@clearfthink 👍✌️👋
Should I keep the Turntable or sell it?
I’ve been back and forth on this decision for about a month, and the more I learn, the harder this decision gets.
Backstory: I won the brand new Cambridge Audio Alva TT turntable in an online contest in mid-May, and while it sounds great, I decided to list it for sale a couple weeks ago. I’ve always wanted to try out a Rega P6 or P3 with a really nice cart, because I feel like I’m not getting enough out of my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. Prior to winning the Alva TT, I switched the Red Ortofon out for the Blue, and there was a great improvement in sound quality. But after comparing the Pro-Ject to the Alva TT and hearing what a $1700 turntable can sound like, I definitely am interested in exploring more high fidelity turntables. The issue is that I feel like I prefer the sound of tubes over solid state, and the Alva TT uses an integrated Alva Duo phono preamp for the RCA out, and their own DAC for the Bluetooth out if I want to go that route. I don’t have a ton of experience with tubes, and maybe it’s just the “cool factor” I actually like and I’m just having a placebo effect.
So I decided to list it for sale to try and get a Rega, because I heard so many great things about them. But over the last week or so, I’ve learned more about the Alva TT and how it uses Rega’s famous tonearm. I looked up the cart and it is listed at $500 separately, which is probably why it sounds better than the Pro-Ject w/ Ortofon Blue. I’ve also read on these boards about direct drive being better than belt, which the Alva has as well. It also has the added bonus of Bluetooth that go directly to my KEF LS50 Wireless, but I would most likely just use interconnects.
So I would love to get some advice from you all. I’ve gone back and forth about keeping the Alva or selling it, along with my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, and buying/trading for something like a Rega P3 or P6. If you had my first world problem, what would you do?
Backstory: I won the brand new Cambridge Audio Alva TT turntable in an online contest in mid-May, and while it sounds great, I decided to list it for sale a couple weeks ago. I’ve always wanted to try out a Rega P6 or P3 with a really nice cart, because I feel like I’m not getting enough out of my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. Prior to winning the Alva TT, I switched the Red Ortofon out for the Blue, and there was a great improvement in sound quality. But after comparing the Pro-Ject to the Alva TT and hearing what a $1700 turntable can sound like, I definitely am interested in exploring more high fidelity turntables. The issue is that I feel like I prefer the sound of tubes over solid state, and the Alva TT uses an integrated Alva Duo phono preamp for the RCA out, and their own DAC for the Bluetooth out if I want to go that route. I don’t have a ton of experience with tubes, and maybe it’s just the “cool factor” I actually like and I’m just having a placebo effect.
So I decided to list it for sale to try and get a Rega, because I heard so many great things about them. But over the last week or so, I’ve learned more about the Alva TT and how it uses Rega’s famous tonearm. I looked up the cart and it is listed at $500 separately, which is probably why it sounds better than the Pro-Ject w/ Ortofon Blue. I’ve also read on these boards about direct drive being better than belt, which the Alva has as well. It also has the added bonus of Bluetooth that go directly to my KEF LS50 Wireless, but I would most likely just use interconnects.
So I would love to get some advice from you all. I’ve gone back and forth about keeping the Alva or selling it, along with my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, and buying/trading for something like a Rega P3 or P6. If you had my first world problem, what would you do?
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- 155 posts total
tatyana69, Please post a virtual system page. I would be interested in seeing your Linn LP12 by AudioOrigami and your Avid Acutus Dark. What tonearm do you use on each TT and which cartridge on each tonearm? My Technics with Triplanar tonearm and Lyra Kleos and my Kuzma Stabi with 12" VTA arm and Dynavector XXII mk2 are posted on my virtual system. Best on your Journey |
Well, a person with 23 posts on audiogon who has nothing to contribute is not happy about comments and willing to teach us what to post and how to post in "his thread". Ok, this is my last post in your thread. If you want to expand your knowledge about Direct Drive, find what is Coreless Direct Drive Motor (and why it’s superior) then try to find any manufacturer of such high quality motor today. Maybe you will realize why Technics is the only "real direct drive" today. You can also compare prices for new Technics to anything else, and then you can ask yourself why they did not charge 5 times higher price for their new DD with coreless motors like other manufacturers charge for inferior technology (like belt drive) today. Remind us who else have been making high-end Direct Drive since the golden age on agalog, and how many of them making turntables in 2019 ??? I can mention new Pioneer and Denon, but none of them can compete with Technics and none of them can compete even with their own older top of the line Direct Drive TTs from the 70’s. Matsushita is clearly the biggest and the most experienced manufacturer of high-end Direct Drive turntables and they tried to make something equal to their best stuff (like SP-10mkIII and mkII) but in 21st century and they did it. New SL1200 series is the best option for those who’re looking for a brand new high-end Direct Drive (SL1200G has coreless motor). When the Pioneer will make something equal to their older Exclussive P-3 or P-10, and when Denon will make something equal to the PD-80 or PD-100 i will say we have more "real direct drive" on the market from the original manufacturers. I think some relatively small manufacturers looking at Technics sucsess with new Direct Drive and trying to make "something direct drive" too, but they can’t make Coreless Direct Drive in their garage where they are making all those Belt Drives. I remember how SL1200 GAE limited edition has been sold immediately when it was introduced. P.S. I guess the whole thread was made to justify your purchase and this is what you’re willing to read from the other members, but not the truth. You may also willing to read than Rega is fantastic choise along with your Cambridge Audio Alva. Or something about superiority of tube coloration over some true solid state design. But this is all false and your experience is limited if you claiming the opposite. In other words: prepare yourself to read different opinions, you’re not reading magazine review here, it’s audiogon and each of us has personal experience with almost everything we’re talking about. |
- 155 posts total