Is the Basis 2001 a solid enough table to keep.


If I bought a Basis 2001 table only, could I make it a great turntable with the addition of a well thought out arm and cartridge combo? Or not try to re-invent the wheel (My first turntable in 20 plus years). Or should I try buying a complete setup i.e. Nottingham Space Deck w/space arm or VPI Classic?
Thanks, Greg
gandme
I originally owned a Basis 1400 with a Rega RB 300 tonearm, and I was very happy with that for a couple of years. (It was my re-entry back into the world of analog, after about 10-12 years.) However, I wanted to upgrade to something a bit more resolving as well as wanting to get a table with a suspension, as my little girl loves to dance to the music. So after a couple of years I did upgrade.

I currently use a Basis 2001 turntable, with a Vector M3 tone arm, (and a Dynavector XV-1S cartridge), and I am very happy with it. I have owned the table for about five years now. It is very resolving and has a very, very low noise floor. (And since it has a suspension, my little girl can dance as much as she likes, and I never have any problems.)

FYI: When I first bought this turntable, I could not afford a Vector tone arm, so I bought a lightly used Rega RB 900 tonearm to use as a stop gap measure until I could afford said Vector tone arm. (BTW, in case you don't know, you need to have AJ Conti install a sleeve onto the Rega arms as the standard hole in the plinth is a bit too large.) This original version of my 2001 table sounded very good, coming close to the current Vector's sound. (The Vector is just a bit more resolving and a bit more quiet than the Rega arm. I also like the arm lift better on the Vector as it drops more consistently than either of the Rega's I've owned.)

I have heard the Basis 2500, (with the Vector tone arm), and it is an improvement on the 2001, as it indeed has a bit more very low bass impact, as suggested by Dan_ed. It is not night and day better, but nonetheless it is better. When I get the opportunity, I would like to upgrade to the 2500, but until a good deal comes up, and I have the money, I will happily use my 2001.

I can recommend the Basis 2001 to anyone wanting to get to a mid-level table that one can happily live with for many years. My two cents worth anyway.
I currently have a 2001 with Graham 2.2 Arm, it is a great table. It is sitting next to a VPI Classic [I am a VPI dealer]. Either competes with anything except the mega $ tables.
Would you all choose a Basis 2001 over the Nottingham 294?
I am shopping on audiogon and narrowed my search to these tables. The Basis I can buy set up with a Graham 2.2. The Nottingham 294 w/12" ace space arm. Or I could buy the tables and match workable tone arms.
Thank you all for the great information I have received over several threads. I probably need to hold off at least 1 month ( or 1 C.C. billing cycle)to make a choice. I plan to live with that for several years.
I spent $130 on new records last weekend....
Any more suggestions or comments are welcomed.
Thanks,
Greg
The Basis Turntable can be upgraded to a very serious unit and the Graham drill is identical for the 2.0 series or the Phantom. The Graham Arms have a superior alignment system which makes the adjustment very simple. No matter what cartridge you choose, you are in very short time very close to the best adjustment.
Greg,

I have not looked into it myself, but support from Nottingham here in the states is not exactly prolific. YMMV. I cannot speak to performance comparisons because I have only heard Not's a few times in dealer show rooms.

If the Basis table you are looking at with the 2.2 is not using the SME style mount it should be easy to replace the 2.2 later with an armboard change. The Vector is superior to the 2.2 on Basis tables so that could be an upgrade later. I will disagree a little with Syntax with regard to the Graham setup jig. It is pretty close but many find the alignment is not as good as what can be done with a good protractor. Again, YMMV.