Goldring GR-1.2, NAD 533 -- any difference?


Hi. Newbie question. I am interested in getting into vinyl and am looking for an entry level turntable that's easy to set up. Two budget turntables that I have heard good things about are the NAD 533 and the Goldring GR-1.2. They are both, I understand Rega P2 clones. However, the NAD lists for $100 more than the Goldring. Is there a difference that justifies the higher price of the NAD?
(The records I have are mostly rock and classical. Some Jazz too. My amp is the Rotel 1062 integrated, which has a phono stage).
mbrooker

Showing 3 responses by gadfly

the arm on the nad533 is a bit better than the one on the Goldring. check this out: http://www.vinylengine.com/rega_arm_guide_page2.shtml

nad533 uses the oem1 arm and the goldring uses the gr 1

review of the goldring table:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/goldring/gr1.html

review of the nad533:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?ranlg&1027547956&read&3&4&
another important difference may be that the Goldring mount is not the standard Rega mount. Meaning that it is not a drop-in for other tables that may accomodate an RB*. This is someting to think about - you might want to put that RB250 on another platform later.

I am not sure how you would add spacers to that arm either. The standard spacers might not fit with the goldring arm so adjusting for VTA is locked in. Maybe you can use another spacer made for that able but it should be something to look into before buying.

Also the goldring will not accomodate the Pete Riggles VTAF.
if it uses a p9 base for the arm then you can add a rega spacer using the riser nut that's made for the p9 which reaches up thru the plinth to get a grip on the threads.

then you can use any cart.