Time to upgrade my ageing Pro Ject TT, but to what?!

[p_m_brown]

So I have a very old ProJect TT that gets loads of use but the cartridge seems to be coming off the tone arm and I have no way of resecuring it so I am ready to upgrade.

Love the warm lush sound but want a bit more detail. Any recommendations for a non too fussy TT that will be happy on a specially crafted pull out shelf?

Whilst I would love to go all out and look at Rega's RP6 or the Clear Audio Concept, I've budgeted around £300 to £400...

Happy with 2nd hand too so any advice would be welcomed!

:cheers:

 

[plastic penguin]

I would still stick with Pro-ject. Add a few quid more and you could be the proud owner of this http://www.stoneaudio.co.uk/?google=2359&gclid=CKTh6dW1zrgCFfHKtAodil8AoA

 

[stevebrock]

or this - spend another £80 on a nice cartridge and way you go!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rega-RP3-in-White-B-Grade-slight-minor-imperfections-save-126-00-/290943038176?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item43bd8e72e0

 

[peatmoor pirate]

I've just pruchased a ProJect Carbon Debut and am delighted with it. It's £299 most places.

 

[p_m_brown]

Thanks chaps,

I read somewhere (probably on here) that the Regas are a little particular about positioning...is that not the case?

I quite like the idea of another ProJect as I do like the house sound.

 

[floyd droid]

I read somewhere (probably on here) that the Regas are a little particular about positioning...is that not the case?

Thats pretty much applicable to all non bouncers. If you have somewhere to nail it on then a wall shelf is the way to go.

 

[p_m_brown]

At the moment, my TT is on the top of a proper hifi rack so I guess it is fairly sturdy.

It is going to be moved to a new unit which has a pull out shelf for the TT which hasn't arrived yet so maybe I'll see how it goes once it gets here.

Any ideas on suspended TTs ffloyd?

 

[stevebrock]

I have my RP6 on top of a HiFI Racks Podium rack, well away from Speakers, don't see the problem my self!

 

[Al ears]

At the moment, my TT is on the top of a proper hifi rack so I guess it is fairly sturdy.

It is going to be moved to a new unit which has a pull out shelf for the TT which hasn't arrived yet so maybe I'll see how it goes once it gets here.

Any ideas on suspended TTs ffloyd?

I don't think you will find too many suspended decks in your price bracket. Possibly second-hand.

There should be no problem fitting a non-suspended deck into your new rack. They are much easier to initially install, just ensure it is perfectly level.

 

[floyd droid]

Hold on fellas. I never said the OP would have problems if sited on a rack.

Perhaps I should have typed 'the BEST way to go'

:wall:

 

[p_m_brown]

Ok, thanks for all the advice chaps. I knew Steve would be on here telling me about the Rega stuff since he has company shares now

Out of interest, has anyone done an RP3 vs Pro-Ject session?

 

[plastic penguin]

Out of interest, has anyone done an RP3 vs Pro-Ject session?

No. But all I've read about both in reviews they are both in the same ballpark. They look very similar, similar size.... in fact pretty much from the same mould. Don't think you'll be disappointed with the two. Also the Pro-ject I linked comes with a very capable Ortofon Red cart.

 

[nopiano]

You cannot go far wrong with Rega or Pro-Ject, and you pretty much get what you pay for as you go up the ranges. Clearaudio look lovely and start at around a grand. Note a thread here about motor noise.

I think Michell are a sleeper, being better finished than Rega and also British made. Worth seeking out. I'm delighted with mine, the most basic model.

 

[p_m_brown]

Been in hiding for the last year enjoying the music rather than being concerned about gear but my old faithful Project is now really knackered so time to resurrect this ancient thread!

Had a listen to a Rega RP3 in standard guise and I had to listen to the RP6 while I was at it, although this had a dynavector cart fitted. Suffice to say, the budget has been upped appropriately!

I also had the unfortunate task of listening to the tables through the new Arcam a49 with a set of PMC 23 Twenties, which sounded stunning and are both very much on the list for future auditions.

First up, the RP3. I was so impressed with this straight off the bat. Warm presentation, engaging vocals and decent detail, some that I've not heard on vinyl before. The bass was plentiful but not as tuneful as I was hoping for. That said, it totally destroys the sound of my old debut.

Moving to the RP6, I have to say I was a little underwhelmed. It sounded thin and with that lack of bass, I felt some of the fun of the previous deck had been lost. Very accurate though, verging on analytical. That said, s sounds and t sounds were spot on, no sibilance and no surface noise, but after a while it started to become a little wearing. I much preferred the overall presentation after the Exact cartridge was fitted as it sounded much warmer, but that detail was lost and the dreaded distorted s sounds were more obvious, but it was way better than the RP3.

Next up is an acrylic Project Xperience with an Ortofon 2m blue cart. I had a quick listen to it on a shop floor yesterday and it sounded like the best set up so far.

Question is, what else should I get on the audition list?

 

[chebby]

Question is, what else should I get on the audition list?

Having 'upped' the budget to RP6 + Exact levels (£1100 with cartridge?) you have also raised the number of potential candidates exponentially.

I would however revisit both Regas and ask the staff if it would be acceptable to listen again with their anti-skate / bias adjustments reduced to about 0.5.

Rega RB3nn arms have always been notoriously bias heavy when set to the 'correct' levels and you might not have heard them at their best.

This is from personal experience over 25 years of Rega TT ownership.

 

[stevebrock]

RP6 with a Nagaoka MP200 - way better cartridge than the Exact

In the wrong system, the Dyn 10x5 can sound tiring - youve said your self you like the warmth of the Exact.

The Nagaoka kicks the Exact into the gutter.

So IMO RP6 with Nagaoka MP200, I used to own this combo and not much can match it at the price

 

[DIB]

Next up is an acrylic Project Xperience with an Ortofon 2m blue cart. I had a quick listen to it on a shop floor yesterday and it sounded like the best set up so far.

That combination works for me. Had mine 6 months now and don't regret the outlay one bit. Had a spell switched from the 2M Blue to a Nagaoka MP110, but I'm back with the 2M Blue now.

.

 

[p_m_brown]

Thanks for all the advice forumites, never thought of adjusting the bias so might just try that when I listen to the Regas next time.

@Nopiano, would love a Michell but alas it won't fit on my (very sturdy) pull out shelf, and must admit, the feedback on the Clearaudio reliability is a concern.

@Stevebrock, MP200 or further up the range is on the cards for a future upgrade regardless of the deck I go for I think. The RP6 does look smart in gloss red as does the clear acrylic Project!

Think I have found a store in Brentwood that stock all the main offenders so a day of turntable shoot outs is calling!

 

[Sabby]

Next up is an acrylic Project Xperience with an Ortofon 2m blue cart. I had a quick listen to it on a shop floor yesterday and it sounded like the best set up so far.

That combination works for me. Had mine 6 months now and don't regret the outlay one bit. Had a spell switched from the 2M Blue to a Nagaoka MP110, but I'm back with the 2M Blue now.

.

+1 for the Project. Also have the same turntable but with the Dynavector 10X5. Don't regret having bought it for a minute, absolutely brilliant table for reasonable money.

 

[mgkwackerd]

Next up is an acrylic Project Xperience with an Ortofon 2m blue cart. I had a quick listen to it on a shop floor yesterday and it sounded like the best set up so far.

Question is, what else should I get on the audition list?

If you liked the experience, you may like to consider the two acrylic's that Inspire make "Quest & Apollo", I was very impresssed with the Apollo, and bought one, using an Audiomods V arm with 2M Bronze cartridge.

I heard the Quest with RB303/2M blue, I thought better than RP6, and the Apollo a step up again, just a thought !!

 

[p_m_brown]

Hi all,

How weird that I come home today with a beautiful new bit of kit, only to read someone recommending it!

Gorgeous black acrylic triangular plinth with an additional isolation plinth, acrylic platter and a lovely looking Rega arm. RB700 perhaps?

Looks and sounds the mutts, way more unique than the Rega decks and I must admit, sounds way better!