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Turntable on a $5k budget?

I'd like to give vinyl a try. I thought about starting with an inexpensive table but I think I may as well just buy once and be happy for a long time instead of upgrading later. I don't see why it wouldn't work out for me, I am willing to learn the proper setup just need a little guidance towards a good quality table and tonearm. I prefer a smooth, fatigue free sound over hyper resolution and detail.

I've listened to an SME 20/2 table with IV.Vi tonearm and I thought that was perfect for my taste but it is out of my budget. Should I be looking at suspended tables for that type of sound or is that not the deciding factor of how the table will sound overall?

The $5k is not the ceiling, I can extend my budget another $1500 for a tonearm on top of the table if the table is really that good.

I've read some reviews of the suspended tables such as Oracle, Sota and a few of non suspended such as Nottingham, Michell, Basis. Will any of the mentioned tables get me close to what I am looking for?

I am planning on using the phono stage of my McIntosh C500 preamp, it has both MM/MC phono stage. The rest of the system is McIntosh 501 monoblocks and Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento speakers.

Thanks in advance.
flyski
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rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Dear Flysky: IMHO all these alternatives are very good with almost no risk and very good price:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1236996239&/Vpi---TNT-5--Hot-Rod

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1236991083&/Basis-2500-Signature

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1235947937&/Clearaudio-Annv.-Amg-Wood-cmb

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1235052081&/Goldmund-Studio-Latest

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1234325020&/Platine-Verdier

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1234208622&/Avid-Volvere

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1234210962&/Cosmos-Sota-series-4-latest

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I have been using turntables for 46 years and have been a dealer for more of them than I can readily remember. I don't have the faintest idea on how to advise you. Not because I don't know anything about them but because the others are right, there are no simple answers. The sound is important but the way it functions and looks are important too. We have a much more personal interaction with a table than we do with a CD player or amp. I would try to examine as many good ones as you could and see how they FEEL to you. They are more akin to a musical instrument than anything else except a speaker. There is a lot to be said for your original idea of starting with a cheaper table. There are many good ones available on Audiogon that you could buy , use for a while and then sell at little or no loss. This would give you time to sort out what you are really looking for in turntable performance.
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
Raul has some good choices. It is always a personal choice but from those the Basis 2500 is top, the manufacturer is really good or on the other side, when a "Vintage touch" is preferred, the Verdier. With that one you have the option to go for all Arms (12"). Both are hard to beat from sonic results, but this is my opinion :)
It is the better way to go for a top class TT, an Arm upgrade later is no big problem...
glai's avatar
glai
446 posts
 
I asked the same question a little over a year ago. I was mesmerized by my friend's vinyl playback system and ventured into this complicated world of vinyl. I was advised not to go too cheap as I would be itching to upgrade all too soon. I started with a used SME20/2 with Graham 2.2, then move onto the Avid Acutus with triplanar. I now have the TW acustic TT and in the process of getting 2-3 arms. This trip has been costly but totally worth it IMHO. Digital just cannot produce the live and dynamic sound of vinyl.

To point out the obvious, you need some hands on guidance with setup tips. This is best done with an experienced friend or an experienced dealer. I was an engineer, read whatever i could found on the net, the manual, Fremer's dvd and still had a lot of suboptimal setting.

Suspended designs and unsuspended sounds very different and one would work better with the type of floors/construction that you have.

If you are into suspended table, consider my Avid Acutus. It is world class design with stunning looks.

If you like nonsuspended, I would suggest TW Raven one.

Self serving promotion aside, the arm is almost as important as the table and the cartridge/arm/TT choice needs to be considered as a whole.

Best of luck.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Prepare to spend more than anticipated.
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