2. analog
  3. 126251-489

My final table , hopefully !

Back in the 80's I was seduced to the digital side ! At first it was lovely . But then , I became hooked , it got cold and ugly .  After a lot of work and many years , I was able to get onto the recovery road to analogdom .

I returned with a MMF 5.1 turntable and stock cartridge . Oh that warm cozy feeling , I missed you so ! 

 But now , as luck would have it , I want MORE !  More dynamics , more detail , more extension , more rich tone and above all else more of that sensuous musicality . I've grown old , fat and out of shape since I quit tapping my toes , bobbing my head , playing air guitar & and dancing around the room ! I'm greedy and I want it all !

Unfortunately , my addictions have forced me to the land of the small budget . I need to stay in the 2K + 3K range . If I can trade in my MMF 5.1 table and cartridge , that would help .


I would like to spend a majority of my money on the table and arm . I need a faithful dog , a table that will stick with me through thick & thin and never leave my side . To grow older with me without the need for attention . I am a set it & forget it / plug n play kind of guy . I want to listen to music , not futz with stuff . I am not able to go out and hear a lot of stuff so my ideas come from the net ...and my help comes from you !

I have read that different manufacturers tables have different sound characteristics . How much of this can be attributed to the arm and cartridge used ? How much can it be altered ? I prefer classic rock , singers & songwriters , contemporary blues , Detroit soul and classical . Not much for Disco ,  Rap , Techno or Hip Hop .

While most tables have an upgrade path , I would like to refrain from taking it . Again the plug n play / set it & forget it attitude .


Here is what I have come up with , in no special order :

VPI Prime - the most expensive , comes with the 3D arm .

Well Tempered Amadeus MKII - comes with the golf ball arm .

Avid Diva II

Sota Saphire V - no real need for a suspension system as I am on a slab .

Sota Saphire III - refurbished , again no real need for the suspension system . 

Origin Live Calypso MkIII

Looking at the Jelco 750D arm for some of these tables .


Thank You .

Saki70


saki70
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

I like Sota a lot; the only one I've had experience with is the Saphire. I noticed all the high end salons, when there were such places, had Sota Saphires on display, ready for evaluation. Of course they sold other brands as well.

I just checked that refurbished Sota for 2k; that's a lot of TT for that price, and it's pretty too. I recently spent almost 2K upgrading another table that's in the same league. That price is certainly right.

Of course you would not get entry level cartridge or tone arm with that table.

Good luck with your decision.


orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

I just looked at your choices of music, and Sota is kind of mellow in my opinion; a Rega might be better for Rock, and be very selective about cartridges because the type of music you like makes all the difference in the world.

Since there are few high end salons, you have to rely on reviews; they are reliable if you know how to read them, and that's very important in analog. Focus on the music the reviewer is using, when he is using the same music you like, that means you got a winner, because the reason he likes that particular cartridge TT, or tone arm, is because it's emphasizing his favorite music.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,233 posts
 
Hello Saki70,
I'm very familiar with the Well Tempered (owned one for about 12 years) and the SOTA turntables (in the systems of two friends). I believe that you can not go wrong with either,  both have stood the test of time admirably. The cartridges chosen do matter as Orpheus 10 pointed out. If nitpicking I'd say that the Well Tempered is a bit more dynamic and vibrant in its presentation. Again both are superb choices in my experience. I preferred either to my former LINN LP 12. Unlike  your digital experience I've found genuine musical bliss with my digital source. 
Good luck, 
Charles, 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,233 posts
 
Hi fjn04,
Very nice system! WTT,Shindo and Devore Orangutan O/96. I'm certain that you are enjoying musical bliss 😊. 
Charles, 
saki70 OP
907 posts
 

Ok , now we're cookin' ! Very good responses !

I have 2 votes for the Prime .

Moonglum ;

Yes the 750D would be a starter arm . I want to be sure that my next table would not be embarrassed by upgraded arms as well as cartridges . If you have a suggestion that would better it within that same price range , I would love to hear (lol) it .

 2 for Sota .

Orpheus ;

I too thought that the refurbished Sota looked like a sweet deal . The mellowness that you speak of was the reason I queried about the ability to change this characteristic with arms and cartridges .

I looked at the Rega's but was put off by all the talk of needing to upgrade the platter , sub-platter and counter weight to bring it up to its piers . I would rather start out with a solid unit that can stand on its own out-of-the-box .

Insightful take on the reviews by the way !

And 2 for WT .

Charles1dad ;

I was thinking that the WT would make a nice all -a- rounder . My only caveat was about upgrading the arm . Is it even possible ?


Have I failed to recognize any manufacturers ?

Please keep'em comin' people .

And a hardy Thank You One & All !

More to discover