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If you don't want to make the leap because of 'setup anxiety', you can have it done at a shop.Almost every shop that I know of that sells TT's, new or used will configure it for you. Any shop that is selling TT's is usually a service oriented shop, as opposed to a price oriented shop. They will want to make sure your TT is set up correctly in order to make a customer.When you spend a $1000 - 3000 on a TT, you are already putting yourself in the enthusiast category, whether you get into tweaking the TT yourself or not.As already stated, you can get a Clearaudio Concept pre setup for abut $1500 or a Clearaudio Performance for about $2700, both are almost plug and play
If you don't want to make the leap because of 'setup anxiety', you can have it done at a shop.Almost every shop that I know of that sells TT's, new or used will configure it for you. Any shop that is selling TT's is usually a service oriented shop, as opposed to a price oriented shop. They will want to make sure your TT is set up correctly in order to make a customer.When you spend a $1000 - 3000 on a TT, you are already putting yourself in the enthusiast category, whether you get into tweaking the TT yourself or not.As already stated, you can get a Clearaudio Concept pre setup for abut $1500 or a Clearaudio Performance for about $2700, both are almost plug and play[/If you don't want to make the leap because of 'setup anxiety', you can have it done at a shop.Almost every shop that I know of that sells TT's, new or used will configure it for you. Any shop that is selling TT's is usually a service oriented shop, as opposed to a price oriented shop. They will want to make sure your TT is set up correctly in order to make a customer.When you spend a $1000 - 3000 on a TT, you are already putting yourself in the enthusiast category, whether you get into tweaking the TT yourself or not.As already stated, you can get a Clearaudio Concept pre setup for abut $1500 or a Clearaudio Performance for about $2700, both are almost plug and play
There is a learning curve but don't be intimidated. If you are like most husbands, you are seemingly running to Home Depot every weekend to get something or another to do house repairs. The first time you sweat a pipe joint you take like hours using up 10 times the solder as most land on the floor. Once you have done it you can say it really wasn't much. Same thing applies to TT set up. Once you have done it, it's not really that complicated. Do you have to be patient? Yes, because it's often small adjustments in tight spaces. But the steps are not hard to conceptualize or understand.Get a compatible table/arm/cartridge. This is where you need to do the most research.Assuming the arm is installed, install the cart. There are various protractors and templates to help you. Attach the color coded leads. Use a forceps or an alligator clip to connect. Use a scale (manual balance type or digital meter) to set to the middle of recommended tracking force. Use a test Vinyl to check/adjust phase, balance, azimuth and tracking force. Fiddle with your arm height to get the right rake angle (Vertical Tracking Angle is the same thing more or less) to get the sound you want -- remember high/high, low/low. Higher arm placement will accentuate treble and lower placement will accentuate bass. Establish a good clean and demag routine and spin the vinyl. Drop the needle.Sit back and enjoy. There has to be someone in the Atlanta area who would be willing to come over to show you the ropes. Most vinyl enthusiasts I know will be glad to help other people get started. BTW, It's easier to do these adjustments on more expensive arms. The easiest arm I ever had to install and use is Graham Phantom II. I have been fiddling with my set up recently because I got a new cart and everything can be adjusted with a turn of a knob. I can change the VTA while I am playing the music. How cool is that!If I have 3k, I would look for a killer deal on a TT/arm/pickup package deal. For example, this Table/arm/accessory is a great deal only because it's a package deal. Don't be afraid to get a Beamer just because you haven't driven one before if a great deal lands in your lap.
Sorry Mark, but that is one of the 5 tables I purchased and reviewed last winter, if you will remember, and my conclusion was that is was a POS.I thought it would be a better table until I unboxed it and started to work it. The stylus was not in any known alignment, the dust cover hinges look like they were made to work about 10 times, then break, and don't get me started on the anti-skate mechanism (hanging fishing tackle).Everything about this table was on the cheap, but then it was inexpensive. I just couldn't recommend it to anyone. Much better to spend some more money (even on used stuff), then to deal with this TT, IMHO.Wayner
agreed... I bought one NIB a few years ago. Set it up, played with it for a week, put it back in the box and put it on Craigslist. What a phenomenal waste of time and money. bought another DUAL off of E-Pray and haven't looked back.
How about the Well Tempered Adamdeus? That looks pretty straight forward.
Grab a Rega RP3 with their best MM cart. you'll have it up and running in five minutes...About $1200.
wow - a dual is better? that project must really suck! i had a dual 1219, (bought new, at the ripe age of 13, when i didn't know any better - coulda had an empire...) it was easily bested by a $100 plastic pioneer, which i picked up after college. lower noise floor, better pitch control, more reliable. one of my happiest audio experiences was finally literally heaving the pos 1219 into a dumpster. ymmv,doug s.
Yup, my mileage varies in the other direction of yours I guess. The 1219 is one of the most sought after with great sound to boot. Yours must have been out of whack or not set up properly or something but it is what it is. If you come across another one don't dump it, you can get $350+ easy on E-Bay for 1219's (701/721/1229's too).
