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Choosing a new turntable

I've used an LP-12 for more than 30 years, mostly an 80's version with Valhalla and Ittok. I took it in for a tune-up last week and decided that's it, I'm done with this. I want 45 rpm, I don't want to throw more money at the Linn, I want something different.

My budget is $3K or less for table and arm and my inclination is to buy new, though that's not a hard requirement. My current cartridge is a Benz L2 wood body. I like an organic sound. I want an unfussy system (I briefly had a Kuzma StabiS/StogiS a couple of years ago and never got comfortable with it). I want a table I like the looks of. I've read every relevant thread here. I am intrigued by the groundswell of renewed interest in high-torque systems, but am not sure that will make sense given my budget and needs.

It's tough to audition tables, as you know. I'm hoping some of you seasoned vinylphiles can help me understand the kind of sound to expect from the various choices out there. Here's what's currently on my radar:

VPI Classic -- Price is right, buzz is good (though you have to be careful about that). But the table's footprint is a bit bigger than I'd like and I'm told the VPI sound is on the dark side. It's a bit clunky looking in the pictures. Also, I'm quite inexperienced with unipivot arms.

Clearaudio Performance SE (or the new, lesser, Concept). I like the looks of these tables, they seem well made and easy to set up. I've heard Clearaudio is fussy about support and may be hard to get good sound from for that reason. (I have an Apollo rack with a Neuance shelf.)

Well-Tempered Amadeus. Again, lots of good buzz about this new table. But I have heard of some reliability problems and the thing looks fragile and fussy. Also, no cueing lever (though I understand an add-on will be offered), which would drive me crazy I think.

Technics SL-1200 from KAB with some of the KAB mods. This is an entirely different kettle of fish, I realize. Much less money than the others, would give me a taste of direct drive, very easy to use, and I'd probably take advantage of the detachable headshell to play with some other carts. I could put a better arm in it eventually. But I have no idea if the sound I'll get from this table will be even in the ballpark of the others or even of my sub-optimized LP-12.

I suppose Michell and Nottingham should also be in my consideration set. What do you think?

That's it. And before you start flooding me with suggestions for searching out some long-discontinued rarity or DIY project, let me say that I appreciate the suggestions but I'm really inclined to keep this simple and off-the-shelf.

Thanks.
Ag insider logo xs@2xdrubin
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
SoundStage! did a review of the Not AceSpace and somewhere compared it to a slightly lower-priced VPI. I read it a couple of years ago. I remember the reviewer preferred the 'richness' or 'fullness' of sound from the VPI (maybe the HW19, can't remember) over the Nottingham. I have heard neither but perhaps others could opine on whether the review was accurate or not.

Separately, if interested, there are several DD or idler implementations one could buy for that money which would do you very well. And given how well-supported Technics SP-10Mk2 and Lencos/Thorens124/Garrard401s are these days, one could pretty much consider one of those plug'n'play if you got it used but refurbed (they come up reasonably often - there are a couple up now I believe).
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin OP
3,274 posts
 
I read that Soundstage! review. In a PFO review, the reviewer also seemed to prefer his Sota to the Nott, but described the Nott as leaning toward the analytical side of the force. Interesting. When I listened to it at the dealer's yesterday, my thought was that it may be too dark and thick for me. I guess there's no substitute for listening to these things. :-)

What I value about vinyl playback is its ability to sometimes seemingly cross the border between reproduction and real life, to communicate an organic "breath of life." If I can get that, I don't care if the bass isn't the best or the soundstage is small or whatever.
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
Drubin,
A good table will get you unbelievably good bass, and once you get it, you don't want to live without it. I have yet to figure out what it is which gets you the right bass. Other than setup and cartridge/arm matching, among table factors, I am inclined to think it is inertia and/or torque. The few tables I have had with light platters didn't do the bass right. The very few with very heavy platters or super-torque do bass the way it is supposed to be done.
tomcollins
34 posts
 
drubin, you are absolutely right about listening to them as they are all different. also, different depending on the arm, cartridge, room, phonopre, etc, etc.
i hope you like the nott in your listening room and if not, try something else and most importantly, ignore us.
good luck, there is no bad choice.

tom
maurager
10 posts
 
i am also looking for a new table in the $3000 range. i have auditioned the clearaudio performance se, nottingham spacedeck, and the vpi classic, and the well tempered. i liked the clearaudio best. followed by the nottingham. the clearaudio is very neutral sounding, easy to set up and use, and beautifully built and designed. i really like this table. the nottingham is a very big sounding table and is a little warmer than the clearaudio. its a relly well engineered table, but fit and finish a not as nice as the clearaudio. i could definately live with this table. i personally did not care for the vpi classic. it sounded pretty good, but im not a fan of vpi arms and it is big and ugly in person. the well tempered is a great sounding table, but kinda fussy and i just cant spend $3500 for a table with a tonearm that uses a golfball floating in the dampening fluid. hope this helps.
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