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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 8 responses by uberwaltz

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
OP
I have purchased quite a number of items from HiFi Heaven and still have a number of pieces in use in my HT system.
I have found them to be very prompt and professional and very fairly priced and ready to strike a deal if you call them direct .

I purchased a new $4000 integrated amp from them and it arrived with a scratch on the top from brutal UPS handling ( looked like they had tried to run over the box with an 18 wheeler!). There was no quibble and after sending them pictures they replaced it and had damaged one sent back all within about 4 days.

Just my experience, YMMV.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
The Denon 103 sound is going to be VERY different from the Ortofon Blue/ Bronze/ Black sound.

It has a lot of support for sure but I was not impressed with a 103 I had and much preferred a Ortofon Black on the same table/arm setup.

However at that price if you did not like the 103 you could sell it, buy an Ortofon Bronze and still be well under the $1500 mark.

Means you have to tinker a little but no matter what you buy you really need to tinker as you will need verify the setup if the cart is already fitted, trust nobody!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
As I said, just my opinion.

i have been seduced by a package deal before and ultimately been left wanting.

Its a tough call but as a package deal at $1500 I can see the Marantz has curb appeal.

I would be the Clearaudio Concept buyer, lol.

Project Classic or Marantz?

That might just boil down to best deal however I would lean towards the Marantz there just for the superior cart.........
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I know your mind is pretty much made up already but imho you are possibly looking at it all a little off kilter.

As your testing has already determine the better cart has made the most impression on you, NOT the better table.

I would be shopping for the best TABLE I could afford even if it did not have the best cart right now.

Then I would be shopping for a better cart later as funds allow knowing that the better table combined with the later purchase better cart is going to pay big dividends.

However that’s me and if you are just looking for the best package deal right now within your budget then so be it.

But you likely already know this merry go round never stops......


Just my view from " been there, done that" and not meant as any criticism at all.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Robert

You are just full of the enigmatic posts tonight ... Lmao.

Another 1200 in the stable?
Why am i not surprised...lol.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
OP
One way you could also look at the price difference is that you are getting more tt for your money with the Clearaudio.
You can always upgrade the cart later.
It would indicate to myself that the Marantz could be less of a table and it's the cart that is the bigger star there.

As stated the Clearaudio is a more modern design.

I know which way my money would be going here.....
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Well this went down the tubes in a rapid, fiery and predictable  fashion!
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I am in agreement with Lewm on this one.

Stick with what you have for at least long enough to become fully accustomed to all its nuances and flavours of playback.
That way you will have a good basis for a solid comparison.
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