2. analog
  3. 1040952428

Calling all "Vinyl Heads"

As 2003 approaches, I realize that it's time that I upgraded my turntable. Presently I have a 10 year old Roksan Xerxes with an RB300 arm and a relatively inexpensive Shure MM cartridge (I am the original owner) and I am wondering which upgrade path to take.
I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has purchased or serioiusly researched a turntable in the $2000 - 3000 range fairly recently to hear about the relative merits of the equipment available in or near the price range.

I realize that I do have a few options in terms of keeping my own turntable and upgrading the arm and/or cartridge, and would also like to hear opinions on that topic. So far, the tables that have piqued my interest are Teres, Nottingham, Clearaudio, new Roksan, and Audiomeca. Of additional interest is any info regarding cabling issues with various tonearms - captive cable, din plugs, junction boxes, etc.

In terms of musical interest and sound preference, I like a neutral and realistic reproduction, and listen to a wide variety of music - literally anything except opera and thrash metal. The rest of my system consists of:

Blue Circle BC23 phono stage
Blue Circle BC3000 preamp
Blue Circle AG8000 poweramp
Martin Logan CLS IIz speakers

Thanks in advance for any input!
esoxhntr
twl
3,251 posts
 
Hi. I'm sure that you have read my many posts about the Teres, so I won't go into alot of depth on it here.
I think that it will give the best performance in that price range, by quite a margin.

I have had several of the Teres models, by way of upgrade path, and I would highly recommend the wood/shot base models like the 245. The sound is significantly better all around, than the all acrylic model 135. It is for sure worth the additional money involved.

You could get a Teres 245, Origin Live Silver tonearm, and a Denon DL103R, for right about $3k.

That would be a killer rig.

About cabling, I simply recommend a nice quality cable that is unbroken between the cartridge and the phono preamp. Any unnecessary plugs and connectors can do no good for the sound, at the very low level signals running through that phono cable.

I'm not sure what the gain in you phono section is, but for the DL103R, you need to have at least 65db of gain. It's output is only .27mv. But it is a great sounding cartridge for very low bucks.
jeffloistarca
1,004 posts
 
Analog folks are religious, everyone's rig is spot-on. For my money (and I've spent my fair share) I can't imagine anything better than an Oracle Delphi IV or V. Fantastic performance and visually stunning! A SME IV or V arm and cartridge of your choice (high end Grado, Benz, Koetsu) and you're in analog nirvana. YMMV and of course you'll get VERY different inputs from the various vinyl afficiandos here on the 'Gon.
drguayo
30 posts
 
I would keep your TT, put money into your arm and upgrade the speed controller/dsu or replace the motor altogether. The roksan table/platter and bearing are fairly high end. Between this arm/motor upgrade and a new catridge you will have incredible gains in sound quality. I would get a new arm and cartidge first and have a listen. You'll have to purchase these anyways if you go the new table route. Of the tables you mentioned....listen to TWL and get the Teres. I personally compared Clearaudio Level 1 Champion to my Audio Note TT1($700) and bought the Audio Note due to its superior sound.
sean
6,231 posts
 
Personally, i would probably keep your table and upgrade the arm and cartridge. If i had to choose one over the other, i would not hesitate to dump the Shure and go for another cartridge. If you wanted to stick with a simple to use MM cartridge, i'd recommend a Stanton 881S with proper loading ( NOT factory recommendations ). Your arm might be a bit heavy for this cartridge though. Otherwise, the Denon DL-103 sounds "creamier" so long as you have enough gain. Either of these cartridges will show you what you've been missing without hurting the budget in the least. Sean
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