I would consider three MM cartridges - Goldring 1042, Nagaola MP-500 and Audio Note IQ3. Cost - about $500 - $1100.
You also need speed and 'bite' and explosive dynamics for real flamenco, not new age kind of flamenco. Nagaoka and Audio Note might be somewhat more sophisticated and polite.
Perhaps Roxan MMs would be fine as well.
Yeah, Nottingham motor controller wouldn't hurt, especially if the wall current is not good. Also Walker motor controller, maybe even better, about $1600 for either, I guess. I decided not to get it for now, but I have PS Audio conditioner/regenerator to use for the entire system. No, not a full substitute for motor controller but works well. |
Larry at Hollywood Sound, Hollywood, FL has parts and is as knowledgeable about the Nottingham table as anyone in the US(and a good guy). I had a 294 for years and enjoyed it. Never had any trouble. Did have a Nott Wave Mechanic motor controller which upped the wound quality by a quite considerable bit. |
I have a Technics 1200G and am very happy with it. I am amazed there is "no Technics dealer in a 5000 mile radius" but you have a Nottingham dealer nearby!
In your case, I would consider the Nottingham.
Not a fan of the Rega line...
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Wow! Thank you for all the responses.
I definitely prefer the analogue sound more than digital (the reason I liked my AMR DAC was that it was very analog sounding). But digital is important for me since most of the music I listen to cannot be found in analog.
@miguelca, yes I have heard such stories about Nottingham's customer service as well.
Pear Audio would be a no-go since no dealers nearby. Technics too actually but heard so many good things that I have been tempted (also heard its easy to setup).
Assuming I choose the right cartridge (a big if.....as this might be a journey in itself), which one would be the least thin-sounding (aka most full bodied) esp when it comes to strings (violin, double-bass, sitar, mandolin, flamenco guitar etc).
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I use Goldring 1042 MM as well. Nagaoka MP500 is fine. It took me an hour or so to find the overall best anti-skate position but that was fun. VTA - arm in parallel, in my case, easy.
Nottinghams keep working for decades, maybe you'll have to replace motor once, maybe.
Pear Audio is definitely worth considering. |
We sell both tables give us a call.
Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
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I never heard the Rega nor the Technics, but I own a very very old Spacedeck. I bought it used (much cheaper than a new one) after having fallen in love with Nottingham turntables through many auditions at a local store.
The sound is sweet, full bodied, coming from a complete quiet dark. It's engaging. But what really got me into it, is all the concept: high mass and a low torque motor that requires you to start and stop the platter by hand.
Regarding the service, they are amazing to their customers. My deck came with a defective spindle. It wasn't straight, causing a very annoying wobbling. I contacted their office (miss Penny) and in a matter of days they replaced my old damaged spindle with a perfect new one. For free!
The arm is a bit dodgy to get in the right position, but once there, you don't have to touch it never again. I already replaced the internal wiring. Not an easy task, but I live near a fantastic technician (this guy also made my phono preamp).
By the way, miss Penny suggested me to use a MM cart from Nagaoka. I'm using a Goldring with very good results. She said that their tonearms are better matched with MM carts.
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I know that you didn't want other recommendations, but this is sort of in the family: IMO if you are seriously interested in the Nottingham decks you should definitely look at the Pear Audio Blue line. These are the last turntables designed by Nottingham founder Tom Fletcher. I believe that there are now five models and I think they are all great.
Disclosure: I was formerly a dealer for Pear Audio. I have owned several Nottingham decks in the past. I elected to sell the Pear Audio Blue turntables because they preserved (or improved) everything I loved about the Nott decks and fixed almost everything I felt needed improvement. I am no longer a dealer for these (or any) product but I still own two Pear Audio turntables and they are wonderful. Just my 2 cents worth.
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I have a Technics SL1200G turntable and absolutely love it. I play more vinyl now than when I had a VPI Prime. It is easy to set up, does not require constant fiddling and just sounds like music. |
Also may depend on what cartridge you are going to use. Nottingham arm with low compliance heavy cartridge would not be a good idea.
At least no-one recommends Rega, makes no sense to pay big money for it. |
The "G" is pretty much an audiophile tunrtable, it is not affordable for DJs at $4000 as they need at least two of them to DJ.
The "G" is equal to the "GAE" they are audiophile turntables for sure.
"GR" model is a compromise, it’s cheaper, so this might be for deejays, but "GR" ($1700) is not equal to the "G" ($3000-4000) |
Nottingham is in business, as far as I know. Yes, wires are very delicate, you got to have precise hands or find someone to install the cartridge.
Ralph only knows direct drive. Dynamics is not a problem with Nottingham at all if the wall current is okay. Technics is DJ not audiophile turntable, there is a difference.
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Rega are not known for prizing a sound that majors on being "rich, full-bodied, with a good bass". Clarity, timing and precision have usually been their hallmarks. Since the Technics is known for its neutrality I suspect it to sound closer to the Rega. So I'd advise giving the Spacedeck an audition first to see if it has that analogue sound you seem to be looking for.
Given your musical tastes and system, I suspect digital recordings will sound excellent, suffering little or zero compression artefacts you inevitably find with mainstream recordings.
In other words, very hard for any vinyl playback to better. |
The Technics is the most speed stable of the three. Its also very well damped (so more locked-in sound stage and better bass). The platter pad does not do the machine justice and should be changed out. Its also possible to change out the arm; we've even got the 12" Triplanar to work on that turntable.
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The Rega 8 is now offered at $k off retail if that means anything? |
If you ever needed parts is Nottingham in business with their owner/ designer now passed? When I owned a Spacedeck I had trouble with the very fine tonearm wiring on the Spacearm. Most of the local dealers were afraid to touch it to rewire, even Overture. It sounded good, but I would never recommend it to a friend. Plenty of safer options with comparable benefits.
I like the Technics too. Spend a good deal of time on your cartridge choice given your specific requirements...that will be a long thread with tons of suggestions. Cheers,
Spencer |
Direct Drive all the way, so Technics!
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What ^(s)he^ said. To my mind there’s no reason to ever upgrade a Spacedeck unless you’re absolutely swimming in money and don’t know what to do with it all.
However: there’s no guarantee that *any* turntable will compete with a decent DAC or CD player. If you prefer the sound of digital, you prefer the sound of digital; if you prefer the sound of vinyl, you prefer the sound of vinyl. Very few people (out of those who care at all, that is) appear to have no preference.
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Nottingham. Full deep involving sound, on a warmer side of neutral, quiet and dynamic.
Set up once, check every year and change Nottingham kinetic oil every 12-18 months. That’s all, almost zero maintenance. Replace the stock mat, that’s no good. Motor is very reliable. |
