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Turntable Swamp. . .what to buy?

So, I have gotten overwhelmed with trying to decide on which turntable I want. I currently have an 1980's AR "The Turntable" with original AR arm and no mods. It has exposed me to the natural sound of analog. This is my only analog experience thus far. So, of course, I want to upgrade to something capable of more resolution. When I place new pressings on the AR I can tell I am missing something.

My current system consists of a Primaluna Prologue 2 w/onboard phono, Custom Eton 2-ways with 8inch midwoofers and tweets, Blue Jeans cables, and an AT 440mla cartridge.

The choices I have narrowed it down to are:

-Michell Tecnodec, love the look, users seem to be happy, but not a lot of info and difficult to find used so far.
-Nottingham Horizon, same as above.
-Rega P25 like the look, but pricey and a hassle to upgrade to the TTPSU that everyone seems to insist on as an upgrade.
-Rega P5 seems solid and liked but not so attractive.
-Rega RP6, dressed up P3-24, some say it sounds lean.
-VPI Scout, some grumbles about the tonearms, otherwise a good performer, kind of ugly.
-VPI Traveler, can get a used scout for the same cash and there seems to be confusion v1&2.
-Send my AR to VinylNirvana for an overhaul, price could approach or exceed the above tables.

So, I am all twisted up trying to decide which one to purchase? Your advice is appreciated.
djwilbourn
rhljazz
1,117 posts
 
I'm not a VPI fan. I dislike uni-pivot arms. VPI has no consistent design philosophy. Rim drive one day, belt the next, one motor, two motors?, extra flywheel or not, aluminum platter or super platter, feet that spike, feet that dampen and on and on.

Do you want to purchase new or used?

almarg's avatar
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almarg
8,673 posts
 
Another vote for SOTA.

I think you will find this article to be well worth reading.

I have an early SOTA Sapphire, which is approaching its 30th birthday. It works as well as when it was new, without ever having required servicing. I have never felt the need to upgrade or replace it, although more recent models are reputedly significantly improved. It is built like the proverbial tank, looks beautiful in a classy way, and by all accounts the present owners are a pleasure to deal with.

Regards,
-- Al
redglobe
218 posts
 
Unipivots require a little more patience when setting up. However, the simplicity in design pays off (one point of contact versus multiple for gimbaled arms).

I have used Hadcock, Mayware, and VPI JMW unipivot arms. All 3 have reproduced music exceedingly well.
dayglow
708 posts
 
Have you considered a used Rega P9? The RB1000 tonearm is good enough to survive many cartridge upgrades giving you a long term turntable at a modest cost.
djwilbourn OP
42 posts
 
Looking to buy used (figured I would get more for the money). P9 prob out of the budget. Looks like a used Scout, P5, Tecnodec, Horizon SE. Something keeps drawing me to the Tecnodec, maybe find a demo for sale? Has anyone heard this table? Comparisons? Like the idea of a Rega arm with adjustable VTA.
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