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Rega, Music Hall or VPI

After reading tons of reviews and several threads I've narrowed my turntable options and would like some personal recommendations as this will be my first decent turntable.

I'm considering the following new:

Rega RP1
Music Hall MMF 2.2

The following used:

Rega P2 or an older version P3
Music Hall MM5 or similar
VPI HW-19 or similar

I would consider spending a bit more if I could find a good deal on a used Clearaudio Emotion.

Trying to avoid having to buy a cartridge but would do so for the right deal.

Thanks for the help.
shimanole
grinnell
1,099 posts
 
Take your time and look for a good used HW-19 mkiv. with or without the tonearm, you can buy a good Jelco 250 for 300.00.

w/o tonearm around $600 is a good price for the table
manitunc
795 posts
 
Definitely the VPI from that list with the Mk IV being the best of the lot. Others to consider used are Sota Star or Sapphire, Oracle Delphi or Alexandria MkII or III, Townshend Rock III.
philb7777
401 posts
 
VPI for sure
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
The Mk IV is in the upper end of the high end. Based on what I know about VPI, it's also easy to upgrade.
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
I got lucky with a "not particularly well regarded" used Linn Basik/Akito combo...best under 500 bucks I've ever spent, and, although it is simple and unsprung, after careful setup (mostly due to following the suggestion of putting it on a low-mass, stable low table after an attempt at sticking it on top of my rack heap...bad idea...) I'm AMAZED at how great it sounds. I'll replace it with something expensive someday...maybe something with a gigantic opaque platter and rubber isolation crap everywhere...
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