I just realized, my office TT can also be a spare for the main system if needed for a short time.
Having A Tough Time Justifying More Than One Table
Currently have three tables on the system, and have run at least two for a number of years. I do remember back when I was younger and had fewer greenbacks to my disposal that I would run one table that was the best I could afford. That is actually my M.O. - only one of each. But I have broke that trend with turntables.
But as I sit here and listen to my main table, a SOTA Cosmos Eclipse withe SME V and a Transfiguration Proteus I wonder why I bother with the others. Also residing on the stereo cabinet is a Well Tempered Reference with a ZYX 4D on it, and a Brinkmann Bardo with Audiomods Series 6 and Ortofon A90 on it. Both are very nice sounding tables, but neither are on the same level as the SOTA. The Brinkmann might have more I can coax out of it with a better arm, and that is something I have considered.
Yet I wonder, why bother? Sometimes I think I should buy another cartridge on par with the Proteus and just rotate them when one goes off for refurbishment.
This is what I get for thinking on a quiet weekend morning and having too much coffee....
But as I sit here and listen to my main table, a SOTA Cosmos Eclipse withe SME V and a Transfiguration Proteus I wonder why I bother with the others. Also residing on the stereo cabinet is a Well Tempered Reference with a ZYX 4D on it, and a Brinkmann Bardo with Audiomods Series 6 and Ortofon A90 on it. Both are very nice sounding tables, but neither are on the same level as the SOTA. The Brinkmann might have more I can coax out of it with a better arm, and that is something I have considered.
Yet I wonder, why bother? Sometimes I think I should buy another cartridge on par with the Proteus and just rotate them when one goes off for refurbishment.
This is what I get for thinking on a quiet weekend morning and having too much coffee....
Showing 4 responses by elliottbnewcombjr
As you describe, multiple arms on your best table is the choice I would make. Wanting/needing a dust cover is a primary limiting factor for me, you didn’t mention that. I don’t have the space for more than 1 large TT, I keep a spare TT in storage downstairs, so that I will never be without a TT if the main one is down for ......., you don’t have to part with all the others permanently. Removable headshell on the spare TT’s arm makes it easier to get back in action. ............................ for other’s following, considering more than 1 (arm/tt), a few comments: Once I got my JVC TT with 2 arms there’s no going back.1 arm with mono cartridge ready to go, 1 stereo ready to go, effortlessly switch back and forth during a listening session. A treat for Jazz, Big Bands ... a lot of great recordings were made before LP’s went stereo in 1958. For versatility this 3 arm TT appealed to me, it’s attached dust cover, it’s innovative rotating arm boards, it’s compactness. It turned out to be too compact to fit my 12.5" long arm. Those 70mm 7 layer plinths are terrific. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Transcription-turntable-Denon-DP-3000-tonearms-Grace-960-Grace-565-Denon-DA... I might have changed the spinner as others mentioned, get quartz locked, people say the DP80 a great choice. Change/compare arms/cartridges for the rest of your life. Note: the clearances inside the dust cover when closed restrict which arms will fit, i.e. my 12.5" Blackbird will NOT fit. With the dust cover removed, almost any arm would fit. Note: only one of the 3 existing arms has anti-skate. Dust Cover is a must for me. That attached, stay at any vertical position dust cover would be a great feature (3 hinges I noticed). My 2 arm deck’s removable cover is big, heavy, I have to carefully lift off, put somewhere without damage, carefully put back in place. Every movement is potential for disaster, and scuff marks will accumulate even with caution. The innovative rotatable circular arm boards allow repositioning for any arm length without drilling new holes, sliding mounts ...(restricted by what arm fits inside the cover). However, the diameter of an arm’s base plate might make the base plate project a bit past the edge of the circle’s edge, just a visual consideration. ......................................... I am keeping my eye out for a rare JVC-Victor 3 arm plinth CL-P3, if anybody sees one, let me know please. |
My Single TT now has 3 Tonearms: MC; MM; MONO Vintage JVC Wood Plinth CL-P2 with 2 removable armboards, and a 3rd arm added on the narrow left side. Here’s a CL-P2 Larger Plinth CL-P3 with 3 removable arm boards exists, but, bigger, rare, expensive, and I had the CL-P2 I decided to add a 3rd arm left side of my CL-P2 To fit the narrow width, and fit inside of the dust cover when on, only a compact arm fits. I found a Mission 744, which is made by Jelco, the 250ST. Short 210mm spindle to post and short rear counterweight design. Many adapter plates exist also https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=jelco+sa-250+st Mine, wood plinth, a 3/4" hole for the din cable, 3 wood screws for the surface mounted base plate, done. MC right side; MM removable headshell rear; MONO left side. SUT with 3 inputs and PASS feature for MM goes to MM Phono input of Preamp. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fidelity-Research-FRT-4-Step-Up-Transformer-MC-Phono-Cartridge/114389428649 https://www.vinylengine.com/library/fidelity-research/frt-4.shtml I’m washing/selling LP’s on eBay. Playing to verify how quiet, no skips/blips … I realized I was unnecessarily wearing my MC fixed stylus, thus I added the 3rd arm to use MM replaceable stylus. Removable headshell for versatility: ML/Elliptical/Conical I could not be happier. |