2. analog
  3. 162557-98013

Recommendations for a modestly priced analog system

I have been listening to digital music only for a number of years. Now I am thinking of adding an analog system. I don't want to go nuts buying expensive components. I just want to get under the proverbial point of diminishing return. I have  Cary Audio 98P preamp, VAC phi 200 (planning) and Sound Lab ESL speakers. My budget from turntable to cartridge is $5-7K. I prefer buying used for the best bang for the buck. As I am getting older, I need a no fuss, durable and low maintenance system. Any recommendations?
chungjh

Showing 3 responses by chakster

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
There are better turntables from the golden age than new Technics.
Those better turntables often even cheaper and you can use any tonearm on them including "12 inch tonearms (nothing can beat the PD-444 at $3-4k).
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I can recommend Luxman PD-444 as the best bang for the buck!
Got a few of them in my system, you can add whatever tonearm you like for your cartridge.

Read more about this model here.

However, I think $7k is not a modest price for turntable, tonearm and cartridge!
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Pro-Ject and Rega are the worst turntables on the planet just like the rest of the cheap belt drives today.

In the beginning of this thread the OP was thinking about the right direction, but after some useless advises this topic as always goes somewhere else.

I prefer buying used for the best bang for the buck. As I am getting older, I need a no fuss, durable and low maintenance system. Any recommendations?

Right, "no fuss" is a Direct Drive turntable with fully adjustable tonearm (VTA on the fly, removable headshell). Today it’s Technics. I believe you can buy used SL1200G for $3k, and if you want to buy even better look for the SP-10R drive and buy plinth and tonearm separately.

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