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
musicalal
18 posts
 
I am surprised no one has mentioned the Michel Orbe/Rega combination.

IMO this is one of the best bangs for the buck out there and very solidly engineered to last.
vindanpar
58 posts
 

Same situation as you.

When I got back into vinyl my head start bopping and my foot tapping again.

Brian at vpi is great.



fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Sancho22- I don't mean to doubt you, but just want to confirm. You found a VPI better than a Kuzma Stabi/Stogi? This was with the same cartridge, and NO change in associated equipment. Cheers -Don
saki70 OP
907 posts
 

vindanpar ;

Isn't strange how that very same thing happens to quite a few individuals ?

We go astray but find our way .

Happy Tunes .

sevs
301 posts
 
@saki70 you described here the story of my life, much better than I could! About 15 years ago I cracked, bought Sondek and got hooked! Upgraded (or downgraded?) it to fully Naim-ed Sondek, and after getting it Keel-ed even sold the original shipping/packing box. So this is my Last TT!! Given a second chance, I would go different direction, because as it is now I totally depend on my local dealer to reset my Sondek every few years (tried to do this myself, even bought a jig, but this is not as straightforward as others claim it to be).
My experience: get something upgradeable and save yourself some $$$ down the road...
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