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Help Picking a turntable

Hi Everyone,

Rod at my local store here where I buy my gear (unless I buy here at Audiogon) was at my house doing a master set for my speakers (they sound much better) and he suggested I consider getting a turntable and switching to records from cds to get better sound.  I am considering his suggestion but my biggest problem is that I don't know anything about turntables.  Rod recommended a turntable package from EAT that includes the arm, cartridge etc. for about $6,500, which is more than I want to spend.  He said he would look into turntables that are a bit less that would still sound good but I thought I would also check with everyone here to see if anyone had ideas also that I could discuss with Rod when I meet with him.  I'd like to stay under $3000 for the turntable package (turntable, arm, cartridge etc.). 

My current system is: Thiel 3.7 speakers; ARC REF 75 SE amp; ARC LS-17 SE pre-amp (I will also need a phono stage which I know will be in addition to the $3,000 I am willing to spend on the turntable package); analysis plus solo crystal oval speaker wire and interconnects.  Lastly, all of my music now is played through my Simaudio 280d DSD DAC (my cd player, computer etc are all hooked into the dac directly -- no wi fi). 

I'd appreciate any advice and suggestions to help educate me before I go down to Rod's store again and listen and meet with him.  As I said, I know nothing about turntables so any advice, suggestions etc. are very welcome.  Thank you all again in advance for your responses.     
gasherbaum
stewart0722
171 posts
 
Get your hands on a VPI Classic 1, 2 or 3 before they discontinue them......
I have a dealer who will give you a very competitive discount.......

I suggest this over the prime, as the heft of the non suspended table,
will give you a solid foundation for any cartridge you ever want to throw at it,
without compromise......

I'd suggest starting with an Ortofon 2M Black and move up from there......
terry9
931 posts
 
Another vote for Nottingham Analogue. Not well known, perhaps, but the quality is superb. I have used their equipment for 19 years now, and built  my all-ESL system around it. 
bpoletti
1,004 posts
 
Amen to the VPI Classic.  Very good table at its original price.  Discounted, its a great deal.  That VPI arm mates very well with an AT OC9/II.  Hard to beat at twice the price.
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
702 posts
 
I agree with many of the guys on here about researching what your getting into.  I would pick up a older vintage table for under $1k and try it out get a few records and play them see how you like it. then if you fall in love with it like most of us here have then sell the vintage table for pretty much what you paid for it and get a nice set up to take advantage of your system. it'd be a shame to spend thousands on a set up and find its not for you. To be honest there are some nice vintage tables that will give you good results for cheep and give you the taste of things to come.

I run vintage as well. Garrard 301 grease bearing, Jelco 750l, Van Den Hul MC10  cart and a Denon 103 MC (that Denon is a great cart for under $500) and custom plinth.
bayreuth
25 posts
 
VPI offers many excellent designs that will not disappoint.  The Prime and Classic designs are hard to beat at their price points.
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