Do you have much vinyl now?
What type of music do you listen to? especially: do you listen to artists that made their mark in the Mono era prior to 1958 when LP’s went Stereo (mono continued into the 60’s).
Mono recording technics were terrific, and they sound best played with a true Mono cartridge, played thru Mono Mode, Played thru only one of your speakers, L or R, either one. McIntosh (not all), other makers, have Mode Switches I never want to live without.
The distinctness (not imaging) of individual players/instruments without surrounding distortions that Stereo cartridges/stereo modes/two speakers often create is very enjoyable. Also, you can listen anywhere the sound reaches in your home which provides many optional experiences.
IF so, I advise you start with a table that can eventually have two tonearms, so you have both Stereo arm and Mono arms setup for instant back and forth in a listening session: i.e. Miles Davis Mono, Stereo, Oscar Peterson ... Louis Armstrong Stereo, then one of his Mono LP’s
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If you click on anyone's user name, then click 'details', if they have added their System, click on it. I just added mine. I went with Vintage JVC, it evolved in 3 stages: 1 long stereo arm; add 2nd arm for Mono ready to go; squeeze in 3rd arm, move Mono there, put favorite MM in the back.
I overdid mine and squeezed in a 3rd arm, ended up with MC Stereo; MM Stereo; Mono.
I wish I had the end game in mind when I started. JVC 2 arm Plinths, CL-P2 pop up often, I found out later they make a rare to find 3 arm plinth CL-P3.
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IF you get the bug to have a long arm, these big Plinths allow that, BUT, check the clearances when the dust cover is on. My long arm, I had to raise it to get high enough for the height of the platter, it just fits. The 3rd arm, I found a very compact Mission with short counterweight tube and small diameter base plate to just fit.
JVC Long Arms, i.e. 7082 usually the rubber gasket needs repair, not hard, but be advised. They are not full 12", I think they finish at 11-5/8", I went for 12.5" effective, risked an unknown arm, got lucky.
What type of music do you listen to? especially: do you listen to artists that made their mark in the Mono era prior to 1958 when LP’s went Stereo (mono continued into the 60’s).
Mono recording technics were terrific, and they sound best played with a true Mono cartridge, played thru Mono Mode, Played thru only one of your speakers, L or R, either one. McIntosh (not all), other makers, have Mode Switches I never want to live without.
The distinctness (not imaging) of individual players/instruments without surrounding distortions that Stereo cartridges/stereo modes/two speakers often create is very enjoyable. Also, you can listen anywhere the sound reaches in your home which provides many optional experiences.
IF so, I advise you start with a table that can eventually have two tonearms, so you have both Stereo arm and Mono arms setup for instant back and forth in a listening session: i.e. Miles Davis Mono, Stereo, Oscar Peterson ... Louis Armstrong Stereo, then one of his Mono LP’s
.........................
If you click on anyone's user name, then click 'details', if they have added their System, click on it. I just added mine. I went with Vintage JVC, it evolved in 3 stages: 1 long stereo arm; add 2nd arm for Mono ready to go; squeeze in 3rd arm, move Mono there, put favorite MM in the back.
I overdid mine and squeezed in a 3rd arm, ended up with MC Stereo; MM Stereo; Mono.
I wish I had the end game in mind when I started. JVC 2 arm Plinths, CL-P2 pop up often, I found out later they make a rare to find 3 arm plinth CL-P3.
..................................
IF you get the bug to have a long arm, these big Plinths allow that, BUT, check the clearances when the dust cover is on. My long arm, I had to raise it to get high enough for the height of the platter, it just fits. The 3rd arm, I found a very compact Mission with short counterweight tube and small diameter base plate to just fit.
JVC Long Arms, i.e. 7082 usually the rubber gasket needs repair, not hard, but be advised. They are not full 12", I think they finish at 11-5/8", I went for 12.5" effective, risked an unknown arm, got lucky.