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advice for best reliable turntable

I recently became a convert to vinyl after comparing the sound of several mid-range vinyl setups against SOTA digital. I'm pretty much a newbie to vinyl, and will be using the equipment in China, i.e. it will be difficult to ship units in-and-out of the country. I have narrowed my choices to the following:

1) High-end commercial models in 10k range: Avid Acutus, Nottingham Dais, La Luce Centoventi, Basis 2800, SME model 20/2a
2) High-end, high-value models derived from the Teres project: Teres 300 series, Redpoint Testa Rossa XS, Galibier Quattro Supreme
3) Local model produced in China: Consonance

The Consonance is made in the same city I live in China, and the Nottingham, Basis, and SME brands all have a China distributor.

I think reliability and ease of repair are my main concerns, unless I have to sacrifice a significant amount of sound quality.

I like tubes, and generally prefer a fuller, lusher sound over a more analytical, dry sound (though musical detail is very important to me). I listen mostly to pop, jazz, world music, vocal and percussive music.

It is difficult to find threads where people have made direct comparisons between two or more turntables in my list. I hope to get a better idea of the 'sonic signature' of the above players without necessarily getting the chance to hear all of them, and also what technical upkeep worries I may need to worry about. I intend to get the best tonearm/cartridge combination possible irrespective of price.

The dealer for the SME, Basis and Nottingham TTs said the Nottingham had a warmer, lusher, less detailed sound, the Basis was more detailed, analytical and dynamic, while the SME is in-between.

Has anyone heard the Consonance turntable?

I'm currently leaning toward either the Nottingham or Consonance, if they are comparable in performance to the other players in my list, since they have China dealers. They are relatively lower-priced and possibly less detailed, then I would consider getting a laser-based TT in a couple years once (if) they prove successful and come down in price.
no_slouch
no_slouch OP
48 posts
 
Thanks for the comments so far, please keep them coming!

Raul, could you be more specific about the sound differences between those three turntables, or why you would recommend in that order? I may not be able to A/B them using the same tonearm/cartridge combination.

I plan to get a top-end tonearm and cartridge, since they are easier to ship back and forth, i.e. buy or sell, and require a 'relatively' smaller investment to get the very best. Then I can upgrade the turntable down the road if vinyl works out. I am considering Schroeder Reference, Graham Phantom, and AirTangent2002. ZYX Universe for cartridge. I'm not sure about phono stage yet, but your advice Pauly is well-taken, I guess if I don't like SS in my pre/power, I should stick with tubes all the way then. Isn't the Boulder 2008 an SS phono stage though? Not that I'm considering that model.

Are there TT vs. tonearm/cartridge synergies I should worry about? At this point, actually, I'd be quite happy if all the pieces fit together at all :-)

Tomorrow I'm gonna have a listen to the Consonance LP1.0 and LP5.0, but without an external comparison or reference point.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
A Teres has nothing that's ever likely to need repair, other than the circuit board or the motor I suppose. Shipping that would be easy enough.

No part of the table itself is going to break, unless you drop it from a second story window. That might just break the sidewalk. These tables are built to last, as are all the Teres project types.

I know from experience that a ZYX UNIverse/Schroeder Ref is a superb combination. Haven't heard the other arms you mentioned, but for simplicity's sake in a foreign land, isn't an AirTangent and its complexities a higher risk? What if they don't have air to compress over there? ;-)
skushino
91 posts
 
No slouch, I agree with your concern about shipping a turntable for any reason. It's a pain and source of stress. All of the tables you listed are fine, but the only ones with local support are the Consonance and Nottingham. If anything goes wrong, you only have three choices: 1) repair yourself 2) repair locally 3) ship abroad for repair. Which do you feel comfortable with? If you don't want to ship, choose a turntable you are confident has local support.

Good luck,
scott
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
No Slouch,it appears that,with all the items you are evaluating,that the ultimate sound you get will most likely fall into the category of table support,arm/cart synergy,and set-up,as well as line conditions etc.The actual "Sound" of a table,when all the other factors are considered,is actually rather benign(so long as it is a well designed,and built unit).Best of luck!
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