you. If they don't have a TT you want to buy, get that on-line and buy the cartridge locally so the dealer can set it up for you. Get a cheap ultrasonic cleaning machine. There is a thread on this something like "my new hobby is cleaning records" |
My journey last year, lots of help here, led to an extremely happy result, one deck with 3 tonearms: Long 12.5" Arm for MC; 9" Arm for MM; Compact 9" Arm for MONO. All aligned, balanced, instant back and forth Stereo/Mono in a listening session. I play a lot of Jazz, many Mono LPs. It began with a Vintage JVC Dual Arm Plinth CL-P2: Stereo Arm and Mono Arm. This, from Japan is expensive shipping, but shows the JVC deck well: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Victor-JVC-CL-P2D-Plinth-for-TT-71-TT-81-TT101-Direct-Drive-Turntable/32440... Then I realized I was using my MC to play LP’s that were fun but not audibly dynamic, or to test LP’s for sale, wearing out a non-replaceable Stylus, so I squeezed a 3rd arm on the left side, to get the 3 types, use the replaceable stylus for ’less than special’ LP’s My finished 3 arm deck can be seen in the last photo of my eBay listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/133612076659 New 3 arm solutions exist, the special 7 layer plinth is terrific. I went with TT81. None currently. Check out previously sold items on hifishark: https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=victor+tt-81 Happily I found this Vintage SUT with 3 inputs, bypass for MM and 4 optional loads for MC, so I only need 1 MM phono input. Now, 1 beat up, 1 too expensive, they frequently come up in eBay, and other SUT's exist with 3 inputs. https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=fidelity+research+frt-4 Good luck with your search, expect lots of good help here. |
A turntable is really the combination of the table and the rack. A lot of the best performance is only really possible with a massive stable solid rack. Which extends to include the floor. So while all your choices may be pretty similar when used on that massive solid stable floor/rack system, if that's not what you have that's not what you'll experience. I've helped people solve the problems with not so good placements, and the problems are usually worse and harder to solve when the turntables are really light weight. So you will want to consider very realistically where and how it will be used. |
