2. analog
  3. 182205-140740

Best turntable under $4000

I am looking to take the next step in my analog journey. I currently am using a Fluance RT85 with ortofon 2m blue. I have a Rogue Audio cronus magnum iii. I am running them with Kef 104/2 's. Fluance seems to get alot of hate on here. I was considering a cartridge upgrade but I am hesitant to upgrade more then the cost of the table. I don't hear much background noise and like the sound. I guess I am wondering if I don't know I hear noise because I have not heard a turntable that eliminates that noise? When I went from my Onkyo to my Rogue Sphinx iii I realized I had been missing a whole lot of sound. Then I ditched my rebuilt EPI M150's and heard hidden instruments in tracks I have listened to for years. I am looking for that in a turntable upgrade.  Apperance is important. I have interest in the following:

Clear Audio Concept Wood w/ maestro v2

Mofi fender precisiondeck w/ mastertracker

Stretching my budget is:

Dr. Feikert Volare no cartridge

Gold Note Pianosa no cartridge

These take me out of my budget once I get a cartridge

Any other reccomendations 

I will miss the autostart function for those buzzed listening nights. I would like the 4k to include a cartridge. Any opinions are welcome. Anyone think I should say screw the "rules" and get an Ortofon black?

 

Thank you in advance

cpdkee
grislybutter
3,141 posts
 

I had the RT85 and found it very good, for the money. But I was willing to spend a few hundreds more and get a Rega.

If I had 4K, I would look at

  • Rega P8
  • Clear Audio Concept Wood
  • Dr. Feikert Volare 
  • and Thorens
pinwa
290 posts
 

I had the RT85 and personally found it unlistenable.  I felt the sound was brash, excessively contrasty and very unnatural. I bought a used Rega P6 with the Ania cartridge and have been really enjoying it.  It is an enormous upgrade from the RT85 and has actually made me a believer in vinyl.  I have the Hegal V10 and PS Audio Stellar phono preamps.  Both are good but the PS Audio is probably better.  Downside of the Rega P6 is the tonearm isn't fully adjustable so you won't be able to use a lot of great cartridges by other manufacturers.  I think Rega is probably great at integrating the table, tonearm and cartridge so if you want a no fuss solution then a used P8 with the Apheta cartridge (with low hours) is probably as good as you can do for $4k but if I ever buy a higher end table it will be something that permits me to try a wide variety of cartridges easily.  

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,714 posts
 

Save yourself 2 grand . My friend has the Technics SL-1210GR and it is real nice. With the savings you can get a real nice cartridge to go with it!

 

arcticdeth's avatar
arcticdeth
1,572 posts
 

@yogiboy 

 

(In best Yoda voice). “yes, yes, to yogiboy you listen.”
 

will last you 40: years 

 

I own 3. No issues, no breaks, no belts,perfect rotation, no slowing down, no speeding up, always flawless play.

bought first 2 in mid late 80’s, bought. Third, black version in very early,2000’s I think.

no issues at,all. Start &:stop on a schilling!

jperry
2,450 posts
 

I would get the Dr. Feikert Volare and use your current cartridge.

Cartridges wear our and you can upgrade when you can afford it or need to replace the cartridge.

The Technics is also a good suggestion

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