Nice vintage $2k Turntable, cartridge, and phono stage

I currently have a current version Rega P3, I am looking to make a change. I have been drawn recently to vintage turntables especially with wooden plinths. The looks of the turntable are important (maybe more than they should be). I would like a good looking TT with a modern phono stage, used is fine, and a good quality cartridge. I’d be happy with a “good” not necessarily great sounding setup to go with my Simaudio integrated and KEF R5 speakers.

Anyone have any experience they can share?

mcstin11-07-2023 11:37pm

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tomic601 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 13,025 posts 11-09-2023 at 02:08am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete most SOTA from the 80’s will require a motor, sapphire thrust plate and likely all new springs ( ask me how i know )… but when refurbishment are an amazing TT if your not super pitch sensitive…. Donna at SOTA also sells refurbished units w or without upgrades
lewm Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 13,300 posts 11-09-2023 at 02:44am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Tomic, your experience buying your Denon is why I don't sell mine. It is simply too good for the amount of money it could fetch. I'd stack it against most $5K TTs bought new, once I had replaced the OEM plinth with a slate plinth and mounted my Triplanar on it. I preferred it to my SP10 Mk2 (also in a slate plinth) in a side by side comparison driving the same downstream components in each case. Which is why I did sell the Mk2. Your comment on an older SOTA, "if you're not pitch sensitive" is spot on. (I also owned a Star Sapphire Series III with vacuum, for about 10 years.) Presumably pitch stability is no longer an issue with the Eclipse upgrade on a SOTA.
mcstin OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 24 posts 11-09-2023 at 05:31am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I appreciate the responses. There are several brands I had not considered. I was a little surprised a couple of brands didn’t come up- Pioneer and Linn come to mind. Any thoughts on those?
bgross Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 408 posts 11-09-2023 at 12:54pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Luxman PD-121 Table, ADC LMF-1 Arm, Rega Exact 2 Cart , Lounge Audio LCR Gold Phono Pre - this is exactly what I use and was all purchased pre-owned in extraordinary condition for just under $2K. Its a VERY great playing/sounding rig and on looks alone is second to none. Just sayin...
elliottbnewcombjr Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 5,628 posts 11-09-2023 at 01:12pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete OP, You mentioned wood, I presume natural (not painted) wood. Are you sticking to that? Many of the TTs mentioned are NOT wood. Aside from the solid/veneer/wrap issue I mentioned above, Wood Plinth Construction varies. 1. a frame to drop the TT into A solid looking wood plinth, however the top is perhaps 1 layer of 3/4" thick MDF with veneer. This one is a frame and top board, many appear like thick slabs but are not Next are thick slabs, some solid wood, some layers of wood, some, like JVC and Denon’s (not all) are their 70mm thick 7 layer construction: 4 layers of wood or manufactured wood like MDF medium density fiberboard, with 3 thin layers of special compounds Note: some have removable arm boards, you pick an arm, drill a hole where needed. future replacement armboards can be found, refinished, or made.