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End Game Turntable suggestions

Hello all, looking for insights to help me narrow down to some core choices; I am open to new or preowned. My system details can be seen under my profile.

In summary I have significantly expanded my vinyl collection and as of now I am looking to purchase an end game turntable appropriate for my setup. As you can see I use Mola Mola Kaluga Monos, and I really like the Zesto Pre and Phonostages. I find the class D/tube pre combination very pleasing. 

I would appreciate suggestions for around $5-8K (table + arm), new or used. I will have separate budget for cartridge. One preferred option (but not must-have) is universal voltage, as I may move the unit to Europe later. My current vintage turntable (Project Perspective) is 22 years old, and while I don't know how to compare to something really amazing, I can say that my setup is lacking detail and bass. The tonearm is terrible to keep aligned. Based on visits to Axpona and Cap Audio Fest and other research, I am thinking of a few in my budget, but will really value your suggestions of other brands:

- Origin Live Sovereign

- VPI Signature

- SAM Sinner

- Thorens TD 1601 (semi automatic)

Visual appeal is important to me (which is why Technics 1200 is not on my list despite great reviews everywhere). I love the idea of set it and forget it DD tables, but unfortunately mostly out of my budget (eg VPI HW-40 going for abt 11K used)....

Sorry for the long post but my hope is this background and help solicit good suggestions. Thanks

 

musicmatters1206

Showing 3 responses by holmz

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

 

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

Korf has their new arm on pre purchase.
I was leaning towards it, but a different came up secondhand… so more expensive (even used) but it is “end game” for me.

 

One preferred option (but not must-have) is universal voltage, as I may move the unit to Europe later.

I would not worry too much.
I have been running 110v equipment in Au for a couple of decades, and have always yearned to get rid of the transformer. And recently I did.

However a lot of people are running pricy power conditioners that among other things sometimes have isolation transformers. By running a 230v to 110v transformer my system seemed to be pretty immune to a lot of power supply issues.

I know that on the Sota they have an external supply… And maybe others do as well.
The legacy Luxman Micro-Seiki etc Japanese tables need a 100v… so they need yet a different transformer.

 

My current vintage turntable (Project Perspective) is 22 years old, and while I don’t know how to compare to something really amazing, I can say that my setup is lacking detail and bass. The tonearm is terrible to keep aligned.

Maybe it only needs an arm?
Are the rumble specs on it?

Perhaps an arm with more mass is needed, or maybe a high compliance cart would suit it?

The arm+cart is one beastly combo, but the table is generally separate and not part of the bass. Maybe some suspended tables affect the bass…??

Personally I would be optimising the arm before the table, but I am totally guessing at your table.

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

I would appreciate suggestions for around $5-8K (table + arm), new or used. I will have separate budget for cartridge. One preferred option (but not must-have) is universal voltage, as I may move the unit to Europe later. My current vintage turntable (Project Perspective) is 22 years old, and while I don't know how to compare to something really amazing, I can say that my setup is lacking detail and bass. The tonearm is terrible to keep aligned. Based on visits to Axpona and Cap Audio Fest and other research, I am thinking of a few in my budget, but will really value your suggestions of other brands:

How do we know whether:

  • The OP’s TT itself is OK or not?
  • Whether the TT itself is affecting the bass?
  • Or whether their arm is suitable for their cart?

The fact that they find the arm difficult is use and keep set up is reason enough to upgrade the the arm.

But I am wondering if the OP needs and arm and a cart more than a new TT itself.
 

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