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:
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.
What high ed tabkes have to compared them too, and with what arms and cartridges? Clearaudio Ovation? Innovation Wood? Master Innovation? These are the tabes I have owned in the last three years. I’m interested in how they are bettered by your suggested table(s). |
All of the TTs you are considering would give excellent sonic results. I recommend you consider them from an ergonomic standpoint. They are very different one from another. You need to play some records on each one to get a feel for how they work, how they FEEL to you. Whatever TT you select should be one that you are comfortable using. Your mission is to decide which one you like to use the best. Don’t worry about making a bad choice, there are no bad choices in this group. This is something only you can do. No one else is you and none of us can help you with this most important of all ergonomic preference. |
Okay, here we go. I am currently running my Nantais with a Graham Phantom and a Dynavector XX-3 cartridge. What it replaced was a Oracle Premiere upgraded to a MK-V with Koetsu goldline cartridge. Between Nantais and my Oracle--night and day difference. It was as great a step up as when I went from my consumer level Denon to the Oracle. There was nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing that wasn't improved. Clarity, stereo separation, sound floor dropped like a rock. Wow and flutter nearly dissappeard (CD like, no joke). What I've heard before. I own a Clearaudio. Haven't been impressed. A grandchild broke the needle, replaced it with a Denon cartridge, sounded a lot better. Heard a few of the high end. I buy stuff from Paragon in Ann Arbor. Heard the Linn Sondeck (sorry, not sure what cartridge). Way inferier to the Nantais turntable at 4x price. Heard the Rockport. Nantais still better. Sometimes I think that one is for the very weathy to impress their friends. Very familiar with the older Basis tables. Back in the '90's, I wanted a Basis vacuum with a Graham and a Koetsu. Couldn't afford it. Listened many, many turntables over the years. VPI's, the consumer stuff, etc. Now, I could get into the details, but here is a much better source for information: https://www.high-endaudio.com/RECENT.html Arthur is the best, most objective reviewer I've seen in this hobby. He has a reviewing process that reminds me of a Deming process (The Toyota Way was actually started by Deming). He also changes his mind and will admit that he is wrong. To this day, I have never been able to prove Arthur wrong. He has a lot of gold on his obsolete-looking, hard to navigate website. Now for me, I've always been around musicians. Wasn't a bad one when I was younger, but some of my friends and relatives are internationally known musicians. I also have my wife--the perfect objective tester. She can hear things most can't. Has perfect pitch. Enjoys listening to the stereo, but does not care about the equipment. If it sounds better, she tells me. If it sounds worse, she tells me. She is also great at fine tuning the equipment. Jean also has a lot of great ideas for tweeks and setup. He is a valuable resource to getting your turntable up and rolling. Now, let me flip my scientist's cap back on for a second. jean explains his theory behind why his turntables work so well on his website. It seems to be sound. Earlier, I stated I've been around the music industry all my life. Nantais' turntables reminded me of something from my past--Ampex https://reel-reel.com/tape-recorder/ampex-mr-70/ Heard master tapes on one of those. Best sound I've ever heard. Nantais is close. I think the reason for this is that they both use ideler arm technology. Jean did for idler arm turntables what Ampex did for reel to reel. Optimized it. Read his explination on his website. I think he is spot on. |
Conclusion from reading this thread: most audiophiles like and will recommend what they own and listen to. So by asking the question “which turntable”, you’re really asking “what do you own”. |
