Good 'starter' TT?

drphoto · « **on:** 12 May 2003, 03:54 pm »

Thinking MH-7. Could get demo for $750 But there's a dealer who has a used Sota Sapphire w/ arm but no cartridge for $650. I dunno, how much is a decent cartride....$400 or so?

So which way would you vinylheads go?

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 May 2003, 04:14 pm »

You should also budget for a nice phono pre if you don't have one already.

drphoto · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 May 2003, 04:56 pm »

I now have the Tempest w/ a phono stage. That's why I'm considering this.

Marbles · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 May 2003, 05:03 pm »

Check with Klaus to find out if it is for MC or MM, or can be set for both.

JoshK · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 May 2003, 06:37 pm »

Ok, this is shameful self promotion but I have a Planar 3 for sale that fits your budget.

doug s. · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 May 2003, 07:05 pm »

the sota (w/a decent arm) would be in another league from any new $750 'table, imo, w/possible exception of a technics 1200 w/full kab-usa mods... a good cartridge can be had for $200. check "2juki" on audiogon - he lives in hong kong, & has great deals on new cartridges, among other things...

doug s.

nature boy · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 May 2003, 09:48 pm »

Dr.,

Encourage you to take Josh K. up on his shameful promotional offer. The Rega P3 is a very good table and it is very reasonably priced. Josh is a regularly poster and seems to treat his equipment well, at least based on his gallery photo's. Spend what you will save over the Music Hall MMF-7 and buy some vinyl.

NB

duff138 · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 May 2003, 10:28 pm »

I think Josh's p3 is a great deal. If you have $400 to spend on a cartridge. I recently purchased a clearaudio virtuoso wood from a seller on Audiogon. The seller is from the Netherlands and the cartridges are new with two year warranty. Sells for $600-$750 in the US. His price was $399, I think it's $416 now. He also sells other clearaudio carts at good prices too.

mgalusha · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 May 2003, 10:41 pm »

Quote from: duff138

I recently purchased a clearaudio virtuoso wood from a seller on Audiogon. The seller is from the Netherlands and the cartridges are new with two year warranty. Sells for $600-$750 in the US. His price was $399, I think it's $416 now. He also sells other clearaudio carts at good prices too.

Duff,

How do you like the Virtuoso Wood? I read the write up in Stereophile but I'd like to know what you think of it. $400 is a heck of a lot better than the $750 it lists for.

Mike

duff138 · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 May 2003, 12:22 am »

Quote from: mgalusha

Quote from: duff138
I recently purchased a clearaudio virtuoso wood from a seller on Audiogon. The seller is from the Netherlands and the cartridges are new with two year warranty. Sells for $600-$750 in the US. His price was $399, I think it's $416 now. He also sells other clearaudio carts at good prices too.

Duff,

How do you like the Virtuoso Wood? I read the write up in Stereophile but I'd like to know what you think of it. $400 is a heck of a lot better than the $750 it lists for.

Mike

I'm really enjoying it. I had read the Stereophile review as well as the Stereo Times review, by Greg Weaver. Greg Weaver actually uses the older version in his reference system. I think their reviews are very acurate. I noticed a significant improvement in over all sound quality when it replaced my Sumiko BPS.