Enjoying "Affordable" Equipment

@hilde45 You absolutely nailed it about room acoustics. I recently learned this lesson bringing home a $15k pair of speakers to upgrade my modest Martin Logan Mission 40's only to find the 'upgrade' sounded absolutely awful within my room. If anything, it proved the importance of room treatment and the fact that you can get great 'affordable' sound!

another alternative, Send your 103 to Zu for a new body. They know what they're doing and the difference between the stock 103 and their upgrade raises the 103 to a great cartridge

I’m very content with a Marantz TT15S mated to a Benz Ace MC cartridge. That’s only a $2k investment. On the lower end I’ve a JVC QLY55F mated to a ClearAudio Virtuoso V1 MM cartridge that delivers phenomenal performance for the price. I’ve also got 2 other JVC QLY7F turntables that would be excellent backups that don’t even get used. I had a thing for JVC TT’s back in the day. But the point is, there’s great performing audio available to the budget minded.

Well, my most affordable as well as downsized consists of Two Keces E40s, one using a Topping D70s driving Dali Opticon 1s MK1 with a small sub and the other an Aune X18th with a Sparkos upgrade and the separate Aune Linear PS on Triangle Zetas.  Affordability that sounds great if you don't need concert like levels.

Also have a Hegel h160 with Focal speakers which many here would consider affordable but I can enjoy any combo of the above.

Well... those Technics turntables are highly reviewed by most... and none other than Frank Schroder considers the Denon 103 one of the best cartridges available.

One of the "Best Cartridges" Available

Great Sound from Denon vs Lyra Cartridge

After you get to a certain point in the "price/quality" ratio - there are almost imperceptible improvements in the sound quality - assuming you’ve done a good job at matching your equipment to each other, and you’ve got a decent room, or room treatments.

As I’ve discovered recently (posted in another thread on this topic) - I’ve got a very inexpensive system set up (i.e. Maggie LRS+ with an older Class D Audio amp) that produces amazing sound quality - when compared to my other far more expensive systems (e.g. ARC, Hegel, Harbeth, Linkwitz, etc., etc.).

Great Sound From Modest Systems

The same is true for vinyl systems.

Panzerholz Wood Body for the Denon, is where much magic is to be discovered.

A plinth from this same material has won over many advocates for the material, of which I am a paid up member of that club. 

@latton64 - now go out and get the wood body installed on the Denon and you'll be done for ever.

Wood Plinth for Technics and Audio Technica

Wood Plinth for Technics and Audio Technica

Defining affordability (I don’t think it’s needed) will likely require knowing someone’s net worth, in my opinion, but even then there will be plenty to ponder. Future needs, supporting of family, hobbies, and charities once you pass. Cost relative to the rest of the system is an easier conclusion to draw, perhaps, but could be subject to much conjecture as well. 
 

I feel the term was used in the post similar to the term ‘big improvement’ being used. 
 

Big improvement over what? What percentage improvement is big? How would you quantify and defend the term? You really can’t, but you can wear yourself out talking about it. 
 

I consider the writing in forums to be somewhat relaxed from what you might expect to find in a white paper or technical bulletin. I just read it for the fun of it. 

@layton64, sounds like you’re enjoying your system, good on you. I’m thinking you posted to share the good news, I get it. 
 

Enjoy!

"Affordable" is relative of course however in the context of most magazine equipment reviews this is definitely on the lower priced end of the spectrum. 

I guess "affordable" is another relative term.

In context it does make sense, as the suggestions seen commonly spoken about on the Gon for New Model TT's is typically north of 2-3x this price as a most basic suggestion.

I might be the only individual recommending a very worthwhile TT to experience that is from the Vintage era, being a Japanese DD TT Aurex SR 510. This model can be purchased and delivered for not much more than $350.

This is an extremely competent TT for the money, where I know much more monies are required to better it as a OEM TT with Plinth from any era of TT's on the market.

Mount this TT Chassis in a Plinth using materials that are a better selection for the purpose, and give it a good choice for Tonearm and this will be a real contender to many much more expensive options. 

I even have a motor unit only to produce a SR 10 Kaneta mimic design, the Electronics are the Stump for myself, but it is not unsurpassable as a requirement.    

Note: As in all Vintage Equipment Purchases, Caveat Emptor is ones best friend.  

Perhaps good ROI / value for money rather than affordable? 

@pindac I agreed with you until your last sentence that negated your previous statements

Affordable can also mean does not stretch ones means too far, can be saved for over not too long a period of time, or a loan can be paid of with little concern for the repayments.

It is not limited to being easily acquirable from disposable income.

The 1200GR2 will fall into this category of planning finances for a purchase.

the Technics SL-1200GR2 is not considered budget or affordable. 

Depends on your budget. Lots of people will automatically claim that this turntable isn't that great simply because of the price. They spend more than that on a record cleaner. 

@dekay I only planned to meet with the cow by the runway, if Dollar General is on her route, we'll make it work

Grisly:

If you do jet up to Humboldt would you pick me up a package of kitchen sponges @ Dollar General?

DeKay

@grislybutter Wrote:

I am not an English language wiz but if one already owns it, it implies he could afford it? 

I agree!

Mike

the Technics SL-1200GR2 is not considered budget or affordable. 

I am not an English language wiz but if one already owns it, it implies he could afford it? 

If I bought a Gulfstream G550 today just to buy fresh milk from Humboldt county, by definition, it must have been affordable to me.

(my meaningless post for the day)

simao

1,802 posts

07-05-2024 at 09:15pm 

Glad to hear it as well - although "affordable" seems a stretch considering the rest of your system

My thought exactly.

I too have had a similar experience, I had a very poor kept SP10 Mk II purchased for a very cheap price, which was sent in to a UK individual known for their skill set with such a TT Model.

A Swap was done for the Chassis, which left me with a similar condition Chassis to take away to have improved aesthetically.

I visited a Custom Car Paint Shop not too far from my home and fell for the Coating being applied to Vehicle being worked on.

For the princely sum of £85 I was returned a 'mini me' version of the Vehicles Paint Job which was approx' 12 Coats of Paint inclusive of six coats of Lacquer.

Another very reasonable sum had myself a fully functioning TT with the Technicians bespoke Mod's for this model of TT included.

I have never looked back, I have been so impressed, I invested further to have a Stainless Steel Platter purchased. After prudent purchasing, I am not much over £600 all in, on TT > Exchange Platter > Panzerholz Plinth.

With a Bespoke produced Tonearm added, I am close to £2K.

With the Bespoke Built LOMC Cart' I am not much more than £2.65K.

This set up has been used in other systems and easily bettered TT Fronted Ends costing 10 x more.

In a few cases the end impact on others receiving demo's, has been they sold their TT set ups and produced mimics of my own one. 

One other individual was convinced it was time to part with a Belt Drive TT that they had substantially invested in and search out something that would be a betterment. Experimenting with other Drive Types as part of the newly prompted  journey of creating new experiences to be had.

I am usually all about getting more than my moneys worth in audio equipment.  Sometimes it works, as your Technics TT.  Sometimes it doesn't.  Live and learn.

I have had the Rhea Eclipse phono preamp for quite some time. I do recall when I first used it there was a dramatic improvement in my vinyl playback. That might be a big part of why the Technics is such an enjoyable listen for me. Also there is something special about the Denon DL 103. It is very unrefined but very enjoyable for some reason.

There’s a lot of really good affordable gear. It’s wonderful when it gets discovered and enjoyed. There’s not necessarily a direct correlation between sound quality and money spent. I’ve never had much of an audio budget to work with, yet somehow my system evolved into a rig that I love the sound of, am proud of, and that I enjoy everyday. There is definitely a world of affordable and potentially excellent sounding gear if you pay enough attention. 

Sometimes you get what you pay for...sometimes the other guy does!

I bought the same turntable, with an Ortofon 2M Blue mm cartridge and a Cambridge Audio preamp.  I put it in a secondary system, my basement HT system, playing in 2 channel.  The intent was to move it to the big system upstairs after I reconfigured a few things to make room for the analog setup, but it sounded so good in the basement system (and the LPs are stored there) that it stayed.  Rest of the system is an Anthem 5.1 AVR and Silverline Panatella floor standers with a Paradigm sub.  Digital are a Pioneer Universal player, Apple TV, and Channel Master DVR.  
 I still love my expensive 2 channel rig upstairs but am spending more time down there

Glad to hear of your journey.

Discussions about affordability are heated sometimes because they often trigger people's pride or insecurities about their identity, if that identity is tied to wealth.

It's a shame, because I have been getting to know really experienced audiophiles and journalists of hifi a bit. They all agree with the following statement: "I'd rather have a $2k system in a good room than a $100k system in a bad room."

Since improving room acoustics -- somehow -- is not nearly as pricy as most gear, good sound is much more affordable than many people really know.

Great system which will facilitate upgrading to a 1200G and better cartridge. 

Glad to hear it as well - although "affordable" seems a stretch considering the rest of your system. 

Glad to hear it! I had an SL-1210 GR which, frankly, was a great turntable for the money, but I got the upgrade bug anyway and went up to the SL-1200G. Both are great tables. I got the vinyl bug in a big way. When it's right, it's hard to beat the warmth and richness of vinyl. Enjoy.