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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
elliottbnewcombjr
5,505 posts
 

here’s the thorens 1601 gemoody mentioned, open box, $3,100. free shipping

leaves some money for cartridge!

dealer says "Free Lifetime Technical Assistance". Anybody have any experience with seller?

 

if, like cameras, open box gets maker’s full warranty, check with the seller if tempted.

jdougs's avatar
jdougs
186 posts
 

JVC QL-Y66F with a good cartridge sounds great and will still allow for safe buzzed listening.  

elliottbnewcombjr
5,505 posts
 

jdougs

I’m a big fan of vintage, my TT is JVC TT81 in 7 layer plinth. Quartz DD. The electronic controls of that QL-Y66F would scare/deter me.

I wonder what construction the plinth is? And, one I saw said ’rosewood veneer’. Many were fake wood wraps, nice appearance, but the distinction should be noted. Anyone know if these were real wood veneer or wood look wraps?

..........................................

If OP or anyone is considering assembling a solid vintage TT setup, mine, 3 arms, ended up costing 5K total: CP-p2 seven layer plinth, wood veneer (figured walnut I think, stained to appear rosewood); TT81; 100/120 transformer; 3 arms and 2 cartridges (3rd arm using existing cartridge). No auto functions. 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,505 posts
 

just having fun looking

a bit over budget, and a different look, manual

 

similar style

 

another

 

many VPI lovers

 

heavy looking black on wood base

 

includes marble base

 

 had one, a beast, awesome bass, but, very sensitive to vertical vibration

 

back to visible works look

 

oracle

 

some wood

 

ok, lunch time

boothroyd
365 posts
 

Three thoughts

1.) Direct answer to your inquiry IMO is the Direct Drive Technics 1200G

2.) Your Fluance 85 has better DC motor control (optical sensor servo) than any Clearaudio offering up to the Ovation (not including the AC motor Emotion or Marantz equivalent)

3.) A Grado high output would really speak to the most linear performance of your Rogue internal phono stage.

Happy hunting 🎶

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