Low end TT vs. Hi end CD

Dennis,

I'm glad you posted some additional information. I'll modify my recommendation somewhat. My guess is that you have an unstated desire to have a quality vinyl front end based on what you read from myself, Twl, Rockinroni and others. If that's true, then just make it a long range goal. Heavens, I can relate to being broke. In the meantime, hit that used record store and buy some software on a regular basis. Just make sure that your current turntable and cartridge are in good condition and set up properly so as not to trash the software you buy. Too many audiophiles invest a disproportionate amount of money in hardware and their music library suffers. If you decide later on to become digital only based you can part with your vinyl without taking a huge hit. If you step up with a new vinyl rig at a later date you will already have enough music to re-discover without feeling pressured to acquire more vinyl software quickly in order to justify the purchase of a new turntable. Relax and enjoy. You have a very nice system and it'll be there when you can afford to make the move. You can't go wrong buying software.

Patrick

Unfortunately all DD turntables - except for Denons - "cog" and thus in the ears of many are not acceptable as a true high end solution. But they are very convenient and come up to speed quickly.

Dennis, you have to visualize the 1200 not in stock form--but on *steroids*. Then and only then will you get the most out of it. I have not finished the full modification process on mine. How far will it really go? I have no idea. Will it outperform a WADIA? I recently found out someone who's got one lives some ten miles from me. Maybe when I'm finished...

Kevin Barrett(KAB Electroacoustics) sent me a Beta release of his modded Stanton Trackmaster II for evaluation prior to final marketing. Believe me, I have had no need to switch back to my Ortofon X5 moving coil. The 1200 on steroids has to be seen as a whole. The Stanton is an integral part of this, I'd say. Superb. Also, Kevin told me over the phone that he's coming (finally) with an outboard power supply this spring. YES!

Now, there's two issues that I'd like to address:

First, the subject of the phono stage. I believe phono stage is more important than turntable. I learned this from Dejan V. Veselinovic of Yugoslavia (www.zero-distortion.com). The above mentioned references are from turntable equipment manufacturers--and biased, of course. With all due humility, I think my 1200 (once all the mods are finished) could be rigged to an entry level Klyne phono stage and it would not be wanting.

Second, one needs to know what to listen for in a turntable. I believe a lot of the belt drive cult following arises from a *personal* preference for huge, deep soundstage. Moving coils will give it to you and as a general rule your average DD will be just too noisy for this. The tradeoff is in speed and rotational stability (Wow & Flutter, en inglés). You WILL lose a lot of musical details. Unless one is using a belt drive with immense speed and rotational stability (like a VPI w/ flywheel) you will pay the price. Kevin Barrett has taught me this and I'm very grateful to him. When I switched from the Ortofon X5 MC to the modded Stanton Trackmaster II ( a moving magnet design) I noticed that the soundstage collapsed somewhat. Once the Trackmaster II broke in I started listening to an unbelievably detailed and live sounding midrange. This cartridge allowed me to hear a lot of microdynamic information as notes and voices were sustained, as in salsa horns and vocals. With higher wow and flutter this would be impossible to discern.

I use a Monolithic Phono stage plus excellent line conditioning and the results have been nothing short of outstanding. See if you can borrow a good phono stage and outline a flowchart for your mods. You will not be disappointed.

thanks psychic for your suggestions. i'll look into a different cartridge (moving magnet?) when i get the phono stage. that gives me some time to save some dough.

what are some medium priced cartridges to look for? TWL suggested a Goldring 1042.

i also took a look a Zaikes review of the KAB dampening system. interesting, and may be something i tweak with after i'm initially set up. Zaikes was great helping me get the basics of my TT setup...

You're welcome, Dennis. Now you're beginning to realize the 1200 on steroids is NOT a low end deck. It is low priced, nonetheless. For just over $1000 (brand new) you can purchase the following:

1) 1200 turntable
2) Tonearm fluid damper
3) Outboard power supply (soon)
4) High end integrated headshell cartridge.

What a deal! No other deck comes even close...

As to cartridge choices, I do trust TWL's analog *expertise*. He's one of a kind. I would give Kevin Barrett a call, since he is also an authorized Goldring dealer. He can tell you what will work best w/in your budget. Tell him I sent you: www.kabusa.com

Last, the tonearm fluid damper is more than just a tweak...