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
More great responses ! The VPI Prime seems to be garnering more votes as we go . Charles1dad ; You are probably very right in your assessment of the WT arm . I did not mean to infer that the arm needed to be replaced . Just that it probably could not , which may or may not be a limiting factor down the road . Thanks People . |
Hello Saki70, I agree with you that the Jelco is superbly engineered and a first choice on many top tables as the starter "package". It is certainly no disgrace and at its price I can’t think of many alternatives. This is an interesting budget alternative which might still be available for less than $1K (£750 UK)...and it is a dual-point unipivot if that doesn't sound too paradoxical. ;^) The Hadcock GH228 Export : http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/hadcock2/export.html Best regards, |
Saki70, you're progressing very nicely; you're right about the Rega, if you're not a "handy man" with upgrades, leave it be. I will be most curious about the cartridge; sorry I can't make any suggestions, I like different music, and that's the key to selecting the cartridge. What you have to do first is select the "family" of cartridges, and the way to do this is buy the cheapest cartridge in the "family" you think you might like. You're better off going like that, than buying an expensive cartridge, and later on discovering you're in the wrong family. I'm against used cartridges, and here's why; the people who bought them say they sounded good, but do they sound as good as their supposed to sound? They don't know. When the tiniest bit of difference on setup, can make a huge difference in sound, how can you know how good the used cartridge is supposed to sound. Here we are talking the best audio quality, not economics. Good luck, and take your time. |
Saki, Reading that review mentioning the RB1000 reminded me of this item which perhaps should also be on everyone’s list : More information : http://www.audiomods.co.uk/completearms.html ...and for an extra £100 you get "micrometer" VTA adjustment (now there's something you don't see every day on your standard Rega... ;^) All the best, |
Orpheus ; I'm with you on the used cartridges ! Not something that I have ever considered . Moonglum ; Wow , custom designed tone arm kits ! That is a new one on me . Looks to be a decent project . I have received a lot of really good information here . Some different avenues to consider and apply to my situation . You all have been extremely helpful . Thank You Saki70 |
