Turntable recommendations

Kuzma table, Origin Live arm, whichever combination of models you can afford. $4k table, $5k arm, etc. 

How do you like your Soundsmith? Moving iron seems the way to go.

Thanks for the recommendations, not a lover of the tube look. But I see they have others. I’ll go check them out.

i am very happy with my soundSmith, I did feel a noticeable difference when going to it. It also has an amazing warranty, only 20% of the cost to re do from mfg. can’t beat that

I have a Michell Engineering GyroDec fitted with an SME IV tonearm and Clear Audio Maestro V2 Ebony cartridge. Not only does this TT setup look visually stunning it is also audibly stunning IMHO. More details about my return to analog after a 35 year absence can be found in this post:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/second-system-that-sounds-and-looks-spectacular-i-am-there

I have just replaced the McIntosh C50 preamp/DAC, in the above system, with a C52. Much to my surprise a big improvement in SQ, my wife also immediately noticed the change. So, I think it fair to say I am not deluding myself here.

If you want to hear how good vinyl can be; try the MFSL Ultradisc recording of Bob Dylan’s Blood On The Tracks. Sounds just like a master tape, on the right system, breathtaking on first hearing. Interestingly, never thought of myself as a Bob Dylan fan, that changed immediately on first hearing this disc!

Marcus

Call Peter at pbn audio you won't be disappointed all the best

My last 10 years - VPI Scout II with Trans Fi Terminator arm with all upgrades I was one of the first users - VPI Prime for a short time - Technics SL1200G and GAE kept the GAE as a collector item but very good sound - SME 10 with M2 Arm and 2nd arm Triplanar V11 SE Carbon - Now and finally settled Dr Feickert Blackbird which you could use any of the new Jelco arms and add another arm later, I have the 850M in the back with a Thales Simplicity II on the front, in your budget I would recommend the Jelco and get the SBooster power supply for the table

Nottingham Analog Audio

Origin live TT with an Origin Live tonearm,Acoustic Solid TT with an Origin Live tonearm,Lyra Kleos cartridge,Shelter 9000 cartridge.

For those of us that switched to an Idler Drive TT, there's no going back. Lenco, Thorens, etc.

I agree with the idler drive TT set ups. I PM'd you about a potential Garrard 301 table. 

Seriously?  Tasty Peter!   

Yup

Peter, some solid recs here, Kuzma, Origin Live both make solid products. Stay away from idler wheel turntables. These were for commercial use in radio stations and such where the bass rolls off sharply below 50 Hz so rumble was not a concern but if you ever get a subwoofer and adjust it correctly the rumble will drive you nuts. There are extremely few modern turntables that bother with that design for this reason and  they are more complicated with more parts to wear out and break. 
In most residential situations a suspended turntable will work best. Examples of these are SME, SOTA and Basis. Of the three SOTA makes an unbeatable product at a great price. If you get a SOTA Sapphire and put either an SME 4 or a Kuzma 4 point 9 on it you will be able to use any Soundsmith you like and will never feel the need for another turntable. The company is great to deal with as a bonus.  https://sotaturntables.com/  You will be able to jump up and down in front of this turntable or hit the cabinet with a hammer and it won't skip a beat.

Mike

Get yourself a classic vintage AR or Thorens belt drive  suspended deck . add a tonearm of choice and save yourself thousands...You cant buy a table today with a desired 3 point suspension for under thousands......

Second the SOTA recommendation - especially in this price range you're looking at a nice Nova VI or Cosmos. Get it in an exotic wood of your choice and you'll love it for life.

Gold Note Mediterraneo out of Italy, beautiful table(s). 

Gold Note and Pure Fidelity turntables are highly recommended.

jjaudiosolutions.com

Luxman Direct Drive turntables are very nice, try to find a MINT PD-444 for under $4000 and i doubt you will need another turntable. I have two of them and many others, Luxman is the best for me, read more.  Here is mine. 

Regarding something new: SP-10R 

Lots of great recommendations, still a bit overwhelming. Anyone familiar with the new Luxman tt 171 I think? 
Also anyone familiar with the Vertere?

peter

Peter,
Do you know about STST? Handmade, direct drive and finished to your cosmetic spec with decades of production history. I import and sell them into N. America so won't comment on the subjective given my bias but do check them out. Soundsmith shows with two of their decks fyi. Ana Mighty Sound in Paris shows with them as well.

Isn't it grand how many good choices we have these days!

How can I contact you re stat?

peter

solypsa, I hate it when people advertise on this sight however you did it gracefully and if the suspension on that table is tuned correctly (it looks like it is adjustable for tonearm mass) it is way too cool for school. It is the first suspended direct drive I have ever seen. IMHO a turntable that is not isolated is worthless. Please message me with your contact info.

Mike

Done.

I hear you about schilling for business on forums. I am an analog enthusiast foremost and I do have an audio business which I try to make clear always. I post out of enthusiasm as much for business and always with respect. Like I said there is a lot of analog goodness out there!

I've had the Luxman PD-171A for 11 months. This is my last TT. Well thought out and easy to setup. I love the built in strobe window as you can dial in the speed for both 33 & 45 rpm. Easy to change carts as it comes w/a detachable head. Fit and finish is equal to any TT on the market. My opinion is they could have charged more and no one would complain. I have it hooked up to a Luxman CL38U-SE all tube preamp which has a 3 tube phono and includes 4 stepup transformers. Two for MC High and two for MC Low. Currently I'm using a Dynavector 20 XL2 MC cart. After I get my Tax refund I'll be moving up to a Dynavector XX-2.

If you can find a used Merrill Williams REAL with the mid level Helius arm. Origin live arm also perhaps with a Kuzma table as another mentioned. Probably cant find a Kuzma 4 Point with table within your budget. 

 The alacrity with which certain persons state their personal preferences as absolute fact always surprises me. I won’t name names. 
Tasty, you keep asking about Vertere turntables. Could you be referring to “Verdier”? The Verdier Platine is a classic, uses string drive, massive maglev  platter, mounted on a soft mushy footed granite base. IMO it has a few design flaws and is out of date these days, but it certainly is loved by many. Try to get an audition and take a good look at its construction so you can form your own opinion. 

Mijo, your blanket statement that idler drive turntables are per se noisy is just ridiculous. In fact a well developed idler is perhaps one of the best choices if you want great bass. That does require expensively modifying a Lenco or Garrard 301/401, I admit. I don’t like TD 124 Thorens based on my opinion of SQ, possibly because it’s got a belt driving the idler. Worst of both worlds, IMO.