How would you spend $1750 on a vinyl rig?

S Clark · « **on:** 30 Sep 2018, 12:51 am »

A friend lost his vinyl and his mid fi rig in a flood. How would you allocate about $1700? Used is an acceptable option.
TT____ and arm ____
Phono stage _____
Cartridge______

mix4fix · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 05:08 am »

What did he have before?

I would find a decent used/demo turntable, and put more money into that. You can always upgrade the phono pre-amp later.

SteveFord · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 10:29 am »

Used Well Tempered (either early or late), Ortofon 2M Black, Jolida JD9.
I did that combo twice and am very pleased with the results.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 01:00 pm »

The needle doctor has some great deals on TT cartridge combo's-

https://www.needledoctor.com/Rega-Planar-3-Turntable?quantity=1&custcol124=2

https://www.needledoctor.com/Music-Hall-MMF-5-3SE-Turntable

https://www.needledoctor.com/Music-Hall-MMF-7-3-Turntable

On the music hall's, I would ask the needle doctor to swap out the bronze cartridge for a Hana MC cartridge.

https://www.needledoctor.com/HANA-MC-Phono-Cartridge-Elliptical

Then buy an AVA Vision phono preamp, this Lounge Audio LCR MKIII which was reviewed in Stereophile and is a recommended component. A friend of mine has one and loves it paired in his $2800 rig.

http://www.loungeaudio.com/lcr-mr-iii

Lounge Audio LCR Mk.III: $300
Lounge Audio Copla: $275
The solid-state LCR Mk.III is named for the type of circuit chosen for its RIAA equalization stage: a zero-feedback inductor-capacitor-resistor (L-C-R) circuit. That stage is constructed with discrete components—remarkable for a US-made product selling for only $300—and combined with class-A–biased op-amps for a total gain of 40dB. Power is supplied by an 18V wall wart. HR has logged literally hundreds of hours with his LCR Mk.III review sample, both on its own for use with MM cartridges, and, for MC cartridges, in tandem with Lounge Audio's Copla, a JFET-powered step-up device that does the same job as a phono transformer, only electronically. In both setups, the Lounge rewarded HR with "full-bodied, accurately toned" sound, and enough emotional impact that a favorite Doc Watson song had him weeping. Referring to the $26,000, Class A–rated Ypsilon VPS-100, HR wrote: "Could the Ypsilon make me cry 86.7 times easier? I doubt it." (Vol.41 No.2 WWW)
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2018-edition-turntables-tonearms-cartridges-etc#1treA4gFhJEio7Jx.99

Or go the used route.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 02:26 pm »

I think the new MoFi tables may be good turnkey option. Lounge phono stage is a great rec.

For a cart maybe an MM that has upgraded stylus options down the road. Maybe Shure v15 MkIII and then later get a JICO SAS? Heck just got one with SAS for $250.

Folsom · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 05:49 pm »

Quote from: SteveFord on 30 Sep 2018, 10:29 am

Used Well Tempered (either early or late), Ortofon 2M Black, Jolida JD9.
I did that combo twice and am very pleased with the results.

^

I wouldn't go with Rega/MH. Too many better used options.

SoCalWJS · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 05:57 pm »

What did he have previously? Was he happy with it? If not, what was he unhappy about and what did he want to change?

mr_bill · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 06:33 pm »

How about Pro-Ject?
https://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PRRPM92

The MOFI is a good suggestion.

rif · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 09:12 pm »

I'd go with a used vpi hw19 mk3. That will leave some room for a cartridge and phono stage. The vpi is nice because there are many upgrades available (platter, suspension, motor).

roscoeiii · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 09:49 pm »

Quote from: rif on 30 Sep 2018, 09:12 pm

I'd go with a used vpi hw19 mk3. That will leave some room for a cartridge and phono stage. The vpi is nice because there are many upgrades available (platter, suspension, motor).
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A nice choice if buyer is a tinkerer with tendencies towards upgraditis.

TomS · « **Reply #10 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 10:13 pm »

Vista Audio Phono 1 or 2 would be a slam dunk for a phono stage. Easy on the wallet, great performance and value.

Charles Calkins · « **Reply #11 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 10:50 pm »

Quote from: S Clark on 30 Sep 2018, 12:51 am

A friend lost his vinyl and his mid fi rig in a flood. How would you allocate about $1700? Used is an acceptable option.
TT____ and arm ____
Phono stage _____
Cartridge______

S clark:

You can't go wrong with a Fluance RTI turntable. Cost about $250.00. I have one and for $250.00 it is a very fine player.
AND!! more$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$does not mean better sound.

Cheers
Charlie

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 11:41 pm »

Nothing wrong with Music Hall, Pro-Ject and Rega TT's. They occupy a price range that is affordable for most people before moving into the above $2K range and they offer good carbon tone arms, speed control on some models and decent plinth isolation.

The MoFi TT's are a good suggestion with good reviews but the other companies have been around a while. If you can find a good deal on a Clear Audio Concept TT, I would recommend one of those.

Used can be a good route to go but you have to find a model for sale that you want. Then it has to be packed properly and there is the issue of warranty. I would rather go with a new TT unless you can find a good used one locally. I would rather go used on a good phono preamp. Less risk but they if you don't like it you have to flip it.

Other budget phono pre's- Emotiva XPS-1. I bought one used for $125 for my son. It does MM and MC and has adjustable impedence. It sounds great for the price. The Vincent PHO-8 is another one that is supposed to be great for the price.

Lets remember that the budget is $1750 for TT, phono pre and cartridge.

rotarius · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Sep 2018, 11:59 pm »

I have soured on Pro-ject products because the tonearm wires tend to break easily during cartridge change. Otherwise the RPM 3 is a nice one to get. A used Marantz TT15, Pro-ject tube box and the most affordable Ortofon Quintet perhaps.

mix4fix · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Oct 2018, 12:37 am »

Aren't those cheap turntables not really meant for upgrading in the first place?

mix4fix · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Oct 2018, 04:21 pm »

Quote from: mix4fix on 30 Sep 2018, 05:08 am

What did he have before?

Quote from: SoCalWJS on 30 Sep 2018, 05:57 pm

What did he have previously? Was he happy with it? If not, what was he unhappy about and what did he want to change?

X 2

We can throw suggestions at him all day, but without knowing what he had, what he liked/not liked about it, what he wanted, etc.

sunnydaze · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Oct 2018, 05:08 pm »

Go used. Get huge buck bang. I do it all the time, even for carts. Pay 20 - 50 cents on the dollar and it will kill new for the same budget.

For example, this just sold:

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649459788-origin-live-resolution-turntable-w-rega-arm-amp-cartridge-man-mm/

I have that exact Cartridge Man MM cartridge on the same Rega arm (mine is Incognito rewire by BritAudio) on a Townshend Rock Mk3 table. Excellent! I've been lusting after that OL table to go with my OL Encounter arm, but I want the current Mk3 version.

Original retail of this setup was around 4.5k. Safe bet it will crush anything new for 1.5k, and more.

Everyone knows what a great over-achiever the Rega arm is, and while the cart is lesser known here in America, a little research will convince of how great it is.

Table original retail was 3k, but the pros said it performs way beyond that:

“In fact, this arm-table combination (with OL Encounter arm) is one of the finest performers I’ve heard at any price… But regardless of price, this is one of the truly special products I’ve reviewed in the past eighteen years.” -- Michael Fremer

"We have had a handful of products come into Hifi Pig towers in the last year that have really blown us away with what they bring to the party and the way our system has evolved as a result has taken it to what I consider to be a truly world class system. One of these products is of course this turntable and arm combination, and whilst there are much more expensive packages out there I can’t see me feeling the urge to upgrade any time soon..." -- Hi-Fi Pig

Add a Vista Audio phono stage (owned it, loved it) for a few hundred and you are in analog bliss, right at your budget.

Do your research.....shop carefully and smart....buy from a trusted seller....and you are fine buying used.

S Clark · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Oct 2018, 09:41 pm »

Quote from: mix4fix on 30 Sep 2018, 05:08 am

What did he have before?

I would find a decent used/demo turntable, and put more money into that. You can always upgrade the phono pre-amp later.

Previously he was using a mid level Sony DD table with a Sony cartridge. Stylus had been replaced several years ago. He ran it into a Sansui receiver going into a pair of Polk floor standers. Very mid fi, but he's got some insurance money and looking at options.
My suggestion was spend as much or more on the cartridge and preamp as on the table. I think $500 buys more cartridge and pre amp than it does table and arm. I'm thinking a JVC QL-7 series from $300+-, Vista pre or used Graham Slee at $300 +-, and Quintet Blue, Dynavector 10x5, or similar for another $400 or so. Another $100 for a pair of used Morrow IC, and he's at $1200 or less. He's flabbergasted at the price of stereo compared to the stuff he bought in the 80's.

charmerci · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Oct 2018, 09:50 pm »

Quote from: S Clark on 1 Oct 2018, 09:41 pm

He's flabbergasted at the price of stereo compared to the stuff he bought in the 80's.

I always suggest looking at a inflation calculator for a true comparison.

$750 in 1987 is the same as $1700 now.

geowak · « **Reply #19 on:** 2 Oct 2018, 01:03 am »

https://www.musicdirect.com/turntables/vpi-scout-turntable-2017-edition

Save an extra $500 and get this one- VPI scout with jmw9 and ext motor