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starting from just about scratch w/ $600 to spend

I'm just getting back into vinyl and currently have a old Technics TT, SL-1950, one corner proped up by CD's cause the foot is missing (I bought it for $15 at a tag sale) and a grado prestige red cartride with about 15 hrs on it.

I just bought a Bryston B60 int amp w/o the phono stage, so I def need to spend part of my money on that. My speakers are signet sl280ex.

So how much and what would you spend on TT/cart/phono pre. It looks like I can get entry level used MMF-5 or NAD 533 with cart for ~400, leaving $200 for phono stage. Are those $200 carts they come with really that much better than my grado?

Or should I buy a more stable vintage DD TT (with feet intact lol) for ~100, and spend the remaing $500 on cart and phono pre. ie, Are the cart and phono pre more important at the price points I'm looking at?

I can go a little over budget if it gets me considerable sound quality upgrade in return.

There seems to be quite a few budget phono pre's around, and I have no way of ABing them, so I could really use opinions on that.
sandman012

Showing 1 response by harhau

harhau
19 posts
 
My suggestion:
You can upgrade your TT to a new Technics SL-1200mk2 for $400 if you shop around. Your Grado Red is fine with the SL-1200mk2. That should leave you $200 for a phono stage.

A gently used SL-1200mk2 is also an option, but at $400 I would opt for a new one, given that some DJ-used decks are subject to abuse. If you decide to buy a used SL-1200mk2, you better read what Joel at the Turntable Factory has to say.

An obvious upgrade to the SL-1200mk2 is a tonearm damper at $150 from KAB USA.

I also suggest that you read the recent test of the SL-1200mk2 at TNT-Audio

Good luck!

- Harald
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