You have a nice arsenal, i always trying to reduce the quantity of my turntables in the main system to just 2 (with 4 arms), i know it’s hard to make a decision, there is something special about vintage High-End turntables. Friends always ask for inexpensive turntables and i decided to sell a pair of my Technics SP-20 (with Victor 7045 and Lustre 801 tonearms) separately to my mates. They are still in my neighbourhood and i see them when i visit my friends. Last month another fellow audiophile asked for my SP-10mkII with Micro Seiki CU-500 copper mat and i decided to sell it to him. I still have a pair of Victor TT-101 and my goal is to use the money towards refurbishing of those two TT-101 (one of them work for 30min max and then goes to stand by mode, another one is working, but i have to touch the platter my hand when i turn in on). Well, too many turntables for one person. Since last autumn i’ve been using exclusively a pair of my LUX PD-444 with many different tonearms, maybe that’s all i need.
Turntable Consolidation. Is it a Consideration?
OK I suspect I am through Stage 1 of my direct drive turntable phase. I currently have three tables in the house, which are as follows:
One other thing I have observed, in my opinion, is that these three tables are very similar in presentation, that they are more alike than different, and that cartridge is the biggest difference in sound here. Eve in terms of arm, the performance level finds more common ground than differences. Now it could be argued that the system is not capable of resolving the final differences, and that might be possible. It consists of:
So I am trying to come up with a solution. Each table is fitted with a single arm, and perhaps I can do something there. The Technics in factory plinth is an absolute gem and in almost perfect condition. It would seem a shame to tear it apart. The second SP 10 is in a beautiful plinth and its a classic look, and performs wonderfully. The Denon is an excellent table, but I am not fond of the VPI base. The springs are temperamental, and the base needs to have the dings sanded out of it and refinished. However I love the GST 801 arm, and have a hard time letting them go. This is the table that is the candidate for parting out, but the arm has an odd mounting length, and the VPI top plate does not use an arm board, but is drilled for that specific arm. Also the top plate weighs a ton since its 5 layers of steel with damping material between each layer. Truth is the base should be remarkable, and I have a hard time thinking it should go. But of all of them, this seems the most likely.
Sometimes I think I should send them all away, pick up a single statement type table like the new Technics SP 10R or MK III, and have a plinth built for multiple arms. Now that would be a huge behemoth, but I think I could fit it on my rack. Or I think I should keep one of these, as the sound is so similar. Then experiment and try one upper tier belt drive again, something like a SOTA Cosmos.
Afraid I really cannot make up my mind, but I do know that something has to be done in the future. Just not sure which way to go. I run one system, look to optimize it, and get the best possible sound I can attain. So multiple systems are out of the question. I have free run of the living room, but the rest of the house is for the rest of the family.
- Technics SP 10 MK II on stacked multi density plinth built by Larry Spence, with a Riggle 12" String Theory arm, and ZYX 4D cartridge.
- Denon DP75 in a VPI suspended plinth, with Acos GST 801 arm, and Ortofon AC90 cartridge
- Technics SP 10 MK II in SH10B3 obsidian plinth, SAEC 407 arm(have an EPA 250 to put on it), and Ortofon Cadenza Blue cartridge.
One other thing I have observed, in my opinion, is that these three tables are very similar in presentation, that they are more alike than different, and that cartridge is the biggest difference in sound here. Eve in terms of arm, the performance level finds more common ground than differences. Now it could be argued that the system is not capable of resolving the final differences, and that might be possible. It consists of:
- Musical Fidelity Nuvista M3 integrated with factory upgrade
- Liberty Audio B2B-1 phono stage
- JBL 4365 speakers
- PS Audio P10 power conditioner
- Wireworld Eclipse 7 speaker wire, VH Audio Spectrum CU interconnects, PAG power cords
So I am trying to come up with a solution. Each table is fitted with a single arm, and perhaps I can do something there. The Technics in factory plinth is an absolute gem and in almost perfect condition. It would seem a shame to tear it apart. The second SP 10 is in a beautiful plinth and its a classic look, and performs wonderfully. The Denon is an excellent table, but I am not fond of the VPI base. The springs are temperamental, and the base needs to have the dings sanded out of it and refinished. However I love the GST 801 arm, and have a hard time letting them go. This is the table that is the candidate for parting out, but the arm has an odd mounting length, and the VPI top plate does not use an arm board, but is drilled for that specific arm. Also the top plate weighs a ton since its 5 layers of steel with damping material between each layer. Truth is the base should be remarkable, and I have a hard time thinking it should go. But of all of them, this seems the most likely.
Sometimes I think I should send them all away, pick up a single statement type table like the new Technics SP 10R or MK III, and have a plinth built for multiple arms. Now that would be a huge behemoth, but I think I could fit it on my rack. Or I think I should keep one of these, as the sound is so similar. Then experiment and try one upper tier belt drive again, something like a SOTA Cosmos.
Afraid I really cannot make up my mind, but I do know that something has to be done in the future. Just not sure which way to go. I run one system, look to optimize it, and get the best possible sound I can attain. So multiple systems are out of the question. I have free run of the living room, but the rest of the house is for the rest of the family.
4 responses Add your response
Dear @neonknight: I remember when I had mounted 10 tonearms in 3 TTs. The look was great but over the years I finished working " only " with 3 tonearms in one TT. Makes no sense to me in other best way, even I'm thinking in two tonearms instead 3. So, the new Technics options as SP10R or SL1000R are very good ones where the TTs comes with a better coreless motors and along the Technics pedigree with all today technology advances. https://www.google.com.mx/search?q=technics+sp10r&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&am... If you choosed for the 1000R then you stay only with the GST 801 and if for the SP10R then you can stay with the GST 801 and the 250. Today your SP10s and DP-75 still has a good market prices that will goes lower and lower due to the new Technics arrivals, so this is the rigth time to make a change for the better. Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
@rauliruegas I have considered the possibility of acquiring a 10R, but that will effectively wipe out my audio kitty. I changed careers a couple years back and no longer make the money I used to , and may never will again. So I have to be careful with my audio dollars. I have heard it argued that the new 10R will use all surface mount chips, and in case of it ever needing repair, it will be virtually impossible to get a standard tech to work on it. We will say a $10,000 drive unit should never fail, and Technics will support the table. However, they did not support the SP 10 MK III well when it developed problems, as it became revealed that the circuit overheated due to the design, and certain chips became unattainable, meaning many tables could not be repaired. Until Fidelis Analog came along and made a replacement for the MN6042 chip. Technics did not help their owners out on that. Could this scenario play out with the 10R? Maybe. I might go to a table configured with two arms. Three might be a bit awkward. I cannot see myself breaking up the SL1000 I have, as its as close to a mint SP 10 MK II package I have ever seen. The EPA 250 arm may be a bit less desirable, but its still a mighty fine arm. I suppose I have the summer to think through this, as its hard to move gear during this time. Once September comes around, then people are ready to get back to audio. |
