Moving over to turntable - and need advivce

[millerman]

Hi

I have been looking at getting a turntable for some time now but am clueless as to where to start.

My current system is pretty high CD system DcS Verdi CD player and a Chord QBD DAC. I play this through Audia pre and Audia power amps and finally a set of DALI 800mk2 speakers.

The issue and question I have is that this is a pretty expensive system and getting a turntable to compete if not sound better is probably going to be very expensive.

I am seeking your advice as to where to pitch a turntable that can at least compete with the CD player, any recommendations on turntables and at what price.

Your expertise is much appreciated here, many thanks.

Hi

I have been looking at getting a turntable for some time now but am clueless as to where to start.

My current system is pretty high CD system DcS Verdi CD player and a Chord QBD DAC. I play this through Audia pre and Audia power amps and finally a set of DALI 800mk2 speakers.

The issue and question I have is that this is a pretty expensive system and getting a turntable to compete if not sound better is probably going to be very expensive.

I am seeking your advice as to where to pitch a turntable that can at least compete with the CD player, any recommendations on turntables and at what price.

Your expertise is much appreciated here, many thanks.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi

I have been looking at getting a turntable for some time now but am clueless as to where to start.

My current system is pretty high CD system DcS Verdi CD player and a Chord QBD DAC. I play this through Audia pre and Audia power amps and finally a set of DALI 800mk2 speakers.

The issue and question I have is that this is a pretty expensive system and getting a turntable to compete if not sound better is probably going to be very expensive.

I am seeking your advice as to where to pitch a turntable that can at least compete with the CD player, any recommendations on turntables and at what price.

Your expertise is much appreciated here, many thanks.

Hi

I have been looking at getting a turntable for some time now but am clueless as to where to start.

My current system is pretty high CD system DcS Verdi CD player and a Chord QBD DAC. I play this through Audia pre and Audia power amps and finally a set of DALI 800mk2 speakers.

The issue and question I have is that this is a pretty expensive system and getting a turntable to compete if not sound better is probably going to be very expensive.

I am seeking your advice as to where to pitch a turntable that can at least compete with the CD player, any recommendations on turntables and at what price.

Your expertise is much appreciated here, many thanks.

Here's a good place to start. Normally retails around £1,200 - £1,400. I would be tempted but it doesn't have a dust cover: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROKSAN-RADIUS-5-1-NIMA-ARM-100-NEW-BOXED-MAPLE-/140655042956?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item20bfb1a18c

 

[chebby]

At the level you are aspiring to, I would start a list with something like a Thorens TD 160 HD (or TD 350) with an SME Series M2-9.

Thorens and SME products have had a long association with each other over many decades and the Series M2-9 is a Thorens recommended upgrade.

 

[plastic penguin]

At the level you are aspiring to, I would start a list with something like a Thorens TD 160 HD (or TD 350) with an SME Series M2-9.

Thorens and SME products have had a long association with each other over many decades and the Series M2-9 is a Thorens recommended upgrade.

What would be the modern day equivalent, SQ-wise, to the Thorens TD 350?

 

[tino]

My advice is that you might need a new hifi rack

 

[altruistic.lemon]

I'd suggest the usual suspects, Linn Majik LP12, Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck, Mitchell Orbe or Gyrodeck, VPI and Well Tempered. You'll need a decent cartridge - Benz Micro Ace or Dynavector 20x as a minimum.

 

[millerman]

thanks everyone some very helpful suggestions to get me started.

Tino - thats very funny

 

[chebby]

What would be the modern day equivalent, SQ-wise, to the Thorens TD 350?

The Thorens TD 350 actually.

It is part of their current range.

I think they are £2499 with the TP250 arm (Rega RB250) and about £3900 with the SME M2-9 arm fitted.

 

[shropshire lad]

I'd suggest the usual suspects, Linn Majik LP12, Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck, Mitchell Orbe or Gyrodeck, VPI and Well Tempered. You'll need a decent cartridge - Benz Micro Ace or Dynavector 20x as a minimum.

I would suggest a not so obvious suspect , an Origin Live Calypso . Mainly because I've got one and no one else seems to recommend them . Or if you've £4000 plus to spend a Sovereign .

Some sort of approximate budget would narrow the field down a bit .

 

[lindsayt]

If you want a turntable that you can buy for under £100, that will offer good sound quality for the money and can be modded into one of the best sounding turntables ever: buy a Lenco.

For a few hundred quid more a Garrard 301 or 401 or Thorens TD124 are also good.

If you want a less of a hobbyist approach and want to dip your toe in the water buy a 1970's to 1980's Japanese dd turntable. One of the models that would have been towards the top or right at the top of their model range. There are lots of different models to choose from. Lots that can be bought for under £300 that will offer genuinely good sound quality.

A Pioneer Exclusive P3 or P3a for £3000 to £4000 is one of the best record players ever made.

For fuss free, tweak-free turntables with good built-in phono amplification buy an EMT 930 or 948 or 950 for £1450 to £2500. These are also amongst the best sounding record players ever made.

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Hi

I have been looking at getting a turntable for some time now but am clueless as to where to start.

My current system is pretty high CD system DcS Verdi CD player and a Chord QBD DAC. I play this through Audia pre and Audia power amps and finally a set of DALI 800mk2 speakers.

The issue and question I have is that this is a pretty expensive system and getting a turntable to compete if not sound better is probably going to be very expensive.

I am seeking your advice as to where to pitch a turntable that can at least compete with the CD player, any recommendations on turntables and at what price.

Your expertise is much appreciated here, many thanks.

Hi

I have been looking at getting a turntable for some time now but am clueless as to where to start.

My current system is pretty high CD system DcS Verdi CD player and a Chord QBD DAC. I play this through Audia pre and Audia power amps and finally a set of DALI 800mk2 speakers.

The issue and question I have is that this is a pretty expensive system and getting a turntable to compete if not sound better is probably going to be very expensive.

I am seeking your advice as to where to pitch a turntable that can at least compete with the CD player, any recommendations on turntables and at what price.

Your expertise is much appreciated here, many thanks.

Here's a good place to start. Normally retails around £1,200 - £1,400. I would be tempted but it doesn't have a dust cover: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROKSAN-RADIUS-5-1-NIMA-ARM-100-NEW-BOXED-MAPLE-/140655042956?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item20bfb1a18c

I've got the acrylic version of that turntable with a Goldring 2400 cartridge, and on it's day it surpasses my DAC (your DAC's predecessor), although some of my other components aren't quite in your price bracket/league, as far as I know.

Vinyl is, mostly, my preferred playback medium and I'd be interested to know what turntable the OP goes for. I'm forever on the lookout for an affordable and substantive upgrade from my current deck, but it does loads of good things and I've had it for nearly four years now. (Cost: £700, three months old at time of eBay purchase).

 

[millerman]

Thanks to everyone - Ive been checking out the list of turntables you have all suggested and for which I am very grateful for.

The difficulty I have is pitching the right budget at this, or to put it another way spending enough to ensure it, at the very least, compares with the CD set up I have. One suggestion was to go for a Linn sondek and gradually upgrade until I get the better sound I am looking for.

I would be very interested in your thoughts on this idea

Once again many thanks for your time and trouble in responding to me

 

[Lost Angeles]

Thanks to everyone - Ive been checking out the list of turntables you have all suggested and for which I am very grateful for.

The difficulty I have is pitching the right budget at this, or to put it another way spending enough to ensure it, at the very least, compares with the CD set up I have. One suggestion was to go for a Linn sondek and gradually upgrade until I get the better sound I am looking for.

I would be very interested in your thoughts on this idea

Once again many thanks for your time and trouble in responding to me

With a Sondek you have the potential to spend at least £14000 8)

 

[millerman]

Cool so this seems like a good route to take. Now, ive just got to convince the wife that we are in desperate need of a turntable and its pointless living without one

Any advice is appreciiated.

 

[millerman]

Ive been looking at the Inspire eclipse. has anyone got any knowledge fo them?

 

[millerman]

Ive been looking at the Inspire eclipse. has anyone got any knowledge fo them?