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Help with TT recommendations.

I'm rediscovering my love for analog and wanted to bring it to the forum for some helpful advice. I inherited a Dual CS-505-3 and an outstanding collection of pristine vinyl. In the few months I've owned the Dual, I've upgraded the cart to a Sumiko Blue Point Special (MC) and modded the tonearm cables (same concept as the Incognito harness mod, only with custom cables & RCA). Although I'm pleased with the results, it's not as responsive and lively as I'd like. It's an older table, albeit well maintained, and it's not giving me "ahhhhhh" that vinyl can deliver.

So, I'm thinking it's time to invest in an entry-level table that scratch my itch. I've come up with several combinations based on threads I've read here and various reviews. I'm hoping you all may have some insight for me.

I typically listen to (1) vintage jazz & classical pressings (all pristine thanks to my benefactor); (2) new remastered 180-200g pressings of jazz (99.9% trio/quintet and some vocal), blues and some funk; (3) 70's-90's folk-rock (wilco/csny/rem/etc.) from my old collection; and virtually no true rock albums.

My current analog rig is made up of:
(1) Dual CS 505-3
(2) MS Phonomena Phono Stage
(3) JPS Superconductor FX IC's
(4) C-J PV-12al pre
(5) C-J MV-2250 amp
(5) Straight Wire Rhapsody S Cables
(6) B&W N805's

I've got a budget of $1500-$1700 for new or used gear and I've conjured up a few combinations that I'm considering:
(1) Basis 1400/RB-250 (w/ OL mod)
(2) Basis 1400/Graham 2.0
(3) Rega P25/RB-600
(4) VPI Scout/RB-250 (w/ OL mod)
(5) VPI Scout/JWM-9
(6) VPI Scout/Graham 2.0

Please keep in mind, I'm not up on all the price points, so some may be far out of my budget. Also, if some of these combos seem a little off or mismatched, that's due to my of TT education, or lack thereof.

Having said all this, I'm seeking your opinions/experiences on which would me the best in terms of value, quality & upgradeability.

One last note, I did read that the Basis 1400 is acutely accurate and almost emotionless in terms of delivery - not that accuracy is a negative characteristic, but one of benefits of analog is it's warmth & emotion it can convey. Although to use an analogy, I've seen some movies that I've absolutely loved that got panned by the critics, so.... I guess your mileage my vary.

Thanks very much for entertaining my ramblings and I look forward to your feedback.

Hat
hatfield
hatfield OP
20 posts
 
one thing to add regarding my teres comment... i was talking about the 150 model as opposed to the 135 which you mentioned.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Yes, In the budget area, if you can spend a little more, it is better to get the weighted wood base of the 150. Noticeably extends the bass response, and improves detail and info retrieval. Definitely worth the money, if you can afford to do it.

I started with the 135, and moved up to the 245 within 6 months. Got the battery power supply, and Sig DC motor. Now I am ordering the shot-loaded platter, and will have the top of the line 255 DC Signature model.

Every upgrade was very positive improvement. I can tell you what to expect to happen to the sound with each added upgrade. The weighted wood base is the biggest improvement. According to Teres, it makes more improvement than the weighted platter. I will say that the wood base was a MAJOR upgrade in sound. The batter power supply was about 5% and the Signature motor was about 5%, in terms of sonic improvement. All I have left to do is the platter, and I have already heard one, so I know what it will do. It makes a smoother presentation, and improves detail even further. Even with the 245, I am pushing the limits of higher end analog. The 255 is very near the top of what you can get, without a huge expenditure that very few can afford. It nips at the heels of Walker and Rockport territory. For the price, that is an incredible level of performance, and makes it about the best value that is possible for regular folks, like myself.
sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Since you are open to buying used gear, I think you should also consider the VPI HW-19 Mk4. This TT is not only an excellent performer, but a great value at its used price. (FWIW, The Absolute Sound recently included the HW-19 Mk 4 on their recommended components list, citing it as one of the outstanding values in high-end audio.)

Pair the HW-19 Mk4 with a good quality arm and cartridge and you will have a fine analog front-end.
jdlepera's avatar
jdlepera
234 posts
 
Off topic a bit but.Just a suggestion on your Rhapsody cables.I had these in my system[speaker and IC's] and it sounded choked.I moved up to their Maestros with some improvment and Virtuoso's a bit better.Then I moved to AZ Satori's and Matrix cables and the Sound gates of heaven opened[Alive,Airy and every positive term you can think of.More of everything].My system is all Tube and my nephews is SS and the same results on both.IMHO you are driving a Mercedes with recapped tires like I was.I would start with cables[The foundation] and proceed with TT next.TWL is the man on TT's.AZ Satori's used on Agon for $325 range.I assure you you will be astounded with your systems performance after this change.Of course there are other great cables out there also.AZ best bang for the buck IMHO.Happy Holidays,JD
c123666
871 posts
 
the nottingham innerspace table/arm combination is a nice piece for a retail item as is the vpi aries scout/arm combo. The Aries scout w/o arm is less than a grand but backordered last time I looked; find it and put an origin live rb250 arm
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