2. analog
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Turntable in $155-2500 range

I'm looking to upgrade (add a new?) turntable. I currently have a KAB modded Technics 1210 that I will likely keep for a second system. I've had a Rega Planar2 with Elys cartridge I've liked in the past.

As many have noted, it's hard to hear many 'tables these days. Dealers are few and far between. Here is my short list of candidates:

-Rega P3-24 with the TTU PS
-JA Michell TecnoDec (a late candidate that I am interested in hearing about)
-VPI Scout
-Project RM 9.1
-Music Hall MMF 9.1
-Clearaudio Emotion CMB (I do have young kids an am a bit concerned about the Maestro surviving)

I'm also interested in hearing about other options. Other key equipment: PrimaLuna Prologue 3 Pre, Wyred4Sound monoblocks, Gallo 3.1 Ref speakers.

Thanks,

Tim
tjnindc
tjnindc OP
91 posts
 
Johnnyb53:

I always appreciate your insights. I have spent a lot of time with my 1200 over the last 48 hours (Grant Green, Idle Moments, right now), and it is pretty solid. A few questions:

1: How big of an impact is the external PSU? ...and which one do you recommend?

2: Have you swapped out a tonearm? The SME certainly looks interesting. I've always like the Rega arms as well.

3: Do you have a favorite cartridge these days? I like my AT 150MLX a lot but maybe having something else to swap in might cure my 'itch' a bit.

Thanks.

Tim
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
1. External PSU: I have no direct experience. There is an A-goner who has the KAB PSU and considers it very worthwhile. Sound HI-Fi also has one which is about twice as much, and which the designer understandably considers superior to the KAB.

2. I have the stock Technics arm with fluid damper and LPGear Zupreme headshell, which I consider as important as the fluid damper. Again, although I have no direct experience, the things I've read indicate that the SME and Jelco arms are a better match than the Regas. The RB250/300/301 arms are undamped. According to Sound Hi-Fi the Technics likes a damped arm, and the SMEs and Jelcos are. I've read that the SL-1200 was actually designed to go with the SME tonearm of the day, the Type III improved. Back then Technics offered two versions--the SL1200 with Technics arm and the SL120 with an SME armboard.

3. I also use an AT150MLX; it's an excellent match with the arm setup I have (fluid damper and 12g rigid headshell). Tone Publications has had an ongoing SL1200 project going for some months. They never tried the fluid damper (for sure) or an upgraded mat (AFAIK), but they tried dozens of cartridges at all price ranges, and two that stood out are the wood-bodied Grado and the Zu-103. I suspect that if you stick with the stock arm, add the fluid damper and the ZuPreme shell, it sets the arm up to work well with the stiff compliance of the Zu-103. Plus, the Zu is so heavy it adds the rest of the effective mass required, pushing it above 30g total (which is what is needed with a 103). The Jelco 750 is also considered a good match for the DL-103 and Zu 103.
mordante
511 posts
 
VPI Scout
Lyra Dorian or Benz Ace, I prefer the Dorian.
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