How much would you spend on a turntable?

[Al ears]

Back in the good old days I thought a £500 turntable would be the end of the line.

We regularly see them going for many thousands and even WHFSAV are reviewing items in the region of £6000.

Upgraditius is upon me and I have my heart set on a second hand SME but I'm not entirely sure I can justify the outlay even though most of my 'serious' listening is with vinyl.

I got my turntable and arm second-hand but I was just wondering what you forumees would now consider to be your upper limit on spending on a new turntable and what you would actually buy.

 

[stevebrock]

Well my ultimate desire is a Gyrodec SE with an SME IV arm - this comes in at over £3000 without a cart.

More than likely I will start with an RB303 arm to get me going.

When you compare the Gyrodec/SME IV to similar priced RP10 I can never see myself giving my cash to the boys from Southend-on-Sea

 

[Al ears]

Always fancied a Gyrodec myself or maybe an Orbe.

The IV is 70% 0f the V at a much reduced price, I think the newer SME 309 would suit the Gyrodec as well though admittedly have not heard this particular combination. Have even seen the 309 fitted to a Technics SL1200 and they are supposed to be a good combo.

Was seriously looking at a new Origin Live turntable to go with my arm some time ago but they have seen a significant price-hike of late which I find hard to understand in this economic climate.

 

[stevebrock]

Ive heard a Gyro with SME IV - one word STUNNING

 

[Al ears]

Appreciated. Would have to go miles to find any dealer that could put forward the same to audition but maybe would not have to go down that route. I've had mates with Gyrodecs and mates with IV's atteched to whatever. The pure quality of the SME arms make me wonder why it is worth spending more. I've heard the V on an SME 30/2 deck but not convinced it is worth the extra over a well set up IV.

Apart from an upgrades Origin Live arm I think I would head down that route.

It was the turntable itself I was looking at and I can't quite stretch to a Dr Feickert Analogue Woodpecker.

 

[Freddy58]

A Michell Orbe has just sold on Ebay, for around £1100. I very nearly pushed the button on it

 

[stevebrock]

A Michell Orbe has just sold on Ebay, for around £1100. I very nearly pushed the button on it

yep i been watching Freddy

I want a black Gyro

 

[Al ears]

That I might consider (£1100), however turntable / arm combos are the hardest items to actually audition.

You are very much having to buy on faith these days, hence my origin posted question.

I know people spend a lot more purely on other's appraisals of these combos, without a hope of ever listening to them themselves.

 

[Tear Drop]

Upper limit? In excess of £10k. If you are serious about LPs.

 

[CJSF]

If I had the space and money, a rebuilt Garrard 301 or 401 with slate plinth,SME arm and probably stick with my Sumiko Celebration . . . I've watched at a couple on fleBay . . . :?

CJSF

 

[stevebrock]

If I had the space and money, a rebuilt Garrard 301 or 401 with slate plinth,SME arm and probably stick with my Sumiko Celebration . . . I've watched at a couple on fleBay . . . :? CJSF

The slate plinth sounds really good! SME arm too !!

 

[The_Lhc]

Was seriously looking at a new Origin Live turntable to go with my arm some time ago but they have seen a significant price-hike of late which I find hard to understand in this economic climate.

I heard one just after New Year at Rayleigh Hi-Fi with some big Focals and what I think was a tube amp (can't remember now, I think the total system was about £18k), did sound amazing, but I don't really have anything to compare it to as I've never really listened to that kind of level of gear before.

 

[stevebrock]

Valves & Vinyl match made in heaven

 

[CJSF]

If I had the space and money, a rebuilt Garrard 301 or 401 with slate plinth,SME arm and probably stick with my Sumiko Celebration . . . I've watched at a couple on fleBay . . . :? CJSF

The slate plinth sounds really good! SME arm too !!

Yes Steve, I have heard the combination over a long afternoon, evening listening session, magic sound, thats the old 309 SME arm too, with the removable headshell. Trouble is, if I had a removable headshell, I would be for ever hankering after 'trying and buying' different catridges. :wall:

Alternative, put the Rega works in a slate plinth, full ceramic bearing system, machined sub, twin belts, I've worked out a motor isolation option, 12" SME, and of course incrporate my cartridge isilation system (foam and wood) that I curently use . . . the juces are rising again . . . no money, down boy!

CJSF

 

[stevebrock]

sounds really interesting - surely not that much to get a piece of slate made up the same size as a rega plinth

 

[Tear Drop]

I have a (much modified) 401/SME/Koetsu set-up and it is indeed the dog's b*ll*cks. No slate.

 

[drummerman]

If I had the space and money, a rebuilt Garrard 301 or 401 with slate plinth,SME arm and probably stick with my Sumiko Celebration . . . I've watched at a couple on fleBay . . . :? CJSF

Ditto.

regards

 

[Freddy58]

Excuse my ignorance, but were those Garrards that good? I'd always associated Garrards with record players, or low end Sp 25's...

 

[Lost Angeles]

I reckon you need to cost in a Phono Stage as well if you want a true cost.

 

[Al ears]

I reckon you need to cost in a Phono Stage as well if you want a true cost.

Was that directed at CJSF??

 

[Al ears]

Excuse my ignorance, but were those Garrards that good? I'd always associated Garrards with record players, or low end Sp 25's...

They were / are that good. Do not confused with the likes of the SP25.

 

[Freddy58]

Excuse my ignorance, but were those Garrards that good? I'd always associated Garrards with record players, or low end Sp 25's...

They were / are that good. Do not confused with the likes of the SP25.

Interesting, I had no idea. I actually had an SP25 Mk iii. At the time, I thought it was the biz

 

[Al ears]

Excuse my ignorance, but were those Garrards that good? I'd always associated Garrards with record players, or low end Sp 25's...

They were / are that good. Do not confused with the likes of the SP25.

Interesting, I had no idea. I actually had an SP25 Mk iii. At the time, I thought it was the biz

Maybe it was, who knows. The fact that the 301's / 401's, ancient though they may be, are still making three-figure sums on fleabay should tell everyone something.

 

[Freddy58]

Excuse my ignorance, but were those Garrards that good? I'd always associated Garrards with record players, or low end Sp 25's...

They were / are that good. Do not confused with the likes of the SP25.

Interesting, I had no idea. I actually had an SP25 Mk iii. At the time, I thought it was the biz

Maybe it was, who knows. The fact that the 301's / 401's, ancient though they may be, are still making three-figure sums on fleabay should tell everyone something.

Ahh, but can you stack up singles on it? I'll get me coat.....

 

[CJSF]

I reckon you need to cost in a Phono Stage as well if you want a true cost.

Was that directed at CJSF??

For this thread Al ears, phono stage, step up transformers, pre-amp, MM/MC cartridge, valves and the like are not significant, fortunately keeping it simple, it only asks how much on a TT?? 8)

CJSF