Will I Hear A Difference?

@flasd - yes, you are going to hear a big difference. How could you not hear a big difference given the two very different turntables & associated equipment that was in use?

Two questions (at least)

- Is the difference worth what you are about to set in motion? Specifically, an entry level rig to a rig & peripherals that will run you several thousand.

- Is the EAT the turntable for you in the end? I view EATs as the next level up from Pro-ject TTs, and that is because of the same family ownership of both brands.

I wouldn’t jump on the EAT right away. I would probably try a new cartridge like the Ortofon Blue. It is that good a cartridge, especially given your set-up.

What I would spend time with is looking at different makes of TTs and find what you really like & want in a TT. Miller Carbon is correct as the TT is more than just a component. If you hit it right, you will keep it a very long time.

I went through something similar myself about 6 years back, when I started with a Stanton 150 TT and went through a few purchases before I landed on the new series Technics 1210. Many cartridges along the way, as well. In my above post, I am on the list for a Decware phono preamp.

A key feature for me is bayonet cartridge head-shells, so I can try different cartridges easily. A Project or EAT arm would not work for me. I also like Direct Drive TTs. Once I mentally accepted the cost involved in getting a good DD turntable and pulled the trigger, I stopped shopping.

Good luck,

Rich

@rar1 thanks for the input… currently I’m using a Super OM20 which by all accounts is a better cart / stylus than the Ortofon Blue so going to a blue may be a down grade, I am happy with the Super OM20, I figured once the Blue goes on the EAT or I get tired of it I’d then either throw the Super OM20 on the EAT or replace the Blue’s Stylus with a Bronze Stylus, of course that would be down the road a bit. 

Maybe it’s just me, but being the EAT is from Czechoslovakia and with all the BS happening right now in the Ukraine Region, just unsure about dropping that much cash on a product that comes from a region with a questionable future. 

I am considering a Clearaudio Concept as well though. As you mentioned, I’m researching and reading up on everything turntable…
 

Get a map and then read up on the last 80 years of history.  There is no Czechoslovakia these days. There are the Czech Republic and Slovenia, two countries. Slovenia is a member of NATO. Ukraine is a huge independent country to the east of Slovenia that has ongoing problems with Russia. Furthermore, EAT turntables are made in Austria, according to their website. 

You are on the wrong track if you are listening to those telling you to upgrade the cartridge. Putting a $300 cart on a $300 TT running through a $200 phono pre is wrong headed. But it’s your $$$. Education costs $$$. $300 won’t buy much education in college. But you will learn. Then you will be back asking the same question in 3-6 months But that $300 will be gone. But it’s just $$$. Probably one of the hardest things to accomplish in life is to learn NOT to spend  ten cents trying to save a nickel.

Thank you for that … I feel the same way