2. analog
  3. 1040266367

Help with TT recommendations.

I'm rediscovering my love for analog and wanted to bring it to the forum for some helpful advice. I inherited a Dual CS-505-3 and an outstanding collection of pristine vinyl. In the few months I've owned the Dual, I've upgraded the cart to a Sumiko Blue Point Special (MC) and modded the tonearm cables (same concept as the Incognito harness mod, only with custom cables & RCA). Although I'm pleased with the results, it's not as responsive and lively as I'd like. It's an older table, albeit well maintained, and it's not giving me "ahhhhhh" that vinyl can deliver.

So, I'm thinking it's time to invest in an entry-level table that scratch my itch. I've come up with several combinations based on threads I've read here and various reviews. I'm hoping you all may have some insight for me.

I typically listen to (1) vintage jazz & classical pressings (all pristine thanks to my benefactor); (2) new remastered 180-200g pressings of jazz (99.9% trio/quintet and some vocal), blues and some funk; (3) 70's-90's folk-rock (wilco/csny/rem/etc.) from my old collection; and virtually no true rock albums.

My current analog rig is made up of:
(1) Dual CS 505-3
(2) MS Phonomena Phono Stage
(3) JPS Superconductor FX IC's
(4) C-J PV-12al pre
(5) C-J MV-2250 amp
(5) Straight Wire Rhapsody S Cables
(6) B&W N805's

I've got a budget of $1500-$1700 for new or used gear and I've conjured up a few combinations that I'm considering:
(1) Basis 1400/RB-250 (w/ OL mod)
(2) Basis 1400/Graham 2.0
(3) Rega P25/RB-600
(4) VPI Scout/RB-250 (w/ OL mod)
(5) VPI Scout/JWM-9
(6) VPI Scout/Graham 2.0

Please keep in mind, I'm not up on all the price points, so some may be far out of my budget. Also, if some of these combos seem a little off or mismatched, that's due to my of TT education, or lack thereof.

Having said all this, I'm seeking your opinions/experiences on which would me the best in terms of value, quality & upgradeability.

One last note, I did read that the Basis 1400 is acutely accurate and almost emotionless in terms of delivery - not that accuracy is a negative characteristic, but one of benefits of analog is it's warmth & emotion it can convey. Although to use an analogy, I've seen some movies that I've absolutely loved that got panned by the critics, so.... I guess your mileage my vary.

Thanks very much for entertaining my ramblings and I look forward to your feedback.

Hat
hatfield

Showing 6 responses by hatfield

hatfield OP
20 posts
 
thanks twl. in looking through the past threads, i came across a few in which you mentioned the teres tables and i had a look on there site. looks like some very nice equip. and i like the concept of a the weighted wood base. seems like it the wood would keep things warm and the weighting would gove it the stability for accuracy misuc translation.

btw, i had a look @ your system yesterday and your rig is VERY attractive! love the base on your table!

hat
hatfield OP
20 posts
 
one thing to add regarding my teres comment... i was talking about the 150 model as opposed to the 135 which you mentioned.
hatfield OP
20 posts
 
Thanks for the cart insight, but I guess it's a little late now. As for the choice to go w/ the BPS, it was recommended to me and purchased on "good faith." Live and learn... nothing like an expensive education to make you scrutinize your future purchases ;^)

So, since we're speaking about carts, what are your recommendations/favorites (let's keep it in the $500 or less range)? It would be paired w/ the above-mentioned options.

One last thing... when creating the combinations listed above, I meant to pair the Graham Robin arm... the 2.x is a little out of my price range.

Thanks again!
Hat
hatfield OP
20 posts
 
ok... sooooo much food for thought! but i did come to some conclusions:

based on the majority of the feedback (thank you all for offering your suggestions!), i feel confident that the decision to go w/ the OL Silver is one that i'll be very satisfied with.

additionally, i can't really go wrong matching it with the DL103R - although a new cart will most likely have to wait, as the tt/arm will soak my available funds. it gives me something to look forward to, right ? ;^)

now, the final issue is TT choice. for the most part, all the suggestions (new or used) fit w/in my budget and offer compelling reasons for favoring them, although, i didn't see any mention of the SOTA Star III (if i'm reading correctly, $1295 for a factory refurb). i initially overlooked this option; however, after more combing through threads w/in the forum and on-line reviews... this table seems quite attractive, from both an engineering design standpoint and esthetics. any positive/negative feedback on these tables?

in the home stretch now!

thanks,
hat

hatfield OP
20 posts
 
i'm a fan of AZ products, and i'd love to see what they'd do in my system, but for now, i'm satisfied w/ the rhapsody's.

eventually, i'm planning on moving from the C-J MF-2250 to the MV-55 or MV-60... @ that time, i'll most likely move into another speaker cable.

thanks for the cable advice... it's great to hear from someone that has experienced an upgrade path that is similar to my future upgrade (rhapsody's > AZ's).

hat
hatfield OP
20 posts
 
btw, the above was regarding JD's cable post. i was a little late on the draw getting this one out.
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