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New analog rig(t.t.,tonearm,phono drive)

My current analog rig is a Basis 2001 w/ fluid suspension/Rega RB900/Benz Micro Wood M2/McCormack Micro Phono Drive. I like the Basis 2001 but I want to upgrade several levels up. Basis themselves and 2 Basis dealers suggested getting the Vector 4 tonearm. While that is definitely a good recommendation, they also recommend adding the Calibrator Base.
I think the Basis motor is high torque. But, to get the Calibration Base and possibly the Cable Isolation System(around $3,000) along with the Vector 4($6,000) will cost around $9,000 total. With any substantial upgrade I do believe it is time to upgrade from my McCormack Micro Phono Drive as well....That is why I was considering the Vertere MG-1/SG-1/PHONO-1 rig as all of that, even with a tonearm wiring upgrade to hand built, is in the $10,000-$11,000 ballpark which is my budget for the upgrades. I am sure I can sell my Basis 2001/RB900/McCormack phono drive so maybe I could raise my budget a little.

Vertere design is very different than Basis as far metal(w/acrylic mat) vs. acrylic platter, recommendation of no use of a record clamp, motor on the plinth and
lack of suspension(I believe)...I have a 200+ pound Sound Anchors rack so suspension may be less a factor to consider?....Or I could use an isolation platform...And Vertere’s tonearm, while it looks like a uni pivot, Vertere says it definitely is not...

So, while I am open to any other gear, up for consideration is the Vertere MG-1/SG-1 w/ HB wiring/PHONO-1 for $10,000-$11,000 or The Calibrator Base/Cable Iso System, Vector 4, new phono drive for $10,000-$11,000. That just seems a lot to spend to upgrade a 2001.

I’ve never read a bad thing about Basis and my current system has served me well. And I’ve read very good things about Vertere; that this rig combination sounds incredible....But I value the opinions here.
I’ve read several posts from Basis owners but none regarding the U.K’s Vertere...Have any posters here looked into/heard about or own a Vertere system? All feedback is greatly appreciated.
vinylshadow
vinylshadow OP
405 posts
 
@millercabon You thought that the RB300 was a workhorse.
This might be a dopey question but do you feel the same about the RB900? That's what I have now with my Basis 2001 sans liquid suspension.
I've been wondering if I am underselling the 2001/RB900/Benz Wood M2 a little. Not that I won't upgrade but I have no other reference to compare. Thanks.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,183 posts
 
Vinylshadow, Buying a new turntable is always fun. I have several rules I always abide by when I look at tonearms and turntables.
Rule #1 No unipivot arms. They are inherently unstable. Many manufacturers such as Lyra recommend against them for good reason.
Rule #2 The turntable must be adequately isolate with a suspension tune to filter under 3 Hz.\
Rule #3 The Turntable must have adequate record clamping be it by reflex clamp or vacuum.
Turntables that meet that requirement are Basis, SOTA, SME and Dohmann. Of the 4 SOTA is easily the best buy. It's suspension is brilliant, it has vacuum hold down, it has a bearing with a magnetic thrust system and it has a great drive system. Put an Origin live Tonearm on one and you would be hard pressed to do better at any price. The main downside to the SOTA is it will only take certain 9-10" tonearms. 
The SME is a brilliant turntable but it is three times the price. The Dohmann is the best turntable here. It has a built in Minus K system for the best isolation available in any turntable. It uses a reflex clamp and I believe will soon be offered with Vacuum. It is more expensive than the SME's. Basis tables are fine but they want to sell them with their tonearms which by many opinions are not so hot because they are unipivot arms.
The Vertere is a handsome turntable. It does not have an adequate suspension or record clamping system. The tonearm looks OK but I have not handled one. On appearances alone I would prefer an Origin Live Enterprise arm not to mention any of the Schroder or Reed arms. SME arms are not available as separates any more. 
You buy a turntable to listen too not to look at. The Dohmann is the ugliest turntable here and I would buy one in a heart beat if I had the money:) 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,183 posts
 
More Motors = more noise. There is absolutely no reason to have more than one motor.  
vinylshadow OP
405 posts
 
@mijostyn Thanks for the great information.
Interesting that Vertere does not want a record clamp or vacuum but a free floating LP.  It goes against nearly every other company.Vertere states that their tonearm is not a unipivot. As does Basis with the Vector 4.

I thought about putting a great tonearm on my Basis 2001..Basis advised buying the Calibrator Base with a tonearm upgrade. Perhaps that is a suspension tune?

But the liquid suspension in my suspension pods has evaporated. The springs still work but is it worse off now?

A Basis dealer who was also a Vertere dealer told me that in order to even approach the musical performance of the Vertere MG-1/SG-1 package with my Basis 2001, I'd need a Calibrator Base and a Rega 2000 tonearm. But really with a Vector 4 tonearm. Those 2 upgrades(Calibrator+Vector 4) would cost almost $10,000.
Someone I greatly respect, a total vinyl audiophile, sold his SME 30 and SME V Tonearm for the Vertere set up and he said the Vertere ran rings around it for 1/4 of the price. That got my attention.....He is crazy about the sound. And runs it through the Vertere phono-1. I've questioned different Vertere gear designs and his answer is always about THE SOUND. It sounds great...
That is why i'm chasing my tail with this. Very confusing. I've read so much good things about the SOTA Cosmos Eclipse, but, it's kinda boring looking..I know. Shouldn't judge. (Unless I went all the way with the Millenia Eclipse/OL Enterprise/2nd Mortgage).


jperry
2,430 posts
 
A thought for you is shop for a used Basis tonearm (or just buy a new one), and fill the Basis footers with silicone. If you like the improvement no need to change anything else. I think Basis may occasionally get tonearms in on trade to the Superarm, so you may want to inquire with Basis.

If you want to get a new turntable later you can upgrade your turntable and use the Basis tonearm on your new turntable, and sell the Basis turntable with the Rega tonearm.

I have had a lot of different turntables including owning a Basis 2001. It came with a Basis branded Rega tonearm. I upgraded the tonearm to a Basis Vector 3, which I found on Audiogon as NOS. I have trouble describing how much better the Basis tonearm was than the Rega tonearm. The Basis was a quantum step forward.

In the words of AJ Conti, and he is 100% correct, when I asked him about upgrading the from the Rega to a Basis:

"As for the improvement........you have no idea and you would not be able to quite stretch to believe me if I told you. After you hear it you will know exactly why I made that statement and you will be shocked to hear just how important a tonearm is. You will just love it.

My best,

A.J."

Wishing you the best of luck in your search.

Jim Perry
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