AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => The Vinyl Circle => Topic started by: jawks on 6 Dec 2019, 06:48 pm
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Hi - I was hoping to kindly ask for some input on the purchase of a new turntable. I am looking to buy a new high-end turntable with a budget of under $2500. I previously owned a VPI Aries 1 for 15 years and was very happy with it. I sold it 3 years ago just prior to moving and have been reasonably happy with a Thorens TD160 up until the present. However, I'm looking to upgrade to a contemporary turntable again and have been considering models such as a Well Tempered Amadeus vs another VPI table (Prime Scout or something like that). I listen to mostly classical and jazz audiophile recordings. I'd greatly welcome any of your thoughts or additional suggestions.
Thanks in advance!
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first off $2500 is not likely considered 'high end', middle of the road at best, but that's Ok !!
You liked your VPI Aries1, may I suggest a nice used Aries III with a 10.5i arm. That's what I use and have zero desire to change but if I did I'd buy a Technics 1200G and call it a day ...........
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Rega Planar 6?
The new Technics $1200 model?
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Haha - thanks for the correction! Yes, mid-level, rather than high-end, is what I meant to say.
How does the Aries III compare with the Aries I or other VPI models such as the Scout, Classic, Scoutmaster, Prime, etc? There are a lot of VPI table names - it's hard to keep track.
I have eyed the Technics SL-1200G and had a chance to listen to it briefly at a high-end shop in town. It's also pretty impressive, though I'm not sure I'd be willing to spend $4000 for it.
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Rega Planar 6?
The new Technics $1200 model?
I forgot to mention that I once owned a RP6 when my Aries was in storage for a year or so but sold it. Which Technics are you referring to?
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Haha - thanks for the correction! Yes, mid-level, rather than high-end, is what I meant to say.
How does the Aries III compare with the Aries I or other VPI models such as the Scout, Classic, Scoutmaster, Prime, etc? There are a lot of VPI table names - it's hard to keep track.
I have eyed the Technics SL-1200G and had a chance to listen to it briefly at a high-end shop in town. It's also pretty impressive, though I'm not sure I'd be willing to spend $4000 for it.
every bit as good as the Prime IMO, I doubt very much if you could hear a difference but I have never compared anything side by side to my Aries III.
As for the 4k price on the 1200G, that's msrp, never pay msrp ! While I've yet to see 20% off I have seen up to 15%
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every bit as good as the Prime IMO, I doubt very much if you could hear a difference but I have never compared anything side by side to my Aries III.
As for the 4k price on the 1200G, that's msrp, never pay msrp ! While I've yet to see 20% off I have seen up to 15%
Agreed - I'm looking to buy used or, if from a dealer, a demo or maybe B-stock.
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I forgot to mention that I once owned a RP6 when my Aries was in storage for a year or so but sold it. Which Technics are you referring to?
Technics SL-1500C
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first off $2500 is not likely considered 'high end', middle of the road at best, but that's Ok !!
You liked your VPI Aries1, may I suggest a nice used Aries III with a 10.5i arm. That's what I use and have zero desire to change but if I did I'd buy a Technics 1200G and call it a day ...........
Hey!
$2500 turntable? Well, that's "high end" to me! So, at what price point a turntable could be consider a "high end" turntable? :scratch:
Anyway, at $2500 for turntable with arm, you do have a lot of options these days. I think I'd have a hard time to choose one. Yes, a used or dealer open-box/B-stock is great idea. Well, good luck and keep us noted.
Buddy
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Yes I would also like to know what a high end turntable is as well. It is a price point or quality because $2500 can buy a heck of turntable especially if you buy used and I definitely wouldn't call it mid-fi. The VIP turntables have been know to represents great value at their price points.
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You should be able to get a new WTL Simplex MKII for around $2500.
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You should be able to get a new WTL Simplex MKII for around $2500.
Thanks! I was thinking about a used Amadeus mk2, which had received very positive reviews in the past. I’m n not sure how the Simplex compares with the Amadeus. Have you owned either of these?
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High end, above 5k IMO
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Thanks! I was thinking about a used Amadeus mk2, which had received very positive reviews in the past. I’m n not sure how the Simplex compares with the Amadeus. Have you owned either of these?
No, but I have a Versalex. The Amadeus might be hard to come by, that's why I suggested the Simplex, which is a "stripped down" version of the Amadeus. I also think that it might cost closer to $2,000. You should contact a WT dealer to get more information.
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Hey!
$2500 turntable? Well, that's "high end" to me! So, at what price point a turntable could be consider a "high end" turntable? :scratch:
truthfully, probably closer to 5 figures and beyond
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Yes I would also like to know what a high end turntable is as well. It is a price point or quality because $2500 can buy a heck of turntable especially if you buy used and I definitely wouldn't call it mid-fi. The VIP turntables have been know to represents great value at their price points.
for the record NO WHERE did I say that $2500 couldn't buy a superb TT. As a matter of fact if you read and comprehended my post you would have seen where I stated that a used Aries III would be a nice consideration, I know, I own one !
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One does not need a "Highend" TT. The improvement IMHO is little for money spent. Whatever you buy get a speed controller. Correct speed is very important. Save money on the TT and get a much better cart. I would stick with VPI. At a later date you could upgrade it with a 3D arm, etc.
charles
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For $2500 go find another used Aries. That table is awesome and getting something new for the same money won;lt give you the same performance as that Aries. Set it up with one of the newer VPI tonearms (fatboy) and you are set for life.
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For $2500 go find another used Aries. That table is awesome and getting something new for the same money won;lt give you the same performance as that Aries. Set it up with one of the newer VPI tonearms (fatboy) and you are set for life.
agreed ...... :thumb:
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Thank you ALL for your insight and input! While I did consider reacquiring a used VPI Aries, I decided for a change of pace and purchased a very lightly used and near mint Well Tempered Amadeus mk2 that recently came up for a very reasonable price and under my price threshold. I'm new to the WTL turntables but have heard and read lots of very positive feedback about their sound, so I'm eager to hear how this sounds in my system!
Thank you again!
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If you want to try something different (something other than VPI) then you could score a Music Hall MMF11 for well below your budget. (I happen to know where, in fact :wink: )
I moved from an older VPI TNT to the Music Hall and much prefer its sound over the VPI.
YMMV.
Rooze
***OOPS, sorry, I just noticed you'd found a TT - congrats, good choice***
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If you want to try something different (something other than VPI) then you could score a Music Hall MMF11 for well below your budget. (I happen to know where, in fact :wink: )
I moved from an older VPI TNT to the Music Hall and much prefer its sound over the VPI.
YMMV.
Rooze
***OOPS, sorry, I just noticed you'd found a TT - congrats, good choice***
Thanks for the reply!
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I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the Well Tempered.
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I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the Well Tempered.
Thanks! I will try to post my impressions once I’ve had some time with it!
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I just have to say something about the "high end" label.
It's subjective. I like to compare stuff like this to something everybody understands - Cars.
Entry level TT (under $300). Think Trabant. It will get you there, but it might not be worth the trouble. You may want to save up for something better:
1. Crosley Cruiser.
2. The Audio Technica ATlP60 would be a much better choice.
3. The new cheapie belt drive Crosley and Dual (they are the same table) that look kinda like a Technics 1200 may be a much better choice as well.
Mid-level: Toyota Corolla (with Leather seats) or Buick/Chevy similarly loaded.
1. the Under $600 U-Turn, Pro-ject, Fluance and the rest of the belt drive stable.
2. The Audio Technica ATLP120 group and their equivalent Hanpin direct drive model in other brands.
High End: BMW, top end Volvo, Accura, Cadillac(?), Corvette, Porsche Cayman, Lexus
Turntables better than Mid-level and less than around $2,500.
Exotics:Aston Martin One-77, Lamborghini Veneno, Pagani Huayra, Ferrari F60 America
For turntables, this is the stuff that most humans on the planet see in the same way they see the cars listed above. They're cool, but not only too expensive, but not a practical solution to their situation.
A simple example: I have a 150 mile round trip commute on some of the most fun twisties in the US. I've been through 8 sets of tires, mostly Michellin PSS's, on a Scion FR-S. It is beyond fun. The car now has 180k miles on it with no end in sight. Even if I could have afforded it, I would not have wanted a Huayra for this commute. Those cars are not designed to be driven hundreds of thousands of miles. They are designed to be driven occasionally and marveled at by passers by. And though they are a LOT of fun to drive, most people can not justify their cost when applied to their needs in a car. And I can get my bass and an amp in my FRS and still have a blast.
I love to look at exotic turntables. I love to go to audio shows and marvel at the top notch stuff. I visited the show in Chicago last winter. It was a lot of fun. But since my income is only six figures, I can't justify the stuff.
Exotics are for a certain income level or commitment to the equipment. It usually takes both, but if you are an oil baron, it only takes the former. :)
Once you go over $1500 for a turntable and $500 for a cartridge, you start hitting a wall called the point of diminishing returns. That is where you get into the realm of "exotics".
FWIW, every single person I've rubbed shoulders with my entire life, with the exception of my friend that works at Difinitive Audio in the Seattle area, would laugh at anyone paying five figures for a record player. It doesn't mean they are right that it's funny, but it points out that you are definitely in the realm of an "exotic" product at that price point. Think of it as "the one percent". ;)
But like I said, those labels are subjective. I just moved to an area where "suite" is pronounced, "suit". I'm sure most of the folks around here would consider a Fluance an "exotic".
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I'll let you know if my exotic sounds better that my mid-level after it arrives.
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Music Direct has a VPI Prime Scout B-stock for $2k, add a cartridge for $500 and you got a great system.
https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/VPI-Prime-Scout-Turntable-with-JMW-Metal-Tonearm-Armwand-9-B-STOCK
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Music Direct has a VPI Prime Scout B-stock for $2k, add a cartridge for $500 and you got a great system.
https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/VPI-Prime-Scout-Turntable-with-JMW-Metal-Tonearm-Armwand-9-B-STOCK
Thanks! I did see that deal but decided to get a used Well Tempered Amadeus mk2.
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Great table. Enjoy the journey. I just picked up a used VPI Classic Signature that came with the SDS, Clamp, ring, and dust cover for $3k. Best purchase I ever made. Good luck with your table.
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Thank you ALL for your insight and input! While I did consider reacquiring a used VPI Aries, I decided for a change of pace and purchased a very lightly used and near mint Well Tempered Amadeus mk2 that recently came up for a very reasonable price and under my price threshold. I'm new to the WTL turntables but have heard and read lots of very positive feedback about their sound, so I'm eager to hear how this sounds in my system!
Thank you again!
I have a WTL Amadeus MK2 as well, I love the table. If you have questions about it go over to the WTL circle here on AC and ask away, some pretty knowledgeable owners over there. Good luck.
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I have a WTL Amadeus MK2 as well, I love the table. If you have questions about it go over to the WTL circle here on AC and ask away, some pretty knowledgeable owners over there. Good luck.
Thank you very much! Looking forward to joining that circle soon!
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There are three things you can do with Money Save it, give to Charity and Spend it (Dave Ramsey). As long as you do those three things I say by a "high End " table. Nice choice with the WTL
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There are three things you can do with Money Save it, give to Charity and Spend it (Dave Ramsey). As long as you do those three things I say by a "high End " table. Nice choice with the WTL
I'll second that notion! Happy holidays!