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Looking for a more solid-feeling turntable (and maybe a new preamp)

Hey all,

This has been my system for years:

  • Line Magnetic LM-218IA

  • Davone Ray speakers

  • Shindo Aurieges preamp

  • Rega RP10 with a Dynavector XX-2 cart
     

The Rega’s been good to me, but I’ve never fully loved it. It just feels a bit light and fragile—both in physical build and in the way it presents music. I’m looking for something that feels more grounded, stable, and confident. Obviously I’m also looking for something that would complement the LM and the Rays.

The Shindo I do like a lot, but if there’s something out there that keeps the musicality and adds a bit more clarity or grip or that works in conjunction with any turntable recommends, I’d be open to hearing about it.

I listen mostly to rock, electronic, ambient, experimental, some jazz.

Budget is around $10k all-in.

Appreciate any recommendations!

hiscores
analog_tiffer
11 posts
 

About 130 lbs between the plinth, platter, and dual motor.    

retiredaudioguy
58 posts
 

I have had my VPI Scout Master, with the JMW Memorial arm for about 20 years - zero issues & great performance.

The Scoutmaster is massive enough but can still be lifted, an increasingly important factor to me as a pre-boomer!  

Sutherland duo phono stage & Benchmark LA4 preamp for about 8 years.

The Sutherland + Benchmark combination beats the CAT SL that I'd used since the 90's, in every way. The Sutherland reveals the grooves' contents to an astonishing degree.

The duo might just break the 10K limit but there are a couple of Sutherland pieces that meet the limit.

jmrrobbie1
29 posts
 

VPI...American made, a full line up of tables & full spectrum of pricepoints. They back their products, have great customer service, and built to last. Already mentioned on this thread - the VPI Forever Model one...at your pricepoint could also get the upgraded fatboy arm (my preference gimbal setup), the analog drive system... and a ring clamp. I have their signature with the same upgrades = it is built like a tank and will passed down to my kids.

dctom
115 posts
 

Technics SL1200G, I compared with the RP10 and preferred the 1200. Have recently replaced magnesium stock tonearm with Supatrac blackbird arm.Sounds better than my previously owned Kuzma XL DC with 4pt arm. Superb tracking, solidity, clarity, tone and imaging.

adsell's avatar
adsell
82 posts
 

If you're not familiar with Micro Seiki, they made incredibly solid turntables—more utilitarian than elegant in appearance, but built like tanks. Personally, I think mine has a kind of industrial beauty to it.

I own the RX-1500 with the separate motor base and string drive. It's a beautiful machine—function-first, but still a pleasure to look at.

A good example of this model typically runs around $3,000–$4,000, and it can support up to four tonearms if you really want to go all out. I have two mounted: a Morch DP-8 and an SME 3012 II 12".

It's one of the few parts of my system that I never think about upgrading—it just works, sounds great, and feels like it’ll outlive me, actually it will. Its an heirloom.

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