End Game Turntable suggestions

@pindac Very happy to read all this info! I agree the Panzerholz is fantastic and I’m actually sitting in a nice amount of scraps I’m will find useful soon. Not so interested in tonearm wand but have seen some interesting bodies for DL103 etc

@rauliruegas The Palette is lovely, but needed to recap and fix a few DC issues so it’s in shop. I was trying to fix myself, recap no problem, but there were some issues with 2 potentiometers and typical situation with Levinson the parts are proprietary and the manufacturer wouldn’t sell to me. So it’s become more complicated. At the moment there is a small Pass B1 Nutube pre in its place, which is surprisingly wonderful! But oops this has gone off topic, sorry OP!!

I would appreciate suggestions for around $5-8K (table + arm), new or used. I will have separate budget for cartridge. One preferred option (but not must-have) is universal voltage, as I may move the unit to Europe later. My current vintage turntable (Project Perspective) is 22 years old, and while I don't know how to compare to something really amazing, I can say that my setup is lacking detail and bass. The tonearm is terrible to keep aligned. Based on visits to Axpona and Cap Audio Fest and other research, I am thinking of a few in my budget, but will really value your suggestions of other brands:

How do we know whether:

• The OP’s TT itself is OK or not?
• Whether the TT itself is affecting the bass?
• Or whether their arm is suitable for their cart?

The fact that they find the arm difficult is use and keep set up is reason enough to upgrade the the arm.

But I am wondering if the OP needs and arm and a cart more than a new TT itself.
 

@au_lait There is something satisfying about having a selection of Densified Woods on Standby. I have Board up to 75mm thick.

The Pass Design Korg Nu-Tube Pre-Amp is one I know very well.

Have witnessed it in demonstrations at a Pre-Amp Bake Off where the price range of Amp's were up to £4K retail. It held its own totally respectfully if a transparency and clarity is the desirable perception for being present.

After having a loaned and tweaked by a friends Basic Model in my system for approx' 1 year, and really coming to terms with how this design delivers.

I am having a Mono Block Balanced / Single Ended Pre' Built for me using this design, with a New Produced Circuit Board that allows for a Component used to a Larger Dimension without a squeeze. To make the most of the design, I have also gone to the lengths of having two perfectly matched Volume Controls Bespoke Built for me.

  I have been discussing with the EE, the use of Densified Wood for the Casings.      

@musicmatters1206 I am not going to discourage you from your quest to grow your digital experience. I am going through that evolvement myself. I have a Dealer not too many miles with a Range of Jay's Audio CDT's, I am itching to have a owned Perfect Wave Memory Player demonstrated along side the Jay's Models using my Bespoke Built DAC, at present the home system is as good as packed away, so I will be a tyre kicker at present, and prior to this did not want to get caught up in a purchase that was readily available and then only to be packed away. This might be the 2024 endeavour.

As for digital in General your earlier comments on Streaming are from my most recent demonstration of streaming relevant. Putting it in context, the Streaming was played through the exact same devices, a SP10 R Vinyl Source with supporting ancillaries for the Vinyl function, to a value of approx' £20K  has been used prior to the Streaming Demonstration. The TT is a extremely impressive performer, the Streaming Demonstration was of a the latest guise of the device and was not out of its depth being replayed in a room shared with Great Vinyl and the follow Up digital devices that were to be demonstrated.

With Vinyl as the consideration and the aesthetics of the TT being a big influence on a decision to be made.

The Model in the Link may catch your attention for aesthetic appeal.

If carefully planned and created, I feel is possible to be produced for approx' $1200, even with Polished Stacked Platters and if the Slate Top Plate on the Plinth is exchanged and a Veneered Densified Wood is used in its place. This will deliver a impressive performance as seen, the PTP Design does let an Idler Stand Out in delivered performance over other Idler Models.

Add to this at a later date or from the off set a luxury item such as a Speed Controller at approx' $1000. A LDA Quartz Lock, which I know well and have demonstrated it against other Speed Controllers, where it has shown to be a exceptional influence on a Idler Drive and also a Belt Drive.

With the correct planning and prudent purchase of a Donor TT. There is a lot of TT here for the monies and a lot of monies saved for other items to support the TT and the digital interest. 

@pindac 

Yes the Nutube was quite a fun build, only a few hours! I’ve also done a few ACA monos. So, you’re doing an alternate version of B1 that’s balanced? Assuming the larger component you mean an upgraded power supply that’s internal? One thing to look out for with Nutube is microphonics, there are some crafty methods of damping that but I’m sure your friend knows. Feel free to send me pics when you’re done, very interested!