Turntable suggestions for a newbie
Hello all. Beginning my journey into analog. I've recently gotten some advice on here in regards to my integrated tube amp selection. I may be going about things backwards, but here's where I'm at now. I'm 99% in on the Raven Blackhawk as my amp. At Ravens suggestion I've purchased the Schiit Skoll as my phono stage. So now I'm looking at tables. I've narrowed it down to 3 although I'm open to suggestions. Here they are in order:
1)VPI Scout 21
2)MoFi ultra deck
3)Michell Technodec
The VPI is 1 because it looks bad ass and has really good reviews. Draw back is that it doesn't include a cart so is getting a little pricey for me with the additional cost of a cart. Not to mention that I'm not sure where to start as far as carts go. The MoFi is intriguing because it can be purchased with their ultra gold cart for less than the cost of the VPI. Looks are but not as nice as the VPI. Both are USA made. Third choice is the Michell. Looks great too. No cart either. It seems like the VPI is also upgradable. One concern that I have is that whatever table I choose will be placed on my council next to my center channel with L and R towers and a sub on either side. Not really any other options unfortunately. The VPI and the Michell have isolated drives. My concern is that the the table location will be prone to vibration and may effect any table with an isolated drive. Is this a legit concern? Center channel wouldnt be used while listening to LPs. Would an isolation platter mitigate any adverse effects from adjacent towers and subs? Am I over thinking this?....
The Link will show asking prices for VPI across a few years with the most recent to compare. It should help identify where noticeable depreciation can occur with certain models. Knowing depreciation can help be the deal maker/breaker on certain purchases. My TT Purchases over many years have always appreciated, this is the better place to be, if one is totally satisfied with their TT’s capabilities. https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=VPI
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If you're buying a used Scout that comes with one of their unipivot tonearms included in the purchase price, and if you don't want a unipivot, I do in that case understand your conundrum. The solution might be any one of the following: (1) Ask the seller to keep the tonearm and reduce the price accordingly, or (2) buy and install the stabilizer that I think VPI sells for their unipivots. Although unipivots are not held in high regard on this forum, they are not so terrible as all that, especially when stabilized, and your system is not going to suffer. Or (3) find another deal for a VPI without tonearm. Then buy separately the tonearm you desire, whatever that is. You are by no means restricted to VPI in your choice of tonearm. |
I bought the VPI HW 19 Mk II with a Sumiko MMT arm and a Koetsu Black in 1985 from Sound By Singer. I was going to upgrade to a VPI Classic around 2010, but Harry (Weisfeld: the "HW") told me that for $800 to $1,000, I can save myself $4,000 by simply upgrading the HW 19 to a Mk IV and I will have a table that is as good or better (the design philosophy change was forced on them by the EPA: no more lead rings in the platter). So I did. I am taking it in to VPI to mount a new Jelco 750 arm and to give the table a lookover and tune up later this month. VPI has great products, and they "take care of their family" of customers after they close the deal. As for arms, both have detachable shells. That’s allegedly not the best thing, but I need the convenience of switching cartridges. I am still getting terrific sound, so I stay with the convenience. |
My old VPI 19-4 has rubber/spring sprung suspension and works well as is in preventing vibration problems. My VPI TNT6 has a terrible Delrin footer suspension and is used on top of a Townshend Seismic Sink (fantastic combo). So, when purchasing a VPI table, analyze the suspension because it could be excellent to terrible requiring a platform (such as the newer Townshend spring suspension footers or platform. Only changed belts (many times) in 42 years for 19-4 and TNT6. |
As a complete curve ball proposal, the following will fit the proposal quite fittingly. There will not be too many who disagree with the Purchase Values of the Items in the Links. There will also not be too many who disagree with the use of such Items as a TT > TA > Cartridge > Plinth. In my view at such asking prices, it is a great starting place, which if all goes well as a used item sale, will be one that is most likely to appreciate in value. There is always a risk to buying Vintage and Imported, but many many have done this and there are those that remain doing it as well. I myself have numerous purchases made from the site in the Links with only a couple not working out exactly as planned. Add $300ish as the additional costs for a combined shipping and Import Tax. The First Link gets a TT > TA > Cartridge > Plinth with the TT's Electronics having been refurbished and the claim made the function is proven. The TT as a lone item has the evidence shown it is working at both 33 and 45 rpm. The Tonearm as a lone item has a massive following for its qualities. The Plinth as a Lone Item is a Mass Design, it will be one that can be contentious as there is the endless debate about a Material and Structure used for a Plinth, especially Mass vs Light Weight. On the same sales site, there are Wood Structure Plinths as well, these could be veneered to create a aesthetic that has extra appeal and fits in better with a rooms decor. https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/auction/yahoo/input/p1073298992/ https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/auction/yahoo/input/l1155224548/ https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/auction/yahoo/input/1156118058/ https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/auction/yahoo/input/h1156210363/ The following is not my recommendation as a Cart', it is a pointer to what can be achieved as a Purchase. Of this actual Cart' is supplied and capable of 400 hours of good replays? This outcome would be close to $00.50c a replay, which is a Bargain. If the Cart' proves to be very attractive in use, it is one that can be retipped to offer another 1000ish Hours at approx' $00.50c per replay, the attraction is being maintained and the Bargain of usage cost is extended for the longer term. https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/auction/yahoo/input/w1156131679/ As in all Used Item Sale Purchases CAVEAT EMPTOR is ones best friend. |
