Flying under the radar here is George E. Merrill’s bespoke, built-to-order Polytable line (aka "GEM Dandy" -- get it?) George’s design philosophy overlaps with that of Rega’s Roy Gandy -- stiff, light-weight plinths, etc. -- and his tables punch far, far, above their weight class at a lower price than the high-end Regas.
I think you’re looking at $3-5000, including options like the outstanding external motor drive -- check out Mikey Fremer’s figures when he tested the speed control, specs comparable to those of 5- & 6-figure models -- and a Sorane or Acoustic Signature arm. George can also outfit a Polytable with one of the the newer "entry-level" DS Audio ES-3 optical cartridges (no need for a phonostage!). Cartridge plus obligatory equalizer add, I think, $2750, but they incorporate a lot of trickle-down from DS’s $50,000+ flagship. It looks like, as of last year, that optical cartridges have finally begun to mature and stabilize.
I’ve had a bottom-of-the-line PolyTable for about 5 years (originally recommended to me personally by Michael Fremer) and am about to upgrade it to a fully loaded version. But even my model is a heckuva lot like a Rega Planar 10. (George mightcontest that, asserting that the PolyTable is a better table in many ways, but I"m staying out of that one!) But I have to say that, other than cleaning up my power, upgrading from an older vintage table to even this low-end GEM Dandy, and even with a lower-cost arm, delivered the most dramatic sonic improvements to my system that didn’t involve a speaker upgrade. It really is a great, great turntable.
When you contact the company, George will speak with you directly (!) to discuss how you want to configure the table. It will then be built under his supervision to your specs.
Yeah, a table like this is not for everybody, but if you believe that it’s possible to build a lightweight, small-footprint turntable without compromise & if you value the opportunity to discuss a custom build with one of the most respected designers in the history of the business, then a HiFiGen table is worth at least considering.
I'm listening through a $19,000 T+A integrated amp and Harbeth speakers, with Analysis Plus Silver Apex phono cables.
