Turntable advice


Hello everyone, I’m looking to buy my first turntable and want to get some advice about two specific turntables that I’m looking at. I can get both of these for a similar cost, so I’m looking for opinions on which way I should go. First, my current system consists of Rockport Cygnus, McIntosh mc1.25kw’s, McIntosh c2700 (will be used as phono stage at the start), dcs Bartok apex for digital, Cardas clear reflection cables (not power), rel no 31 pair of subs and torus power units. 

The tables that I’m down to (unless I choose to not spend as much out the gate) are a VPI Avenger Plus, most likely with a Hana ML cartridge and a Pure Fidelity Harmony with the illustrious se Tonearm and either the same cart or potentially the stratos cartridge. 
 

If I go this route, I’d like something that could eventually get more out of upgrades cartridges or tonearms down the road. Any advice or thoughts would be helpful, especially if you have experience with both. Thanks in advance!

128x128dan_springer

 

I'm a long time VPI user, but I'd go with the PF based on what I've seen/heard. 

I'll let others comment on technical superiority on which is "better?"

To my ears, both can be satisfying limited by choice of phonostage, which you'll want to address also.

Whichever you decide on, real time speed montoring/correction is paramount at the level you're seeking. Phoenix(Sota) controller highly suggested on the VPI. I don't think it can be used on the PF?  

VPI is a contentious brand. On paper-wrong on just about everything. What I hear on a properly setup however, is just a "good" as the anything else in price point.

If you go VPI-gimbal arm over the unipivot.

On a personal note- The PF has a more "traditional look" which I find appealing.

 

 

I think that all of us can see where this is going. Two fine turntables, but is the cartridge at the same level and we know that the built in phono stage needs to be upgraded to take advantage of such fine tables. Putting together an analog system is really challenging. There must be a right way to do it, but I certainly didn’t do it right. In an ideal world, I would listen to as many systems as possible and then duplicate the setup that provided the most smiles. There are those on this forum, whose system has gone through years of upgrades. If only we could invite ourselves over for dinner and a spin. Once you add up the costs to put together a great system, you should ask yourself, what if I took that money and upgraded my digital, power…etc.?

Always buy something that will push you to upgrade something else. Otherwise you have to upgrade both in the future.

You have some serious speakers (and amp) so you should go with a turntable of similar caliber. Personally, I think Japanese and European tables are much better than VPI. I went through three decent turntables before I settled on the TechDas AFVP - and obviously lost money as I upgraded. I would suggest getting an end game turntable (based on your system) and matching tonearm/cartridge, otherwise your pursuit may end up in multiple upgrades like mine. You will also need to eventually invest in a good phonostage. Kuzma tables/arm (4P),TechDas, CS Port, J Sikora, Technics SP10, Dohmann, are some top notch high end brands. I know digital is catching up to analog, but its still some years away. Listening to records is another pleasure.