Possibly Looking for a Turntable/Cartridge Under $1000
I'm getting back into audio and trying to decide if I want to include a turntable and cartridge too. While I have collection of about 300+ LPs and EPs, for the most part I'm a digital guy at heart. All of my vinyl is over 30 years old. Once I heard the dynamics of CDs I never went back to vinyl and only did tapes in the car.
Of course vinyl overall fell out of favor for a while, but has since made a come back. I never understood the attraction to vinyl given the dynamics and headroom available with digital music. However, in getting back into audio I had a thought, that maybe I didn't see the appeal of vinyl because I've never had anything thing more than an entry level turntable.
My current system for 2-channel is Martin Logan SL3s, a Hegel P20 preamp, and currently I'm using an amp based on the Purifi EVAL1 Stereo 1ET400A module, though the amp could change later if I can swing a Hegel H30a.
I know my budget of $1000 is not high end level, but it's a little better than entry level. Given my setup, would a turntable/cartridge in the $1000 ballpark give me anything more in terms of sonic refinement and dynamics over an entry level turntable?
Thanks in advance.
Maybe I should have asked, what is it that a new buyer should look for in a turntable? What should they look for in a cartridge? I'm guessing that there is more to it than higher cost is better, because I'm sure that is not always true? Also, what are the different price points for turn tables and cartridges, and what should one expect at each price point? When do you get to the point of diminishing returns? At what price point do you make the biggest jump in improvement? |
Does that Hegel have a phono preamp? If it doesn’t that Technics table includes a phono preamp so that would be a better choice. Direct drive has been around for over 50 years and were not originally produced for DJ use. And yes IMO cartridges are as important as the table. With cartridges it’s all a matter of tonearm matching and what your taste is in sound! |
I only recommend equipment I have personal experience with. You need to get ’better than I had’ and then re-discover your vinyl, and you will either stick with it or not. I repeatedly recommend this TT for that. Audio Technica, Direct Drive, USB and Bluetooth Version $500.
You enjoy digital, you will be able to digitize your collection, and perhaps go no further. If you get hooked, then you research, acquire some inexpensive tools, save some money, and buy another TT, keep this as a spare, second system, or sell it used, it is not upgradable The cartridge’s stylus is upgradable, you could change to this stylus in your budget. It comes with this cartridge which tracks at 2.0 grams ATVM95E, Elliptical Stylus can be upgraded Shibata Stylus, $200. no re-alignment needed and it has an industry standard replacable headshell so you can acquire an alternate cartridge or two in the future. Those can be used with any future TT if the tonearm allows removable headshells. Changing Cartridges requires some tools and skills that I imagine you currently lack. Please tell us if I’m wrong, if you can mount and align cartridges, that makes a big difference. ..................................... I enjoyed an early version of this AT120 TT (before USB/BT), for a few years between my former Vintage Classic Thorens TD124
and my current ’end of the era’ JVC Victor with 3 Tonearms. I got hooked and then some: I’ve had idler drive, belt drive, and Direct Drive, I prefer Direct Drive, look for Quartz Locked. Other TT’s, caution: always check the supplied cartridge, and it’s specifications, pay attention to the middle of the range of recommended tracking force, for many reasons I prefer and recommend light tracking.
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The Fluance RT 85 would be my choice in an extreme budget turntable. I would upgrade the Ortofon 2M Blue(lacks extension bass/treble) to the Ortofon 2M Black to get near 100% potential out of the Fluance. Since you like the Hegel sound add a V10 phono stage to create a decent starting point. When tempted to upgrade only the Fluence would need to be replaced. |
I strongly advise you to thoroughly scrub your old vinyl. It made a huge difference in listenability and enjoyment of my oldest/dirtiest/coolest content. Set up so you can whistle while you work, do batches of 10 $55. the cleaning tank and drying rack $10. baby scalp scrub brushes, set of 3 I make a stronger mix, add alcohol to their mix, a few drops of jet dry spot eliminator, a hand spray bottle, a lid from Chinese soup to protect the paper label, manually and vigorously scrubb, and use the tank with distilled water for rinse only, dangle droip dry, a quick wipe with lint free towel, in the rack to dry. I use an Audio Technica stabilizer weight, this $15. one has a level built into it
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