[greg7]

I just sold my first TT (Pro-ject Debut Carbon) to upgrade. I'm upgrading my V-LPS II, too. My total budget is $2000 (TT, cartridge and phono preamp).

I think the phono preamp will be the Clearaudio Nano, Graham Slee Gram Amp 2SE, Phonomena II, etc. in that price range.

But the TT is wide open. I'm leaning towards the Traveller but also the Clearaudio Concept, Origin Live Aurora II, etc. in the $1000-1500 range.

I can't demo beforehand    Any help is greatly appreciated. 

[roscoeiii]

Greg,

Are you in the US? If so, you can use a mail order retailer with a solid return policy like Music Direct. Chris is their in-house vinyl expert and could give you some advice about the tables that they stock.

In your price range, based largely on reviews, I would look at the Traveler, the new Avid table, and a Well Tempered Simplex. Yeah the Simplex is pushing your budget, but I am a huge fan of the Well Tempered tables (you can also check out the Well Tempered Circle here). I quite liked the Amadeus I had before upgrading to a Townshend Rock, which the Amadeus did compare quite favorably to.

[tonyptony]

I heard a Traveler with a Grado Gold at Woodbridge Stereo in NJ. Surprised me. It was controlled, musical, and clear all at the same time. Made me consider getting one myself.

[orthobiz]

I have a high output Grado and a VPI HW-19 with the stand alone motor assembly: HUMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Paul

[jarcher]

I also upgraded from a project and got a traveler. I've been very happy. Music Direct has a demo for $1,050, which leaves you with a lot of extra money for nice cartridge and preamp.


http://www.musicdirect.com/p-117875-vpi-traveler-turntable-black-demo.aspx

The Soundsmith preamps are well regarded at under $500 (eg the mmp3). For a tube preamp, Music Direct also has good deals on the Jolida JD9 tube phono preamp.

http://www.musicdirect.com/search.aspx?searchterm=jolida%20phono

As for cartridges, travelers are often mated with higher end Grados (think Gold Prestige or better) which are very smooth and warm. If you want something faster // more dynamic, the Ortofon 2M series of moving magnets are well regarded. A blue or better would be a good choice.

[brooklyn]

Hi Greg,  I’ve owned the Graham Slee SE2 amp and at the time I was using it with a VPI Scout and a Ortofon 2M Red, the GS SE 2 is a wonderful neutral sounding phono pre for the money. I since upgraded to the GS Era V and a Ortofon 2M Black and I still have the VPI Scout, I love the sound I’m getting.

I haven’t seen or heard the Traveler but I did see the Clearaudio Concept and it doesn't compare to the Scout, the Scout by comparison is built like a tank. I would try to get a used Scout before I would go with a Traveler or Concept, that is my opinion only.

I hope you find what your looking for.

Regards,
Jerry

[doug s.]

spend $2k on a new deck and it likely still won't sound as good as one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221176691860
(rare 498 - suspended like the later ones, w/single-piece platter like the early ones)


http://www.ebay.com/itm/390527880752
(needs arm repair)


http://www.ebay.com/itm/290846133359
(no dustcover)


http://www.ebay.com/itm/200881969769


http://www.ebay.com/itm/121054114213
(698 - last edition, cool but problematic arm)


spend the savings on cartridge on fono stage...

doug s.

[jarcher]

I knew it wouldn't be long before doug jumped in with the empires!   

Were gonna have to do a shoot out between one of your ol' timey empires and my vpi one of these days.....

[galyons]

Were gonna have to do a shoot out between one of your ol' timey empires and my vpi one of these days.....

I have a VPI TNT with JMW 10.5 arm, a Thorens TD24 with Ortofon RMG 212 tonearm/SPU cartridge & SME 3009 arms and an Empire 208 with  Empire 98 arm, (makes it an Empire 298, the original non suspended model).  It is not embarrassed by it's snootier brethren!! The arm is the weak spot. I have a Rega 300 or could put the Ortofon rig on it for a more fair comparison.

Cheers,
Geary

[doug s.]

I have a VPI TNT with JMW 10.5 arm, a Thorens TD24 with Ortofon RMG 212 tonearm/SPU cartridge & SME 3009 arms and an Empire 208 with  Empire 98 arm, (makes it an Empire 298, the original non suspended model).  It is not embarrassed by it's snootier brethren!! The arm is the weak spot. I have a Rega 300 or could put the Ortofon rig on it for a more fair comparison.

Cheers,
Geary

agreed - even tho the empire arms are decent, (and still sell for >$200 used), a replacement is a good upgrade for the empire decks...

doug s.

[galyons]

agreed - even tho the empire arms are decent, (and still sell for >$200 used), a replacement is a good upgrade for the empire decks...

doug s.

The challenge is finding one that requires minimal surgery to the deck.  Main reason why the 98 arm is still in use! The SME will never likely make it to the Empire!!

Cheers,
Geary

[doug s.]

The challenge is finding one that requires minimal surgery to the deck.  Main reason why the 98 arm is still in use! The SME will never likely make it to the Empire!!

Cheers,
Geary

it is easy to adapt almost any arm to the 208; it is the suspended empires that are more difficult.  i have seen quite a few 208's f/s w/the sme 3009 arm mounted...

doug s.

[galyons]

it is easy to adapt almost any arm to the 208; it is the suspended empires that are more difficult.  i have seen quite a few 208's f/s w/the sme 3009 arm mounted...

doug s.

Absolutely...it is not the Empire that is an issue. The issue is me, not wanting to cut the deck to accommodate the SME mount.  Kind of no going back at that point!

Cheers,
Geary

[doug s.]

Absolutely...it is not the Empire that is an issue. The issue is me, not wanting to cut the deck to accommodate the SME mount.  Kind of no going back at that point!

Cheers,
Geary

well, you could mount a completely new armboard, which would entail only drilling a coupla holes:
http://www.cognitivevent.com/av_empire.html


or, buy a plinth; folks part these out occasionally:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160954926597


or yust buy one cheap, and sell the additional parts - this never sold at $215:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150969545619


this arm is supposedly plug-n-play for empires, but $400 retail:
http://www.esotericsound.com/ArmsAndHeadshells.htm


this (or making something like it) should allow for mounting of other arms w/little (if any) cutting:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/121055338301



doug s.

[Hear Clifford Brown]

I would consider a Well Tempered if budget constraints can in some way accommodate it.  I have a WT Amadeus which replaced a VPI Classic 3 and it sounds better without question in my system. 

[roscoeiii]

Here's a used Amadeus on Audiogon. Won't last long on Audiogon. Sold mine in a day for more than that asking price:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/turntables-well-tempered-lab-amadeus-0ne-owner-only-5-months-old-2013-01-23-analog-27310

Great table, and great packing materials, so normal shipping concerns with turntables need not apply (though get it insured just in case).

[brooklyn]

I think we lost the OP????

[Berndt]

As soon as you mention empire instead of the vpi flavor of the day people tune out.