Should I keep the Turntable or sell it?


I’ve been back and forth on this decision for about a month, and the more I learn, the harder this decision gets.

Backstory: I won the brand new Cambridge Audio Alva TT turntable in an online contest in mid-May, and while it sounds great, I decided to list it for sale a couple weeks ago. I’ve always wanted to try out a Rega P6 or P3 with a really nice cart, because I feel like I’m not getting enough out of my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. Prior to winning the Alva TT, I switched the Red Ortofon out for the Blue, and there was a great improvement in sound quality. But after comparing the Pro-Ject to the Alva TT and hearing what a $1700 turntable can sound like, I definitely am interested in exploring more high fidelity turntables. The issue is that I feel like I prefer the sound of tubes over solid state, and the Alva TT uses an integrated Alva Duo phono preamp for the RCA out, and their own DAC for the Bluetooth out if I want to go that route. I don’t have a ton of experience with tubes, and maybe it’s just the “cool factor” I actually like and I’m just having a placebo effect.

So I decided to list it for sale to try and get a Rega, because I heard so many great things about them. But over the last week or so, I’ve learned more about the Alva TT and how it uses Rega’s famous tonearm. I looked up the cart and it is listed at $500 separately, which is probably why it sounds better than the Pro-Ject w/ Ortofon Blue. I’ve also read on these boards about direct drive being better than belt, which the Alva has as well. It also has the added bonus of Bluetooth that go directly to my KEF LS50 Wireless, but I would most likely just use interconnects.

So I would love to get some advice from you all. I’ve gone back and forth about keeping the Alva or selling it, along with my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, and buying/trading for something like a Rega P3 or P6. If you had my first world problem, what would you do?
bignamehere

Showing 7 responses by clearthink


bignamehere "keep the "color commentary" to a minimum on my thread or just refrain from commenting."

Everyone is free to post hear within the rules established by the forum it is not for you to limit, restrict, or discourage any poster or contributor from writing, sharing, or contributing his thoughts to this group. I will steadfastly, consistently, and uniformly defend the rights of others to share as they wish and accept that only the moderators may intervene on the forum’s behalf.
The adoration and worship of Technics turntables is not unusual there are many companies that have such fans I would rate the Technics turntables as "good value" but no more they are hardly without equal there are many better turntables on the market but that does not mean you can't be happy with Technics. 

bignamehere
If you feel it's okay to post racist, sexist, ageist, or any other form of disrespectful language, do it on your own thread."

I will post here consistent with my thoughts, beliefs, and conscience and will not be instructed, restricted, or threatened by anyone hear including you if you find my comments offensive you're sole solution, remedy, and recourse is to alert the moderators you do not "own" me or this thread.
bignamehereclearthink follow your own logic then... and since you can't seem to keep on topic, please refrain from:

You are not a moderator here I am under no requirement or obligation to observe, comply, or agree to you're orders, demands, dictates or requirements I need make no promise or assurance to you and you're remedy if you find me objectionable, offensive  or in violation of the forums rules, standards, and requirements is through the forum's moderators or Audiogon Administrators. I will post here consistent with my thoughts, beliefs, and conscience and will not be instructed, restricted, or threatened by anyone hear including you.

bignamehere"@clearthink follow your own logic then... and since you can’t seem to keep on topic, please refrain from: You will not post information that is malicious, false or inaccurate."

I think you are the one dear sir who is suffering from a lapse of logic, reason, and sense do you really want me to refrain from not posting information that is malicious I do not think so! Of course I have never posted malicious information hear anyway so it does not matter.

I wish you a fine day as well filled with unicorns, cotton candy and lollipops.
chakster"...a person with 23 posts on audiogon who has nothing to contribute is not happy about comments and willing to teach us what to post and how to post in "his thread"the whole thread was made to justify your purchase and this is what you’re willing to read from the other members, but not the truth. prepare yourself to read different opinions, you’re not reading magazine review here, it’s audiogon and each of us has personal experience with almost everything we’re talking about. 

Chakster completely and correctly characterizes, understands, and explains the issue with this user and thread who seeks to limit, restrict, and discourage knowledgeable, experienced, educated posters and contributors from writing, sharing, and contributing honest, relevant, meaningful thoughts to this group. He assumes the role, responsibility, and functions of genuine Audiogon moderators and Administrators but he is not imbued with the proper authority to so execute such functions.

bignamehere"@clearthink interesting... you state you won’t be told what to do, right after you tell me exactly what I can do.'

You must be confused, disoriented, or intoxicated because I have not told you what to do you may have me confused with some one else. It is time for you to abandon you're efforts to limit, restrict, or discourage any poster or contributor from writing, sharing, or contributing his thoughts to this group. That is not me telling you what to do that is the rules of this forum as defined, established, and enforced by the moderators of this forum and the Aministrators of Audiogon.