Turntable Recommendation for Beginner

The Grados were always wonderful. It was a go-to cartridge for me when i used
an ARC SP-10 preamp. While that preamp had a wonderfully juicy phono stage,
it was quite noisy, and didn't like low output cartridges. I still have a couple of
old Grado Signatures sitting in a box, must be 20+ years old. I think
Soundsmith may also be doing something in this vein, I'd have to check. Step-
ups will add additional expense although I think some of these newer stages
have enough gain to run a low output cartridge.
PS just quickly looked- seems the Zesto has built in step ups?

I strongly 2nd the Denon DP-47 and 103 recommendation. The Denon tables of that vintage were incredibly well-built and are very good turntables all-around. And they are very easy to setup and use. They also *look* very good, very solid bases and smooth, elegant controls and switches.

The Denon 103 cartridge is one of the most popular in the world. You'll need a step-up transformer because of its low output, but there are plenty of those around for $200-300.

A setup like this will serve you well for many years and you can probably put it all together for less than $800.

-RW-

Tables are a great source of debate.
For years, the rega offerings were affordable, solid performers without needing to have a PhD in engineering to set them up.
I have a LP12 with the old Grace 707 and with a Benz Ace cart, the results are very very good...

Don't fall into the "never buy a used table" or "performance is directly related to money spent" myths.

Synergy is what makes good music great.
My advice, get a used table that you like...build your collection up a bit and shop at a slow pace.

It is hard to get it right the first time out.

Strongly 2nd the rec for a Well Tempered Amadeus.

>>To Whart

Bill,

Thanks for extending an invitation, and I'm sorry to hear you'll be leaving NY. As a former New Yorker, I have a special place in my heart for NY. Many of my friends and some family are still there. I traded NYC for San Diego a few years ago, but still miss the City and would probably go back if a lucrative opportunity arose. That said, I understand Austin is an awesome place, and has a great music scene. Plus much milder winters!

Funny about the Kuzma arm. Your turntable is one of those tables I have on my list to audition when I finally win the lottery, or when I get that that big promotion in that great job I'll get one day...So I was thinking about that linear arm and how many audiophiles consider linear arms superior to pivots. But for me, it's precisely what you've experienced that makes linear arms less attractive than pivots. I'm sure there are other designs that probably don't exhibit the same problems, but you'd think that if anyone could make a great linear arm, Kuzma would be one of them.

Good luck with the move when it happens. If I make it to NY any time soon. I'll let you know. Perhaps we can visit Mr. Lamm in Brooklyn :)