[posternutbag2000]

If you had a choice between a Rega P3-25, a Pro-ject RM-5, Music Hall MMf-7, and a Clearaudio Emotion all in stock form which would you select?

As an aside, does anyone know if there is an issue mounting a Zu DL-103 on any of these stock tonearms?

Thanks in advance...

[Maxdd_nj]

I'm curious about the same tables.
I also planed on using the DL-103 (just not the Zu version).

[doug s.]

If you had a choice between a Rega P3-25, a Pro-ject RM-5, Music Hall MMf-7, and a Clearaudio Emotion all in stock form which would you select?

As an aside, does anyone know if there is an issue mounting a Zu DL-103 on any of these stock tonearms?

Thanks in advance...

my answer?  "none of the above".     in that price range, my first choice would be a used wintage empire.  second choice would be a technics sl1200.  i would also investigate the heavy-platter lenco's, as these are supposedly able to take on all comers after mods.  but, i have no direct experience w/the lenco decks.  the empires 7& 120's also respond well to mods.  but, i would take any of these three bone-stock over a more expensive deck like what you have listed.  imo, it will take $3k or more - retail price, that is - to begin to approach the three i have listed...  but..  this is imo of course!   

re: the dl-103 cartridge, i don't care how good it sounds, there is no way i would buy a cartridge today that doesn't have a micro-line/fine-line/etc type stylus shape, i don't care how good it sounds.  of course, others don't mind running spherical or elliptical styli on their winyl...

ymmv,

doug s.

[SAS2chan]

my answer? "I don't know, either". Am considering the same tables, except drop the Pro-ject (just don't like the look/feel), go up to the Rega P5,  and add the VPI Scout. For me, the Clearaudio Emotion poses the most difficult dilemma: way cool looks, but perhaps more limited or challenged sonics in the upper midrange???

As with all my gear, I'm looking for the best bang for the buck at a given price point and all indications suggest that the Rega will be hard to beat. Would another $400 (new) for the Scout over the P5 be worth it? Of course that's a personal decision and what makes this so much fun.

Then, there's the digital dilemma. I'm thinking of returning to vinyl after 20+ years without. For those of you like me with a  very nice CD player/DAC and happily listening to CDs, at what price point for the TT does one need to reach such that vinyl playback satisfaction equals or exceeds CD playback?

[woodsyi]

That would depend on your digital system and your ears.  I like the analog sound but I prefer the digital convenience.  So I keep both for different occasions. 

[ricmon]

I've had 2 Pro-ject TT.  My current one is the RM 9.1 thus can only commit on it and it's predecessor the Xperssion.  The thing that made me take a look at the Xperssion was all the great reviews it got concerning being able to accommodate carts that cost more than the table itself.  However after moving up to the RM9.1 I would say save a few more bucks as there is very little comparison between the two.  So in short non of the above.  Also the Pro-Ject and Music Hall have inexpensive speed control devices.

[Maxdd_nj]

I may go with a nicely cared for Rega P25 in this price range (I think the P5 replaced this model).
Does this seem like a better option then one of these new budget tables?

[Sonny]

VPI SCOUT, the Ultimate budget table bang for the buck, especially used!

[2bigears]

  just been through this.budget table is a Technics 1210M5G ,run,don't walk to get one.put a Benz Micro on that baby and you will not regret that audio buy. that table and cart kicks ass !!!!

[TONEPUB]

Id go for the Rega P25 with an upgraded bearing and subplatter from Groovetracer.

The SL1200 and Scout will both be a different presentation from the Rega, so
my guess is that one of these will really appeal to you and the other two will not.

The SL1200 is a decent budget table, but pretty dark and unresolving, no matter
what cartridge you put on it, though the ZU Denon has been my favorite on the SL1200...

The Scout has good bass but is kind of thin on top and a very flat soundstage.  Lots of
width but no depth at all.  ProJect and Music Hall are very similar, made in the same
factory.

The Rega for my money is the most musical of the bunch, by a considerable margin
and by upgrading to the Groovetracer stuff, you will get a much quieter background
and a lot more extension on the bottom end, something this table has been criticized
on by a few.

If you are worried about stylus profile, check out SoundSmith.  You can get a custom
modded Denon with an elliptical stylus. (and more compliance than the stock one)  Peter is a
great guy and will help you make an intelligent decision.

[Wayner]

As an owner of the Rega P3 (model preceding the P25) and the SL-1200 I will make these comments. The Rega has no VTA. It's anti-skating is slightly suspect. The plinth seems to be a very light density particle board. The motor has poor torque and if you want to brush your record while playing, you will stall it. It's arm does seem descent but its pivot to stylus distance is non-standard and its distortion curves on a Baerwald calculator are not impressive. The dustcover hinge is poor and the 3 non-adjustable rubber feet make it an easy tip-over machine, also because of it's light weight. It will need a massive base for anti-vibration.

The Technics SL-1200 sells for about $250 less. It's powerful motor starts the platter in .3 seconds. It has enough torque to be a record cleaning machine. It's speed is dead on accurate. It has VTA. It's anti skate is close to right on. The speed is changed with a push of a button. It's heavier than hell (I think about 25 pounds). It has a removeable headshell making cartridge swaps fairly fast. It also makes for easy cartridge alignment. It has 4 adjustable feet for leveling. It will never require a belt. It can make dramatic soundstage (with the right cartridge and preamp) and bring tears to your eyes. It is a standard 9" tone arm.

Yes the P25 will bring tears to your eyes too, wondering why you bought it.

Wayner

[Brad]

Jeff - are you referring to a KAB-modded Technics?

[doug s.]

As with all my gear, I'm looking for the best bang for the buck at a given price point and all indications suggest that the Rega will be hard to beat. Would another $400 (new) for the Scout over the P5 be worth it? Of course that's a personal decision and what makes this so much fun.

Then, there's the digital dilemma. I'm thinking of returning to vinyl after 20+ years without. For those of you like me with a  very nice CD player/DAC and happily listening to CDs, at what price point for the TT does one need to reach such that vinyl playback satisfaction equals or exceeds CD playback?

re: turntables, i can tell you that i had a set-up consisting of a wintage empire 208 & rs labs rs-a1 tonearm fitted with ortofon mc-25fl cartridge.  this set-up was so close to my oracle, modded to mkv status, w/-ol rb250 tonearm & dc motor kit, it was scary.  it adjusted my thinking about cost-to-performance ratio...

re: price-point - if you compare a complete analog front end - including deck, arm, cartridge, cabling, fono stage, imo, a $1.5k-$2k winyl rig, (w/careful component matching & shopping used), will see off any digital rig at any price.  this is my opinion, of course.  like rim, i like analog sound better...

ymmv,

doug s.