Classic Posted July 13, 2024 Posted July 13, 2024 (edited) Hi Guys, Good day, I am looking for some pointers on TT please. My Current setup is Luxman L 550AXll class A (has phono preamp) with Auralic streamer, Gieseler DAC, Gieseler Renigin, Aurealis cables. Mostly Tidal and Qobuz only. Thinking to add entry level TT to the set-up. Any recommendations? Thank you Edited July 17, 2024 by Classic
SonicArt Posted July 13, 2024 Posted July 13, 2024 Do you have a bunch of records? If not are you prepared to start in on a record collection? coz you can spend 500 or 5000 on a TT but it will still pale in comparison to the cost of vinyl these days, unless you only want 50 favourite records to listen to Don't get me wrong I absolutely encourage entry into the world of vinyl, there is a lot to think about though, not just the purchase of a turntable. 6 1 1
Classic Posted July 13, 2024 Author Posted July 13, 2024 1 hour ago, SonicArt said: Do you have a bunch of records? If not are you prepared to start in on a record collection? Thank you , I do not have records but Vinyal will be my secondary listening. Just want to feel the vinyl sound. So will try to buy few records once in a while.
Mendes Posted July 13, 2024 Posted July 13, 2024 1 hour ago, SonicArt said: Do you have a bunch of records? If not are you prepared to start in on a record collection? coz you can spend 500 or 5000 on a TT but it will still pale in comparison to the cost of vinyl these days, unless you only want 50 favourite records to listen to Don't get me wrong I absolutely encourage entry into the world of vinyl, there is a lot to think about though, not just the purchase of a turntable. Very sage advice here!!
Jebediah Posted July 13, 2024 Posted July 13, 2024 The debut carbon was my first turntable. I added a 2M Bronze and acrylic platter and got very pleasing results.
Classic Posted July 17, 2024 Author Posted July 17, 2024 (edited) On 14/07/2024 at 7:50 PM, David A said: What is your budget? Around $1500 Edited July 17, 2024 by Classic
Pegasus Posted July 17, 2024 Posted July 17, 2024 1 hour ago, Classic said: Around $1500 That should get you a 2nd hand Technics SL1200 with a decent MM cartridge. Say an Ortofon Bronze or Black. 2 1
PKay Posted July 17, 2024 Posted July 17, 2024 1 hour ago, Pegasus said: That should get you a 2nd hand Technics SL1200 with a decent MM cartridge. Say an Ortofon Bronze or Black. I had the Black for a very short time and didn't like it at all. The AT represent brilliant value for money IMO https://www.amazon.com.au/Audio-Technica-VM540ML-MicroLine-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B01MEI1RPC/ref=asc_df_B01MEI1RPC/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341792992280&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11828104225172588441&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071799&hvtargid=pla-298158069814&mcid=5c77fa98e74f35ea9760e7d607dc5ec0&th=1
SonicArt Posted July 18, 2024 Posted July 18, 2024 I swapped a Black with a VM95ML and neither I nor the owner thought it was a step back, the lowly $300 95ML held its own. At well under Black prices the VM740ML with the alloy body is a veritable bargain, and very long lasting tip if looked after. 2
SonicArt Posted July 18, 2024 Posted July 18, 2024 OP could find a REGA P6 in his price range, another great little table that really sings with an Audio Technica cartridge, and down the track a wiring upgrade bumps performance noticeably. 1
David A Posted July 18, 2024 Posted July 18, 2024 (edited) 10 hours ago, Classic said: Around $1500 Here are some options I found after a search around... Firstly EAT have good engineering chops. This tt comes with a precision bearing filtered down from their higher end tt's, a dc psu, heavy aluminium platter, nice carbon fibre tonearm & comes with a 2m red cartridge. The price is slightly above your budget. But on a deal you should be able to get it closer to your budget - https://audiosolutions.net.au/product/e-a-t-prelude-turntable-with-ortofon-2m-red-cartridge-fitted/ Project are a go-to tt around this price point. This X1 comes with a carbon fibre tonearm, Ortofon Quintet Blue cart and is a nice package overall. Again it's a bit above your price point, but knowing the guys at Tivoli, they should be able to do a deal closer to your budget - https://tivolihifi.com.au/products/project-x1-turntable-with-ortofon-quintet-blue-gloss-black?_pos=5&_sid=7e053738c&_ss=r If looking 2nd hand, I found a Technics SL-1500c tt in WA on Audiomart in mint condition within your budget & comes with a Nagaoka MP-200 mc cart. But i'd just caution that the seller has no feedback on A'mart - https://www.aussieaudiomart.com/details/650093073-technics-sl-1500c/ And I'd be remiss if I didn't suggest checking out the SNA classifieds, as you can find some good deals on here also. If you asked me which of the above tt's i'd buy with your budget, I'd take home the Project X1. And the fact that @Tivoli Hi-Fi are an SNA sponsor means they will do their best to look after you. Hope that helps. Edited July 18, 2024 by David A 1
audiofeline Posted July 19, 2024 Posted July 19, 2024 A couple of pointers/recommendations for you: First, if you want credibility, get into the habit of calling them "records", not "vinyls" (but that's up to you) Second, if you buy a budget turntable and phone stage, you could be disappointed. Records sound wonderful above the bottom-level. Fortunately there are many quality vintage turntables available which blow equivalent-priced mid-level turntables away. 1
David A Posted July 21, 2024 Posted July 21, 2024 (edited) On 18/07/2024 at 4:35 PM, David A said: Project are a go-to tt around this price point. This X1 comes with a carbon fibre tonearm, Ortofon Quintet Blue cart and is a nice package overall. Again it's a bit above your price point, but knowing the guys at Tivoli, they should be able to do a deal closer to your budget - https://tivolihifi.com.au/products/project-x1-turntable-with-ortofon-quintet-blue-gloss-black?_pos=5&_sid=7e053738c&_ss=r Vis a vis the above tt, WhatHifi rated the Ortofon Quintet Blue as best mid-priced mc cart fyi - https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/accessories/best-cartridges Edited July 21, 2024 by David A typo
Pegasus Posted July 21, 2024 Posted July 21, 2024 On 19/07/2024 at 7:19 PM, audiofeline said: A couple of pointers/recommendations for you: First, if you want credibility, get into the habit of calling them "records", not "vinyls" (but that's up to you) Second, if you buy a budget turntable and phone stage, you could be disappointed. Records sound wonderful above the bottom-level. Fortunately there are many quality vintage turntables available which blow equivalent-priced mid-level turntables away. An 80-year-old friend of mine and his wife are going to live in an "assisted living facility" soon. He has a Lenco idler TT and a Thorens belt drive TT that I will be selling on his behalf, as he has no way of demonstrating his gear at his new abode. Both quality vintage turntables. I should have them at my place this week. There is also a great Trigon Advance phono stage as well. I will be posting his gear for sale in a week or two. I also have a crate of classical music LPs. 2
audiofeline Posted July 22, 2024 Posted July 22, 2024 The Lenco and Thorens are probably very fine turntables (most of their line were). It must be difficult for your friend to let this go.
Pegasus Posted July 23, 2024 Posted July 23, 2024 16 hours ago, audiofeline said: The Lenco and Thorens are probably very fine turntables (most of their line were). It must be difficult for your friend to let this go. Yes, originally he was going to sell everything, but now is going to keep a small system. There are 2 Thorens, but one has speed variation issues. I will have them at my place this Thursday. I will drop off the Thorens at another friend's place on Friday to check over the electronics. At this point I suspect aged capacitors, which are an easy fix. 1
PKay Posted July 23, 2024 Posted July 23, 2024 28 minutes ago, Pegasus said: Yes, originally he was going to sell everything, but now is going to keep a small system. There are 2 Thorens, but one has speed variation issues. I will have them at my place this Thursday. I will drop off the Thorens at another friend's place on Friday to check over the electronics. At this point I suspect aged capacitors, which are an easy fix. Which models are they?
Pegasus Posted July 23, 2024 Posted July 23, 2024 2 minutes ago, PKay said: Which models are they? He told me on Saturday at the QAC AGM, but I have forgotten. I've got 11 pieces of equipment already here, with more to come Thursday. 1
Pegasus Posted July 25, 2024 Posted July 25, 2024 On 23/07/2024 at 11:29 AM, Pegasus said: He told me on Saturday at the QAC AGM, but I have forgotten. I've got 11 pieces of equipment already here, with more to come Thursday. There is a restored Lenco L 75 with a Zebrawood plinth. Not sure about the tonearm. No cartridge. There are 2 Thorens TD 125s. One is missing the plastic cover. The other has to have its speed controller circuitry repaired. Not sure about tonearms and cartridges. I won't have them until tomorrow. I'll be picking them up on the way back from hospital after a PET scan. There is also an EAR 834P Deluxe Phono stage. I might be keeping that myself! I have to compare it with my Trichord Dino phono stage.
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