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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.
Ag insider logo xs@2xdrubin

Showing 9 responses by drubin

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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
There are many positive comments about the sound of the Amadeus, although for some reason it seems to often be paired with a $9K cart. It looks good but somewhat tweaky and a bit strange to me (tiny wires, golf ball) but I need to get some hands-on to see for myself.

I'm coming to the realization that appearance, build quality, and what it's like to use/operate these tables is more important to me for this decision than for other components. Especially since it's so hard to do good comparisons of the sonics. To that end, I will ask, which tables have folks found the most satisfying to operate? (I hope the question makes sense to you.)
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
I will add the SOTA to my list as well as the Gyro SE. I don't find the Gyro unattractive although my tastes tend to run toward more traditional looks. If I could own any table based on its appearance, it would be one of the Spiral Grove tables or the Artemis or the DPS that Ayre distributes,

The dimensions of the SOTA Sapphire are too large for my Neuance shelf, which is 18" x 15". Does the entire 20" x 16.5" need to sit on the shelf or are there feet inset or a smaller sub-plith?
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Would anyone care to comment on what the SOTA "sound" is, perhaps compared to other leading brands, such as VPI, Clearaudio, WT, Linn, etc.
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
Hmmm...this looks pretty attractive:

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?anlgtabl&1269709065
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
The Sapphire doesn't use the vacuum system. True about being sprung, but I believe it's much less sensitive and critical than in the Linn. Am I wrong about that?
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
I read that Soundstage! review. In a PFO review, the reviewer also seemed to prefer his Sota to the Nott, but described the Nott as leaning toward the analytical side of the force. Interesting. When I listened to it at the dealer's yesterday, my thought was that it may be too dark and thick for me. I guess there's no substitute for listening to these things. :-)

What I value about vinyl playback is its ability to sometimes seemingly cross the border between reproduction and real life, to communicate an organic "breath of life." If I can get that, I don't care if the bass isn't the best or the soundstage is small or whatever.
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
That's very helpful, yes, thank you. I would expect to have similar reactions to you, but need to see them in the flesh for myself, and listen to them of course.
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
You think a reasonably up-to-date SOTA would be a step down from an out of date Linn? Why?
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drubin OP
3,265 posts
 
I looked at the Nottingham Ace Space today at a dealer. This is the current edition of the what used to be the Space Deck. The dealer had it fitted with a Rega arm that had been rewired, which is what he would suggest to keep me within my budget. I liked it very much, I must say. He's going to let me bring it home for a weekend, with my cart installed, to see if I like the sound.

But don't stop this discussion -- no decisions have been made.
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