Ideas for a complete analog set up 2500- 3500

Michell Gyro SE, Rega 600 arm, Clearaudio Aurum Beta S...should be under $3000 new. Detailed but relaxed sound which can be adjusted by different cartridge choices.
Good Luck!

Most suspensionless TTs, and arms in your range have similar setup issues. It is more of a matter of a more precise setup yielding better sound. Basically the exception would be the P25 with a rega cartridge, and cartridges that are less dependent on VTA, such as the Dynavectors. Sonically the Nottingham Interspace ($1000) w/ Ol-250 ($480) and Dynavector 20x-H ($380) is superior to the P25 with Exact, but there is a tradeoff in looks and the P25 is a nice sounding table. In general, what you describe sounds like what i have heard said about and seen from the Basis 1400. I have seen package deals on the internet that includes the 1400 with a rega arm (i would opt for the rb-600) and a Benz MC or Glider. Do you have a dealer in your area? If you do not want to deal with setup, that would be the route i would take. Good luck, have fun.

Kuzma Stabi S /Stogi arm, van de Hul Grasshopper cart, and you are ready to go!

BASIS 1400 TABLE,REGA RB600 ARM AND CARTRIDGE TO MATCH YOUR PHONO STAGE OR PREAMP FOR GAIN.

Bbtuna:

I am in the same boat as you are right now. And with that, I am planning to ultimately spend about $2,500.00 on an analog system as well, though I am going to do so over the next couple of years. What I am going to do is acquire the phono stage this year and see if I can make due with a Thorens until I get the table I really want (which means I want to start enjoying vinyl THIS year). But over the next couple of years, here's what I hope to end up with (not to say that this is the combination that you may want. I will put another one out there just for you in a moment):

Phono Stage: Monolithic PS-1 Dual Mono Phono Stage + HC-1 Dual Mono Power Supply (to be bought separately).
Interim Turntable: Either a Thorens TD150, TD160, TD165 or TD166 (from August 2002 to about October 2003).
Turntable/Arm System: Either a Rega Planar P25 with RB600 Arm or a VPI Aries Scout with JMW-9 Arm.
Phono Cartridge: Grado Reference Sonata.
Record Cleaning Machine: Nitty Gritty Mini Pro 1.
Cables: MITerminator 2 or Cardas (their MOL cable).

But now, here is a combination that you can try as well:

Phono Stage: Monolithic PS-1 + HC-1 -- $658.00.
Turntable/Arm System: Rega Planar R25/RB600 -- $1,200.00.
Cartridge: Clearaudio Aurum Beta MkII -- $350.00, Dynavector 20XL -- $525.00, or the Grado Reference Sonata (the one I am going to end up with) -- $500.00.

Record Cleaning Machine: Nitty Gritty 2.5Fi Vacumn Record Cleaning Machine -- $625.00.
Cables: Cardas (don't know which ones, nor how much you want to spend) -- $500.00.

I will re-interate again, the first combination listed is the one that I am striving for (but of course, you are welcome to audition as well, if it turns out to be your cup of tea), and the second one was the one that you may try out. But if you come up with other substitutions or suggestions, try those out as well.

Good Luck as you start to seek out and put together your analog system. I know you're going to have as much fun as I am.

--Charles--