1. Home
  2. analog
  3. 136399-2238

Turntable recommendations around $2500

Hi everyone,

Yes, another "what do you recommend" thread.  I'll provide a few specifics to help narrow down the field.  First of all, I don't live near any audio dealers, so listening to products isn't an option.  I want to purchase through one of the various online audio dealers who offers a 30-day (or more) return policy - Audio Advisor, Music Direct, Needle Doctor, etc.  

My general parameters are:
  • approx. $2000-2500 for table only (less is better, of course, but not at the expense of sound quality) 
  • RCA or DIN output connection (no integral phono cables, which rules out Rega and Clearaudio)  experiment with aftermarket cables).
  • No unipivot tonearm (sorry, VPI)

So, with all that in mind, I'm looking at the following that meet my criteria:

  • Pro-Ject RPM 9 Carbon
  • Musical Hall MMF 9.3
  • Mobile Fidelity Ultradeck
  • EAT C-Major
  • ELAC Miracord 90
  • SOTA Satellite II (w/202 arm)

For what it's worth, I prefer a table that leans slightly toward the warmer side of neutral.  Would love to hear opinions from those who are using one of these tables or who have heard them and decided not to purchase. And, of course, other recommendations are welcome.

Thanks!
Scott


    
smrex13
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
502 posts
 
Get the SOTA in your choice of custom wood finish; really beautiful, musical, and long-lived tables that can work well even without stellar isolation racks/stands. I own two arms with an on-the-fly VTA adjustment that I never use, once setup correctly.

The EAT, Music Hall, and RPM are all made by ProJect, which is an OK brand but I’ve never been terribly impressed by them yet.
donvito101
278 posts
 
You should add this Technics 1200 GR DD to your list. This dealer has a return policy if you do not like it!
http://hifiheaven.net/shop/Technics/Technics-SL-1200GR-Grand-Class-Direct-Drive-Turntable-System?gcl...
Here is a review!
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/technics-sl-1200gr-turntable-review
spenceroo
183 posts
 
I have the Ultradeck with Ultratracker cartridge. It replaced a Clearaudio table more than twice it's cost. The MoFi sounds richer and more enjoyable to listen too. It's super easy to set up, super quiet, and it's made in the U.S.A.
mgattmch
372 posts
 
Michell GyroDec SE. I use the full plinth version of the GyroDec (not SE) with an SME IV plus Clearaudio Maestro V2 Ebony cartridge, and could not be happier with it. Incredible design and build quality. Also, looks beautiful IMHO. See my previous post on this system. I am back into analog after a 34 year absence and having fun with HiFi all over again.
smrex13 OP
423 posts
 
Thanks for all the info!  Hadn't thought about the GyroDec - certainly looks beautiful.  The MoFi looks like a user friendly, solidly designed option.  I like the idea of the suspension in the SOTA tables.  Another table that was just recommended to me by a dealer I trust is the Acoustic Signature Wow XL.  It certainly looks like a very nicely made table for the cost.

Too many choices!   Turnable reviews are very difficult to decipher.  Of course, the reviewers all use different cartridges, tonearms, phono stages and cables.  Hard to tell what the table is contributing to the conclusions drawn by the reviewer.

At some point I'll just pull the trigger and see how it goes (which is why I want to order from a place with a return policy).

Thanks again!
Scott
More to discover