Direct Drive


I am firmly in the digital camp, but I’ve dabbled in vinyl.  Back in the day I was fascinated by Technics Direct Drive tt, but couldn’t afford them.  I was stuck with my entry level Gerrard.  I have been sans turntable for about 5 years now but the new gear bug is biting.  I am interested in the Technics 1500 which comes with an Ortofon Red and included pre amp.  I have owned Rega P5 which I hated for its speed instability and a Clearaudio Concept which was boring as hell.

  Direct Drive was an anathema to audiophiles in the nineties but every time I heard  one it knocked my socks off.  What do the analogers here think of Direct Drive?  I listen to Classical Music exclusively 

mahler123

Parks Puffin goes for just a bit more new and does have a volume control but I’d like to audition it first.  The Cambridge Audio phono amp is also on my list 

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There is nothing wrong with the set up you are thinking about.  It will reliably play records and last for years.  The difficulty for you will be that it will sound inferior to just about and cd player you might listen to so you are kind of setting yourself up to always prefer digital.  You need to know yourself and understand your expectations.  If you just want to be able to play records that may come along and treat the analog as a secondary source then a Technics 1500C and Ortofon Red is just fine.  But it will not, repeat NOT, allow you to hear the full potential of analog reproduction.  Not even close.