Turntables - what to buy.

[Al ears]

Having decided to revamp and re-use my vinyl collection I would like some suggestions on a suitable turntable with arm.

I have read quite a number of reviews but am not much the wiser.

So my question to you is. If I gave you £1500 to buy a turntable which one would you get?

 

[John Duncan]

No question:

 

[Anonymous]

Vpi Scout or secondhand LP12

 

[John Duncan]

THough I'll admit to a hankering for acrylic (despite them being quite poor value at the mo):

 

[floyd droid]

Or this. Diva II

 

[the record spot]

Nottingham Analogue makes some fine decks, their Spacedeck reange is rather good; here's a couple for consideration:-

This is the entry level version (£1100)

...and the Analogue Space 294 (£1350):-

If you fancy a project (not the company), pick up a Garrard 301 or 401 deck, get it into a good plinth, buy a good arm and cartridge, get someone to fit it all for you and that should leave you with a brilliant turntable that'll eat a good few others for breakfast and maybe just enough change for an LP or two. Maybe!

 

[chebby]

This is what I would get....

Audio Note TT1 (£780 excl arm)

Audio Note Arm1 (£330)

Audio Note IQ1 Cartridge (£not sure but will probably take total to just under your target.)

 

[Lost Angeles]

Somethig with a lid so it does not become a dust trap and something that is easy to set up. Its for listening to music with, not forever fiddling with.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Try an LP12 with an Ittok (LVII, or if you can find it LVIII) arm S/H. If you find you aren't keen, you can sell it for the same you paid.

Roksan Xerxes are also nice, but make sure any you buy isn't sagging suspension-wise.

 

[matthewpiano]

Thorens TD160HD. Gorgeous turntable. No question, its what I would buy with that sort of budget.

 

[78finn]

You know what...I seriously think that you should save most of the money and buy yourself a Rega Planar 3 for one third of your total budget. I auditioned a bunch of players for around the same price point about 3 years ago. I just couldn't go past the Rega 3. For the money, it sounds as good / in many cases out performs many of the players already suggested on here. I would spend the money left over and a decent phono amp...and you're done.

On the other hand, if your budget can stretch a little further there are other options. But obviously when putting together any hi end phono system you need to make sure that most of your budget goes on an unbelievably good amplifier/speaker setup.

 

[Anonymous]

Would be no question for me. Linn LP12 second hand without arm in good condition - £800-£900, Naim Aro arm (£600 used in good condition). Sell rest of equipment and buy Naim 72/250/Hi Cap, and Linn Kans. My dream system.

 

[the record spot]

78finn:

But obviously when putting together any hi end phono system you need to make sure that most of your budget goes on an unbelievably good amplifier/speaker setup.

The OP has £2k to spend on the t/t and no, he doesn't need to spend the full amount, but that's all he has to spend for, there's not amp or speaker set-up to consider as it's already there. But are you saying that out of a total budget of (say) £2k, you'd spend £500 on a P3-24, then the remainder on amp and speakers?

I think for a vinyl based set-up, the greater individual proportion would go on the deck; 40%-30%-30% for instance. It's the most important component, it provides the information from which everything else is built round.

I can see a slightly bigger proportion on a digital going on the amp, but not with vinyl. Perhaps not so obvious after all...?!

 

[Al ears]

Many thanks for that my friend.(78finn)

It's what I have been suspecting for some time. You need to spend a wee bit more than £1500 to hear a significant difference over and above that which I already have. (Rega Planar 3, Origin Live modified RB300 arm, Denon DL103R, Trichord Dino phono amp.)

Maybe its time to be content with what I have and buy some more vinyl!!

 

[Anonymous]

Alears:
Many thanks for that my friend.(78finn)

It's what I have been suspecting for some time. You need to spend a wee bit more than £1500 to hear a significant difference over and above that which I already have. (Rega Planar 3, Origin Live modified RB300 arm, Denon DL103R, Trichord Dino phono amp.)

Maybe its time to be content with what I have and buy some more vinyl!!
You mean we've all been dreaming of the wonderful turntables we'd love to own for nothing?? I'm going back to my P2 and put on some TYA.

 

[78finn]

the record spot:78finn:

But obviously when putting together any hi end phono system you need to make sure that most of your budget goes on an unbelievably good amplifier/speaker setup.

The OP has £2k to spend on the t/t and no, he doesn't need to spend the full amount, but that's all he has to spend for, there's not amp or speaker set-up to consider as it's already there. But are you saying that out of a total budget of (say) £2k, you'd spend £500 on a P3-24, then the remainder on amp and speakers?

I think for a vinyl based set-up, the greater individual proportion would go on the deck; 40%-30%-30% for instance. It's the most important component, it provides the information from which everything else is built round.

I can see a slightly bigger proportion on a digital going on the amp, but not with vinyl. Perhaps not so obvious after all...?!

No, that's not what I was saying at all!? I was saying that he should maybe consider buying a cheaper turntable - obviously keeping what he already has re: speakers, amp etc. I then suggested that he spend the rest on a good separate Phono Amp/stage. You can get a great phono amp/stage for about 500 these days. So that would still leave about 500 in change. And that's all I was saying. At this price point (1500 top) I think the Rega 3 is still up there, especially when twinned with a good cart.

I certainly never suggested that he change his entire system on a budget of 2K!???? Not sure where you got that from. I made no suggestions of amps or speakers? I was trying to point out that he maybe better of spending substantially less on a turntable and then pointed out that it's the supporting components of his system that will shape the sound anyway i.e. the amp and speakers. No point spending $1500 on a turntable otherwise.

 

[78finn]

Also..I think if I was doing the split on a buget/lower mid phono system I would go:

Phono: 30%

Amp: 30%

Speakers: 40%

Obviously it would be a different story for a upper mid/high end system. My point being that the Entry level Pro-Ject & Rega turntables are largely around the same price point (very affordable)....and I will make a gerenalisation and say that they largely offer the same package when it comes to build and sound stage (no doubt someone will hate me saying that). However, when it comes to Amps & almost certinaly when it comes to speakers...a extra few $$$ will often go a hell of a long way to improving the sound dynamics.

Just my opinion though.....init ; )

 

[the record spot]

You misunderstood; I was querying your rationale, not the specifics of how you thought the OP's money should be spent or what he should buy per se. I think the more spent on the source the better you'll get coming out at the end. £500 phono stage (why not just go for a £300 Trichord Dino - unless it's gone up?) seems a bit like overkill on a sub-£500 t/t.

P3 is an excellent deck though (I have one myself from 2001), and with a good cartridge it can really sing. I do think the OP would have to spend a substantial sum to better it.

 

[Anonymous]

the record spot:You misunderstood; I was querying your rationale, not the specifics of how you thought the OP's money should be spent or what he should buy per se. I think the more spent on the source the better you'll get coming out at the end. £500 phono stage (why not just go for a £300 Trichord Dino - unless it's gone up?) seems a bit like overkill on a sub-£500 t/t. P3 is an excellent deck though (I have one myself from 2001), and with a good cartridge it can really sing. I do think the OP would have to spend a substantial sum to better it.

The OP has:ÿRega Planar 3, Origin Live modified RB300 arm, Denon DL103R, Trichord Dino phono amp already. Don't know what the modified RB300 tonearms go for these days, but my guess is he's already up around the 800 pound mark on the arm and cartridge combination, plus the 350 for the phono stage. That makes ca 1150 for the source, so he has gone down the road you suggest. Agreed, he'd have to spend a lot to improve upon that.

ÿ

 

[John Duncan]

I go back to my original suggestion - stick that OL-modded arm on a £1k Michell Gyro SE through that phono stage and you have a killer setup. You could even add the HR power supply or a Kontrapunkt and still be in budget...

 

[78finn]

Ha! Well we are all talking about the same thing really. I think the rig the OP has is about as good as you can get for around the 1500 mark. I also think adding/adjusting anything like the tone arm etc. will not significantly improve matters. The RB300 (adjusted or otherwise) is so good for the money, and is already spot on without adjustment. Modifying tone arms can often be like adding spoilers and skimming pistons on Ford Escorts - the gains are marginal. I think the RB300 can hold its own very well...even with arms worth 3 times its value...I don't think you will get the performance improvement you are looking for by spending another grand on a different tone arm.
My question to the OP: Are you really unhappy with the sound you are getting out of your current setup Rega 3 / RB300? Because if you are, I don't think spending 1500 on a new turn table / tone are or making further modifications to your tone arm/cart/whatever will see you getting the gains you are perhaps seeking. So my advice would be if you are really unhappy with your system save up some extra pennies to buy a component that will really make a significant and truly audible improvement/difference to your system.

 

[chebby]

It is a shame the OP cannot use the Rega TT-PSU (designed for the P5 but now compatible with the Rega P3-24). Totally the wrong motor.

Also his OL modified arm won't fit on the new P3-24 because the RB301 arm is the new 3 point surface mount rather than the old "hole and big nut" fixing.

The OP would have to sell the whole existing P3 package and replace it with a P3-24 + TT-PSU which - despite being significantly less than £1500 to do - may not be cost effective for any upgrade gained. Or would it? (If you have a local Rega dealer have a listen and see what you think.)

 

[Anonymous]

chebby:
It is a shame the OP cannot use the Rega TT-PSU (designed for the P5 but now compatible with the Rega P3-24). Totally the wrong motor.

Also his OL modified arm won't fit on the new P3-24 because the RB301 arm is the new 3 point surface mount rather than the old "hole and big nut" fixing.

The OP would have to sell the whole existing P3 package and replace it with a P3-24 + TT-PSU which - despite being significantly less than £1500 to do - may not be cost effective for any upgrade gained. Or would it? (If you have a local Rega dealer have a listen and see what you think.)

The OP just wanted reassurance. Judging from his last reponse, he's doing the sensible thing and heading off to buy vinyl.

 

[John Duncan]

Tarquinh:chebby:
It is a shame the OP cannot use the Rega TT-PSU (designed for the P5 but now compatible with the Rega P3-24). Totally the wrong motor.

Also his OL modified arm won't fit on the new P3-24 because the RB301 arm is the new 3 point surface mount rather than the old "hole and big nut" fixing.

The OP would have to sell the whole existing P3 package and replace it with a P3-24 + TT-PSU which - despite being significantly less than £1500 to do - may not be cost effective for any upgrade gained. Or would it? (If you have a local Rega dealer have a listen and see what you think.)

The OP just wanted reassurance. Judging from his last reponse, he's doing the sensible thing and heading off to buy vinyl.

Only because he's been told that spending 1500 quid won't make a big difference, whereas in direct comparison a Gyro vs a P3 (same arm and cartridge) will prove otherwise without a shadow of a doubt.

And that's only a grand, if he keeps the same arm (which i would) - he could add the power supply or a stellar MC cartridge and still be within his budget.

 

[Anonymous]

JohnDuncan:Tarquinh:chebby:
It is a shame the OP cannot use the Rega TT-PSU (designed for the P5 but now compatible with the Rega P3-24). Totally the wrong motor.

Also his OL modified arm won't fit on the new P3-24 because the RB301 arm is the new 3 point surface mount rather than the old "hole and big nut"ÿ fixing.

The OP would have to sell the whole existing P3 package and replace it with a P3-24 + TT-PSU which - despite being significantly less than £1500 to do - may not be cost effective for any upgrade gained. Or would it? (If you have a local Rega dealer have a listen and see what you think.)

The OP just wanted reassurance. Judging from his last reponse, he's doing the sensible thing and heading off to buy vinyl.

Only because he's been told that spending 1500 quid won't make a big difference, whereas in direct comparison a Gyro vs a P3 (same arm and cartridge) will prove otherwise without a shadow of a doubt.And that's only a grand, if he keeps the same arm (which i would) - he could add the power supply or a stellar MC cartridge and still be within his budget.

As for myself, if I had that money to spend on a turntable I'd probably look at an LP12, and be doomed for the rest of my life spending all my available income on upgrades. Still the best turntable I've heard, and still so out of reach.ÿ