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Advice for my first turntable/arm/cart please help

Hello,
I am asking for advice from my audiogon friends on what will be my first turntable. If looking to give suggestions please see my system link below. I am considering the following tables based on what I have read: Nottingham Spacedeck w/new Spacearm, Michell Gyrodec, VPI(don't know which one), or Teres. I most likely will buy used and without auditioning which I know is frowned on. I have found that with much reading and talking with agon friends I can usually know what gear I will like before buying. I have never set-up a tt before so I would not consider myself a d-i-y but I would like to attempt to set it up on my own. I do have a friend who is into vinyl that I could call on if needed. I plan on using the phono stage of my DK integrated to start but will be looking into outboard phono like EAR or K&K Audio. I have been reading many many threads but would like some input/advice from owners of the following tables that may save me from making a mistake. My listening tastes are rock, blues, jazz,etc. Honestly I listen to everything but classical. Any good places to audition turntables in metro detroit in case I decide to purchase a new table? Thanks to everyone in advance.
nicksgem10s
dsremer
210 posts
 
I like yourself live in the detroit area and found good advice from Harry at Audio Dimensions in Royal Oak.
He handles many different lines of turntables.
Give him a call at 248-549-7320
bignerd100
515 posts
 
Out of your list of tables I really ony know the VPI. Pretty hard to beat but I don't know that I would trust a used one.

Pro-ject is not bad if you wanted reasonable price on new tables.

Thorens is available again (though not apparently the same table) and not too expensive.

Used Thorens is hard to beat.

Used Denon DP-62L if you are not real sure you want to stick with vinyl but want an easy to use table that can be used by anyone in the house.

Try a cheap Grado cartridge at first. The entry level cartridges are a big bang for the buck. I don't relly like the Elan for the money. The Sumiko are good if you want MC.

The phono pre on the DK is not a bad preamp. In fact the whole DK integrated is jam-up for 3K retail. If you find you want a change that you would notice try the Project Tubebox. It has the subsonic filter, tubes, and is probably the only reasonably priced phono pre that is going to give you a marked improvement over the DK.

Good luck.
mthieme
74 posts
 
Hi, I will second the advice to see Harry in Royal Oak, I bought my Clearaudio Emotion from him and he really does know his stuff. On a bizarre side note I'm interested in hearing the DK amp so if you're interested I would bring the table over and you could hear one in your system and I could hear the amp.
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
The VPI Scout and Scoutmaster are hard to beat. I would have no hesitation buying one of these models used, they're well built and there's not much to go wrong. The integral JMW-9 tonearm is quite good. On a budget, keep in mind that you can buy the Scout and upgrade to the Scoutmaster at any time down the road. My only concern would be the used cartridge, not the used VPI.
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