2. analog
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Best turntable for the buck

I now amazingly find that my analog system has fallen behind my digital system in  SQ and I want to investigate how to improve it. 
Currently I have a heavily modified Rega RP3 turntable, with two power supplies, a new platter, sub-platter and other internal enhancements. My cartridge is the Clearaudio Virtuoso.
Not that it’s bad, but I want to look for  something that will significantly improve the sound of my current setup. 
Will about a 4K investment do that?

128x128rvpiano
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shinemaster's avatar
shinemaster
32 posts
 

Unfortunately, 4k won’t do it. Rega P10 and a nice dynavector cartridge will get you to your destination.

bassdude
461 posts
 

@rvpiano

I guess I missed those reviews...

lukaske
307 posts
 

Try to find a Thorens 124  MK2. You gonna enjoy it. !!

panzrwagn's avatar
panzrwagn
455 posts
 

For $4K without question the VPI Scout 21 and Hana SHshould be high on your list. Bought together there would be enough left over for decent cables as well. I would go with the high output SH version as it eliminates the need for a MC preamp and extra cables with no compromise in SQ. And while some will rail on endlessly about unipivot arms, my experience is that they are a little scary to handle at first, but in practice they perform flawlessly. No other $4K package will get you further immediately, and still provide a direct upgrade path if you wish. Arm base, 10 kg platter, feet, arm, motor, even the plinth, are all upgrades. The Hana has been a joy, far outperforming any MM I've heard in transparency and dynamics, and fully comparable to any $2-3K moving coil. It is a package that owes no apologies.

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