Driving myself crazy with TT purchase...


You've probably read a post or two of mine looking for info trying to figure out what to buy etc.

I purchased an RD-11e ($78) that needs some work. I'm considering a Grace 707, RB2510/300 or SME 3009 arm for it but the more I look the more I think my $$ could be better spent on a complete table. A few hundred $$$ for an arm a few hundred $$$ for a cartridge, is the current platfrom (RD-11e) worth it?

There are so many TT to choose from in the $600-800 range. For instance I'm trading e-mails on a VPI HW-19 mk, Thorens TD-125, TD-160 Super, Mucsic Hall 5.1 and a Sota. I really do not have the option to listen to any of them.

I don't know what to do, they all seem reputable and modable (?) and they will probably all sound good so in trying to narrow down the broad spectrum, what should I consider? Once setup properly will the setup hold? Do/will any require constant tinkering? and... and... and.

Thanks again.
botit
Yeah.Spend $1200 on Scout and you lose $$ when selling but Project 5 or 6 eries are nice for money.Forget Grace I have it on my old LP12 and would rather better arm (I also have a $550 VPI rig).Or MMF5 from Music Hall.Hook them up to a Denon DL103 and you are off and running.Older decks like you mentioned might have issues.I started with Rega and went from a P1 toa P3 really quick and liked upgrade but like the arm more than deck as motor was held in with chep adhesive foam.25 Rega or P9 that's another story.
Chazz
From what I understand, you are better off going for a MKII version of the Thorens TD-125, the MKI had some electrical component problems and is why they went to the MKII shortly after coming out with the MKI. Don't discount a TD-160, with some work they are fine sounding decks.
My first "real" turntable was an Ariston 11e. Back then, I was reading about turntables in "Hi-Fi Answers". I used a Grace 707(mk11?) with an ADC XLM 3 cartridge. I got the best sound I've ever heard from a turntable with this setup. Unfortunately, it would only play for a few minutes(I think this was due to the fact that I was using a flat belt[mostly]. I also had dropped the motor, so it was more or less hanging from the top plate-that's why I am intrigued by Roxsan's implementation of a similiar system.). I think you have to use the round belt(they do sell them.). I also took the foam out of the springs, which was popular back then. It seemed like the belt pulled up the platter, so that it became a closed system(along with the arm). I was using a heavy Osawa mat. I was a poor student back then, and didn't have many alternatives that I knew about. I learned about what each parameter of the turntable, arm, and cartridge did. For instance, each of the three legs are audible-the same goes for the springs. I did combine the tweaking with a little bouncing of the platter. I believe you can hear one spring come out of one speaker, one out of the other, and the middle one goes to the middle of the soundfield. What I did learn was invaluable, and puts me in a good position today, compared to many other people-when it comes to many turntable, arm , and cartridge parameters. I guess that is how life is. What you learn seems to come in handy down the road. That, being said, with the computer, and it's access to a lot of information, you can probably do better, and you might not have time for all this. I didn't have a choice back then.
I should mention that I think the bottom of the springs have a washer that has a peak, and that peak is used to align the springs(the board in its cutout), I believe. It is best to read up on this, if you are interested.