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Help me decide on first turntable purchase

This is my first turntable purchase. Last time I had a TT was when I was teenager in the 80's. I don't have much vinyl at all so I have to buy records as well. Budget is $3000, really don't want to go over that. I need a phono stage as well. My system is Sonus Faber Sonetto VIII, PrimaLuna EVO 400 integrated. My digital is a Innuos Zenith mkIII into a Chord Qutest. My initial thoughts on a couple tables were the Mofi Ultradeck, Music Hall 7.3 and Rega Planar 6. I am sorry but I just don't like the look of the Technics stuff. I am not a big fan of the Rega looks either but I know it gets great reviews. I was considering a Clear Audio Concept until I joined the Facebook owners group and hear about all the motor speed problems. Initial phone Pre I was looking at were the Mofi and KC Vibe. The Ultradeck seems very solid and seems to get great reviews.
Thank you for your thoughts. 
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ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,132 posts
 
I agree with the advice to dip your toes in slowly. A buddy of mine spent several thousand on an analog rig a few years ago. In just a couple of months he dumped everything when he found out it just wasn't for him. The good news is I cherry picked all the records he bought for a great price.

Oz

crustycoot
644 posts
 
Pro-Ject Classic EVO comes with Sumiko Moonstone MM cart.  Musical Suroundings Phonomena II phono preamp has all the adjustments and good enough SQ to get you going.  Tweaking possible with platter mats, future cartridge upgrades, etc.  An Ifi low noise SMPS can improve the phono pre...all for very near $3K.
dinov's avatar
dinov
834 posts
 
I can tell you one thing, the Mofi ultra tracker cartridge is a fantastic MM cartridge. I got one from music direct at a discount for my classic thorens turntable and was very much surprised by the sound! Full, solid, excellent sound stage, great bass and on and on. So if this helps you in your decision, you will be very happy with its performance, since i believe it comes with the Mofi ultradeck . 
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
well for $3 k and some effort you could get a SOTA Sapphire and skip past spending $ on isolation ( btw Townsend is hardly the Apogee of TT isolation - pick your expert advice carefully )

A decent used Jelco, Sumiko, SME arm, a used KC Vibe or Nova III phono or Soundsmith phono stage, and the best Soundsmith or Ortofon you can afford w budget remaining.

The Ultradeck is fine ( yes i have spent many many hours listening to one w Ortofon Bronze )…

but…
bikerbw
108 posts
 
I second the suggestion of not topping out your budget for a part of your system that you’re not sure you’re going to continue; keep your purchases fairly modest initially so you don’t take a large bath when either trying to resell it or just letting it sit around. The VPI Player has a preamp built in and comes with a cartridge, so not a bad way to start, and setup is minimal so you don’t have to spend time worrying about having it right. That will get you involved in vinyl so you can decide if that’s a path you want to follow. 
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