Turntable + arm for c.£1K - 1.5K

Fair point Uncle (tho I was perceiving the phono as an 'external' item ).

Any thoughts/experiences, guys, on how I might approach the issue, when sitting in the hot seat? I guess the assessment of each turntable is separate from a subsequent assessment of the tonearm?


keep the phase
keith

 

External only in the sense that its external But you may be best thinking of the phonostage and cartridge as a "system" in itself.

 

Due to family probs, no further forward with this as yet.

Shortlist is forming:

1. Ac. Signature + Morch
2. Scheu Premier 2 + ? Morch
3. Raven 1.

1st two seem to be well reviewed, and well balanced at least cost-wise. Raven is a £2.5 grand t/t coupled with a £300 arm - does anyone have experience of this? Theoretically it seems imbalanced...

keep the phase
keith

 

Another place to try (If you're in the north) would be 'Turntable World' in Darlington.

last time I was there in your price range they had, Clearaudio, Avid, Roksan, Project and Origin Live all ready in the demo room. They've also got Graham Slee and a decent cart selection too. Always been friendly and helpful.

I've never bought a TT after a demo. Trying to find somewhere with a decent selection on hand to try used to be nearly impossible.

Have you thought of the VPI Scout? Always looks good to me.

 

Sorry,

Didn't actually read the most recent post.

Seems strange but if it works then it works. It should also give you a lot of room to upgrade the arm.

Personally I've always had better results by changing cartridges rather than arms. However I haven't had a great deal of arms.

Have fun choosing.

 

So, question-

do we believe that the priority in influence on sound is: turntable, then cartridge, then arm?

keep the phase
keith

 

Massively subjective and limited reply:

I agree on condition that:

1) TT must be at least half decent, but... must be able to keep pace with decent arm and cart. E.G. Gyrodeck may be able to take from rega RB250 to SME309 but you might be wasting a morch or graham on it.

2) You must have a decent phono stage that can tell the difference between cartridges.

3) Buy the best cart you can afford, and a decent set up tool, er that's it.

 

turntable, arm, phono stage then cartridge

 

turntable, phono stage, arm, cart

 

Record, cart, phono stage, arm, turntable.

 

Surprised no mention of Michell.

The venerable Gyro can still deliver thanks to Michell regularly keeping the design fresh with updates.
Great results can be had from a humble Rega RB250 up to the SME V. When you see the engineering you don't feel short changed.

I'll also give a plug for the TT I use, the Rega P9.
Comes with the excellent RB1000 fitted as standard and you can have it out of the box and playing within 15 minutes - uncluding fitting the cartridge.

As for the order of priority within the TT/phono loop for me it's:

Record, turntable, arm, cartridge, phono stage.

 

100% agreement.

Also consider the Kuzma Stabi 's' / Stogi 's'. Superb TT / arm package for the money (£1399 - ish, I think).

Just don't speak to Audiofreaks directly, Branko is his own best sales-prevention-officer... call one of his (very few) dealers.

 

Record quality - Mounting arrangement of TT - Turntable - Arm - Cartridge - Phono stage- interconnect

 

Diverse, eh...

Anyone own a Raven 1, and have comments on it and its 'Vivid' arm ability, please?


keep the phase
keith

 

With an airtangent the arm would be first above the deck

 

The arm is superb for the price and certainly good enough to serve you a few years. The deck is good enough to have even better arms mounted on it.

 

Teutonic precision ~ Very interesting , I wonder how much refinement you acquire with the Mambo ?

 

Hi Keith,

PM Johnhunt. He has recently bought one and is over the moon with it. He used an LP12 before.

SCIDB

 

Can't find him in the member's list. Can you help further?

keep the phase
keith

 

Hi,

John Hunt is down as Johnhunt.

SCIDB