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Should I keep the Turntable or sell it?

I’ve been back and forth on this decision for about a month, and the more I learn, the harder this decision gets.

Backstory: I won the brand new Cambridge Audio Alva TT turntable in an online contest in mid-May, and while it sounds great, I decided to list it for sale a couple weeks ago. I’ve always wanted to try out a Rega P6 or P3 with a really nice cart, because I feel like I’m not getting enough out of my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. Prior to winning the Alva TT, I switched the Red Ortofon out for the Blue, and there was a great improvement in sound quality. But after comparing the Pro-Ject to the Alva TT and hearing what a $1700 turntable can sound like, I definitely am interested in exploring more high fidelity turntables. The issue is that I feel like I prefer the sound of tubes over solid state, and the Alva TT uses an integrated Alva Duo phono preamp for the RCA out, and their own DAC for the Bluetooth out if I want to go that route. I don’t have a ton of experience with tubes, and maybe it’s just the “cool factor” I actually like and I’m just having a placebo effect.

So I decided to list it for sale to try and get a Rega, because I heard so many great things about them. But over the last week or so, I’ve learned more about the Alva TT and how it uses Rega’s famous tonearm. I looked up the cart and it is listed at $500 separately, which is probably why it sounds better than the Pro-Ject w/ Ortofon Blue. I’ve also read on these boards about direct drive being better than belt, which the Alva has as well. It also has the added bonus of Bluetooth that go directly to my KEF LS50 Wireless, but I would most likely just use interconnects.

So I would love to get some advice from you all. I’ve gone back and forth about keeping the Alva or selling it, along with my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon, and buying/trading for something like a Rega P3 or P6. If you had my first world problem, what would you do?
bignamehere
bobheinatz
705 posts
 
Bignamehere,
I have read only the first page of your thread but you should also look at a idler drive turntable.  I have a Lenco Aristian Fidelity table which is over your budget but the idler wheel drive is a great option.  Check out Lenco Heaven forum.  You can buy used well under your budget. The Lenco is my last tt and I have owned it for 6 years.  To my ears the idler drive has outperformed a couple of belt drives that retailed for alot more money. Anyway check it out.
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limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,183 posts
 
Bought a Technics SL 1350 ,in 1974 before slot of you were born for $350 with a Shure v15 cart ,cart has been changed but still playes great...46 years old.
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
The new Technics direct drives are very neutral.  You hear whats there.  no more, no less.  Belt drives are very colorful and when I hear one I instantly am intrigued until I listen to it for a little while.  Then I want the direct drive as the belt drive is just missing something.  I cannot put my finger on it but its there.
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