I like both my music hall mmf-7.3 and my Avid ingenium, all the turntable I'll ever need. If a turntable keeps proper speed, is well isolated, and has a decent tonearm, I cannot see spending any more than my two aforementioned tables. Both are well executed designs. I spend most my money on records nowadays.
which turntable for the future?
Hi Audiogoners,
I've improved my music system with 2 pearls, both from Soulution, Preamp 725 and Pre phono 751. Great improvement but, as you can imagine, my turtable now sounds inadequate compared with the rest of the analog chain.
For the future (not now, sigh!) I'm considering VPI Avenger or TechDas Airforce V. Today my turntable is a Michell Gyrodec with SME V. I'm in love with its design: a lot of competitors got ideas from it and after years and years is still a star to follow.
I confess: beside the quality improvement, I'm passioned about design. What you would choose? And second question: do you think that a second hand machine would be a suitable solution?
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I spent a ton of time thinking about this last year. I emailed Mike Fremer and Michael Trei and got a lot of opinions. In the end, I was down to the Kuzma Stabi R with a 4pt arm or a Brinkmann Bardo. I ultimately found a demo model Bardo with the 10.5 arm and an ortofon Cadenza black that was set up by Mike Trei. The deal was too good to pass up. This table has changed my listening experience. The I didn't realize turntables could leoduce this kind of frequency response and the dynamics are stellar. If the price range you're looking at you could step up to a Taurus or even a Spyder in The Brinkmann line. I don't have the Kuzma but feel it would have been an equally good but different choice. As others have said, I'd avoid rhe VPI. They're super cool looking but ultimately don't perform to the level of some of the others mentioned on this thread. |
design is very important to me also. the airforce is an ugly beast IMO. first, I would go for an improved cartridge on your existing beautiful TT any cartridge you buy can be used on any future table you buy. your phono pre is extremely versatile, ready for any MC you might try. manufacturer will help you make the correct settings. For my 1st MC Cartridge I chose AT33PTG/II.
Very wide separation, and very tight channel balance gives excellent imaging. I just bought another. I like it so much, I guessed my stylus should be worn, I sent it to AT, they agreed, just ready for discard. AT has a program, clean return for $40., or they sold me a new one for $262, less than half price. I suspect you will fall in love with your existing TT again right away. |
@renatocomes I also had a Michell Gyrodec with SME V which I thoroughly enjoyed until the upgrade itch started. I then moved on to an Avid Acutus and installed the SME V arm on that. I must say that was a significant improvement all round and I happily used that system for a few years. However, I then moved on to a TechDas Airforce V and again moved my SME V arm. This combination is absolutely thrilling in my system and is the way I'd go in your situation. The sound is dynamic and totally involving whilst also somehow managing to reduce surface noise from records. Everyone who has heard this turntable in my system has enjoyed it. The looks are love/hate. Personally I love it and the smaller footprint has been a bonus with shelf space. If you can afford a Techdas Airforce V Premium then I doubt you'll be disappointed. |
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