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Nottingham vs. Wilson Benesch turntables?

I have assembled a great 2 channel system (Verity Parsifal Ovations, Luxman 509u integrated & D-06 cdp), and it is time to add analogue for vinyl 50's & 60's jazz, chamber music, solo piano etc. The 509u has a good phono stage, and so I need a TT, arm, and cart.

A couple of options available locally are the Nottingham Analogue Ace Spacedeck (or the similar Space 294)and their respective NA arms, the Wilson Benesch Full Circle (complete with arm and cart), the Avid Diva II (and Volvere), and Thorens.

The Nottingham and WB turntables have a certain appeal at a similar price, and I was wondering what you would advise for someone getting back into analogue?
toronto416
inna
7,330 posts
 
Since they are available locally I assume that you can actually listen to them even if in very different systems which of course would complicate the matter.
Also while you are visiting the dealer try to work the tables and arms by yourself to get a physical feel fot the things. It might just come down to your preferences. Nottingham sounds big, emotional and confident; a little on the warm and dark side of neutral. Spacearm will not like heavy low compliant moving coil cartridges.
I have original Spacedeck/Spacearm and like them a lot. Not familiar with Wilson Benesch. My system and music I prefer are quite different from yours.
davt's avatar
davt
505 posts
 
I would agree with the description offered by Inna for the Nottingham. I have a spacedeck with the newest arm and an odd but great bearing and like it a lot. I was really surprised by benefit of the heavy kit. I also upgraded the base it sits on with a Silent Running Audio base that was designed specifically for this TT. So, a lot of options for growth if you see fit.
sibelius
256 posts
 
Another happy Nottingham owner. I originally bought the 294 with heavy kit and have since upgraded to the Ana-log. As mentioned, the Notts are not the table for those looking for extreme neutrality. They have a romantic sound that is slightly dark. Some like the Nott tonearms and some don't. I use the spacearm with a mono cartridge in a dual tonearm configuration. My primary stereo tonearm is a SME 312 which I prefer. I think Notts are extremely well built, musical and provide good value.
toronto416 OP
249 posts
 
Many thanks for the helpful and informative replies. It is noteworthy that the first 3 are from happy Nottingham owners!

Aside from Nottingham and WB, would you consider Avid or Thorens (td-350) in the same league as the NA or WB?
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