New to Turntables
So I was thinking of venturing into the world of turntables…..
I have it narrowed down to 3 possibilities…..
Mofi Ultradeck with Ultragold cartridge…. A $1495 cartridge pre installed….
Music Hall 9.3. with Goldring Eroica Lx ……. A $900 cartridge pre installed
Pro-ject X8 Evolution with Sumiko Moonstone cartridge…. A $350 cartridge preinstalled
All three prices are within $250 of each other….
With the Music Hall having the lowest price…
But I’d have no problem going for the MoFi…the most $$$$
The X8 was the lowest price, but not by much…..
I’m just guessing here, as I have been out of the turntable game for 30+ years, that once you get to turntables in this price range, the cartridge is very important for the sound…. Maybe I’m wrong…..
Should I go with the turntable that has the most expensive cartridge ?
Does price equate to quality ?
Is the most expensive the best cartridge ?
Thanks for any insight
Shelly
I basically don't have any albums at this point..... just a couple of remasters.... As far as phono stage.... I have a Mcintosh preamp, with fully configurable Phono inputs for MC or MM cartridges.... If I use turntable on my other system, I would need a Phono Preamp.... Any suggestions for external preamp ? Moving the belt on the motor spindle doesn't seem like a game breaker..... would take 5 seconds to do that... So in the end, is the cartridge and tonearm the most important factors ? Shelly |
The cartridge, tonearm, turntable and phonostage are all of great importance. In general, over the decades the sweet spot for me has been the turntable (with all its components) investment equal to the phonostage investment. I am sure there is some slop in that generality at the lower levels. But for me a $5K investment in a turntable was compromised unless I made a similar investment in a phonostage. At this point I am at the $20K / $20K range. For the over fifty years I have been at this, I have constantly had the phonostage compromising the sound of my turntable. Which is a waste |
only Pro-ject would be on my list, and I second @ghdprentice - you need a good phono stage. Recommendations depend on your budget, I would not spend less than 50% of what the TT cost |
Why spend so much? You don't have many LP's. New remasters don't compare to original pressings. My recommendation is: Pioneer PLX1000 ($699), Hana SL ($750) and Schiit Mani 2 phono stage ($160). I have the Pioneer. It is excellent and comparable to the twice-as-expensive Technics. Herb Reichert gave it a positive review in Stereophile. The Hana Shibata mc cartridge is competitive with cartridges costing double its price. For $160 the Mani 2 phono stage presents major value at a bargain price. Michael Fremer likes it. |
