2. analog
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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
7,262 posts
 
Shakeydeal, if I may ask, what kind of music do you prefer?
I was about to replace my enty level Dynavector with something better but ran into Redgum integrated amp and spent all my available funds on it. So cartridge upgrade has to wait for a while. I seek full, coherent and dynamic sound.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
I listen to blues, classic rock, jazz and bluegrass. Occasionally I will listen to classical.

Shakey
sibelius
256 posts
 
I'll chime in on the mat issue. I tried the Boston Audio Mat 1, a cork mat, a copper mat from TT weights, and no mat. In the end, believe it or not, I prefered the cheap felt mat that came with the Nott TT's. My (subjective) impression is that the more expensive mats added some detail and clarity at the expense of some liquidity. I'm sure this is very system dependent. Overall, I spent about $400 trying different things out and ended up back where I started. Live and learn.
inna
7,262 posts
 
This is interesting. But you have Anna Log table and high resolution speakers. So..live and learn, right.
shakeydeal
979 posts
 
Strange. I found that using no mat at all and adjusting for VTA came in 2nd place behind the BA Mat. The foam cell mat was a distant third to my ears.

Shakey
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