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How Much Is TOO MUCH for a Analog front End?

Hello All
I have a question hopefully you can help me decide.After having had the "bug" (you all know what I mean) for much of my fomative years, I have reached a point in my evolution that I've got the urge to upgrade my front end to that last step.
What I am contemplating is a purchase I am almost afraid to make. Having read soo much about these killer tables from various "cottage" companies (Teres,Redpoint,Galibier,etc) I have really got the itch.Not that my current front end isn't giving me enjoyment.It consists of a VPI HW-19 mk III in between 3 and four status, twl modded OL Silver arm,with various carts, a 103,Dyna DV-20X etc.,
but what I'm getting hot and heavy about is a Galibier Gavia,Schroder mod 2 or maybe Redpoint Medel B with the same mod 2 arm?
but were talking roughly $9-10k not exactly lunch money.
So this brings us to the question How much is TOO much for a table/arm set up? (now thinking about it this maybe the wrong place to ask this question lol) should it be in proportion to my income?
give me some input.In all honesty, I won't be able to purchase it til maybe August If I start saving now.
Please give me some indication,as I am bordering on an Intervention!!

HELP ME!
braab
braab8
nedmast
17 posts
 
What kind of isolation are you using for your VPI? I recently improved the performance of my Nakamichi Dragon simply by using pneumatic isolation - a bicycle tube (partially inflated) between the stand and the shelf under the TT. I had the shelf, so my cost was $5. I own a VPI HW 19 Mk IV, and know - with it's stand alone motor - that it's a heavy unit. But you might look into the possibilty of something like that if you don't already have the TT well isolated.
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
To me, it sounds like you should wait. Great TTs like the Galibier and Teres will still be around in a few years. If you are dying to change something until you feel comfortable spending the money, you might try a different angle... While the sound is different, you might try doing something like a Lenco/ROK/similar in a new plinth a la the "Home Despot" thread. From all I have read, you can get considerable quality for not huge money. You could probably buy/rebuild/replinth a Lenco, do a Ladegaard tonearm set-up and that would put you out $2k or less, leaving a lot of money for a cart, an arm which could be used on any table you wish in the future, and it would teach you a fair bit about what makes a TT work and what makes it work well.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Maybe you should just play CDs for a month or two. I'd bet that when you return to playing LPs on your VPI it would sound unbelievably fabulous just as it is.

Another consideration: Is you VPI modifiably to their new rim drive? Maybe that would provide that extra weight and pace that gives people the urge to turn to a mass-loaded turntable such as the ones you mentioned.
braab8 OP
56 posts
 
Ned
This is a valid point I've often thought about but never got atound to. Currently my 19 rests on 3 generic brass cones glued to the base, sitting on a 5/8" slab of marble,all ontop of a Target wall mounted shelf.what are your thoughts?

TBone
first off I envy you but love you system,I sit here with my eyes closed dreaming about what it must sound like.Funny you should mention this regarding the Lenco as I had a chance to buy one and declined b/c all I could think is now I have this table but not the know how to build/replinth.
these type of projects have always interested me .
Does any one know of a suitable builder to accomplish this?

Johnny
I have not heard of this from VPI I must research.

Thanks
but I'm still saving :^)!!
kdtran's avatar
kdtran
19 posts
 
For us working Joe - $10-15K should get you there close to Nirvana. Ridiculous table like the Continuum Caliburn is just that - plain ridiculous. For the money, the Teres 340 with the Verus drive is an excellent choice and great value; throw in the Graham Phanthom or Triplanar VII and a Lyra Titan and you are there; I was plenty happy with that combination for a long while till i found my custom TT with the Kuzma Airline.

The Schroeder i am sure is very good but not worth the wait and i don't think can beat the Air bearing tonearm. Also, once you heard a good mass-loaded Turntable (i am sure to get some hate mail now), the VPI or Oracle is NO match !!

So to answer your question, how much is TOO MUCH - well it depend on your pocket book but anything above $30-40K is too much in my opinion...
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