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I want to move from Rega Planar 6 help me to pick a new turntable

Hi Folks,

About couple of years ago I got Rega Planar 6. Now since I got more experience with turntables and know what I want from it I am looking for a new one. 

There is nothing wrong with Rega Planar 6. In fact I enjoy it and if asked I would recommend it to other people. As long as they don't care about VTA and Azimuth. And this is the main reason I want a different table. I somewhat agree that VTA is not a huge deal and on Rega you can get a spacers, not too convenient, but not too bad either. But Azimuth for me is crucial. My experience with lots of different cartridges - most of them don't have stylus perfectly perpendicular to the surface.

I don't necessarily looking to upgrade to something much better. I want a turntable that has adjustable Azimuth. I may consider an upgrade but want to stay below 3k.

Also I don't want anything with suspension, my floors are too resonant and believe me my kids could jump upstairs so hard I sometimes have recessed ceiling lights falling off :) And for some reason I don't care about ProJect.

There is also a limiting factor of availability. Because of COVID production stopped and wait times are months in some cases.

So far I have identified the following options (based on my preferences and availability).

Technics SL-1200GR - $1.7k
VPI Prime Scout - $1.9k
EAT B-Sharp - $2k
VPI - Scout 21  - $2.8k
Music Hall - MMF-9.3 Turntable - $2.7k
EAT C-Major - $3k 

The only table outside of my price range that I might consider is Technics SL-1200G for which I've heard extremely good reviews.

The rest of the system
Cartridge - temporarily DL-103. (before I had Ortofon Quintet Black S and Audio-Technica ART9XA)
Phono stage - Parasound zphono xrm
Amp - PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium
Speakers - Martin Logan Motion 60XTi 


Thanks,
Alex 

adrobitko

Showing 2 responses by mattmiller

mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,533 posts
 

"I'd never own another Music Hall. Poor quality and Roy is a jackass."

 

I had to deal with Roy Hall back in 1999 when I owned some EPOS ES22 speakers your right he is a self absorbed meglomaniac!

 

 

Matt M

mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,533 posts
 

Touche’! Audiotroy hit it right on the head. The Phono pre amp is the gateway to great vinyl sound. Based on your current set of components I would put money into a bettter cartridge (Dynavector 10X5) and phonostage (Musicial Surroundings Nova). Upgrading your whole turntable so you can fiddle with azimuth settings makes no sense, the REGA has a very lively, energetic, engaging sound. Be happy with it, at this stage things just get more sensitive from here which can be a good or bad thing. Stay in the fun zone upgrade your REGA ...www.groovetracer.com

P.S. If I was going to find a table that would be a true upgrade without losing the great REGA sound is a J.A Michell Gyro SE....this table (with the Techno arm, a modded RB250) retains all the great aspects of the RP6 but elevates everything in terms of sweetness and detail with better dynamics and much greater sensitivity, Built like a battleship this table has a slew of adjustments and upgrades if thats desired.

 

 

 

Matt M

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