2. analog
  3. 1263933241

Turntable/Arm/Cart for Classic Rock; $1500 budget

Hi All,

I've had an enjoyable digital system for the last few years (Naim CD5x, Aesthetix Calypso, Simaudio W3, Dynaudio 1.3se) but realized that I'm spending less and less time listening to the classic rock/folk that I really love - Neil Young, Dylan, Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, Zeppelin, Hendrix, etc. It generally sounds a little thin and "less present" than I would like. Contemporary rock music sounds great - the latest Black Keys and My Morning Jacket albums have brought tears to my eyes they sound so good.

I think the answer is to get a nice analog setup and buy some LPs (I have none today). My old roommate plugged her very inexpensive Project table and phono stage into my system and I enjoyed listening to her mom's old copies of Blood on the Tracks and Zep IV immensely. It was nearly as good as the CDs on my Naim, and in some ways was better.

So...what do I buy? I need a table, arm, cartridge and want to spend less than $1500, used. Can I get something that will bring me enjoyment that exceeds what I'm getting from digital? I'd like something with a good sense of pace, generally neutral but with a bit of warmth.

I'm considering the following tables/arms (all available for <$1,000):
- Rega P3/RB300
- VPI Scout/JMW 9
- Basis 1400/RB300

Any comments on this list? Anything I should add?

As for cartridges, I plan to wait until I select a table/arm...but expect to look closely at the Dynavector 20xl, at $750.

Oh, and phono stages: I made an impulse Audiogon buy for a Simaudio LP5.3 phono stage (because I like Simaudio and feel like a phono is important), but if anyone thinks that's overkill or inappropriate please say so!

This forum has been really helpful to me in the past...so thanks everyone for all you've done so far and thanks in advance for any guidance here.

Regards,
Nirav
niravp

Showing 2 responses by vinyladdict

vinyladdict
164 posts
 
Some may run me out of town for saying it - but - NOTHING I've owned (Rega, SOTA, JA Michell, Roksan, etc) does rock better than a custom KAB mod'd Technics SL-1200MK2SE with outboard power supply, arm rewire, an fluid damper.

Match it up with either a nice Dynavector, Audio-Technica AT-150MLx, or my new favorite "giant killer" - the $240 Jico SAS-MM1 and you'll have a very fine deck indeed right in your budget.
vinyladdict
164 posts
 
I would highly HIGHLY recommend you give Kevin at KAB Electroacoustics a call. He's a no B.S. guy and will try to sell you nothing - he's more than happy to just talk about his product and let you decide.

To give some perspective on some of your concerns, I've owned SOTA, Rega, JA Michell, Roksan, etc. tables to name a few and the one that resides to this day in my main system is a KAB mod'd SL-1200MK2. I would order the mod's I had done by KAB this way in order of importance from greatest to least: Cardas tonearm rewire, Fluid Damper, External Power Supply, Isonoe Feet.

For around your $1,000 budget you can get everything but the Isonoe feet.
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