elliottbnewcombjr, what an awesome post!
Substantial Upgrade
Longtime lurker, first-time poster: My wife and I got into vinyl about five years ago and have been steadily collecting records ever since. We love spinning records, and listen to a lot of jazz, pop, and classical music. We started modestly with an AT LP120, and are lucky to have a friend who just happened to have a pair of Totem Rainmakers sitting in his garage collecting dust, which he gave to us, along with a TSC sub and all cables. We have decided it is time to invest in our own system.
I've done a lot of research and read numerous threads on this topic here and elsewhere, and we've narrowed our choices down to two tables: the Rega P6 (in the $1500 price range) or the Feickert Volare (in the $3500 bracket). Either table I'll be getting the Hana ML. For phonostage, we've narrowed down to the MoFi UltraPhono or the Sutherland KC Vibe mk ii. I'm hoping I can solicit opinions here on these choices and, in particular, whether the Feickert is going to make a difference for our use case. Finally, I recognize that the speakers might be outclassed by these upgrades, but we are separately planning to move in the next year and I want to wait and see where our new listening room is going to be before investing in new speakers.
Thanks in advance.
I've done a lot of research and read numerous threads on this topic here and elsewhere, and we've narrowed our choices down to two tables: the Rega P6 (in the $1500 price range) or the Feickert Volare (in the $3500 bracket). Either table I'll be getting the Hana ML. For phonostage, we've narrowed down to the MoFi UltraPhono or the Sutherland KC Vibe mk ii. I'm hoping I can solicit opinions here on these choices and, in particular, whether the Feickert is going to make a difference for our use case. Finally, I recognize that the speakers might be outclassed by these upgrades, but we are separately planning to move in the next year and I want to wait and see where our new listening room is going to be before investing in new speakers.
Thanks in advance.
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- 68 posts total
Dear @bruinuclafan : I think that a better option for the TT is this one today design: https://www.technics.com/us/products/grand-class/direct-drive-turntable-system-sl-1200g.html https://hifiheaven.net/shop/Technics-SL-1200GR-Grand-Class-Direct-Drive-Turntable-System It’s really hard to beat and will performs very good with any cartridge of your choice ( including the Hanna. ) due that comes with a very good removable headshell tonearm ( builded by magnesium, same material as the SME V. ) design. So you always can mate it with the needs that cartridge weigth/compliance ask for just changing the headshell weigth when need it and the removable headshell designs gives you several alternatives of headshell builded materials ( magnesium, aluminum, wood, blended materials. ) that makes that with the same cartridge you can " flavored " the cartridge performance as you like the more as more neutral and better balance. You can improve too the headshell wires for better quality and this " move " you can hear it as a better quality sounds. Latter on you can do the same with the Technics internal wiring changing it for a top one. I think that you can’t go wrong in any way with this first class Technics TT/tonearm. In the other side: " I recognize that the speakers might be outclassed by these upgrades." I’m not to sure could be that way, those " humble " speakers are better that what you could think and you will attest this when the Totem’s tells you every single improvement coming from your up-date new units in your room/system. As you said next year you can stay with the Totem’s adding a pair of self powered subwoofers and you will be surprised of the outstanding quality sounds that today can’t even imagine how achieve it. Along those subs you need to think of your room treatment that always is a necessity due that the room overall response is one of the main links in your system chain and in any system chain. Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
Elliot makes a lot of sense. I think the Feikert, OL combination costs more than it is worth. I would consider the Rega P8 and use a Moving Magnet Cartridge such as the AT Elliot mentioned or the Goldring 1042. If you want to spend more the the Clearaudio Maestro V2 is an excellent cartridge which will run with $2-3000 MC cartridges. If you really want a jump up in turntables then put your OL arm on a Sota Sapphire. This turntable has a completely isolated sub chassis. Nothing in the environment bothers it. Jump up and down, hit it with a hammer (not kidding), call up a worm, whatever. This turntable runs with $30,000 turntables like the SME 30/2. If you decide you would like one https://sotaturntables.com/product-category/heritage-series/ Call Donna and put your order in now. They are buried and new orders are 4 months out. I know because I just put my name in for a Cosmos Vacuum. 4 darn months, misery for an instant gratification guy. The Sapphire is easily a destination turntable. You will most likely never feel the need to buy another. Don't forget to order the dust cover with it! |
- 68 posts total