Since you say you don't have much experience with turntables, then at all costs avoid any suspended designs (Linn, Roksan and others). They're capable of superb sound, but they are relatively difficult to set up and maintain. Suspension designs are also more finicky about what stand you place them upon. Recommend you consider Rega, Well Tempered (get one w/ the Black Platter and the redesigned tonearm) or VPI Aries. BUY THE CARTRIDGE NEW - HAVE DEALER INSTALL. A real good dealer should also do a follow-up visit 60-90 days later to readjust. |
Looking for secondhand? Smart move, but not for a cartridge, because it's hard to see how worn out the needle is. And what kind of cartidge do you want? MM or MC? If I were you, I'd be looking for something like a Linn LP 12, with a matching arm (Linn Ekos). As for cartridges, check out Ortofon's upmarket MC's, or, if budget is tight, something like a Denon DL 304. If you need an pre-preamp, buy a Rotel RQ 970 (200-250$). Make sure you adjust your turntable-arm-cartridge combination well, and enjoy the listening..... |
Advertise for a good used J. A. Michell Gyrodec or the cheaper Mycrodec...turntable is so good, it ususally comes with an inexpensive rega arm. This will give you a great start. Honestly suggest you start with an inexpensive Moving Magnet cartridge like the Audio technica 440ML (going new half-price for $100). Then, as you get into the swing of things, you can start weighing more expesnive cartridges... and, should you lose heart with the fussiness of analogue, you should always be able to get nearly all of your money back. |
I am extremely happy with my Basis 2500 with Graham 2.0 deluxe arm. Bought it new, but I do see them occasionally at less than $4K. Theirs is a Wilson Benech table and arm on listed at action now @ $1750. That is great combination @ a great price. Add a VPI SDS to this for under $2500, and you will be real vinyl heaven. Good luck. Cheers, Gerrym5 |
For entry level listen to the Rega Planar 3. After that get a Linn Sondek LP12 or a Roksan Xerxes. The Linn is legendary and is one of the best music sources in the world. |
THERE ARE SOME GOOD DEALS IN USED TURNTABLES OUT THERE. I WOULD LOOK HARD AT THE KUZMA STABI DISTRIBUTED IN THE U.S. BY MUSE ELECTRONICS (SAW ONE ON THE AUCTION RECENTLY) OR YOU MAY EVEN WANT TO CONSIDER A NEW INSTEAD, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CAN GET THE KUZMA STABI S INCLUDING TONE ARM FOR UNDER $2,000.00. THE KUZMA S IS REALLY NEW, DOUBT YOU WOULD FIND ONE USED YET. THAT WOULD LEAVE YOU A NICE PIECE OF CHANGE FROM YOUR BUDGET FOR A CARTRIDGE. BY THE WAY DID YOU FIND THE SUBWOOFER FOR YOUR MARTIN LOGAN CLS YET? I CAN HELP YOU WITH A USED MUSE MODEL 18 IF INTERESTED, AND THE CONSUMER INSTALLABLE PERSONALITY CARD FOR THE MARTIN LOGAN CLS, CLS II (a)(z), SEQUEL II, AND MONOLITH III IS AVAILABLE FROM MUSE FOR JUST $35.00. AS WELL. BEST REGARDS |
Get any VPI table used, and a new Benz Glider cartridge. Get the Musical Surroundings Phonomena, which BEATS THE LEHMANN BLACK CUBE, and is only about two quality percentage points below an Audio Research PH-3. Get a tonearm that allows for VTA adjustment. |
The VPI Aries and a Benz cartridge are the best choice. I owned a Linn lp12 and constant problems with set-up and vibration. Which ever you decide on make sure its on a rock solid base |
its nice to have a budget like that. the rega planar 3 is a bargain, great place to start, leaves room for good electrinics for stepup. forget the AT440ML, too hifi, the AT-OC9 at $200 from audio advisor is a bargain, used to retail for 700. the lehman stepup is not bad for the $. there are lots of opinions out there, spending someone elses dough is easy isnt it. for serious bux, the basis tables are good merch. i say start wiht the rotel,oc9,lehman combo and learn. it couldnt hoit! |
Carl, sometime you amaze me. I didn't know you knew about the Phonomena, much less heard it. I did the pictures of it that are currently being used. By the way, you are right about the sound of same. Pretty amazing for the VERY low price. I do think its a long way from the Aesthetix and even the Counterpoint SA9 (long discontinued), and probably not quite as good as the current Lukaschek PP-1 revised. But, again, less money than any of the others mentioned, and the buyer of the Phonomena gets new merchandise and a warranty! |
A friend of mine is best buds with Mike Yee. SO WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BOB CLARKE at MS? You're a photographer? My parents are aerial photographers. |
Bob went back to school to pursue higher education. I'm not sure what his plans are after that. I do all the photography for the lines represented by Musical Surroundings, including Aesthetix, Basis, Benz, Lukaschek, Graham. I do others too, but that's another story. |
hey id like to see some of thse photos, the winegard for instance. the raddio telescope in guam is spectacular too. |
No one seemed to mention this. In your budget for getting into vinyl, be sure to include money for a record washing machine. If it takes 20% of your funds, you won't be sorry! dr |
You can get more info on the KUZMA LINE thru Muse the U.S. Distributor for them. - check out: MuseElectronics.com |
