You might be able to find a Gyro SE with arm for about that.
Best TT and cartridge combo used under $1500?
Please name your best vinyl recommendations on a budget constraint of $1500. Table, arm, and cartridge. Used market, in order to maximize sound yet accommodate the budget.
I've had a Marantz TT15S1 with a Benz Wood SH that I'd assembled used for $1400. They've now sold. I'm hoping to push the envelope a bit more without spending an arm and a leg.
Come on, I know you savvy used market buyers know of some absolute steals in this price range. Or do I give this board too much credit?
I've had a Marantz TT15S1 with a Benz Wood SH that I'd assembled used for $1400. They've now sold. I'm hoping to push the envelope a bit more without spending an arm and a leg.
Come on, I know you savvy used market buyers know of some absolute steals in this price range. Or do I give this board too much credit?
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Interesting that AT cartridges came up. I"m still mourning the discontinuation of the AT33PTG model. The AT33EV seems to be the replacement, but with a "nude elliptical" instead of line contact stylus. http://www.jr.com/audio-technica/pe/AT_AT33EV/ http://www.soundstage.com/equipment/audiotechnica_at33ev.htm I never could get the high end of the AT-150mlx to settle in. I think my preference would be for an MC if you have the equipment for it. |
My BAT pre has a built in phono input. MC cartridges are no problem, for the Benz Wood SH I sold was a high output MC cartridge. Are the Gyro SE and the VPI HW-19mkIV both about the same vintage? I'm leaning more towards something newer. I came close to pulling the trigger on a Project 6 Prospectek or whatever it's called, but decided to do a bit more research, beginning with the forums for suggestions. I fig'd many of you have assembled some very musical systems on a budget. I could consider acquiring a table only for now and add a cartridge later, but the TT must come with an arm. It's been slim pickin's on the ads this week. I see a Basic 1400, but that's too old for my liking. Thanks to all for the input. |
The best way to maximize the sound is to buy something new, that hasn't had tonearm or platter bearings damaged from misuse or abuse by a previous owner, and properly set up by a trained dealer. Apparently you were unsatisfied by the Marantz, but I don't know if that's because it didn't offer enough performance in its areas of strength or if its strengths didn't match your priorities. For a different flavor, my favorite in that price range is the P3-24 with Elys 2 cartridge. Bought new, there's enough room in the budget to get the TTPSU should a home audition convince you it makes a worthwhile improvement. I find the Rega's tuneful, rhythmically engaging sound more satisfying than most 'tables that use a lot of acrylic in the design, which tend to excel at resolution and imaging at the expense of somewhat confused timing-related attributes. |
I'm not sure when the last HW-19 was produced. They still have parts. I picked the HW-19 because it was a very good value for the price. It was a simple suspended design which could be tweaked and I could fix anything that went wrong on it. The one thing i had to do was make an armboard for the tonearm. not hard and anyone with a table saw and drill press could do for you. I bought mine without a tonearm and needed to watch the cash so i went with the Jelco/Audioquest. It took awhile to get one but a scored a mint MKIV off ebay with the lead filled platter and tnt bearing. I have not heard a lot of TT's but it sounds good to me :) |
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