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Turntable/arm short list suggestions, please.

I am looking to fill the final (for now!)piece of my system puzzle. People here on Audiogon have been most helpful to me in the past and I turn to their experiences, again. I would like to find opinions regarding the "best" table and arm for a maximum of, say, $1400-$1700 USED. Will cross the cartridge bridge later. I have a list now that includes - VPI Hw19 MkIV, Rega P9, Basis 1400, Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck. Open to others....

Realize this one has been asked numerous times and with various combinations of components - here is mine:

*McCormack DNA-225 amp w/HT ProAc 11 power cord
*Sonic Frontiers Line 2 preamp w/Valvo tubes
*Lehmann Black Cube phono stage
*PSB Stratus Gold i speakers w/Cardas Cross biwire cables
*Planning to try a pair of Zu Oxyfuel interconnect pairs I picked up on the cheap for amp/pre; pre/phono connects

I mostly listen to mid-60's - late-70's rock (not metal, jazz, and female vocalists. Thnaks in advance for any and all input.
4yanx
lazarus28
339 posts
 
those are all excellent choices. i'd look at a used linn lp12 w/ valhalla as well.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
If you are going for used one, you would want to go for Basis 1400/Basis RB300(not like regular Rega arm!). Most-definitely you will need to change the phono. Monolithic phono is much better performer except the gain range(only 54dB max). Moreover it'll save you some bucks if you sell Black Cube and get Monolithic. A step up to improve will be EAR834 wich is available at bargain price if ordered directly from England. To me Black Cube and Phonomena both lack definition and imaging or simply saying their "floor" is too shallow.
audiopath
92 posts
 
4yanx,
I recommend the SOTA Star or Star-Sapphire with vacuum and an Audioquest PT-6 or newer tonearm. The suspension system in the SOTA is second to none. They are upgrade-able. Sota is selling upgrades as well as refurb units and there are plenty of used ones available.
You could also consider the SME tonearms. I agree with Marakanetz on the Black Cube...don't cut corners on the phono stage. You should plan to invest a similar amount ($1400-$1700) on the phono stage. The Krell KPE ($1600 new) is your best choice if like to rock. It has bass and slam that are just unbelievable.
Best regards,
audiopath
sc53
718 posts
 
Like the above poster, I would recommend a used Linn LP-12 w/Akito arm at that price point. Make sure you also have the Cirkus upgrade. You could probably also get the TT w/Lingo outboard motor instead of the Valhalla for your listed max price. The Lingo is a substantial improvement on the Valhalla; I found the Ekos tonearm not as noticeable an improvement on the Akito. My dealer disagrees strongly but I have to differ. The Akito is a fine arm and I don't even have the Akito II.
franks
151 posts
 
I would also look at the recently released VPI scout/JMW 9 which goes for $1500 new for both turntable and arm. It appears to offer an awful lot for the money plus a defined upgrade path should you desire that in the future.
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