Turntable candidates

[friendly_ghost]

Hello everyone!

Loudspeakers, check!
Next up in the upgrade chain of things will be a turntable and I might just start reading and looking into the candidates even though it might take me a while to save up the funds to start listening and buy one.
I was thinking of spending at least €1000, but might be convinced to save a little longer and get into the €1500 range (a Gyro will have to wait for now).
What I was really wondering about is besides Pro-Ject and Rega, what would be other makes to look out for and eventually audition in these budgets.
The usual suspects are:
€1000: RP3, Project Xperience
€1500: RP6

Any further suggestions?

Thanks!
Casper

 

[Al ears]

Hello everyone!

Loudspeakers, check!Next up in the upgrade chain of things will be a turntable and I might just start reading and looking into the candidates even though it might take me a while to save up the funds to start listening and buy one.I was thinking of spending at least €1000, but might be convinced to save a little longer and get into the €1500 range (a Gyro will have to wait for now).What I was really wondering about is besides Pro-Ject and Rega, what would be other makes to look out for and eventually audition in these budgets.The usual suspects are:€1000: RP3, Project Xperience€1500: RP6

Any further suggestions?

Thanks!Casper

Can we take it you would purchase a new item?

 

[friendly_ghost]

I guess so. I have been looking at Thorenses for a long time, but am hesitant to buy. I have no reference point at this stage, so if I would be able to audition I would feel more comfortable with having made a good choice.
Does that make sense? What second hand tables did you have in mind that would rival a RP6 for instance?
I'm from Belgium, if that makes a difference.

 

[Al ears]

I guess so. I have been looking at Thorenses for a long time, but am hesitant to buy. I have no reference point at this stage, so if I would be able to audition I would feel more comfortable with having made a good choice.Does that make sense? What second hand tables did you have in mind that would rival a RP6 for instance?I'm from Belgium, if that makes a difference.

It is always better to audition if you can rather than buying on advice alone so if you can actually go to a dealer to get a RP6 then I would do that. Buying new you always have a warranty which can be useful, and you know the items history.

If you are unsure about cartridge set-up it is also better to get a dealer to do it for you.

If you do consider the RP6 can I advise you to get one without the normally fitted Rega cartridge and instead ask dealer to get and fit a Nagaoka MP200 instead if the price difference is not too great.

 

[ifor]

http://www.inspirehifi.co.uk/apollo.html

http://www.inspirehifi.co.uk/quest-clear.html

https://www.divineaudio.co.uk/analogue-works-turntable-one

http://www.analogueseduction.net/clearaudio-turntables/clearaudio-concept-turntable.html

 

[stevebrock]

At the price point i would recommend an RP6 / Nagaoka MP200 - great package

 

[Al ears]

http://www.inspirehifi.co.uk/apollo.html

http://www.inspirehifi.co.uk/quest-clear.html

http://www.analogueseduction.net/clearaudio-turntables/clearaudio-concep...

Good list but as the OP lives in Belgium I would hazard a guess that he'd only be able to audition one of them.

 

[ifor]

I hadn't taken that in.

 

[friendly_ghost]

Thanks! I'll have a look at these and see if I find some Belgian suppliers.
I must admit I had been looking at the Analogue Works, but the price has increased quite steeply with the new model.
I also don't like the new finishes...

 

[friendly_ghost]

VPI Traveler seems to have been discontinued, pity!
Should I add AVID Ingenium to the list as well?

 

[Al ears]

VPI Traveler seems to have been discontinued, pity!Should I add AVID Ingenium to the list as well?

Good though the Avid is he is not going to do it on his budget by the time you factor in the cost of a decent tonearm and cartridge.

 

[friendly_ghost]

If I were to buy second hand, how much should I budget for tonearm and cart (ballpark)?
Any more leftfield suggestions, I will have a lot of time to audition...

 

[Al ears]

If I were to buy second hand, how much should I budget for tonearm and cart (ballpark)?Any more leftfield suggestions, I will have a lot of time to audition...

Not wanting to sound difficult but if you are just starting out then it would be better to buy turntable and tonearm as a package.

 

[friendly_ghost]

No, not at all difficult. Just getting carried away I guess. I do understand that buying a full package (excluding the cart) would be best. I guess that is where I will start.

The options to look into seem to be:
- Rega RP3/RP6
- Pro-Ject 2XPression
- Clearaudio Concept

Thanks everyone!

 

[bigfish786]

You should definitely put the Marantz TT15S1 turntable on your list to check out.

It would match your gear, it is made by clearaudio, and comes with both a clearaudio arm, and cartridge.

A very nice piece of kit, sounds superb. And can be found at a decent price across Europe.

 

[Al ears]

+1 for the marantz, however it is a lot dearer than the Concept.

 

[bigfish786]

Very fortunate, I bought mine earlier this year when they were on offer for €1299.

Think I paid £955 including shipping,

right now, that's looking like a real steal.

 

[stevebrock]

is the marantz essentially a Concept?

 

[bigfish786]

It has the same motor and tonearm, not sure about the cart. But the platter, plinth and feet are all upgraded. With the plinth being shaped to match the modern marantz range of separates.

It is definitely not a "budget" copy. If anything it is a upgraded version. Just has a marantz badge.

 

[stevebrock]

I like it !

 

[friendly_ghost]

How would this compare:
http://www.technologyfactory.eu/index.php?item=clearaudio-emotion-package-ii-red-satine-direct-wired&action=article&group_id=10000143&aid=2317&lang=EN

 

[Al ears]

How would this compare:http://www.technologyfactory.eu/index.php?item=clearaudio-emotion-package-ii-red-satine-direct-wired&action=article&group_id=10000143&aid=2317&lang=EN

That's a good deal with that cartridge.

 

[friendly_ghost]

The hardest part is not getting too tempted
If I were to buy secondhand, what models should I be on the lookout for?
This for instance is kind of a classic no?
http://www.q-cennia.com/pioneer-plc-590.html

 

[Al ears]

The hardest part is not getting too tempted If I were to buy secondhand, what models should I be on the lookout for?This for instance is kind of a classic no?http://www.q-cennia.com/pioneer-plc-590.html

Never heard of it.

If new to the game I would stick to buying well known makes that are not too old that still have spare parts readily available and can be serviced by the original manufacturer. Something along the lines of Origin Live, Michell or Roksan.

 

[friendly_ghost]

Surprising! I read about it being one of the best of the Japanese DD-turntables, not sure if it's worth the 1600€ though