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Need some turntable guidance

Hi,

I'm new here, so let me give you some background.

I'd say I'm more of a record collector than audiophile.  About 15 years ago, life happened and I had to re-purpose my dedicated listening room, so I put most of my gear in storage.  I now have my listening room back and I'm putting my system back together.

Here's what I have:

TT 1: VPI TNT 4 with TNT 5 bearing and flywheel, Eminent Technology ET 2.5 Tonearm, Supex SDX-1100 cartridge

TT 2: Denon DP-1250 with Magnepan Unitrack tonearm, Grado Reference Series cartridge

Phono transformer: Supex SDT-722

Preamp: PS Audio 5.0 preamp

Amp: Bryston 3B

Speakers:  Apogee Duetta II

The Denon was used to evaluate the condition of new purchases and some casual/background listening, so I'll probably leave that alone for now.

I'd like to "modernize" my system a little bit, but as a record collector, my initial focus is on the turntable.  I've been looking around, and seems I have several options.

1. Leave well enough alone, keep the table and arm as is.

2. Upgrade the VPI, I see there's an inverted bearing and platter upgrade available for TNT models, and sell off the current platter and bearing.

3. Sell off the TNT, and get something a bit less fussy as leveling the air suspension can be a bit of a pain.

If I sell, I'll probably want to keep the ET.

I'd appreciate any guidance I can get on this.

Thanks,

Ctor


ctor
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
I only asked as both idler and dd offer some different qualities, I am however not making any sweeping 'this is best' statements. For 'dd vintage' chakster uses the excellent Luxman and elliotbnewcombjr mentions the also excellent Victor tt81 (which I have had and is excellent albeit perhaps not as reliable as some). There are some modern choices as well. Then there is the vintage idler direction ;)
Agreed you have nice stuff enjoy it! Also can easily imagine your comment re the Bryston to be a factor...
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I bought the Supex cartridge as NOS a few months before I stored the system, and looking at it under a microscope, it looks fine. The Grado does not have a user replaceable stylus assembly, but it too looks good.

Then you're good.
Grado can do the replacement job when it's time.
Some Grado models have user replaceable stylus. 


richmos
124 posts
 
I'm not giving TT advice, but I also have Apogee Duettas. Hope you love them as much as I do.
mcmvmx
108 posts
 
If possible keep everything and change the Bryston amp , its not bad but you can do better . I have a PS Audio 5.0 and its phono stage is very good so no problem there .
elliottbnewcombjr
5,249 posts
 
I luckily joined the forum, started learning about playing Mono lps with a real mono cartridge (definitely better), then decided I wanted to try a long arm, and wanted to get to quartz locked direct drive.

long and short of it led me to this large dual arm plinth, 1 arm mono cartridge or MC cartridge (SUT with bypass); long arm stereo, fixed cartridge.

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS881US881&sxsrf=ALeKk01z8qSpwytB1W4QD6B0AlagLefr8g:1594902892333&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=victor+cl-p2+plinth&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwif5-Si5NHqAhXSZTUKHSqDCaEQjJkEegQICxAB&biw=1707&bih=888#imgrc=hu6FokQZ0vOUpM

have a look at it's construction, not 4 layers glued, 3 special layers, total 7 layers, 70mm thick.

It's big, but smaller than two TT. Of course modern versions exist, I just feel so lucky to have joined the forum and the advice I have gotten here.

I used to use my McIntosh Mode switch to play 'Mono' mode using a stereo cartridge. I played an old (young Lois Armstrong among others) Jass LP. It was not very involving, more like a history lesson. Played it using my Grado Mono cartridge, behold, very involving music. Others are not as dramatic a change, but in all cases, mono lp sounds better. Starting ___? quality mics, recording machines, recording techniques were quite good before stereo, surprisingly good.

So, I never wanted a two arm table, but, to have Stereo and Mono cartridges mounted, calibrated, mix mono and stereo lps in a listening session at the instant turn of an input dial is fabulous. Just saying.
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