2. analog
  3. 1391553657

Help for my return to vinyl -- $2K rig.

I'm thinking of buying my first TT, cartridge and phono preamp. I grew up listening to records and have perhaps 100 saved up from my youth.

As part of a move, I decided to upgrade my system, and my dealer is a devout vinyl guy-- I listened to a bunch of vinyl while auditioning amplifiers and really loved the sound. The setup I listened to most was a Rega RP-6 through either a bellari or rega phono stage (I'll just try to forget what I heard through the Shindo/Garrard rig in the big room). I believe that rig gets close to $3K including a cartridge, which is just a bit higher than I want to go at this point. I'm thinking $1,500-$2,000 for a new TT/Cartridge and used phono stage. I don't generally like to buy used components with lots of moving parts, but electronics are generally fine.

System:

Line Magnetic 518IA (22 Watt Integrated 845 SET)
Merlin TSM-MME
Cary 306/200

Here's the thing-- my budget will be high enough next year to get the Rega Rig mentioned above, maybe even something nicer, so if I'm going to be disappointed by the offerings in my current price range, maybe I should just wait a year rather than buying some typical entry-level rig and losing the money the minute I drive them off the lot and realize I want more. OTOH, I'd like to enjoy some vinyl now. I'll appreciate suggestions.

D
dkidknow
cboy168
1 posts
 
try to look this up
http://www.atelier13-usa.com/#!continuo/cwnw

I have restored and tweaked garrard 401 with 12-inch ortofon arm and the rig above competes toe to toe with it. The garrard is little more dymanic but the continuo with opus 3 LT arm wins in other aspects like gracefulness, delicacy.
sbrownnw
700 posts
 
The RP3 and RP6 are not the same plinth / internals.
kiko65
279 posts
 
Yes they are Sbrownnw.
sbrownnw
700 posts
 
The RP6 has more internal reinforcements and results in a heavier mass
kiko65
279 posts
 
Internal reinforcements? Please explain yourself. As far as I know, it's the same plinth with different coating for a high gloss finish, nothing more, nothing less.

I did a head to head comparison with same phono pre and, to my ears, there was no difference between the two.

reason why I ended up buying the RP3. Both great tables but if you like tweaking (like me), the extra money was not worth it.

my current tweaked RP3 gives the RP3 a run for it's money for $2,500.00. A $500.00 saving that I used for a top cart (Lyra Delos).

RP3 plinth w/Doble brace tech, 24V motor, and bearing well, everything else is gone.
RP8 tonearm
Groovetracer reference sub-par
Groovetracer delrin platter
Groovetracer 130 gm counterweight
Edwards Audio little belted
Dayton Audio brass cone threaded footers
Zirconia bearing with sapphire thrust pad.
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