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Choosing a new turntable

I've used an LP-12 for more than 30 years, mostly an 80's version with Valhalla and Ittok. I took it in for a tune-up last week and decided that's it, I'm done with this. I want 45 rpm, I don't want to throw more money at the Linn, I want something different.

My budget is $3K or less for table and arm and my inclination is to buy new, though that's not a hard requirement. My current cartridge is a Benz L2 wood body. I like an organic sound. I want an unfussy system (I briefly had a Kuzma StabiS/StogiS a couple of years ago and never got comfortable with it). I want a table I like the looks of. I've read every relevant thread here. I am intrigued by the groundswell of renewed interest in high-torque systems, but am not sure that will make sense given my budget and needs.

It's tough to audition tables, as you know. I'm hoping some of you seasoned vinylphiles can help me understand the kind of sound to expect from the various choices out there. Here's what's currently on my radar:

VPI Classic -- Price is right, buzz is good (though you have to be careful about that). But the table's footprint is a bit bigger than I'd like and I'm told the VPI sound is on the dark side. It's a bit clunky looking in the pictures. Also, I'm quite inexperienced with unipivot arms.

Clearaudio Performance SE (or the new, lesser, Concept). I like the looks of these tables, they seem well made and easy to set up. I've heard Clearaudio is fussy about support and may be hard to get good sound from for that reason. (I have an Apollo rack with a Neuance shelf.)

Well-Tempered Amadeus. Again, lots of good buzz about this new table. But I have heard of some reliability problems and the thing looks fragile and fussy. Also, no cueing lever (though I understand an add-on will be offered), which would drive me crazy I think.

Technics SL-1200 from KAB with some of the KAB mods. This is an entirely different kettle of fish, I realize. Much less money than the others, would give me a taste of direct drive, very easy to use, and I'd probably take advantage of the detachable headshell to play with some other carts. I could put a better arm in it eventually. But I have no idea if the sound I'll get from this table will be even in the ballpark of the others or even of my sub-optimized LP-12.

I suppose Michell and Nottingham should also be in my consideration set. What do you think?

That's it. And before you start flooding me with suggestions for searching out some long-discontinued rarity or DIY project, let me say that I appreciate the suggestions but I'm really inclined to keep this simple and off-the-shelf.

Thanks.
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Showing 2 responses by 4musica44107

4musica44107
520 posts
 
I own three different turntables. The least expensive is the Amadeus fitted with a Dynavector XX2 MC cartridge and Auditorium 23 RCAs. This is a far less expensive setup than the other two but it is easily the 2nd best sounding setup of the three. Extremely musical with the best bass I have ever heard from any turntable, tonearm, & cartridge combo. Sound stage, PRAT, instrument locations, and instrument textures are all excellent. The build quality is quite good but of course it is not the same quality level as my Ayre-DPS or Basis Signature 2500. Like the OP, I had some concerns about the lack of a cueing system, but the tonearm is so damped and otherwise easy to move and control that I had no problem adjusting to the lack of a cueing system, and my Amadeus is necessarily on the top shelf of an equipment rack that is arguably higher than what I typically see; the top shelf is 48.5 inches high.

So far I just flat out love this turntable! I do not find it "fussy" or overly "fragile" but those attributes like so many other things we might associate with the toys in our hobby are highly subjective. In other words, what might be perceived as fussy or fragile to one individual will not necessarily be a problem for someone else.

I have not encountered any reliability problems nor have I heard about any.

Bottom line: This is a remarkable TT that is a tremendous musical value at its price point. I highly recommend anyone planning on spending between $3K and $6K on a turntable/tonearm combo that they audition the Amadeus. It continues to astonish me!
4musica44107
520 posts
 
Chashas1 et al:

My Ayre, Amadeus, and Basis analog setups all sound quite different from each other. The cartridges and arms for each are all different, and each is in its own system, much to my wife's chagrin. As you know, individually and especially collectively, those accessory and system differences pretty much preclude valid A/B comparisons. With that said, my favorite is the Ayre, it just does everything right for me. The Amadeus is a close second, bettering the Ayre only in bass response and sonic value per dollar spent. The Basis is a pretty close third. It has the darkest background of any of the three setups.

From an esthetics perspective regarding materials and construction, the Ayre and Basis are just superb and score very high in the "all-important" eye candy category. The Amadeus seems to be at least as well built as a Rega, and I find its look to be eclectic, even without the golf ball!
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