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Gumby,Are you at all familiar with the sound of any of these tables? Maybe a friend has one or a dealer demo? The reason I ask is that you're used to speed stability of the 1200. Some people need this to enjoy a record and others don't seem as sensitive to this. I prefer direct drive for this reason, although I have a Sota Sapphire. The Sota does some things better than my DDs. This would include weight and solidity of an orchestra. The depth and foundation makes it more real and authoritative in that respect. But I can't live with the pitch issue. The DD have accuracy in that department that most belts don't. I don't listen to much orchestral music anyway. People seem to differ dramatically about this. If you're not used to hearing any of these tables, maybe it would be good if you could check it out. I know you want something new or not vintage, but is there any way you could do a little research with your ears? neo
...The last time I was there they had a very limited selection of TTs - a Marantz belt drive and a Denon DD were what they had on display, but not hooked up to any system. Perhaps I should just be content with my Technics DDs.
Actually, I'm not very familiar with belt drive turntables, but they seem to get the most press. I didn't realize there were speed stability issues on the TTs that I was considering. This is definitely something to think about as it seems speed precision would be an important issue in playback. I don't know of anyone in my area that listens to vinyl and the closest Hi-Fi dealer is about 1 1/2 hours from where I live. The last time I was there they had a very limited selection of TTs - a Marantz belt drive and a Denon DD were what they had on display, but not hooked up to any system. Perhaps I should just be content with my Technics DDs.
unless you go to used/wintage, at your budget, i'd stick w/what you already have...doug s.
doug s. - Good advice I think. I should probably try to get some exposure to some belt drives before I go out and spend $1,500 and possibly have buyer's remorse afterward. I'm not in a hurry.
I'm listening to my Empire right now, and I know that the only deck out there, at least for me, that would best what I'm hearing now is the VPI classic series. There just isn't anything else like it. Massive platter, superior motor, massive plinth, great 10.5" tonearm. These are all the ingredients for an LP playback that is at the next level.
I think lots of the mods for Technics decks are just a great way to relieve you of your money. Sticking a modded Rega (Origin Live) arm or a Jelco just isn't going to the change the sound of the system that much, and after it is all said and done, your out some big cash, and not much change. IMO, the Technics arms are pretty good. After all, they've made about 3 million of them. It's the synergy of the system that produces the final sound, after all. Changing the sound doesn't mean it's better, it's just different. I believe that John, TheChairGuy tried an Origin Live tonearm on his Technics, and it a disappointment.I am saving money right now for a VPI Classic, perhaps the Classic 3. It's lots of money, but I believe it will crush any of these mods, certainly it is way better then any of the "plastic" turntables offered by ClearAudio, Music Hall or Thorens.I'm listening to my Empire right now, and I know that the only deck out there, at least for me, that would best what I'm hearing now is the VPI classic series. There just isn't anything else like it. Massive platter, superior motor, massive plinth, great 10.5" tonearm. These are all the ingredients for an LP playback that is at the next level.Mods are some DIYer's hope that he can spend just a little money and get great results. The fact is, it's a long shot at best. You get what you pay for.Wayner
Not even your VPI 19 Jr? Empire was a good deck in it's time, and still outperforms some of today's average decks. But I have a few decks in my inventory that can outperform or at least at the same level as the Empire. My Sonographe SG-3 with a Grado gold for one, my Systemdek with a Grado black is another. Maybe if I replaced my Sumiko Oyster on my Empire would make it sound better. The problem with Empire is the motor noise, but with good new isolators, they can tame the motor noise way, way, way down. Most Empires out there still have their 50 years old motor isolator which will let the motor noise to muck up the sound.
Yup - the Technics SL-1200 bought came in with a smashed Technics arm (smashed in transit to me...I simply didn't complain given that I won the ebay auction on this former DJ deck for $125) so I had no comparison with the stock arm to begin. Nonetheless, I set out to 'improve' the SL-1200 Mk. II and came away with the conclusion that money is better spent on other matters. I removed the stock tonearm assembly and can configure mine with both Rega and Linn/JELCO mount arms...and I did. An AQ PT-6, a totally modded Rega RB250 (re-wired & aftermarket brass stub) and even a $2000 Origin Live Illustrious MkII tonearm was tried. Ok, but not great hifi was the result. Then, I figured, it was the motor. So, I bought the $400-odd outboard motor and strobe disabler from KAB. It improved....but it was still outclassed by my $100 JVC QL-F6 filled with modelling clay. I messed with the feet; I messed with the platter mat and added a heavy inner ring. To little avail. There was only one upgrade I didn't try - that of replacing it with one of the pricey main bearings available today for the TT - but, I had sunk $2500 into the deck (using the OL Live tonearm) and I was barely getting acceptable fidelity from it. For that same money - the VPI Classic trounces it up and down. I've got one and it's superb. Right now I'm listening to the top-of-the-line JVC QL-Y66F from 1985....and while it plays better than the Technics with all the upgrades....it's just a little less sweet than the sounds that the VPI Classic makes. Wayner - save your pennies - the spendy $2750 for a new VPI Classic is worth the money for what turntables cost these days