Finally Taking The Plunge

It's a pretty wide market, and alot of selections, when you consider a TT, arm, cartridge, phono section. I'd suggest searching the archives for alot of info on this subject, and trying to make an accurate assessment of what level of performance you are looking for vs amount spend, and new or used.

The available choices are too diverse! First, you have to let us know how much you're willing to spend. Will you consider buying used equipment?

Let me give it a shot!

I am recommending the following analog system based on the components you've chosen for your rig. I can deduce that you have the financial wherewithal to obtain any component you want, yet you are still sensible and practical. You want to get the most out of your hard-earned dollars.

Turntable: Nottingham Space Deck
Tonearm: Origin Live Encounter
Cartridge: Shelter 501 II or 901
Phono Stage: Modified EAR 834P

The Not's contemporary look will compliment the rest of your system. It will give you a real sampling of what the super tables can do and the price is insanely cheap for its world class performance. You can spend a lot more, but I bet you can't improve much on the OL Encounter tonearm. The stock EAR is already a superb phono stage, but modified properly it metamorphoses into a GIANT KILLER that slays megabuck phono preamps of false pretentions mercilessly! We compared the modified EAR to a bunch of supposed-to-be top notch phono stages from divers highly respected brands and the EAR literally massacred them! Yeh, yeh, sure..., some have better high or low frequency extension or resolution, but when it comes to the most critical midrange, there was no contest! If you want more detailed description of the modification and what phone stages were slained, email me! Heh-he-he!

Good luck on your quest!

I think one thing to consider is whether you really like to "tweek" and play around or do you want to just buy something and let is spin records.

Simple non-suspended tables like VPI Jr's and Scouts and Rega's are simple to set up. Set it and forget it. Linn's have a reputation of being harder to set up and harder to keep set up, but people who love them really love them. Some other suspension tables have the same rap. Rega tonearms don't have built in VTA which is another tweek factor. I have heard VTA adjustments in real time and I can attest that yes it does make a difference but do I miss it at home on my Rega P25 - no, not really. I also heard a Linn table vs another table wtih both tables having the same tonearm and cartridge mounted on them and the Linn blew the other table away. So yes, the table itself does make a signifacant difference too.

Cost is obviously also a factor. If you are the kind of person who likes to buy, but inevitably upgrade then buying a used Rega, Linn or VPI for which there are current upgrades and accesories might be good. On the other hand if you fall in love with a used SOTA or Oracle I think you could do a lot worse.

Lastly there is the aesthetic element. I like more traditional designs - wood plinths and the like. No cast bases or air bearings for me.

On the cartridge front there are also many good options - Shure V15 are surprisingly good and more indestructible which is good if you are clumsy, have kids or cats or a spouse who is a compulsive cleaner... Dynavectors, Shelters and a variety of others are all good. You will find supporters of nearly all the top brands on these forums and elsewhere.

Lastly is the issue of cartridge output. If you go low output moving coil you need to make sure your pre amp can handle the input. I don't know the Levinson integrated that you mention and whether it has a phono stage or not but if it doesn't you need to get the whole phono stage and not just a step up. I won't mention all the phono pre's as you will find various discussions here and elsewhere. Try www.audioasylum.com for additional insight.

At this point you've got 5 significant variables (table, arm, cartridge, pre amp and price) so yes the combinations and permuations are endless, but that is part of the fun...

Good Luck,

Phil

PS I settled on a Rega P25 with a Shelter 501 Mk II. I don't really want to tweek the thing I just want it to be reliable and make good music.