[reddmadder]

Hi,
 I'm looking to get a new TT, budget is around $1-1500+/- a few bucks.
 Under consideration is the Technics modded by KAB and the Sota's mentioned.
 I want a good start-up that will keep me spinning for awhile,until I upgrade.
  Any suggestions?
    Thanks

[TheChairGuy]

reddmadder,

What do you own now?  Your cartridge is....and any significant attention paid to TT isolation?

What do you think you will find sonically in moving to either a modded Technics or a SOTA?

Just hate to hear of a fellow vinyl-phile wastin' dough if you already have the basis for good tunes...and it just needs a bit of tweeking    Spending more sometimes only gets you poorer financially - and not always richer sonically in return 

John

[Wayner]

The Technics is probably great. John loves them. I haven't heard one, but the direct drive is a nice way to go, especially when it's done right, design wise. As far as the Sota, I think I would head over to a Rega P5 insted. Not an NAB start-up motor like an Empire that is up to full speed in one third of a revolution, but it gets the job done with nice pacing. I am starting to read uncomplimentary things about Music Hall, and Project, at least in the lower price range models. I haven't heard or seen one though, just some reviews. Thorens seems to have a couple of models in that price range as well.

I just think the Sota's look funny with the furniture grade leveling legs.

Wayner 

[reddmadder]

Hi Guys,
 I currently don't own a TT...BUT I'm buying lp's every weekend,since I'm out of town working and I have probably one of the best sources of vinyl.CD/DVDs here...Amoeba in LA.
  I did have a Systemdek years ago and sold it...dumb!
  I did try a Rega P1 and the P5..sold those also...didn't care for the Rega's build quality,and they were prone to noise and hum,that I couldn't eliminate,at least in my system.
   I currently run a Cy Brenneman Stereo 30 w/Cain Wall-o- Sounds ..my digital source is a RWA modded Olive server.
   I ordered a tube phono stage from Cy,which I should get in 6 weeks.
    R.

[TheChairGuy]

Right on on Amoeba....got them here in San Fran, too 

[lazydays]

If I had about $1500 to spend on a turntable & cartridge I think I'd either pick up a good used VPI or the new one from Marantz (sourced from Clearaudio). The Marantz even comes with an $800 cartridge, and should be ready to go out of the box.
    As some of you already know, I've been locked up in a quandry with my Acoustic Signature Final Tool for almost a year just trying to get a tonearm mounting plate out of them. In the mean time I drug out my Music Hall #5, and learned to hate it a little more each and everyday! Well I finally bit the bullet and bought a new turntable, if no other reason that to mount my SME tonearm.
Anyway I picked up a Consance Opera 2.0 for alittle under $1700 delivered. The tonearm was a task to mount as I'd never done one from scratch before (always started out with an existing mount). I think the Final Tool is maybe a touch quieter, and with better dampening (but not by very much). This table also came with everything for two tonearms. So with a $1500 budgit this one plus $200 more is well worth the look see.
gary

[reddmadder]

Thanks for the info Gary,I'll research the Marantz.
 Out of the box and ready to play,is what I'm after.
 R.

[lazydays]

Thanks for the info Gary,I'll research the Marantz.
 Out of the box and ready to play,is what I'm after.
 R.

Clearaudio makes a good turntable just like VPI. Lately there's been a lot of talk about threaded drives for turntables, and I've known the results for at least five or six years. The VPI uses a soft belt (really an "O" ring), and I'm not sure just what Clearaudio uses. The Final Tool used fishing line (looks more like sewing thread to me), and the new table uses monofilment fishing line. I'll make the switch shortly to something with less stretch. Anyway I'm also injecting that thought even though the two tables don't use anything like that.
    If you buy the Marantz, I'd have the dealer varify the tonearm and cartridge alignment just to be sure all is well. Then when you get it home be sure to level it, and come back and check it every few days for a couple weeks in case it wants to settle in. But no matter what table you buy, be sure to get a good brush and cleaning fluid. I use two brushes and two different fluids for cleaning. One is a cheap Radio Shack to clean all the dust and dry stuff when I get something new, and the other is a carbon fiber Hunt brush. After cleaning and playing I put my LP's back in MF sleeves.
gary

[reddmadder]

Hi,
I just spoke to music direct and they do mount the cartridge...the only thing I need to do is attach the arm and check the level.
  I'm seriously considering it.
   Thanks

[Wayner]

I remember reading a review on the Marantz in Steropile or TAS and the comment was noise from the motor via chassis contact. I had a chance to buy one on ebray, but less the Clearaudio cartridge. Then it's only a $800 table. If you get it, I'd like to know about the motor noise.

Wayner