Turntables better than a Wadia 861SE w/ Statement

ANdrew -- re some yr questions. TT+arm combos ("all in one") are qctually quite good usually, but the uprade-ability can suffer on the cheapest offerings.

A good way of looking at making the analogue investment "longer term" to follow the order: TT, arm, cartridge.

Among the reasonably priced/great performers you have TTs such as -- Scheu (self assembled; used to be called Eurolab), Teres, Pro-ject (the top models)... Among the many tonearms, you might look at Scroeder, Moerch, Origin Live. The beginner's Schroeder is IMO outstanding BUT there's a long waiting list it seems...

Many A'goners can offer excellent advice, one of these being Rauliruegas who has an unbelievable collection of analogue gear (including more cartridges than most dealers!)
Cheers

Like Bombaywalla, I too have an 861 non-SE without GNS upgrades. It’s running into a Supratek Chennin, and then into CAT JL1 Amps., driving Soundlab M1’s

Firstly, moving from running the Wadia direct into my CAT’s, and into the Supratek pre, was an across the board improvement.

While the 861 is a very good and satisfying CDP, my analog rig is more so.

The purpose of my Supratek purchase was to gain phono capabilities. As mentioned, a side benefit was improved digital playback.

But oh, my recent return to vinyl playback has represented the most fun that I’ve had in this 40-year hobby. After a 20+ year hiatus, I jumped back into vinyl playback, with wads of greenbacks strapped to both feet, by purchasing a Galibier Quattro Turntable, and Tri-Planar Tonearm, with a stupidly “good” -- because of its low cost -- Denon 103R cart. Since this was my first complete table/arm/cart set-up, I didn’t want to chance “fat fingering” a mega buck cartridge, and went with the Denon. Since doing so, I haven’t had a real desire to upgrade.

Since my foray into vinyl, approximately a year ago, my Wadia has done little more than gather dust. I liken the difference between digital and vinyl to the proverbial appearance over substance debate. I’ve found that there is a certain “wow” factor associated with CD’s, but this, like lust, quickly diminishes, and doesn’t necessarily turn into love, like the vinyl playback that I’m experiencing.

If you’re concerned that you must invest a commensurate amount in a vinyl rig as the cost of a Wadia 861se GNS, I believe you will find that you do not. Sure the care and feeding of a vinyl rig and the software is more time consuming. A RCM is necessary, if not downright mandatory. And cleaning those records takes time. Buying and finding LP’s can be costly and a chore, but for the most part, I haven’t found it to be so. Thankfully, I saved all the LP’s from my youth, and have had a blast on the hunt for used, and most times, very inexpensive vinyl. Those small plastic cases don’t compare to the ascetics and feel of albums. These not so young eyes, find the difference in size alone, a plus.

An interesting benefit is that I’m finding myself spinning much more rock than I ever did with CD’s. While having lots of rock on CD, much was not what I would play as a steady diet. I found that I quickly tired of most rock CD’s. But that’s not the case with vinyl. Rock, even poorly recorded, essentially non-listenable on CD rock, is palatable on vinyl. Thus, well recorded rock is even more listenable on vinyl than CD. In fact, while Dire Straits’ recordings are done very well on digital, casual non-audiophile listeners have readily heard, and appreciated the differences of vinyl to digital.

With that said, I can’t directly answer your question because I lack your specific CDP, however, I can’t help believe that a vinyl rig costing less, and even much less than your Wadia, would be more to your liking. It would certainly be different, and if your sensibilities are anything like mine, those differences would be to your liking……Cheers!

PS. My Galibier Turntable purchase was a very rewarding one. Thom Mackris is a peach of a guy, and has forgotten more about audio than I will ever know. Although over 1,000 miles away, Thom patiently provided long distance hand holding, and encouragement during the setting-up process, and has continued to stay in touch. Formerly in league with folks like Chris Brady of Teres, and Peter Clark of Redpoint, puts Thom in what I, and many others, would say is pretty darn good company, providing a good reference point on your assumed quest for an analog rig.

Wadia? Not very sure about it. But i have the Burmester 969/970 digital combination. It is of different flavor as compare to my analog set up. Less time spent with digital as there are lots of fun tweaking my analog system. Overall it is more satisfied musically with the analog set up in my system and with lesser money spent.

My current Analog set up is consist of a VPI Super ScoutMaster with an outside ring clamp and a VPI Sychronous Drive System. The JMW arm is paired up with a Shelter 901 being driven by a BAT VK-P10SE Superpack Phono Stage. All of the 11 guys (Friends and Friends of Friends) that sat on the "sweet spot" had goose bumps all over their body thru out the listening session. I wonder if a Wadia 861SE digital player would have the same effect to this folks.

I'm in the quest for a new analogue rig myself. My finances only permit the moderately priced options: Nottingham Space Deck/Ace Space Arm, The VPI Scout Master/JMW-9 (Signature?), and the Teres 160/Origin Live Silver Mk II (or perhaps the Morch). I find all these options to be viable choices, if slightly different "flavors", as is the basic Scout. I'm not an admirer of the stock JMW-9 arm and I think the Signature version appears to be a worthwhile upgrade although I haven't heard it yet. None of the arms in question are exactly world class but all are decent. If you want to plunge into the deep end I recommend that you definitely add the Galibier Design tables and possibly the Avid Actus to your list. You should also consider the Lyra cartridges (all are approx. .5mV output). The Schroeders and the lastest iteration of the Triplanar seem to be the current pinnacles of tonearm design. Definitive judgements in analogue gear are very hard to come by as comparisons where only one variable is altered are not easy to arrange. Good luck in your search.