Turntable Troubles - ProJect X2B vs Rega 6 w Kiseki Cartridge


I am investing in my first critical listening room. As a newbie i know my choice of TT may be remedial but it is a good entry point for me. My vendor is telling me to consider a Pro-Ject x 2B due to its new technology vs a Rega 6 w an upgraded Kiseki Blue cartridge. Do any of you all have proper advice for me? Don't want to make my first grand purchase go to waste. It is being paired with a McIntosh 2500c Pre-amp, Mcintosh MC462 amp and Sonus Faber Sonetto 3s. Any advice will be appreciated as my turntable choice is the last element. Thanks!

meadski

I asked TT Labs if they would mount a cartridge on one of their TT sold with removable headshells with no cartridge.

They do, but not until spring, busy with holiday work now.

They told me about their pre-mounted cartridges for sale

search their site for ’mounted cartridge’

 

 

nothing exotic, but this is a very in-expensive way to start with a Shibata tip rather than a ver expensive elliptical tip 

 

that is a very expensive cartridge to start with. 

I would recommend this Ortofon 2M Black, Shibata Stylus

 

, added to a TT with removable headshell

all great advice, thanks so much! Now I am thinking of upping my budget for a TT. Are there any brands or specific products you feel I should consider? 

Removable headshells is the only way to go for me.

Then you can explore the differences between wood and carbon fiber.

 "Rega 6 w an upgraded Kiseki Blue"

Have you heard that setup? If it sounds good to you, that's great, but likely you can find a combination of a Rega with a Rega cart for a LOT less.

That's an odd pairing-a $2500 MC cartridge on a $1900 table w an arm that DOESN"T have adjustments to take advantage of it. 

If you decide on a Rega, you're best bet is usung a Rega MC cartidge with it. Using a non Rega cartridge defeats the Rega concept of simplicity and ease of use.

Unless that dealer is selling  it for  a comparable price to this(which is highly unlikely)I would pass.

Rega - Planar 6 Turntable (Ania) - Music Direct

Package deal that's pretty much plug and play. Just set tracking force and antiskate.

You don't need all the above recommendations for the Rega. Just a tracking force gauge.

The Rega will be a smart choice for a first table- setup within 10 minutes without any real fuss.

Kiseki Blue is more appropriate for a non Rega table-$3K+.  IMO

When you get into upper level tables/carts, using an outboard phono stage, and not the internal as you are doing is the next step.

 

I put this together in another discussion.

Not meant to scare you, or anyone starting out, just to encourage everyone to learn, bit by bit, and acquire the simple tools and skills to change/align your cartridges after the first one is worn, (typically elliptical, avg. 250 hours play time.

If you get hooked on vinyl, which I suspect is a high probability:

.............................................

elliottbnewcombjr

3,414 posts

 

I’m a bargain hunter, I say ’inexpensive’ tools and these are them:

I put this together for a friend, I hope the links are still good

TOOLS FOR LP’S

  1. CARTRIDGES

$15. ALIGNMENT DISC: one side: Lines for Overhang and Two NULL Points

ANTI-SKATE: other blank side: spin platter manually, adjust anti-skate control while watching

https://www.amazon.com/Hudson-Hi-Fi-Turntable-Cartridge-Protractor/dp/B01MU6AD2E/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1HK4102CVP5X2&keywords=hudson+hifi+protractor&qid=1652980845&sprefix=hudson+hifi+protractor,aps,120&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

$14. TRACKING FORCE, Digital Scale

https://www.amazon.com/Musou-Turntable-Backlight-Tracking-Cartridge/dp/B071P9VZ5Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=10W9ADQJF0QMC&keywords=tracking+force+scale+turntable&qid=1652982087&sprefix=tracking+force+,aps,67&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

$10. AZIMUTH and VTA Alignment Block: clear actylic with Grid of Lines

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Tonearm-Cartridge-Alignment-Headshell/dp/B07794JXYZ/ref=sr_1_8?crid=20KYR5S10Y5C1&keywords=azimuth+alignment+tool&qid=1652982195&sprefix=azimuth%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-8

$6. MAGNIFYING MIRROR to VIEW STYLUS (two). 3-1/2” DIAMETER, One: 10X; One 20x + 2 tweezers

https://www.amazon.com/Magnifying-Funtopia-Magnifier-Tweezers-Blackhead/dp/B093BPDZZD/ref=sr_1_29?crid=3MVJVIBL6SMFW&keywords=small%2Bmakeup%2Bmirror%2B15%2Bx%2B3.5&qid=1652983011&sprefix=small%2Bmake%2Bup%2Bmirror%2B15x%2B3.5%2Caps%2C73&sr=8-29&th=1

$11. FLAT MIRROR to View Azimuth Reflection 4” X 6” X 3MM. Thickness of LP, place under the stylus, view from front, any deviation from straight will be reflected ‘opposite’.

https://www.amazon.com/Plymor-Rectangle-Beveled-Glass-Mirror/dp/B07T31MRZ9/ref=sr_1_8?crid=BQ3FJFG31C2D&keywords=small%2Bflat%2Bmirror&qid=1652983461&sprefix=small%2Bflat%2Bmirror%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-8&th=1

$13. STYLUS CLEANING FLUID, Audio Technica

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT607a-Cartridge-Stylus-Cleaner/dp/B00DI8I2JM/ref=sr_1_5?crid=7HHAU2OW7TGG&keywords=stylus+cleaner&qid=1653006308&sprefix=stylus+cleaner%2Caps%2C88&sr=8-5

  1. CLEAN LPs

$50. MANUAL LP WASH SYSTEM (do batches of 10)

https://www.amazon.com/Record-Cleaner-Cleaning-Brushes-Microfiber/dp/B07VQN5XML/ref=sr_1_67?crid=21DNL6IO42FSJ&keywords=lp+cleaning+kit&qid=1652984282&sprefix=lp+cleaning+kit%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-67

$9. INFANT SCALP SCRUBB BRUSHES (3). Scrub Dirty LP’s Vigotously, then rinse in above system

https://www.amazon.com/Scalp-Scrubbie-Sterile-Cradle-Sponge/dp/B005EJ7YH4/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2DSF6EWMO77AC&keywords=infant+scalp+brush&qid=1652984426&sprefix=infant+,aps,77&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A2W58AXSS61W30

$13. OVERSIZED EYEGLASS CLOTHS, Dust LP ONLY IF Needed (13 pack). I DO NOT use a brush anymore. Place LP on platter, just lay cloth on, spin platter by hand while very lightly pulling cloth off the edge to remove surface dust, not push anything down into the grooves.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S374VSO/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?_encoding=UTF8&aaxitk=edf8ce1bb96b6c730ccf869039f09147&hsa_cr_id=7286139130601&pd_rd_plhdr=t&pd_rd_r=69ff5251-fe67-4b12-ae01-d114bdce0de0&pd_rd_w=6xLCx&pd_rd_wg=aIG7G&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_1_img

$1.00 DISTILLED WATER

https://www.amazon.com/365-Everyday-Value-Distilled-Water/dp/B074J5L82H/ref=sr_1_7_f3_0o_wf?crid=3O8SQDLD5NYKI&keywords=distilled+water&qid=1653006535&sprefix=distilled+water%2Caps%2C97&sr=8-7

$6. ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, 91%, 1 Quart

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Brand-Isopropyl-Alcohol-Antiseptic/dp/B07NFTZ522/ref=sr_1_20?crid=3R7PQ8NF1MDMK&keywords=isopropyl%2Balcohol%2B91&qid=1653006688&sprefix=isopropyl%2Balcohol%2B9%2Caps%2C74&sr=8-20&th=1

$15. GEL STYLUS CLEANER

https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Stylus-Needle-Cleaning-Gel/dp/B086T4RLY3/ref=sr_1_52?crid=VNKUXR7SGLH0&keywords=stylus+brush&qid=1653008196&sprefix=stylus+brush%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-52

$14. STYLUS BRUSH, Carbon Fiber, Non-Slip Textured Handle

https://www.amazon.com/Boundless-Audio-Stylus-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B087182G57/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3GLAZP4MMEO2J&keywords=STYLUS+CLEANING+BRUSH&qid=1653009531&sprefix=stylus+cleaning+,aps,65&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

 

  1. MISCELLANEOUS

$13. ISOLATION PADS below Turntable, I wrapped my edges with black tape)

https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Equipment-Tuneful-Cables-Audiophile/dp/B076DGD3X2/ref=sr_1_178_sspa?crid=VNKUXR7SGLH0&keywords=stylus%2Bbrush&qid=1653008611&sprefix=stylus%2Bbrush%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-178-spons&th=1

$__ CENTER WEIGHT, Disc Stabilizer. Size/Weight/Style Vary, how strong is your motor?

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=audio+technica+record+weight&i=electronics&crid=1OQGMXU52UY8V&sprefix=audio+technica+record+weight%2Celectronics%2C83&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

 

Rulers $6. Pair of Metal Rulers, mm and inches, starts on the edge of the ruler

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Stainless-Centimeters-Drawing-Measuring/dp/B07ZS4JSQP/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1LATKSHREH6JX&keywords=stainless+steel+ruler&qid=1654711597&sprefix=stainless+steel+ruler%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFaSVVPRE5HWERBOE8mZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA1NDA4NDExRENXOTRFSkhMVTBMJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA4MjE3MDMyWDIwREFMR1lGMFJSJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

........................................

$31. Finally, Removable Headshell with Azimuth Adjustment

You adjust it ONCE for your arm’s fitting which may be ’off’. Then, each time you use that headshell in that arm: before you tighten the headshell into the arm, there is very minor movement possible, you snug it up, double check it’s azimuth with the mirror, fully tighten

Some arms, like the Micro Seiki 505 have an adjustment of the fitting IN the arm, a very nice feature. https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649871273-micro-seiki-ma505-tonearm-including-base/images/3917430/ I installed two of these, standard and long on a Luxman TT for a friend. Magnificent engineering

This one has unique base, others a simple hole and bolt below.

 Report this

elliottbnewcombjr

3,414 posts

 

Suppose you do not want to add weight on your platter, i.e. the Luxman Motor lifts the platter to reduce bearing wear.

These rubber gizmos hold reels on tape recorders. They are the same diameter as the TT platter spindle

You press them down, they stay holding the center and pull off easily when done.

 

you want one’s with flexibility, not dried out that have become rigid/brittle.

Above just for a visual example.

I am not a fan of any TT with an arm allowing only fixed cartridges.

I suggest you look for one with a removable headshell. Initial cartridge also factory aligned.

They work, factory aligned out of the box, great for a newbie, but after the initial stylus is worn (elliptical included typically, 250 hours average)

You will need to mount and realign a new cartridge, advanced stylus shape recommended. Removable headshell is far easier than fixed arm, and allows you to have a few alternate cartridges, perhaps elliptical, advanced shape, mono...

considering you are just getting started, familiarize yourself this concise explanation by Soundsmith

https://www.sound-smith.com/articles/stylus-shape-information