2. analog
  3. 126251-489

My final table , hopefully !

Back in the 80's I was seduced to the digital side ! At first it was lovely . But then , I became hooked , it got cold and ugly .  After a lot of work and many years , I was able to get onto the recovery road to analogdom .

I returned with a MMF 5.1 turntable and stock cartridge . Oh that warm cozy feeling , I missed you so ! 

 But now , as luck would have it , I want MORE !  More dynamics , more detail , more extension , more rich tone and above all else more of that sensuous musicality . I've grown old , fat and out of shape since I quit tapping my toes , bobbing my head , playing air guitar & and dancing around the room ! I'm greedy and I want it all !

Unfortunately , my addictions have forced me to the land of the small budget . I need to stay in the 2K + 3K range . If I can trade in my MMF 5.1 table and cartridge , that would help .


I would like to spend a majority of my money on the table and arm . I need a faithful dog , a table that will stick with me through thick & thin and never leave my side . To grow older with me without the need for attention . I am a set it & forget it / plug n play kind of guy . I want to listen to music , not futz with stuff . I am not able to go out and hear a lot of stuff so my ideas come from the net ...and my help comes from you !

I have read that different manufacturers tables have different sound characteristics . How much of this can be attributed to the arm and cartridge used ? How much can it be altered ? I prefer classic rock , singers & songwriters , contemporary blues , Detroit soul and classical . Not much for Disco ,  Rap , Techno or Hip Hop .

While most tables have an upgrade path , I would like to refrain from taking it . Again the plug n play / set it & forget it attitude .


Here is what I have come up with , in no special order :

VPI Prime - the most expensive , comes with the 3D arm .

Well Tempered Amadeus MKII - comes with the golf ball arm .

Avid Diva II

Sota Saphire V - no real need for a suspension system as I am on a slab .

Sota Saphire III - refurbished , again no real need for the suspension system . 

Origin Live Calypso MkIII

Looking at the Jelco 750D arm for some of these tables .


Thank You .

Saki70


saki70
saki70 OP
853 posts
 

I'm sorry , I guess that I was not quite clear .

What I meant was that I had stopped doing all that of while lost in the digital world ! Now that I have found my way back , I've had a taste and I want More ! 

At this point in my discussion  , I am seeking information concerning stability in a table that will go the distance without futzing .

 Another one of my questions was if I would be able to alter the tables' characteristic sound via arms and cartridges if need be . I was hoping that these parameters could be addressed without regard to ones ear .

Can anyone else offer an opinion ? 

stewart0722
171 posts
 
You can get a Prime close to 3K and you really won't do much better......A dark horse in that range, actually well under it would be the brand new Oracle Origine, which comes with arm and cartridge under 2K......
moonglum
605 posts
 

Although I currently use a TW Acustic Table with Phantom MkII arm I can’t blame anyone for looking at the Prime. It’s a real VFM table that would justify a price tag twice that of what is charged. (Based on personal demos).

The others, such as the SOTA, already have an enviable reputation in the marketplace.

BTW, the Jelco 750 is a very good starter arm but it is very much that - a basic arm. The 3D will undoubtedly be a step up from this but be careful with the room temperature! ;^)

Hope this helps.

fjn04
1,339 posts
 
I have an Amadeus GTA mk 1, with the full golf ball. It’s a keeper. I am also looking for an additional turntable, but not to replace the WTL. The table I’m considering may be slightly above your price range, but certainly would be close if you got a good discount, or bought used. That’s the Kuzma Stabi, also known as The Pipe Bomb. Best of luck with your search.
orpheus10
5,988 posts
 

I like Sota a lot; the only one I've had experience with is the Saphire. I noticed all the high end salons, when there were such places, had Sota Saphires on display, ready for evaluation. Of course they sold other brands as well.

I just checked that refurbished Sota for 2k; that's a lot of TT for that price, and it's pretty too. I recently spent almost 2K upgrading another table that's in the same league. That price is certainly right.

Of course you would not get entry level cartridge or tone arm with that table.

Good luck with your decision.


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