TT opinions please


I've been lurking in the background for several days now, and I've observed that there are quite a few knowledgeable souls out there. I've been into audio for better than 20 years, (with several unexplained lapses), and I've floated back into vinyl. It's definately time to swap out the old TT, (a B&O TX w/MMC3), and I'm considering several alternatives, among them:
Rega P3 w/ Origin Live RB250, New
Arison RD11s w/ AQ arm, Used
Basis 1400 w/RB300 arm, Used
VPI 19jr. w/ AQ arm, Used
Linn LP12, several flavors of arms, used
maybe a Pro-Ject Perspective, New
or perhaps a Michell Gyro SE w/ RB300, New

Some of these I've heard, most of them I have not. I tend to prefer fairly sharp highs, moderate midrange bloom, and a tight bottom end. This will be connected thru a Musical Fidelity XLP, Adcom 750 preamp, Parasound HCA-1200 and PSB Stratus Golds.

I'm not exactly poor, but I am cheap! Any thoughts, opinions, directives, etc? Thanks in advance for the help!
geezer
I would have to agree with Albert. The Basis 1400 with the Rega arm is a great combo. This table is also a great match for the Graham arm or the Morch arm, which is what I am thinking of upgrading too. Also the Dynavector 10x4 is a great cartridge in the $350 range, I would highly recommend it with that combo. When I upgrade to the Morch arm I will most likely go with a cartride in the Benz line. Any recommendations out there would be most welcomed. Best-Gary
Geezer, I bought a new p25 from music direct for $1000. It was 6-8 months ago. The salesperson pretty much offered that price with out any negotiation on my part. The p25 get's you a better arm rb-600 which has better cables, counterweight and better bearings (or maybe tolerance-not exactly sure which one. The turntable has a little different plinth and motor than the p25. Hope this helps...

PS, I've also found putting the table on DH cones and sq's helps a bunch...
Jfrech, thanks for the advice. I've just finished reading Todd Warnke's review of the P25, (http://www.audioweb.com/Review/), which seems to agree with your and Revdog's comments.

BTW-The Origin Live site gives some good information on the differences between the various Rega arms, (all within the context of their mods, of course). See http://www.tonearm.co.uk/rb900.htm#physicaldifferences.

As I dig more, the VPI tables seem to need to be at the Mk III or IV level or better to approach the performance that I was looking for. But, until I get a chance to audition one, who really knows?

Albertporter and Gmele - Based on your comments, I am now also looking more closely at the Basis 1400 with Rega arm. Thanks!
I went back into vinyl for the past year. I shopped around and ended up with a Project Perspective with a Blue Point Special cartridge. It has a suspended chassis that deals with my hardwood floors. I also invested in a Nitty Gritty 1.5 Si record cleaner which works great. This turntable is really easy to setup and mess with and try different configs on it. But I think that I still don't have the "vinyl" sound. I am at the point where I need to improve my phono preamp and maybe move to a Grado Platinum cartridge. But it has been fun. I received the new turn table with cartridge for $825 out the door. Dale
LP12 the older version may have needed a lot of tweaking that's why I mentioned the Cirkus upgrade because if you can find a cheap Linn/Valhalla combo and then put the Cirkus on it the table become more neutral, but still has that basic Linn sound and as far as the Cirkus upgrade you get a bigger bearing & platter,current revision armboard,thicker sub-chassis with the newer heavey duty spings and some other stuff. The reason I know this is I bought my LP12 back in 94 and it was the basic (no Valhalla) I liked the sound at first but then I notice that infamous mid bass character and decided to upgrade to the Cirkus last year and WOW what a difference first thing I notice was the back ground became very quiet and bass increased,midrange became more musical & lifelike, then I got the Valhalla and this made a big defference too then I took off the bottom cover of the LP12 a PRESTO! that mid-bass hump was gone and the table became more clear in the midrange and the bass seem to extend lower than before also had more 3D quilty to it. Sorry for going on so much but to put it plan and simply the LP12 with the Cirkus upgrade is now a more set it and forget it tpye of turntable and dosen't need to be messed with for years. Believe me nothing will come close to it for the price or maybe even double the price.

Steve..