Turntable / cartridge (and isolation) to match my pre-amp, speakers and room


Hi all,

I am just getting back into listening to records after more than a decade of iPod / headphone and iTunes / computer speakers. I have some insurmountable constraints with regard to my "listening room". The speakers have to be actually sitting in the bookcase shelves. The components have to sit on top of the base cabinet. I don’t have any flexibility with that. You can see pictures my the room and setup here: http://www.pbase.com/ezwicky/inbox

The system is:

Audio-Technia SL-D@ direct-drive TT with Grado Prestige Black cartridge
Sony multidisc CD player (soon to be replaced with Music-Hall cdac15.3)
Music-Hall a15.3 integrated amp
Bowers & Wilkins 686 S2 speakers
JL Audio 8’ powered sub-woofer

I have done a good bit of A/B-ing between CD and LP of some of my favorite albums and have decided I am ready to invest in a better turntable / cartridge. My local hifi shop carries Pro-Ject and Music-Hall, and my budget is up to $1000.

Knowing all that, what would you all recommend? The Music-Hall 5.3 has a dual-plinth and comes with the Ortofon Blue cartridge, as well as carbon-fiber tonearm. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit comes with the carbon tonearm and Ortofon Blue, but not the dual plinth.

Would I notice (with my system as described and pictured) a large difference between those two turntables and the Music-Hall 2.3 or the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (regular)? I don’t mind paying more for a noticeable improvement in sound, but given the less-than-ideal constraints of my setup, I don’t want to get something that the rest of my system will not be able to pass through.

On the subject of isolation, is it worth the extra $200 to get the Music-Hall 5.3 with dual plinth, over the Pro-Ject that does not have the dual plinth? Maybe get some isolation feet from Herbie’s for the Pro-Ject? But then that combined might get me back upto the Music-Hall 5.3 price.

I am kind of overwhelmed by all the possibilities, so I appreciate in advance your timeand advice.

Thanks,

Eric Zwicky
Richmond VA

ezwicky

Showing 1 response by gregkohanmim

Ezwicky - Congratulations on your new speakers - Hope that you're enjoying them.

Of the 2 tables that you're considering I would choose the Music Hall over the Pro-ject simply because it ads an adjustment for vertical tracking angle which  the Pro-ject does not.

That said, neither setup allows for azimuth adjustment which to me is pretty important as well.  In the case of both tables, neither comes with a very nice cartridge and so at some point you're likely going to want to upgrade in which case, having the broadest ability to set up the tonearm is quite important.

The $1000 price range is a tough place in the market - there's a lot to pick from but it seems that all offerings come with some level of compromise.

Given that your local dealer carries most MH and Pro-ject, you might want to ask about the Pro-ject 2Xperience Primary Acryl Turntable - Clear.  It's just over the top end of your budget but comes with an OK cartridge and a tonearm that allows for vertical tracking angle (VTA) adjustment as well as azimuth.  Also, it has nicely designed damped feet and acrylic is also known to be a great solution to prevent resonance.

I also like that it has a full platter that is driven by an isolated motor/ belt rather than the flimsy subplatjer of the 2 tables you're suggesting.

If I were in your shoes, I would consider waiting until you can bump up your budget to the point where you're going to get something that you will not easily outgrow.

Just my $.02

Greg