How does one go about auditioning a new turntable?


I've got an average midfi system consisting of a MMF-5/Grado Platinum into a Pro-Ject Tube Box, B&W Monitor Speakers, and an old Marantz integrated. I'm looking to eventually upgrade everything, and thought I'd start out with a new turntable. I am relatively young (22)and since I'm not likely to be staying in one place very long for the foreseeable future I'd like to steer clear of speakers, which are room dependet (as well as the amps that mate with the speakers). I guess I could be talked into getting a new pre-amp if thats the direction that I should head in.

Anyways, my budget is up too at most $3,000. I'd rather spend much less than that. But my real question is what do I look/listen for while auditioning. I'll have nothing to use as a benchmark, other than the music I'm listening to.
britishbane

Showing 1 response by newbee

You are between a rock and a hard spot if you don't have equipment presently which is capable of resolving the differences between your present and any prospective playback system.

You really have to make it a move of faith based on reasearch and opinions, both of which I would avoid. If I were in you place I'd just buy a lot more music and wait to settle into a more permanent place.

In the mean time I would do a lot of research on the construction of TT's, arms, cartridges, how they interface and under what circumstances they work best. Sonically speaking the cartridge and phono stage synergy is a big item but that will interface with your speakers/amp combo so its hard to determine in advance what will float your boat.

If you feel rushed to move, personally, I would focus on an unsuspended TT and a high quality medium mass arm as that would have more universal potential in the long run.

Good luck............