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$2000 turntable system

Been putting it off long enough, but decided it’s time to bite the bullet and take the vinyl plunge. (mixed metaphor alert)
Don’t want to take my usual multiple expensive false steps. The learning curve here looks pretty steep, so I figured to ask you all for some advice. Thinking to spend $2K - 2.5K. Likely to pair it with my PrimaLuna Dialogue HP Integrated and Revel F206s. Might possibly set it up with my Classe SSP-800/ Classe CA5200/ Martin Logan Montis.
What I came up with after a couple of hours of research were:

Rega PL3 turntable $945
Rega TT PSU power supply $395
Rega Exact 2 MM cartridge $595
Parasound Zphono phono stage $199

Total: $2134

Was considering Vincent PHO 8 phono stage $299 and Dynavector 10x5 MC cartridge $650 as alternatives.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Leo


leotis

Showing 3 responses by mofimadness

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,363 posts
 
If you can find a predrilled VPI HW-19 arm-board for a Jelco, Audioquest, Profile, it's pretty easy to swap out.  If you find a blank arm-board you kinda need to know/understand how to drill and mount an arm.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,363 posts
 
Get a used VPI HW-19 Mk III or IV and a Jelco SA-750D
+1
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
5,363 posts
 
Actually, if you are looking at the HW-19 here on Audiogon, that Audioquest PT9 arm is the same arm as the Jelco, so you needn’t change out that arm. Excellent arm by the way!

However that table is a HW-19 JUNIOR so it doesn’t have the same top plate as the MKIII or MKIV. They use an acrylic/stainless steel sandwich which is MUCH heavier and denser than the MDF top plate of the Junior. Also the MKIII and MKIV have a removable arm-board where the Junior is a one piece plate.

The nice thing about the HW-19 is that is fully upgradable.  You can change out the top plate, the armboard, the platter, the motor, the feet, the suspension, so it really easy to get a top notch table for a pretty decent price.

I was a VPI dealer for many years and have setup well over 100 of these tables and still currently have and use 3 different HW-19 tables.  IMHO, still one of the best tables out there.
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