The best equipment will play all genres. If I were to pick equipment that would be most likely genre specific it would be loudspeakers not turntables. Having said this there are definitely cartridges that are more dynamic than others and rock and rollers seem to be more sensitive to this than others. Until you get into very expensive MC systems high output cartridge systems tend to be more to much more dynamic.
Selecting Analog Gear Based on Music Preference?
I’m just getting into turntables and vinyl after building a fairly high-end digital system over the past few years. One thing I consciously did as I put together this system was “voice” it for synergy with the kind of music I like to listen to, which is fairly well-produced classic rock like Rick Rubin’s work with Tom Petty, Sting and the Police, Tears for Fears, etc. And I also like to listen to pop music like Sam Smith, Maroon 5, and George Michael. So I’ve built this system with a Naim NDX2/ND555PS and tube preamp/Luxman M900u power amp combo with high efficiency Volti horn speakers.
I picked up a Technics SL-1200Mk2 with an Ortofon 2M Blue just to get things started, and I have a Parasound JC3 Jr which all seem to be a great first step. But before I do any upgrades to the turntable and cartridge I’m wondering if there are better tables and cartridges for different kinds of music and listening? I don’t want to fall in love with some high end table and find out it really only sounds best when listening to renaissance lute music or acoustic guitar singer/songwriters, etc. I’m looking to get groove and resolution similar to what I’ve found with the NDX2/ND555PS combo.
I’m looking toward the $2.5-5K range, and at the top of the range I find the Dr Fieckert Volare and possibly the SOTA Sapphire very interesting, and I have a soft spot for Technics, so the 1200G is a possibility too.
Is there a direction I should be heading in if I’m looking for the best rig to reproduce a certain genre of music?
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@ghdprentice , interesting analogy. I would say VPI turntables are like American Motors cars. the Linn like a 356 Porsche, the Sota a 911 and the Basis a Ferrari. Turntables without isolation should not exist. None of them are worth looking at. |
The only feature I seem to be able to identify, that enables a TT and Motor Vehicle to be very loosely compared, is that a Rotating Circular form is a critical part to be used for it to function of the Two very different functions offer by each. There are other less exotic forms of producing a means to transport that could be compared to a TT, especially when used in a very loose comparison like has been above, such as a wheel barrow, I can't inform if such exclusive Brands are available as listed above. The Linn would surely be best compared to an Electric Powered Vehicle known as the Scamp, that was a design born around the same time the technology that Linn adopted was being produced. With the correct marketing approach, the Scamp might have become more successful in sales numbers than any of the above mentioned vehicles. |
I have a Dr. Fieckert Volare with an Origin Live Silver tonearm and Hana SL cartridge. This runs through a tube pre-amp and tube amps to horn speakers. I also listen to everything from hard rock to electronic to renaissance flute music. To my ears that turntable tonearm cartridge combination is fantastic. It sounds great listening to Thelonious Monk and then Porcupine Tree. However, take my opinion with a grain of salt because it's only the second turntable I have ever owned. I cannot provide a detailed comparison against other brands and versions. I would recommend auditioning one if you can. I took the risk and bought it without a direct audition and it worked out fantastic for me. I don't recommend that strategy for anyone else since it isn't my money. |
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