Ready to spend $1100 for upgrade and need inputs

There are a lot of newer TTs out there, and there have been lots of improvements to TT since the AR. Is that the AR ES-1? I think your arm is an AudioQuest PT 5. That was a good arm at the time. The difference between the PT 5, PT6, PT 7 was the internal cable. So your arm can still be upgraded, I think.

There are too many TTs to recommend in one response and everyone will have their favorite, but you can do very well for yourself in that range.

I like some of the Sota products and it's possible you could get a Star, with the vaccuum. It is hard to go back to a non-vaccuum platter once you've spent some time with one. Project or Rega make several good tables too. I'm not a fan of VPI (I've never heard one that sounded as good as it should for the cost, and I've heard many from the 19 up to their flagship) but there are a bunch of them out there too.

Happy hunting.

Your are right Uppermidfi; its AR ES-1 and PT5.

How's Pro-ject and MusicHall and BlueNotes models? Any thoughts? I can stretch to $1300 if the difference of performance is "significant".

'Vision(ary),

If I was in you situation, here's what I would do:

1. Goto Audiocubes.com and buy the Denon transformer($100). It's ok, but the magic in the Black Cube lies in the MM stage. With that transformer, you can move to MM on the Cube. If you want (and are savy), buy 2 silver wire interconnect kits from HomeGrown Audio($100) and soder them to the outputs of the Cube and the Denon Transformer.

2. Get a used VPI HW-19 Mk IV($400-$500) and a older SME($300) (before the Series 2 improved--the heavier ones). Order one with an SME armboard cutout (or you'll spend $220 for a new armboard). Send it to AudioOrgami and give them (around 100-200) to 'make it like brand new'.

3. Take you old table and make a super-deal for a young audiophile or someone who wants to get back into vinyl.

Lot's of work and time, I know...but think about the equivalent---(TNT Jr. With SME 309 and Denon 103R--$5,000).

Any thoughts?

Marty

I don't know anything about the Music Hall or Blue Note tables (sorry) so I won't comment on them.

Are you wanting a new table? Are you willing to buy used? As I've said, I'm underwhelmed with the VPI products other than their record cleaners, but that's up to you.

There are a lot of good tables for sale now. If I were getting back into vinyl I would probably get Project. Actually I've been talking to a friend about getting his currently unused Project. I guess that's the best endorsement I can give! : )

put a new arm on that AR. it is a classic...otherwise $1100 is gonna send you backwards