KAB 1200 vs. everything else.

Of course the Dyna will better the AT. The question is whether the $ spent on the Dyna would have been "better" spent on a better table. The answer to that "theoretical" question is yes. In "reality" you had your own reasons for hanging onto the Technics and getting the deal on the Dyna, and it was an enjoyable improvement but not enough to keep you from moving on from analogue. cool.

On another front, re: the original question, the rubber hits the road not in theoretical conversations about exchange rates of 70s R&D dollars etc etc but in direct well conducted comparisons. I have not done such a comparison with a KAB 1200 but I have with the stock 1200 and my own taste did not favor the Technics. My only point here is to temper the religious feelings we'd all like to prove that we've seen the light and it only costs $500.

Happy New Year!

12-26-08: Piedpiper
Of course the Dyna will better the AT. The question is whether the $ spent on
the Dyna would have been "better" spent on a better table. The
answer to that "theoretical" question is
yes.

Fair enough. This question will be valuable to everyone reading this thread.

I spent $800 on the Dyna. The KAB Technics table cost me $1000 including
the mods.

For $1800 invested on a table/arm and cartridge, where would you
recommend the money would have been better spent?

Again, theory vs. reality. In your case, your choice was, as I already implied, perhaps a good one, but you could have spent the $800 on a better arm and used the cart you had with possibly better results.

12-26-08: Piedpiper
...you could have spent the $800 on a better arm and used the cart you had
with possibly better results.

You have changed your advice. Previously, you stated, "The question is
whether the $ spent on the Dyna would have been "better" spent
on a better table. The answer to that "theoretical" question is
yes."

Now, you state that I could have spent the $800 on a better *arm*.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, however I am trying to get you to be
consistent and specific, because specifics are helpful, but general
opinion/advice without specifics is not.

I spent a total of $1800 on table/arm/cart. What would you suggest would be
a better allocation of that money? Assume that I am not willing to tear apart
the KAB Technics and retrofit it with a different arm.

Please be specific. Thank you.

Perhaps a different phono preamp on par with your lamm line stage with current cart and a used gerrard tt should smoke your cd player on most recordings

My cd player playback design is great and better than previous emmlabs I owned but still my lenco with shelter 501mk2 and rega rb700 easily matches it or even surpassed it on many recordings