$6-7k to Spend on Turntable

Yes, I replaced the belt, but I still have issues with the motor turning too fast. 33 1/3 is very close to 45 rpm, but it also slows down below 33 1/3. It won't maintain a constant speed at all. I've been wanting to upgrade for some time anyway, so this is sort of the push to get me to do it.

Regarding the Teres 340, I hadn't really considered that table. Interesting that both recommendations I got were for that table. They are beautiful units, but I have never seen one in person. I'll do some more research on them. Can I mount my SME on the deck or do I need a new arm?

Ken

Faugusta,

What am I looking for? Hmmm? I am not what one would call an equipment junkie. I tend to research a fair amount, buy something, then just hold on to if for a long time. Given that approach, I want to make sure the table I buy is going to last me a good twenty plus years, just like the Oracle. I'll probably buy a unit then I'll never research anything again unit some other part of my system goes belly up. I don't subscribe to audio rags. I just enjoy having nice equipment that allows me to 'listen' to music. In fact I spend way more time reading about and buying software than I do hardware.

I am not big into digital. I do have a decent CD deck, but my main source is vinyl. I listen to classical, jazz, blues, and rock. I am not a big bass junkie, having cut my teeth on maggies. I now run Final electrostatics, which do a very job of reproducing mids and highs. Bass is a bit weak, but fairly accurate. I don't necessarily need a table that is going to draw every drop out of the bass as I can reproduce it with my speakers.

Another concern is my preamp. I have an SP-8 that I dearly love. The phono stage requires a high output cartridge. I have no immediate plans on replacing the preamp, so I am wedded to high output cartridges. I am currently running a Grado Reference High Output cartridge on the SME IV. To keep costs down a bit, I was sort of hoping to use the SME IV arm and Grado on the new deck. But I am not predisposed to that if there really is a sonically better match for whatever turntable I end up getting.

Again, what am I looking for? I guess the turntable that most accurately reproduces the original within my $7 grand budget. I have no objections to buying used either. One thing I don't want is a turntable that takes up a bunch of real estate. I'm currently setup to accomodate 25x18, but I'll adjust to accomodate the new gear. I just don't want something that will require a lot of space. I also don't want to spend 15-30 minutes setting up before every listening session.

My local dealer carries the Clearaudio, which are nice, but I'm not particularly into all the acrylic. So I'm prolly going to buy something without having heard it first. I'm guessing most anything in my price range will sound very good. I suppose I'm just casting a net to see what some of the options are as I'm not particular well read on what's out there right now.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Ken

Thank you all for the responses. You've given me plenty to think about.

Seems this forum thinks very highly of the Teres decks. At your suggestion, I've sent an email off to Chris. In checking his website, seems there is a very significant wait time for new deliveries. Being a hobbyist woodworker, the wood does appeal to me, but not enough to wait two to three months for a new deck. I'm already going stir crazy!

Even though I have very much enjoyed the Oracle, I've found the company more miss than hit to deal with. I've never know from one month to the next if they are going to be in business. So I had sort of ruled out the Mark V.

The SME 20 that jfrech tossed out is definately on my used radar watch. I saw one on here several months back that I considered chasing, but at the time the ol' Oracle was still working.

You've given me some good suggestions. I think I'll spend some more time researching some of the brands I hadn't considered that you recommend: the Galibier, Acoustic Signature, Avid, Basis, and Scheu. Added to the VPI TNT 6 and Verdier, I have a good selection to choose from.

Regardless of the deck, you've convinced me to stay with the Mark IV. I'd also consider upgrading the cartridge if there were a noticeable improvement over my Grado Reference. I do need very high output with the SP-8.

Maybe in the meantime, something good will pop up in the classifieds.

Ken

Well gang, I pulled the trigger today. I purchased an SME 20/2 from a fellow audiogon member this evening.

I have done more reading on turntables the last couple of days than I have in years. Most of it spurred by your suggestions. I know many of you had recommended the Teres decks. I did send Chris Brady an email to which he replied. These are probably excellent decks just as many of you have said. However, I can't get one locally, and I am not inclined to wait a long period for one to be produced for me.

Much of the information you provided I used to wade through the decks available on Audiogon. This afternoon an SME 20/2 showed up, which fit my requirements. I can also pick up the deck locally. As I have hinted, I'm not much of an equipment junkie, but buying used does allow me the option of selling later without taking a bath if for some reason the sound isn't what I was expecting. However, given my experience with my SME IV tonearm. I doubt I will be disappointed.

In then end, there was no way I could follow everyone's suggestions, but I valued all your input and appreciate your insights.

Thanks again for the help!

Ken

Jfrech, I don't know yet! I just picked it up over the weekend, and my ARC VT-200 is still in the shop. The deck is definately mint, just as Johan said. I guess he only had it for less than a year. It was very well taken care of.

It may be a couple of weeks until I can really give it a shakedown as I am going to send my ARC SP-8 off to Steve at Great Northern Sound to get the phono stage upgraded to handle low output MCs. I've been talking to Sorasound here in SF and plan on picking up an Airys 3s from him.

Hopefully within two to three weeks, I'll have everything back and making music!

I need to get the Oracle and SME IV listed for sale some time this week.

Ken