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Turntable Purchase Suggestion

I am going to add an analog front end. I have Bat 50se Pre and 75se amp driving Mezzo Utopia speakers. I cannot compare a variety of tables/arms. I have heard a Spacedeck only, but without comparisons, how am I supposed to know. Here are the suggestions I have had thusfar: Spacedeck w/spacearm.....Scoutmaster w/JWM arm.....Basis 2001 w/Vector arm.....Rega P-9 w/Rega1000 arm. Is there actually a best one or perhaps some other? I am trying to get the best sound (organic, focused, clean, dimensional, and smoth top end with solid bottom end) while spending no more than $8000. Phonostage suggestions include: BAT P10, Whest (double box version), Ayre and Brinkman.
meyerb
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Meyerb, you can add the Aesthetix Rhea to your list of possible phono stages. I have one that works very well with my 50SE. Probably a bit cheaper than a P10se as well.

I would suggest looking a bit higher up the Basis food chain at at least a 2500. I had a 2001 with a Vector and it is a very good combination. IMO/IME the 2001 is somewhat light in the bass reproduction. May break your budget, though.
sundance45
63 posts
 
I would recommend a Verdier Plantine table, Morch arm and Koetsu cardridge. I have had this set up for over ten years and had very little adjustments and this set up can hold it own against any set up. I also use a Rhea.
gregm
3,404 posts
 
Going against the conventional grain, I would strongly suggest you look at a Scheu Premier II (Eurolab) TT, in the config seen here i.e. with the highest platter. Alternatively, a Teres TT that you can peruse here. In both cases, a Schroeder arm would be most advisable; the drawback with these arms is the waiting time... Other arms, recommendable for both TTs include the Scheu Tacco, and its cheaper stablemate Cantus, the Origin Live, the Moerch (either unipivot or regular bearings).
This will offer an excellent sounding TT set-up, for a reasonable outlay (by hi-end standards). I would further recommend you start your vinyl journey with a good, but not outrageously expensive, cartridge (Denon 103, Shelter, Clearaudio Virtuoso, etc, many other good choices out there).

Phonos are a real problem; few perform really well and those are frighteningly expensive (see some excellent choices above). Among the less expensive reasonably good performers that I happen to know are, the EAR phono (tube) and the ASR mini basis (ss); of course there are diy choices out there too (if you're into that).
Cheers
pbb
1,140 posts
 
Organic? If you want a fuss-free no hassle table I would recommend the Rega P-9. If you feel that constant adjutements are one of the real joys of tts, look elsewhere. More so if you think that VTA adjustment is of capital importance.
rockinroni's avatar
rockinroni
287 posts
 
Teres 245, Table
Origin live Encounter, Tonearm
Shelter 501/901 cartridge
Whest Ps.20, phono
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