Top Analogue Set Up?

I forgot about the Brinkmann. That definately looks like something to be worth auditioning too.

 

OK,
so I had a listen to the NA Hyperspace this morn and it's not for me I'm afraid.

I could not believe the lack of air and life in comparison with the Vpi. the seller reckons that acrylic platters give artificial life that does not exist on the recording. Well I guess I need to look for something with an acrylic platter!

So that narrows it down a bit.

 

Merlin,

What you need is the famous Lirpa Labs.
It's the nirvana of all turntables. Granted, it will be very hard to find and you probably need a large house for it, but it can double up as a cooker as well! And there are reports of even natural life growing in it!

Go to Audioreview and have a look. If nothing else, it will make for fun reading.

Good luck with your hunt!
Jack

 

I have no idea about deck, but whichever would need to work with an SME IV or SME V simply the best arms ever made IMHO. Cart wise I would probably choose a TOTR Lyra. I have an older mid priced one and it's one of the best carts I've ever heard, so more of the same, but better would probably be heaven.


GTM

 

I'd go for either the Verdier, Amazon 1 or Avid Acutus, all with Morch arm..

Wouldn't touch the SME either 10 or 20 - far too sterile for me (like Orbes but slightly more musical )..
The Verdier is the opposite of the SME, looks strange but does what it's meant to - produce music much better than just about anything else including a Simon Yorke or even a Clearaudio Master Reference!

The Amazon is subjectively a little bit more "vinyl replay" rather than music, but not much, as is the Avid.

 

Mike,

If you want an acrylic platter, check out page 125 of December's Hi-Fi News!

Choice Hi-Fi (020 8392 1959) are advertising a used Oxford Crystal Reference/Air Tangent combo for £2,295.

I heard this set up when I was auditioning my turntable and it is seriously good!

Add a decent moving coil cartridge (Koetsu/Lyra/Denon) and you have a fabulous analogue source within your £5K budget!

Steve

 

Hi Michael,

Now that you have heard the Hyperspace and it's not to your taste. Why don't you look at something in the VPI range.

Look at the Sountmaster at £2250

http://www.cherished-record-company.co.uk/Products - Aries Scout Master.htm

or the Super Scoutmaster at £4750

http://www.cherished-record-company.co.uk/Products - Aries Super Scout Master.htm

or the armless Aries 2 at £2250

http://www.cherished-record-company.co.uk/Products - Aries Classic.htm

or the armless TNT Jr at £2250

http://www.cherished-record-company.co.uk/Products - TNT Junior.htm

Arms go for JMW range prices £950 to £2500

http://www.cherished-record-company.co.uk/Products - JMW.htm

I have heard a system with the a Super Scoutmaster sounding good but I would look at TNT JR as this is upgradeable to more costly decks in the TNT range. I heard a system with a TNT Hx-R sounding top notch.

SCIDB

 

Hi Michael,

The Oxford Acoustic deck is a great looking thing. I don't know how it compares with other decks you can buy but worth a look.

Another deck you can look at is the Voyd or Audionote. These are very good. Try the the ones with the better platter & power supplies. The belt can be a pain to put on though.

I have seen 2nd Acutus turntables under £5000 and is well worth a listen.

Have fun trying to find what you want.

SCIDB

 

Thanks for the tips guys

Steve, the Oxford sounds interesting but I don't really fancy the idea of a linear tracker, given the availability of so much s/h vinyl. A local dealer has the Opus 3 Reference in stock now and it sounds very good. But the tonearm seems to be a right pain, and even in the new Granite, it still looks like it should cost £250!

Dean,

I must admit I'd like to give the Acutus a go, but there don't seem to be any around at the moment. The Vpi upgrade sounds like a safe choice, maybe just go up to the Scoutmaster, add a SDS PSU and better cartridge. Or push the boat out for a TNT

I'm going to listen to a few options first at Walrus and at Kevin's to get more of an idea. Speaking to a lot of different people today, the SME 20A does seem to be highly regarded. Why does it get such bad press on the forums?

I was told that the Wave Mechanic teamed to the Kuzma Stabi punched way above it's weight. Does anyone know if the Wave Mechanic works with the Vpi motor? Seems a decent deal compared with the SDS.

 

Mr M,
You have PM

 

Hiya.

Did Kevin tell you that?

- Just that I bought my NAS deck with a wave mechanic power supply and a kuzma stabi from him!

I really would check out that Nouvelle Platine at 2k used at walrus. With a Morch included for the price, it looks like good VFM.

I heard the full platine verdier with a schroeder reference tonearm (wow) at GT audio. I couldnt criticize.

Updating the deck you already have sounds like a really good idea too....

... as does several thousand used records and a VPI cleaning machine

 

Merlin have a look at this 3 day listing
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3283&item=5735563103&rd=1

 

thanks for that AK, but from what I have heard, I seem to have different tastes to those who advocate the NA turntables.

Recently comparing my Vpi with the Hyperspace, I vastly preferred the American deck which sounded more open and simply larger in scale. I guess the thing is, NA is "the thing" at the moment over here, so people are more familiar with it.

 

no probs mike, don't even know what it sounds like, but sonmeone could get a bargain there.

 

WTF is that yellow snake doing on the deck??

Michael.

 

Bottleneck has a Mentor, I thought it was bloody good.

That starting price looks a bit high though, bearing in mind it's armless.

-- Ian

 

Ian,

does it have the same kind of presentation as the Hyperspace?

 

Search me guv, only heard the Hyperspace briefly at shows. I would guess so.

-- Ian

 

Does the Wave Mechanic make a noticeable difference? I saw something over on vinyl asylum a while back:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/357289.html

for a product which seems to essentially be the same thing - a power supply for AC motors which regenerates the mains supply plus electronic speed change. Couldn't find UK prices, but the US price is apparently $295 (less than £200) - its from Hungary so UK prices shouldn't be too hefty.

Worth looking at maybe?

Addendum - found a bit more info on it on the Heed site here and from their uk distributors here

 

Looks like an RA yello, to the powersupply, flex, wire, snake oil