Will you consider used?
Will you consider buying TT without arm and buying arm separately?
Interested in having TT with 2 tonearms?
This JVC 2 arm CL-P2 plinth is sold, but they are around from time to time. Awesome 7 layer plinth.
https://www.ukaudiomart.com/details/649402362-victor-jvc-clp2d-rosewood-plinth-for-tt71-tt81-tt101-direct-drive-turntablerare/images/1737855/
these Luxman PD-444 have a rear track system that allows 2 tonearms, rear left can be long, right side regular length. Start with 1, add a second if/when desired. I helped a friend buy the TT and two separate micro-seiki 505 arms, it's a very simple looking TT, but quite solid iron plates, unique reduced load DD motor,...
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649982315-luxman-pd-444-direct-drive-turntable/images/4468871/
Anyway, new, used, separate tonearm, multiple tonearms?
btw: I always advocate tonearms with removable headshell, so you can have a few headshells with a few cartridges mounted ready to go, i.e. MM Stereo; MM Mono; MC
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@elliottbnewcombjr I will consider lightly used (in fact, I typically search used before buying new), but not looking to buy vintage. I lack the ability or tools to deal with repairing or restoring them. I would prefer to buy with an arm already installed, if at all possible, as well. Just depends on how good the deal is though. I'd be willing to figure out the install if I could get a really great deal, but just prefer not to since I don't know what I am doing!
I don't typically have a need for multiple arms or cartridges, and prefer things to be minimal fuss. Would it be ideal to listen to mono albums with a mono cartridge? Sure, probably. Just not really something I personally care about right now. I'm kind of a set it and forget it person when it comes to tables, so I usually just run one cartridge and arm.
I definitely appreciate effort involved with all of that though!
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Not sure about current pricing but maybe take a look at the Feickert Volare. As long as you have a good place to site it it is a great value with the Origin Live Silver and you can upgrade it later to a higher end model like the Encounter or Illustrious that will add significantly to the performance.
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@dodgealum with the origin live silver, it comes in at $3995 new, which is a fair amount less than the other options I listed above. Is it a significant step above the clearaudio concept?
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Go with the Michell. It is a lot of turntable for the money and the arm is excellent. I think it is just as good if not better than the other turntables you mentioned.
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Have you looked at Origin Live tables?
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@vinylshadow I have. The Resolution and Sovereign models seem pretty nice, but I can only find one dealer in the US that sells them online and they are pretty barebones with no descriptions or data or info on what comes with them (if anything). I'm assuming these are sold without arms, which would put the Sovereign out of my price range, but the Resolution could be possible depending on arm choice. I just don't know much about them at all.
@mijostyn The Michell has been one of my favorites for a long time (I really like the orbe as well, but it approaches $8500 new with the TechnoArm, which is beyond what I'd be able to budget - however, it is one I'd also be considering used if at a good price).
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Well @mmcgill829 Millercarbon is now an Origin Live dealer rep....
He has the Sovereign and said it's the best table he's ever heard... I'll be getting 1 as soon as I can. But their other tables are excellent as well. As well as their tonearms. You can always email OL and they will answer all your questions.
Here is a great video with OL's designer Mark Baker:
https://youtu.be/q-g9kaybu0U
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@mmcgill829 I have not heard the Concept in a familiar setup so cannot say for sure how it would compare but the Feikert is solidly built and, more importantly, comes with a superior tonearm in the OL Silver. Since the table comes in below your price point I would suggest using the money saved to move up the OL line to one of their dual pivot bearing arms, starting with the Encounter. This will yield long-term benefits and allow you to upgrade your cartridge over time without running into limitations brought about by an inferior arm. That said, the OL Silver is pretty darn good so you could, alternatively, throw the leftover dollars at a fine cartridge but this begs the question--what phonostage are you using?
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@vinylshadow yeah, it definitely looks like the sovereign is the one to get doing some quick research. With the origin live silver tonearm, it looks like it would run about $9500 - just converting from GBP, but usually there is a markup for imported products, so I'd probably expect over $10k. I'll have to keep an eye on the used market to see if I can find one a little closer to my budget, if this is one I decide to go for.
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@dodgealum yes, definitely good points. I am slowly working through upgrading my entire system. Currently have a phonomena II+ but looking at a ModWright PH 9.0X as an upgrade (though I'm still debating a few options from the Gold note PH10, WhestTHREE, and the ModWright.
Definitely want to stick with MC carts - have used the Benz ACE in the past and now the Clearaudio Concept MC and they've both been considerably better than MM I've used in the past. I'd probably be looking at a Hana MC to pair with a new table - probably an M series ML to start, but depending on how my overall budget is looking, might go for an Umami Red, but that is considerably more expensive.
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@mmcgill829
Millercarbon might be able to get you a discount now that he's an OL dealer rep...That's who I will be buying with.
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If anyone has any insight into the tables I listed originally, I'd love to hear some feedback on those.
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“ Millercarbon might be able to get you a discount now that he's an OL dealer rep...That's who I will be buying with. “
Really ! Why ?
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@tsushima1
As I said, he is now a dealer/rep in the U.S. for Origin Live.
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A bit more costly than the options you listed but you might want to look at the Clearaudio Performance DC Wood AiR Turntable with the Tracer Tonearm. Improves on the Concept in every area of performance (no pun intended) $7000 I believe.
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@joey54 yeah, I've considered sticking with Clearaudio, but if I was going to do that, I'd want to at least go for the Innovation. I like the thicker platter on that one (and have heard on in person). Just comfortably outside my budget for now.
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Origin Live has a reputation for less than stellar customer service. I would stick with the Michell. Also, buying used turntables is risky. Main bearings are easy to damage. I would only buy used if I knew the owner.
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@mmcgill829 I’m not familiar with the TT’s that you listed. I recommend you look at the Oracle Delphi MK VI. Wonderful TT. I enjoy my MK VI as much if not more than my ClearAudio Master Solution TT.
Joe Nies
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@mijostyn is spot on. Not only that but the Gyrodec can be upgraded with an Orbe platter. Bit of a forgotten deck - remember the Orbe cost the same as the SME 20 when first released. Not on ur list - Funk Firm Saffire is a superb deck. Don’t be scared of ‘vintage’. Linn Sondeks are readily available and are easy to upgrade for instance
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I just picked up a Project Xtension 12 Evolution for $4,100.00 store demo with full factory warranty that price was with tax out the door. great table with a 12" carbon fiber tonearm, or you could look into a SOTA Sapphire for about the same price but you would have to get your own tonearm.
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How about a refurbished Sota Sapphire with Origin Live tonearm? And Umami Red cart.
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@joenies The oracle mk VI is a real beauty. The hifi shop I used to go to a long time ago had a mk 1 in store and even that was really nice - though definitely showed its age. Love it, but they are way over my budget, especially once you factor in tonearm cost as well. Maybe one day!
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I have friends who have between them owned the Orbe (with the Mod's carried out, that are known to improve it) and the SME 20/12.
As a result of my demonstrating a refurbished and modified Technics SP10 MkII > Bespoke produced TA, to a group which included these two friends and a Linn LP12 Owner ( with numerous upgrades) along with a few other attendees.
The outcome is as such, the Orbe Owner now has a TT>TA the same as mine, the previous TT>TA are sold with on the AN Cart' retained.
The SME 20/12 Owner sold on this ket and has been through a few TT's and now has a Schue TT (Modified with OL Parts)>an OL 12" Conqueror Arm (Conqueror arm has superseded the Illustrious and Illuminator Arms), it is claimed by the owner the set up is much better in their assessment than the SME.
The LP12 owner now has a SPR10.
Maybe, just Maybe a DD TT could be included in your short list.
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@mmcgill829 have you considered Rega Planer 10
Wonderful table with wonderful arm.
Happy spinning! 🎼
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I noticed there are a couple of used VPI tables w arm...not expensive. I have a Supersoutmaster since Harry Pearsons rave review...I still love mine. I changed from belt to rim drive, metal platter, 2nd pivot, all to the better, but the original was and is excellent.
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@mmcgill829 I’ve got a Michell Gyrodec and I’m very happy with it. What cartridge(s) will you be using?
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I've been in the hospital, lost track.
Have you a strong preference for direct drive (quartz locked), belt, idler?
I prefer QLDD, my friends dual arm Luxman PD444 is QLDD with some unique and impressive technology, more than is apparent.
Here's the single arm version with the same technology
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/luxman/pd-441.shtml
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As a quick note - I ended up picking up an Orbe with a Graham 2.2 arm on the used market - above my budget new, but under budget used! Too good to pass up, I thought. Should have it set up by this weekend.
@rhg3 I picked up a Hana ML for it for now, since I'm upgrading from a Clearaudio Concept with Concept MC (which doesn't look like it would be a good pair with the arm on the orbe). I'd like to get an Umami red at some point, but one thing at a time.
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