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New Turntable

Hi All,

I’m considering a new turntable for a system based around Classe Delta separates and Focal Utopia speakers. I’ve narrowed my choices down to a few models:

  • Luxman P151 MK II Centennial Edition
  • Luxman P191A
  • Clearaudio Ovation or Innovation
  • Rega P10

And looking for any feedback folks have on sound, value, ease of use, etc. I need to decide if I want to try to snag an individual centennial edition from Luxman while I can or get the entire set. I don’t have a ton of turntable experience, so as fuss-free of an experience as possible is desired. When I spoke to dealers they considered these options pretty low-maintenance and I should not be concerned there, though they did mention that Rega is about as set it and forget it as can be. I will need a dust cover and as far as I can tell all of these have that option available.

One thing that concerns me about Clearaudio is the age of the models and the almost 50% increase in price of the product lifetime of the Ovation. If it was still around 8K it would be an obvious front-runner for me. 

Please don’t respond with other brands. There is an overwhelming amount of choice out there and I’ve worked pretty hard to get to a short list already. An example I had, but removed was Goldnote Mediterraneo as it would be not regularly demoed and is available special order only.

 

tank_pd
melsen
2 posts
 

I'll join Woots in his endorsement of the Luxman PD 151 Mk11.  I got mine about a year ago after determining that it has all the positive attributes he mentioned.   It runs flawlessly for me and is solid as a rock.  I'm using an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and purchased the optional dustcover.  I couldn't be happier.   

 

Matt

slaw's avatar
slaw
26,495 posts
 

Check out Funk Firm.

tank_pd OP
10 posts
 

Thank you all for your experiences with the various tables. You have confirmed the quality of the model selection and the different approachs in design --what the dealer mentioned between the high-mass tables and making sure I can isolate the Rega if I go that route. 

@dwette: How did you decide to move further up Clearaudio? The base level Innovation and Ovation are closer than they have been in price in the past. I still may need to go Ovation in terms of fitting in my rack more easily. 

@tablejocke:  For this I don’t want to go too far over budget as I’m not sure it will get the same level of use as my other sources. If I go over, it would be to complete the Centennial Luxman set with the P151 MKII and just use this as a different system.

No, the Classe doesn’t have a separate phono (that brand is just ugh..right now) but the built in is quite good from what I have read. If I had to go separate phono, I would like Accuphase, Luxman or the Rega phono stage, but that would really balloon the budget by 2x! I declined an opportunity to purchase Naim Solstice with separate phono.

@woots: The Luxman has XLR out? Is direct from wires out the tone arm? I can't see this via the online photos. Is the setup / assembly as bad as it looks in this review? Or did the dealer assembly for you? https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/equipment-menu/1183-luxman-pd-151-mark-ii-turntable

@dekay: Haven’t looked at Thorns. I can get the majority of the turntables through the same couple of dealers in OC or other dealers I’ve worked with so I’m more comfortable with these brands. I think next step would be to stop into there and see/listen to a few myself. Will see if they have Thorns. At this price range I’m not going to go single offer/quote.

dwette
537 posts
 

@tank_pd 

How did you decide to move further up Clearaudio? The base level Innovation and Ovation are closer than they have been in price in the past. I still may need to go Ovation in terms of fitting in my rack more easily. 

I was perfectly happy with the Ovation, but I had some financial windfalls from settlements, so I decided to treat myself. I also went up to the Innovation series so I could use multiple tonearms.

The Ovation is a great turntable. I recommend getting it with the Tracer or Universal tonearm.

woots's avatar
woots
367 posts
 

@tank_pd 

My apologies, I mis-typed.  In fact, my PD151 only has RCA cables that come out the back NOT XLR.  I was using the E-500 phono stage and it does have XLR outputs.

As for set up the dealer showed me how to set everything up then I did it at home.  It's the first turntable I have set up and it sounds great so I'm confident if I can do it you can as well.  Is there a dealer option where they would set it up for you?

Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you.

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