What TT and what phono stage?

[Mike]

Hello , i`ve just got a NAD c316 intergrated amp.A pair of Dali Zensor 3 are coming home at the end of the month and i need a TT ,I`m between the Rega rp1 and Pro-ject debut carbon,which one?And with what phono stage?(budget for phono is max 150 euro).

Thank you.

 

[nopiano]

Hi Mike

I saw your earlier post too and I think you will struggle for 150 euros if buying new, but if you can save up a bit more then this might do the trick as it has an included phono stage.

https://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/elementalusb-p1249

I have looked at the NAD316BEE spec sheet and it doesn't mention a phono/RIAA input, even though it confusingly has both 'disc' and 'CD' inputs which seem to be the same as each other.

 

[ifor]

If you are handy with a soldering iron this might suit http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/genera-mm-phono-preamp-diy-kit-project.htm

 

[Al ears]

If you are handy with a soldering iron this might suit http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/genera-mm-phono-preamp-diy-kit-project.htm

Unfortunately that would still be ouside his budget.

 

[ifor]

If you are handy with a soldering iron this might suit http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/genera-mm-phono-preamp-diy-kit-project.htm

Unfortunately that would still be ouside his budget.

You're right it's 15 euros over budget. I hadn't done the calculation.

 

[Al ears]

If you are handy with a soldering iron this might suit http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/genera-mm-phono-preamp-diy-kit-project.htm

Unfortunately that would still be ouside his budget.

You're right it's 15 euros over budget. I hadn't done the calculation.

Got to admit it would be worth saving up for considering the alternatives. Well spotted

 

[Mike]

If you are handy with a soldering iron this might suit http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/genera-mm-phono-preamp-diy-kit-project.htm

Unfortunately that would still be ouside his budget.

You're right it's 15 euros over budget. I hadn't done the calculation.

Got to admit it would be worth saving up for considering the alternatives. Well spotted

If you think that this is the best i can buy within my budget ,i`ll go for it ,i play electric guitar and i`ve made diy guitars, pedals for guitar (fuzz,distortions,delay`s) so soldering is no problem.15 euros more its ok!

 

[Mike]

Hi Mike

I saw your earlier post too and I think you will struggle for 150 euros if buying new, but if you can save up a bit more then this might do the trick as it has an included phono stage.

https://www.henleydesigns.co.uk/elementalusb-p1249

I have looked at the NAD316BEE spec sheet and it doesn't mention a phono/RIAA input, even though it confusingly has both 'disc' and 'CD' inputs which seem to be the same as each other.

150 eyros is for phono only,the TT is another story ,i think i`ll go for the debut carbon with 2M cartridge.

For the NAD you`r right "disc" and "cd" inputs are the same.there is no phono in.

Thank y!

 

[ifor]

If you are handy with a soldering iron this might suit http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/genera-mm-phono-preamp-diy-kit-project.htm

Unfortunately that would still be ouside his budget.

You're right it's 15 euros over budget. I hadn't done the calculation.

Got to admit it would be worth saving up for considering the alternatives. Well spotted

If you think that this is the best i can buy within my budget ,i`ll go for it ,i play electric guitar and i`ve made diy guitars, pedals for guitar (fuzz,distortions,delay`s) so soldering is no problem.15 euros more its ok!

it's definitely what I would do. In fact I'm planning to get one for my second TT.

 

[Mike]

Any suggestions about the TT? Rega rp1 or Project Debut carbon?

 

[Al ears]

Mike as I said previously there is not a lot in it between these two turntable and you will find two seperate camps on this forum.

If you can go and look at build quality etc yourself. Normally the Rega will come with the Bias2 cartridge and is the cheaper of the pair. The Project comes fitted with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge and is what I would buy given the choice.

You are going to get a different reaction to this from the Rega fanboys (and I was one once) but really it will all come down to price and which you consider looks the best as, sound quality-wise there will be very little in it.

 

[Jim-W]

The stock cartridge on the Rega RP1 isn't the Bias 2, it's the Rega Carbon, the rebadged Audio Technica AT 91 if you like. If you get the Rega RP1 upgrade for about £85 then you get the Rega Bias cart which is a decent upgrade. In my experience, the Rega Carbon cart works well with the RP1: it certainly has more weight and authority than the Ortofon budget cart which was originally supplied as stock. Not to dismiss the Ortofon 0M 5E, which is certainly detailed if rather bright.

Therein lies the rub: the Pro-Ject Carbon tt is probably a better tt in many respects, but the stock cart is the Ortofon 2M Red which offers a very forward, some would say overly-bright, presentation of the music more akin, in my opinion only of course, to a cd. In my opnion again, the Rega Carbon has a better tonal balance more suited to vinyl reproduction. I will say here I have a 2M blue which is a very decent cart; I'm not an Ortofon-hater by any means.

Both are really very good budget turntables so what do you do? I'd buy the cheaper RP1 and replace the cart, eventually, with a much better cart like the Nagaoka MP-110 which would be ideal for the RB- 101 tonearm. I think that would make for a detailed, spacious and authoritative presentation of your records.

All my opinion of course based on listening experience with my ears in my rooms.

 

[Mike]

The stock cartridge on the Rega RP1 isn't the Bias 2, it's the Rega Carbon, the rebadged Audio Technica AT 91 if you like. If you get the Rega RP1 upgrade for about £85 then you get the Rega Bias cart which is a decent upgrade. In my experience, the Rega Carbon cart works well with the RP1: it certainly has more weight and authority than the Ortofon budget cart which was originally supplied as stock. Not to dismiss the Ortofon 0M 5E, which is certainly detailed if rather bright.

Therein lies the rub: the Pro-Ject Carbon tt is probably a better tt in many respects, but the stock cart is the Ortofon 2M Red which offers a very forward, some would say overly-bright, presentation of the music more akin, in my opinion only of course, to a cd. In my opnion again, the Rega Carbon has a better tonal balance more suited to vinyl reproduction. I will say here I have a 2M blue which is a very decent cart; I'm not an Ortofon-hater by any means.

Both are really very good budget turntables so what do you do? I'd buy the cheaper RP1 and replace the cart, eventually, with a much better cart like the Nagaoka MP-110 which would be ideal for the RB- 101 tonearm. I think that would make for a detailed, spacious and authoritative presentation of your records.

All my opinion of course based on listening experience with my ears in my rooms.

The MP-110 or the MP-150 was in my plans for a later upgrade if i go for the Rega ,the only thing that keeps me back from the Rega tt is the problems which some owners mention,with the plastic platter and the piston which lowers the tone arm .

So what do you think about getting the project tt which seems better overall and replace later the cart,with an MP-110?

 

[Jim-W]

Yes, you could do that too. Either way, you have a good turntable. Maybe you ought to listen to a Pro-Ject with a 2M Red...you may like the sound. That's why offering advice is so difficult because ultimately it's your room and ears. One man's detailed and lively sound is another man's horribly bright.

 

[Mike]

Thank you guys !

 

[Al ears]

Jim-W is quite correct, I stand corrected, the Bias 2 is seen on so many decks I thought it was the standard fitting, it is not.

Ideally you should get the Project TT without a cartridge (I said ideally as this, apparently, cannot be done) and then stick the Nagaoka on that.

Having said that my money would still be on the Project with 2m Red because, as Jim-W says, you might like the sound it produces.

 

[Mike]

Jim-W is quite correct, I stand corrected, the Bias 2 is seen on so many decks I thought it was the standard fitting, it is not.

Ideally you should get the Project TT without a cartridge (I said ideally as this, apparently, cannot be done) and then stick the Nagaoka on that.

Having said that my money would still be on the Project with 2m Red because, as Jim-W says, you might like the sound it produces.

There is a local store that sells a demo project debut carbon at a low price ,i`ll go and listen to it ,if i don`t like the sound from the first audition i`ll ask them if i can buy it without the cart. for even lower price.

Thank you!

 

[stevebrock]

Even the Nag MP110 which can be bought for £85 is miles better than the Rega offerings