Best value $1500 TT and cartridge.

"Both these moving coil cartridges bring genuine advantages to any listening session at a low, low price. Terrific value for money."
– Paul Rigby, Hi-Fi World

“This is performance that any more costly cartridge should equal at a bare minimum, and that some don’t.”
—Andre Jennings, The Absolute Sound, 2017 Golden Ear Award (SL model)

 Markj941-  I am not aware of any changes to the Concept,  though I see they have released a version in black. I cant tell you about the differences between the 2 carts. because I am only familiar with the one I have. I purchased the SL because that was the one I found so much positive feedback about. If you want to save some $ the E model also has gotten good reviews. Good luck!

I have a Traveler2 with an Ortofon 2m Blue for less than $1500 and it sounds fantastc.

an old scout with acrylic platter and benz micro glider.

wino, have there been any upgrades/changes to the concept in the last
4 years? Does the "S" series offer that much over the "E" series to war-rant the 75% increase in cost?

I have the Concept Wood. Just put the Hana SL on it a few weeks ago. LOVE it!!!

Just pulled the trigger on a used Clearaudio Concept turntable. Now I
need advice on a MC cartridge. Hana?

AudioAdvisor is selling the Pro-ject rpm 9.2 sans cartridge for $1500,
or with a Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III phono cartridge for $1850.
Sounds like a pretty good deal. Any comments would be appreciated.

Winoguy17:
Good suggestion (Clearaudio Concept). Along the same line is another turntable from the same OEM, but a different brand name, and some interesting variations:

https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/marantz-tt-15-acrylic-turntable

Absolute Sound review

The Marantz is another $100 cheaper than the Clearaudio Concept and includes a Clearaudio Virtuoso Ebony cartridge, an $899 value.

Rega P3 and 303 tonearm with a Dynavector 10X5! Best $1500 youll ever spend! NEW of course!




Matt M

I checked back with my Oct. 2017 Stereophile, and I had overstated the Class B prices. The S'phile Class B turntables ranged from around $1500 to $8500 (no 5-figure tables). But the $1500 turntables didn't come with tonearms and the G.E.M. Polytable does.

A little over your budget, but you can now get the new Technics SL-1200GR stateside for $1699 incl. delivery.

Also, the G.E.M. Dandy Polytable (http://www.hifigem.com/polytable.html) starts at $1795 w/Jelco 750D tonearm (a few months ago it was available for $1595 with a base model Jelco 250 tonearm). Price can go up with other enhancements such as speed regulator, dustcover, etc.

What’s remarkable about it is that it’s a Stereophile Class B recommended component. The other Class B turntables range from around $4K to into 5 figures, yet here’s a sub-$2K turntable holding its own against some pretty impressive hardware.

this:
https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/clearaudio-concept-turntable-with-verify-tonearm-mc

Technics SP-20 Direct Drive ($600-750), Victor UA-7045 tonearm ($450-600) and Victor X-1IIe ($350-450) - great set up within your budget or a bit higher.

Victor tonearms and cartridges are superb. And if the budget for Technics SP-10mk2 is limited then Technics SP-20 is the way to go (same size, same shape, made in 1976, but for half price).

Picture of the SP-20: 
https://scontent-ams3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18814056_1728811897136970_391640553581477427_n.jpg?oh=...

Custom made plinth for SP-20 (or tonearm pod) required.

Dynavector 10x5 new and vpi scout or Michell tecnodek used.