@mdalton, much appreciated thanks. I did not know about these options. I am now looking at various turnkey vintage choices in the market, also including Thorens TD 125mk II by Art of Sound from Germany...
End Game Turntable suggestions
Hello all, looking for insights to help me narrow down to some core choices; I am open to new or preowned. My system details can be seen under my profile.
In summary I have significantly expanded my vinyl collection and as of now I am looking to purchase an end game turntable appropriate for my setup. As you can see I use Mola Mola Kaluga Monos, and I really like the Zesto Pre and Phonostages. I find the class D/tube pre combination very pleasing.
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:
- Origin Live Sovereign
- VPI Signature
- SAM Sinner
- Thorens TD 1601 (semi automatic)
Visual appeal is important to me (which is why Technics 1200 is not on my list despite great reviews everywhere). I love the idea of set it and forget it DD tables, but unfortunately mostly out of my budget (eg VPI HW-40 going for abt 11K used)....
Sorry for the long post but my hope is this background and help solicit good suggestions. Thanks
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- 187 posts total
@terry9 I did not know of others who are using the P'holz as a Arm Wand. Did your experience leave you with the perception there was another level of detail being extracted (crud removed ) with this as the material. Each Time I experience it in use as a exchange material to a material I am quite familiar with. There is a certainty a extension of detail is present and a new comprehension is created of the structure of the recording during the presentation. The other trait that is on offer, and one that takes a little extra time to convince oneself is present, is the added micro details to how the instrument has been used, or the Vocal Note Formed. This is a lot of improvement for a little bit of being curious and not with too much cost involved to step so far forward in a improvement. I find it hard to see this as a subjective evaluation, there are so many reports all making claims that have a cross over of information. For those with a mind to produce a range of items for HiFi purposes, It is becoming a go to material now. Which is at this stage of being presented as material worthy of investigation, is now with about 12 years of forum promotion for the investigation into the usage behind it. |
@pindac I built (actually, most of the woodwork was done to my specifications) three Pz wands for my air bearing DIY tonearm. First was just a flat piece 4mm thick Pz with a Pz spine. It was the lightest and worked quite well. Second was a hollow cone of Pz with the grain running the length of the wand. It was heavier and better. Third was a hollow cone consisting of rings epoxied together. This was heaviest and best. Sound was all that you suggest: more detail, especially micro-detail. But the over-riding impressions were sweetness and realism. The harshness seemed to have all been damped away. Cartridge was a Koetsu with diamond cantilever. I will also be building a lighter version of the last attempt, and a sapphire wand for comparison. |
- 187 posts total