turntable recommendations

randyr · « **on:** 18 Nov 2007, 07:32 am »

i'm looking to add a turntable to my system. i have an ava t8 pre-amp with phono and fet valve ultra 350 amp. listen with ellis 1801b speakers. any suggestions as to an appropriate turntable and cartridge? thx.

Wayner · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Nov 2007, 11:53 am »

I know Frank Van Alstine runs a Harmon Kardon T30 with a Grado green Longhorn. Sounds great.

Wayner

WGH · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Nov 2007, 04:11 pm »

I'll second the Harmon Kardon recommendation, the H/K turntables are also known as the poor man's Linn. I still use a H/K T55C for everyday listening but it is an almost 23 year old turntable so you may want to look for something newer. Stock units are pretty good, but the Alstine power supply mod described in the '83-85 newsletters raises the level of performance. Constructed with a spring suspension and a massive cast aluminum frame, once the transformer is removed the table is allowed to sing. Take a look at the underside and modded power supply photos here: http://www.wghwoodworking.com/harmon_kardon/h-k.htm

The tonearm is a low mass design, so cartridge matching is more critical, forget about using a moving coil. I use a Goldring 1042, but the line contact stylus requires the arm to be raised to it's maximum height, which is accomplished by turning the turntable upside down and loosening a couple of tiny allen screws.

Low frequency feedback problems were solved with four adjustable Ortofon Acoustic Absorbers (bought in 1986).

The tables are not well known so they sell used for practically nothing. Good cheap fun.

Wayne

Toka · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Nov 2007, 05:14 pm »

Quote from: randyr on 18 Nov 2007, 07:32 am

i'm looking to add a turntable to my system. i have an ava t8 pre-amp with phono and fet valve ultra 350 amp. listen with ellis 1801b speakers. any suggestions as to an appropriate turntable and cartridge? thx.

Ballpark budget?

randyr · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Nov 2007, 11:58 pm »

to tell the truth, not sure. i know it's easy to get sucked into big bucks units (>$1k), if you believe what you read. i'm looking for a good sounding, reliable, will last a long time table. i would probably listen to vinyl 5 - 10 hours/week. i'm not interested in cheap, but will spend for quality. i know it doesn't answer your question directly as i'm still trying to figure out how big this tt universe is.

WGH · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Nov 2007, 12:57 am »

randyr - Before I upgraded my Harmon Kardon I was lusting for a new turntable and didn't want to spend a whole lot either. For a while I fixated on a VPI, then after a lot of reading I found out how twitchy they are, some people get great sound right away and for some they are a bottomless money pit. The reason is the suspension, or rather lack of it, it seems most affordable tables these days have left vibration control to the user. Got a concrete slab under your table? Nice. Got a wood floor? You got problems. I know I have vibration and feedback problems living in an old house with wood floors so I have been thinking a suspended table like a SOTA would be better table for me.

Search this site for Technics SL-1200, a lot of good words have been said about it. (I think they are ugly, but that's just me)

randyr · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Nov 2007, 04:03 am »

wgh, thanks for the info. i find it enlightening as i live in the land of permafrost and my house moves on a seasonal basis. one day my doors close, the next they don't. floors bounce, floors are solid. i can only rely on the tt as everything else moves with the seasons. thus my concern about overspending for something that needs a 'solid foundation'. i don't have one of those. thanks for the info.

Wind Chaser · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Nov 2007, 04:50 am »

It's been a few decades since I've owned a TT. The more cash you can put into it, the better it can get. There's a world of difference between a Rega and an Oracle. Vinyl is a process of converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, so I would think a suspended table is the best way to go regardless of the floor underneath. There's also something to be said about a good arm. But if it ain't all set up properly, you see it as nothing more than a nostalgic exercise in much ado about nothing. So make sure you get you hands on a good protractor and not one of those cheap imprecise plastic pieces of crap...

John

ricmon · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Nov 2007, 09:04 pm »

I use a TR7/Ultra 550 with my Project 9.1 TT with Sumiko a Black Bird MC cart. It's mass loaded with sorbitane feet. It slays my digital front end. However as mentioned earlier vibration control is a must for any TT. Having said that I built an isolation platform that provides a rock solid support and isolation from all but the most brutal stomps on the listing room floor. I listen to my TT much more than my CDP

Parnelli777 · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Nov 2007, 02:10 am »

The VPI Aries Scout/JMW- 9 combo is just <so> damn good for under 2K, that I just think you'd have to invest a HECK of lot more to best it. It's entry level for some, but the final destination I'll say, AFAIC.

riffer · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Nov 2007, 03:19 am »

Quote from: Parnelli777 on 20 Nov 2007, 02:10 am

The VPI Aries Scout/JMW- 9 combo is just <so> damn good for under 2K, that I just think you'd have to invest a HECK of lot more to best it. It's entry level for some, but the final destination I'll say, AFAIC.

That's what got me back into vinyl, and like Parnelli777, I don't have any great incentive to upgrade. With the right cartridge, it is all you need.

randyr · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Nov 2007, 06:55 am »

ah, the cartridge. and what makes a 'right' cartridge. again, how does one separate the wheat from the chaff?

linkweewee · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Nov 2007, 08:13 am »

This is nice http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1200761783

denjo · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Nov 2007, 09:47 am »

linkweewee

Wow! The Denon TT looks really very beautiful! Its given me some ideas about how I can restire my old Sapphire TT!

riffer · « **Reply #14 on:** 21 Nov 2007, 12:20 pm »

Quote from: randyr on 21 Nov 2007, 06:55 am

ah, the cartridge. and what makes a 'right' cartridge. again, how does one separate the wheat from the chaff?

It depends on how picky you are. I went through five cartridges before I found the right one. If you buy used and sell the ones you don't like, it isn't so bad $ wise.

Jazz-Vinyl · « **Reply #15 on:** 20 Dec 2007, 05:16 am »

Hello everybody...

I too, own a Harmon Kardon T55C and will be joining WGH with the Van Alstine PS mod.

I had contacted Wayne and told him a screwdriver on the deck of my T55C with my ear on the handle (to act as a poor mans stethoscope) and I heard "electronic squealing" that I thought was coming from the speed controller card. Wayne indicated no such sounds on his deck, so I removed the bottom cover and discovered the ground wire going to the motor was completely disconnected! I soldered it back on, tried the poor mans stethoscope again, and the electronic squeals were gone. Now I could hear the motor whirling, which had been obscured previously.

So, very much looking forward to the outboard PS mod and the rich rewards it is said to bring to this fine suspended, ultra low mass arm table.

Thank you Frank for dreaming up the the Mod, for writing the description, and thank you to Wayne for his picture page that really got me interested in doing the mod.

Parts are ordered, can't wait!!

WGH · « **Reply #16 on:** 20 Dec 2007, 05:44 am »

Jazz-Vinyl - Glad to hear the squealing fix was an easy one. I'll have some photos of the modified turntable wiring this weekend.

And welcome to AC!

Wayne

Wayner · « **Reply #17 on:** 20 Dec 2007, 11:37 pm »

Unless tonight turns wierd, I highly recommend the Technics SL-1200Mk2Pk. I just received this machine in the mail and so far, so fantastic! The engineering is ultra precision, set-up is a snap and the machine is incredible. For $500 +/-, I don't know how you can go wrong. Sounds great thru my Van Alstine T8 (with 6N1P mod) and 170EX. Put and Audio Technica AT440MLa, or 150 in it.

Wayner aa

I'll post pictures later.

doug s. · « **Reply #18 on:** 22 Dec 2007, 12:34 am »

at the ~$500 price point, i would recommend either a vintage empire, or the technics sl1200. if you can spend a little more, here's a great deal, imo - $1250 & ready to go (seller sez it includes dust cover, not pictured.):

http://buy.audiogon.com/cgia/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1203440485

doug s.

Wayner · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 Dec 2007, 01:09 am »

Very nice, Doug!

Wayner