2. analog
  3. 1168804031

Turntables from 1-10: Personality 8.5 Beauty 12

This thread could be interesting for any components, but I write as I am thinking of adding a turntable to my system.

In the end, I might not use it very often, but I love the beauty of turntables, if only as a conversation piece for my missionary work with non audiophiles.

Obviously, I want it to sound very good too but I might get more pleasure per dollar per hour of usage with an unusually gorgeous turntable. I need to keep the budget to < $10,000 retail.

Could anyone recommend a particular VPI model? The HRX is obviously gorgeous, but I imagine the less expensive ones look great too and much of the same performance as their top of the line?

How about the Michell Gyrodec SE? Is it as gorgeous as it looks in pictures? Oracle?

Obviously the dowdy LP12 is out, as are the mdf Regas and others.....

Thanks for any ideas.
cwlondon
cardani
160 posts
 
!How come nobody mentions Simon Yorke turntables!....
Although I,ve never heard one just looking through pictures for me are piece of art.
BTW I think the guy also does sculpture on the side ....no wonder.
emailists
923 posts
 
Anything under $10K is basically a close and play phonograph.

You want something nice, be prepared to shell out the big bucks.

Walker - maybe nice sound but ugly as hell.

for looks I suggest the Basis work of art - cheap at around $25K

http://www.basisaudio.com/graphics/catalog/tbl_wkt_full_L.jpg

Goldmund reference II - now your talking, and slightly less than a nice Rolls.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.... okay I'm kidding.......
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
Hi cw,
How about a PX-2...? Slightly retro, somewhat cool-looking, and... well... you have a history there...
fosse
47 posts
 
I have a Avid Acutus that I think sounds great and looks beautiful. Highly recommended. Used to have a Michell Orbe SE, not in the same league at all.

http://mediatech.no/berg/hf/bilder2/small_2007-03-11%20015.JPG

André
breuninger
101 posts
 
This thread caught my eye--I like tables for the looks too as well as the sound :)

Last year I bought a Transcriptors Hydrolic Ref for the looks. It came equipped with an SME 2 arm and a Shure III cartridge. The sound is amazing---every bit as good and detailed and holographic as the $34,000 ref table I had. I've almost finished reviewing it and need to pop on an original arm to make it a wrap.

One of my hobbies within this hobby is finding "sleeper" gear. This is one of them! Also, you can't beat the ergonomics of Lux tables--I love their touch points-so Lexus like.

And don't discount the Ariston tables--I rebuilt a RD-40 and its wonderful, bigger staging than the old Linns and it looks so cool. Its got pace and rythmn galore.

Peter
More to discover