Turntable Purchase Suggestion


I am going to add an analog front end. I have Bat 50se Pre and 75se amp driving Mezzo Utopia speakers. I cannot compare a variety of tables/arms. I have heard a Spacedeck only, but without comparisons, how am I supposed to know. Here are the suggestions I have had thusfar: Spacedeck w/spacearm.....Scoutmaster w/JWM arm.....Basis 2001 w/Vector arm.....Rega P-9 w/Rega1000 arm. Is there actually a best one or perhaps some other? I am trying to get the best sound (organic, focused, clean, dimensional, and smoth top end with solid bottom end) while spending no more than $8000. Phonostage suggestions include: BAT P10, Whest (double box version), Ayre and Brinkman.
meyerb

Showing 1 response by gregm

Going against the conventional grain, I would strongly suggest you look at a Scheu Premier II (Eurolab) TT, in the config seen here i.e. with the highest platter. Alternatively, a Teres TT that you can peruse here. In both cases, a Schroeder arm would be most advisable; the drawback with these arms is the waiting time... Other arms, recommendable for both TTs include the Scheu Tacco, and its cheaper stablemate Cantus, the Origin Live, the Moerch (either unipivot or regular bearings).
This will offer an excellent sounding TT set-up, for a reasonable outlay (by hi-end standards). I would further recommend you start your vinyl journey with a good, but not outrageously expensive, cartridge (Denon 103, Shelter, Clearaudio Virtuoso, etc, many other good choices out there).

Phonos are a real problem; few perform really well and those are frighteningly expensive (see some excellent choices above). Among the less expensive reasonably good performers that I happen to know are, the EAR phono (tube) and the ASR mini basis (ss); of course there are diy choices out there too (if you're into that).
Cheers