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Choices, turntable purchase choices?

Recently I have been investigating a future turntable purchase. Not that my current JVC, QL-Y5F is a problem or not working right, but as in much of this hi-fi hobby we look to make gear changes at times. Thus, I began to think, I want to make sure any turntable I'd buy is one that I'd hopefully enjoy for a long while at least 5 years before any future upgrade or change itch may return. If I'm lucky maybe longer. This is why my budget range is above going entry level or the likes. No, I do not have a Champagne budget, but a Regular Joe beer budget range. However I want to get a rig that will give my notably solid vinyl playback quality enough to hopefully keep me happy with said table for a while.

So lots of reading and surfing the web etc has led me to a few choices I'd like to ask for opinions and if any of you own or have owned your thoughts.

1: Clearaudio, Concept $1400.00 to $2000.00 depending on cartridge options. If sans cartridge I'd look at putting my Ortophon 2M Blue on it. How does the Concept MM stack up as an alternative to the Blue? Is the Concept MC worth $500 more than the Concept MM?

2: Rega, RP6. $1500.00 to $2000.00 depending on going no cartridge or adding the Exact2. Rega definitely goes another direction to the Concept. It does come with a dust cover as standard though. Looks to have a nice RB303 arm too.

3: VPI, Scout $1800.00 with no cartridge or dust cover. Another cool tone arm though.

4: Another suggestion in the $1400.00 to $2000.00 range?

None of the choices above precludes making future cartridge changes and/or phono Preamp ones. I have a Cambridge Audio 640p running well right now.
les_creative_edge
terry_w
2 posts
 
Good questions, I have been reviewing the same to see where the most bang for the dollar was.
But, I was also considering older eqpt
in this price range..... can we include
those thoughts/comments in the responses/

Thanks
les_creative_edge OP
170 posts
 
I'm open minded but I do not want to swamp my list of choices by too much though. I have a nice vintage table now and am only investigating moving on to new(er) stuff. That said, I'm looking for something different as well as hopefully a step up as hard and as subjective as that request may be, to what I have and not rudimentary stuff or entry level. I'm thinking about a table that will be a long term keeper. The costs of buying and swapping gear too quickly in the end swamps just buying a unit more special. Not Champagne special but say premium beer special :-)
grinnell
661 posts
 
VPI classic used
manitunc
795 posts
 
In my opinion, a Sota Sapphire gives the best bang for buck, especially a factory refurbished model. Also, a used VPI Classic. Either will give you considerable pleasure in the future
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