[chgolatin2]

Ok I have a few extra bucks left over from uncle sam, thinking about getting a good new or used TT also I need a phono in the package as well, since I am new to Vinyl I have to keep my budget on check.  I have 1k to 2k for a starter TT system that I will add to my stereo tube system.  I guess my question is whats the best bang for the buck TT combo, not looking to go super cheap or super expensive but something in between that is extremely good without costing me an arm and a leg.  I talked to Jolida directly and they recommended the Clearaudio emotion TT they state that for the money I wont be able to do any better, also, many "audiophiles" rave about the Rega TT I know that Rega has a good reputation.  Besides that I dont know what else to look for 

I have the following TT/Combo in mind:

Clearaudio Emotion TT
Rega P3
Rega P5
Jolida JD9 Phono Stage

Thanks to all in advance for your help~ 

[SET Man]

Ok I have a few extra bucks left over from uncle sam, thinking about getting a good new or used TT also I need a phono in the package as well, since I am new to Vinyl I have to keep my budget on check.  I have 1k to 2k for a starter TT system that I will add to my stereo tube system.  I guess my question is whats the best bang for the buck TT combo, not looking to go super cheap or super expensive but something in between that is extremely good without costing me an arm and a leg.  I talked to Jolida directly and they recommended the Clearaudio emotion TT they state that for the money I wont be able to do any better, also, many "audiophiles" rave about the Rega TT I know that Rega has a good reputation.  Besides that I dont know what else to look for 

I have the following TT/Combo in mind:

Clearaudio Emotion TT
Rega P3
Rega P5
Jolida JD9 Phono Stage

Thanks to all in advance for your help~ 

Hey!

  Well, for a starter I don't think you could go wrong with any of the Rega tables.... don't know about the P1. They all come with excellent arm and if you buy used than you could save some $, they do come up often for sale I think. For cart I highly recommend Benz Micro "ACE"

Take care,
Buddy

[eric the red]

Second the Music Halls. Pick up a used MMF-5,7,9 off the 'gon and be prepared to be amazed at how much better vinyl sounds compared to digital. My MMF-5 with an Ortofon OM-30 Super smokes my Rega Apollo cdp for enjoying recorded music.

[gooberdude]

Just a thought....    try and steer clear of a tubed phono stage.    Because you have a tube amp you don't want more of that in the phono preamp stage....get a great SS phono stage to truly enjoy vinyl.  Tubes are awesome to tame digital BUT analog is already tamed.  Get it rockin' with clean solidstate circuitry...no hiss whatsoever & bitchin' sharp bass.

My Channel Islands Vpp-1 + VAC-1 combo is dope & i hear the Graham Slee preamps are very good too...both under $1000 when you add in a power cord & interconnects.   If i were to switch brands, it would be to GS.

Oh, and you need a wall shelf!!!!     Try and get a double decker wall shelf so the TT & your phono preamp can both sit on it.   The shelf will be about $200 or less..

I know only a bit about budget tables, but in the under $500 range my Expression will beat the pants off of most the competition...with the right tweaks..   The newer Pro-Ject models look to be even better than mine too.  With the funky vibration draining mount in place, i'd stick the Expression against most any table.

I'd be hesitant to buy a used TT, especially one that has to be shipped...But, a gently used VPI table from a local seller would be a great long term purchase.    It might be prudent to call all the local shops & see if they have sales going on.  Saturday Audio on Belmont likes TT's.  Jon Van L has a wild looking TT in his shop for $1400.  Its been sitting as long as I can tell, he might wheel & deal.


Hey Robert,

You might even look at a separate wall shelf for your cdp player too.  Then, get a floor mount for the Jolida amp & you're done...no need to spend $2K on a rack & you'll have no issues with your hardwood floors.   Since behind your speakers is recessed, that'd be really cool in use & to look at.   It would give your room a REALLY clean look.  Maybe so clean you're girl would allow room treatments!!


matt

[gooberdude]

You might check out this recent thread at another forum...

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/bbs.html


Henry H's suggestion of a Technics Sl-1210 + AT440MLa cartridge + LP cleaning supplies is a good one...

[Toka]

Agreed on the Technics...get some KAB mods in there and enjoy. 

[lazydays]

if it were me, I think I'd look for a gently used Rega P25 or maybe the new Marantz. Another thought would be either a good Linn or Clearaudio that has an upgrade path. Some of the VPI's are like that as well. As for Music Halls, I've owned one, and one is all I could stand in this lifetime.
    For a phono stage, look for a Wright WP100 (bought mine for $450), and retube it right away. This is an excellent phono stage. I've used it with four different tube preamps without a complaint. The Black Cube is another good one to look at. Even the Bellari is one to look at, and you can't go wrong on the price.
gary

[boead]

I have a brand new Denon DP-500M that I got but decided I didn’t want. I’ve had it a couple of months, still in sealed box. I posted it on Audioasylum and sort of forgot about it. I’ll sell it for less then the lowest price you can find it for. Otherwise, I’m going to post it on Audiogon soon now that I have some time.

http://java.audioasylum.com/ca/ca.jtp?ca=10322

[mcrespo71]

I can recommend the Dynavector P75 as a phono stage, especially with Dynavector LO cartridges.  The Dr. T (phono enhancer) mode is just sublime.

[TheChairGuy]

Don't put or piss all your tax money in one place 

There are a lot of truly decent $500-1000 choices out there in TT/cartridge combos - make sure you leave $$ several hundred for substantial stand, isolation and a record vacuum. 

If you can find a cartridge with a 'nude', grain oriented diamond....that'll often matter more substantially than brand or stylus shape.  That is, a nude, grain oriented elliptical diamond on a nice low mass cantilever will most often be a better cartridge start than the choice of moving coil/iron/magnet and some exotic tip shape that is bonded (or, bushed).  Among budget standouts today that fit this composite are the AT440MLa and Denon DL-110 and 160 models.

I've heard a lot more raves for Rega's over Clearaudio's in the price range you're looking at....but that might be no more than the substantially larger  base of Rega units out there over the years.

My vote is for the KAB Technics SL-1210M5G with damper, outboard power supply and strobe disabler, KAB's own Nitty Gritty manufactured vacuum system and a cartridge of your choosing either from KAB or not (if you buy within KAB's offerings, the owner will mount it all as an added bonus for quick play and go when it arrives). 

You'll have to skimp a little bit on phono preamp as you're already at $1500.00...but the Creek, Cambridge 640P and Pro-ject Phonobox SE's ar all stellar and you'd probably have to spend a ton more in either TT or phono preamp to better the KAB Technics combo as outlined above and one of the listed phono preamps.

Don't know if this is your first stab at vinyl...but leave some money for records, too, okay? 

Ok I have a few extra bucks left over from uncle sam, thinking about getting a good new or used TT also I need a phono in the package as well, since I am new to Vinyl I have to keep my budget on check.  I have 1k to 2k for a starter TT system that I will add to my stereo tube system.  I guess my question is whats the best bang for the buck TT combo, not looking to go super cheap or super expensive but something in between that is extremely good without costing me an arm and a leg.  I talked to Jolida directly and they recommended the Clearaudio emotion TT they state that for the money I wont be able to do any better, also, many "audiophiles" rave about the Rega TT I know that Rega has a good reputation.  Besides that I don't know what else to look for 

I have the following TT/Combo in mind:

Clearaudio Emotion TT
Rega P3
Rega P5
Jolida JD9 Phono Stage

Thanks to all in advance for your help~ 

[WEEZ]

chgolatin2,

I'm going to buck the trend slightly on the turntable recommendation, and echo a few of the previous phono stage rec's.

If I were looking in your budget range, I would start with a SOTA Comet turntable. They are available with the Rega RB250 arm for around $1k. It offers twice the platter thickness of a Rega P3 or P5 (with interface mats in-between); has a reasonably close overall 'footprint' to the Rega's; and has much more mass than a Rega (it weighs 26 lbs.) It is also available with an RB300 arm for an up-charge. It is a better built turntable. You can read a review at www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/sotacomet.htm

Cartridges are much more sonically subjective. I'm a Grado fan, however, with a tubed amp like yours, I would probably recommend a Dynavector 10X5 or the Audio-Technica 150MLX. They're about the same price range.

And for the phono-amplifier; if you choose a Dyna cartridge.. I'd consider the Dyna P75. Or, maybe even better ('cause you can upgrade the power supply more easily) a Gram Slee Gram Amp 2SE.

Carefull shopping for all of the above should be no more than $2k.

WEEZ

 

[Bill Baker]

Adding my 2 cents here I will say that you obviously have a lot of options within your budget if you shop wisely.

Tables: You could easily find a decent table in your range with any of the following; Clearaudio, Thorens, Music Hall (MMF-7 is a great table for the money, don't like the glass platter on the MMF-5), Rega. If you want to dip into the vintage tables, take a look at some older Duals, Thorens, Yamaha.

Most tables with come with an arm already mounted. Especially if you go used.

For cartridges, I won't try to touch this as it is very personal and subjective. Do some research and see if something interest you. I will say I am a fan of Dynavector and some of the Clearaudio carts (I run a CA Virtuoso Wood)

 For phono stages, I do think the Jolida JD9 is a great unit sounding better than it has any right to for the price. If you get into some DIY'ing, it can be taken quite far. The Black Cube is also a very good choice.

 In regard to running a tube phono stage with your tube amp, this is not a problem at all and would only be determined buy the presentation you are looking for. I don't own any solid state amplifiers and run two Jolida JD9's (modified) and a ModWright SWLP.

 Just do a little more research as well as listen to more recommendation from further Circle members. It will all come together in the end.

[SET Man]

Just a thought....    try and steer clear of a tubed phono stage.    Because you have a tube amp you don't want more of that in the phono preamp stage....get a great SS phono stage to truly enjoy vinyl.  Tubes are awesome to tame digital BUT analog is already tamed.  Get it rockin' with clean solidstate circuitry...no hiss whatsoever & bitchin' sharp bass.

matt

Hey!

    Hmmm... interesting? What's wrong with tubed phono stage? What hiss? Tamed?

    Well, I don't know about you but I'm using Audio Note M1 with it built-in simple tubed phono stage with 12AX7, and 12AU7 on line stage feeding my SET amp

     True that SS phono stage could be quieter. But I just love the sound of my vinyl  through all tubed signal system.

       Earlier tonight I've put on Dave Brubeck "Take Five" LP from Classic Record and man! it was beautiful! Simply pure analog bliss! aa 

Take care,
Buddy

   

 

[chgolatin2]

Well guys I pulled the trigger on a Clearaudio emotion TT with a phono tiny box included in the price for $900 NEW!!!  Also, I purchase an Adcom HP/Eli cartridge from underwoodhifi for an additional $79 so for $979 I have a complete setup.  I now have left over cash of an additional $500 to 1k to play with (buy some vinyl) tweaks, table etc to be honest with you guys I can't wait to hear this baby out.  I would of spend an additional $500 or so on a Benz Micro cartridge but I stayed away from spending that much atleast for now since this is a test trial period  little by little I am getting my system up, hopefully I will stay with her for a looooooong time and be happy listening to good music  aa

Check out the review on the cartridge on http://hometheatertalk.com/httalk/viewtopic.php?t=22341

[kbnymets]

Hi

I guess the question is, do you simply want a plug and play deck, or something to work on over the years. If it's plug and play, I'd say a Rega 3 would be a bargain, and a Rega 25 a definite improvement. But both are great decks. Then there's the Pro-Ject family, or Music Hall and VPI from the States. However, if you feel the need to 'play' with the turntable, then why not look for a Thorens 150, (if you like suspended decks), or a 124, (if you want to spend hours working on getting the sound just right)? And if you really want to experiment...Lenco idler wheel decks go for not many notes on this side of the pond, and have a huge number of supporters. I think I'd probably go for a Rega 3...there are lots of improvements and upgrades available out there, and it'll take any great cartridge of your choice. And it sounds pretty darn good! Whatever you go for, enjoy.

kbnymets

[woodsyi]

Well guys I pulled the trigger on a Clearaudio emotion TT with a phono tiny box included in the price for $900 NEW!!!  Also, I purchase an Adcom HP/Eli cartridge from underwoodhifi for an additional $79 so for $979 I have a complete setup.  I now have left over cash of an additional $500 to 1k to play with (buy some vinyl) tweaks, table etc to be honest with you guys I can't wait to hear this baby out.  I would of spend an additional $500 or so on a Benz Micro cartridge but I stayed away from spending that much atleast for now since this is a test trial period  little by little I am getting my system up, hopefully I will stay with her for a looooooong time and be happy listening to good music  aa

Check out the review on the cartridge on http://hometheatertalk.com/httalk/viewtopic.php?t=22341

Congratulation and welcome to the club.  TT is like a girlfriend -- you want one, you need one, but once you have one, you find out that there is a lot of pampering needed to keep her.  It's worth it though if she puts out for you.  aa   This one, however, may not be the one you go to the altar with.... 

[SET Man]

Hey!

    Congratulation on your new TT. That is a very nice looking TT and that arm should handle wide range of carts.

    As for the cart..... as I've mentioned before right now I'm using Benz Micro "ACE" HO version and it sound great! My previous cart was "Blue Point Special EVOIII" and the ACE  is definitely better. I will have to find time to right a comparison on these two carts soon I've got my "ACE" HO from Gene Rubin Audio on eBay for $450

   Anyway, let us know how do you like your new TT set up.... picture would be nice too

Take care,
Buddy

[chgolatin2]

SET Man, that a super cool avatar 

[mcrespo71]

Well guys I pulled the trigger on a Clearaudio emotion TT with a phono tiny box included in the price for $900 NEW!!!  Also, I purchase an Adcom HP/Eli cartridge from underwoodhifi for an additional $79 so for $979 I have a complete setup.  I now have left over cash of an additional $500 to 1k to play with (buy some vinyl) tweaks, table etc to be honest with you guys I can't wait to hear this baby out.  I would of spend an additional $500 or so on a Benz Micro cartridge but I stayed away from spending that much atleast for now since this is a test trial period  little by little I am getting my system up, hopefully I will stay with her for a looooooong time and be happy listening to good music  aa

Check out the review on the cartridge on http://hometheatertalk.com/httalk/viewtopic.php?t=22341

Congratulations!  Let us know how it is and pictures are always nice 

Another data point is always helpful.