Nottingham vs. Wilson Benesch turntables?

Many thanks again! The Mat-2 sounds like the perfect addition to a NA Space 294 TT.

NA owners seem to be a very collegial group indeed - it must be the soul soothing effect of good music played well at 33 1/3 rpm :-)

In terms of carts, my dealer carries Benz Micro, Ortofon, Sumiko, and Van den Hul (plus I think Clearaudio). This will be the next learning curve...

Many thanks for the helpful and informative replies. It is noteworthy that the first 3 are from happy Nottingham owners!

Aside from Nottingham and WB, would you consider Avid or Thorens (td-350) in the same league as the NA or WB?

Thanks for all the useful info! It looks like the current NA Ace Spacedeck is the sweet spot in the NA line, and definitely on my short-list.

Any opinions regarding Ace Spacedeck vs. Space 294 (and the tracking advantages of a 12" vs a 9" arm), or is choosing between them closer to splitting hairs? The difference in price easily pays for an Ortofon M2 Black:-)

I bought some vinyl today for the first time since the 1980's - a Rhinovinyl 180g pressing of 'John Coltrane My Favorite Things', and a 180g Doxy pressing of 'Thelonious Monk & John Coltrane at Reeves Sound Studios in NYC'. I guess I'm committed!

Next comes the TT:-)

In terms of carts for the Space 294, some options available to me would be:

- Sumiko Blackbird
- Benz Micro Glider
- Ortofon M2 Black (which some have already advised against).

Any thoughts on the above choices (or others by the same manufacturers at similar or lower prices)?

Silly question, but is the VTA adjustment on Nottingham arms sufficient to accommodate the 5mm thick Boston Audio Mat 2?

Thank-you!
The BA Mat 1 or 2 sound like a better option than the stock felt mat supplied by Nottingham, and it sounds like the VTA adjustment can accomodate the additional 3 to 5mm of extra height.

I have finally ordered a TT - the Nottingham 294 with matching 12" arm.

I have listened to several carts and narrowed the choice down to either a Benz Micro L2 wood (or a BM Copper), and an Ortofon Cadenza Black. I heard these in two different systems but could not compare them directly. I was able to listen to 2 or 3 carts in each system and thus narrow the choices. I was able to listen to a Transfiguration Axis, VDH Grasshopper, and a Sumiko - but did not like any of these as much as the BM L2 and Ortofon Cadenza Black. I also heard a Transfiguration Phoenix in a third system, but there were too many variables to come to any conclusion other than the whole system, including the cart, sounded wonderful.

I am very close to making a decision - does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions regarding the above carts?