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Help with TT ideas for my first TT

Hi All,

I have been reading alot of reviews and searching around for my first TT.  ALot of recent recordings that i want are basically only coming out on vinyl or super crappy mp3.  I have an Aaron integrated amp, with some custom built SB Acoustic Monitors (Bromo).

I am looking at the marketplace in the 1 - 1.5k range and see I can find alot of different solutions and wanted to get peoples thoughts:

Marantz tt-15 - Seems like  bargain at 1500, but difficult to setup
Clearaudio Concept - good reviews, bumps against the magnetic arm (Cement floor at my place)
Music Hall MMF 7.3 - Seems like a great solution
VPI Cliff Wood
Pro-ject X1 or X2 - Have read some reports of motor noise
Rega Planar 2 or 3 - Seems to be they are what they are

With such a crowded field how do people choose?  I live in Central Mass, and dont have alot of options in terms of auditions so would love to get peoples thoughts. 
kro77
justmetoo's avatar
justmetoo
381 posts
 
Well, I have heard the Marantz, alas none of the other tts mentioned. 
In comparing the Marantz to my SME 10 A (using SME V tonearm) I could only be positive surprised i.e. there was hardly, if any, performance difference for me to discern.
(Look up my system for perspective of what I'm saying). 
Depending on the quality of cartridge used it could be argued to sound even better. 
YMMV, as always.
Also it is a VERY attractive looking deck, for who likes a more 'modern' yet solid looking deck. 
M. 
kro77 OP
69 posts
 
That is a pretty big comparison as I think that is like a 6 - 7k setup.  Could it be that the Marantz name just does not have the Cache of some of the other boutique brands?


uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Could it be that the Marantz name just does not have the Cache of some of the other boutique brands?
Could be one aspect for sure as Marantz is NOT the first name that springs into most audiophools minds when you mention TT.
I have always thought it was a nice looking piece which may also help people dismiss it as a "serious" piece of gear.
Maybe if they tripled the price........
Post removed 
big_greg
6,554 posts
 
I've owned a MMF 7.1, the Concept, and a Clearaudio Emotion (very similar to the TT-15).

The Concept was a really nice table but super sensitive to footfalls.  Didn't work with the springy floors in my house.   Shouldn't be a problem with cement floors.

Not sure what makes you think the TT15 is hard to set up? My Emotion was easy enough to set up. A little fussy in terms of keeping the motor in place, belts  coming off, and grounding. The Virtuoso is really good, but not as good as a similarly priced cartridge like a Hana SL. And it's really easy to break of the cantilever. 

The MMF 7.1 is solid, not fussy, well isolated, and can sound really nice with a good cartridge. That would be my recommendation of the ones I have experience with. 

I would also recommend the Mofi deck. I've spent some time listening to one and found it very engaging and it didn't seem to be fussy in any way. 
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