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$700 Used TT Upgrade Advice, Is it Worth It For Me?

Looking for some advice: I have an Audio Techinca At LP240 that has a AT 120 cartrige with new stylus and fully manual.  I am a bit of a TT newbie but like quality audio pieces. Would like to upgrade and spend about $700 for a used turntable.  Currently I have 110 wpc integrated Luxman L-509u with MM/MC selection and Revel F50 floor speakers.  I stream most of my listening via a nice DAC but like to listen to an vinyl album once a week.  Most of my vinyl is classic rock with some newer adult alternative and don't listen very loud any more. I had a little issue with rumble when playing loud but resolved it with 2 raquet balls cut in half, filled with insulation foam, sanded flat, put on audio stand,a large piece of travertine sat on the semi spheres and TT on the tile piece.  $10 DIY was very effective.

A few local listings are:
 
1 REGA PLANAR 3 TURNTABLE WITH RB-300 TONEARM, REGA ELYS 2 CARTRIDGE  $700
2 CJ Walker CJ55 turntable, Infinity Black Widow arm with  damping trough, new Cardas wire from headshell to phono plugs  $600
3 Thorens MKII TD145 turntable looks stock around $550

Would some of these selections be worth pursuing or am I already in the same league?  Also, I am not looking for a finicky TT or a project that needs to be upgraded like nice table but no tone arm.

thebman70

Showing 1 response by kingrex

kingrex
107 posts
 
https://www.audionirvana.org/forum/the-audio-vault/diy/43633-rp6-hot-rodded-with-remote-motor-mount

See this link.  I did this with my RP6 and it became a phenomenal TT.  The arm change is not the biggest improvement.  It was pulling the motor off the plinth.  I only changed the arm as I broke it trying to push the envelope. Leave the arm alone.   I am confident any Rega planer with the motor remote mounted will perform at a very high level.  The Denon 103R in an aluminum head shell is a lot of cartridge for the money.  It pares very well with the arm.  The Groove Tracer parts make the package more smooth.  Less of the Rega snap and mid/high pop.  It is by no means necessary.  Pulling the motor from the plinth is a must.  
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