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Can a $3K table be among the best out there?

I am on the market for a $3K turntable. I am going back to analog after a number of years so I know little of current market. So, I did some research and stumbled across the Townshend Rock 7 and WT Amadeus tables. I've read a lot about them.. The impression one gets after reading user comments or reviews (like TAS reviews for instance) is that it's hard to get a better table, period. In a world where you can easily spend $4K on a tonearm, I found these statements to be surprising to say the least. What's so special about these turntables, and can anyone comment on the notion that it's hard to beat their performance at any price?
ggavetti
lloydc's avatar
lloydc
751 posts
 
A $3K table is among the "best" in the same sense that a Honda Civic is among the "best" cars.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
I wouldn't go that far Lloydc.

To continue the car analogy:

I'd consider something like the VPI Traveler or a comparably priced Rega to be analogous to a Civic.

A good $3k table would be more like a Golf GTI, a Mazdaspeed, or a high performance Subaru, or a Mini Cooper S.

Not the ultimate in performance, but surprisingly high performance for the buck. And can be tweaked to up the performance even more if you get the itch (though this applies less to the Amadeus, for better for worse).
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
"The Amadeus' lack of suspension and use of MDF for the plinth are where that design saved money, it seems."

Roscoeiii- I agree on the STD Amadeus using MDF for a Plinth. That's where someone has the option of the Aluminum sandwich Plinth on the GTA. I have a GTA on the way to replace my STD Amadeus, which will move to a 2nd setup.
lloydc's avatar
lloydc
751 posts
 
Roscoe, agreed.
vinylmad814
62 posts
 
Sarcher30,

What sort of shortcomings do you find with the VPI classic? It just so happens I was thinking of either one of those 2 Dynavector MC's you mentioned and perhaps at a later date, going for the VPI Classic.
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