2. analog
  3. 161603-1009

Most hyped turntable, tonearm, and cartridge?

Which turntable, tonearm, and cartridge do you think are most hyped?

One of my friends who owns Garrard 301, Thorens 124 and EMT ?? told me that those three vintage turntables are as good as one can get for the price points, beating most modern turntables costing under $10K. However, I've also read that Garrard 301 is over hyped.
My friend also insists that Ortofon RMG 309 tonearm and the original SPU Silver Meister (not MKii) are best for Garrard and Thorens. I wonder whether the Ortofon arm and SPU cartridge are over rated. 
Your thought?
ihcho

Showing 1 response by clearthinker

clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 
As regards Garrard 301 there is a factual answer.
An idler wheel taking motor noise and vibration directly to the platter is clearly a bad design.  All this noise and rumble for $20,000 is just a big laugh.  Afficionados are kidding themselves.
Yes time does move on in 70 years but all the 200kg bling tables with 30kg platters and costing up to $250,000 are over-hyped too.  You don't need all that to spin an LP quietly at a constant speed.
More to discover