For $1K or less, hard to beat what Technics and Fluance has to offer. Fluance is coming out with supposedly much improved version SOON (RT87??) that is currently under some type of beta test... ENJOY !
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.
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The magic of CDs was not headroom, it is NO NOISE, FOR LIFE! That was a dream come true. That’s why so many of us got into CD’s big time. Me: over 4,000 of them. Happily I didn’t get rid of my LP’s, many people gave me their LPs when they stopped playing them. I had excellent cartridges before CD, however I never properly cleaned my old LPs, and my alignment skills were basic, trusting inaccurate dials. When I got back into LPs, I played only new or very clean used ones, and then I learned how to clean my dirty ones, what a difference. I bought some inexpensive tools and improved my alignment skills. Not perfection, just to have the confidence that alignments and calibrations were done with tools of measured accuracy and simple but revealing methods. Then I inherited 5,000 LPs, primarily Jazz, mostly played once, maybe twice. That’s the key to enjoyment, minimum noise, hands on, .... It’s the cartridge/stylus shape/cantilever material that makes the biggest audible difference, we diddle with better tonearms to improve the alignment. It’s the lack of arm height adjustment and lack of azimuth adjustment that defines a ’starter’ turntable for me, but you only go there AFTER you get hooked! Your budget is too low to get a great adjustable tonearm, but it is enough to get a darn good sounding setup.
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Personally think CD's win in the noise floor area. But once you have clean records, and a very good cart, the difference is minimal. CD's can be cold, records can feel like they have life in them. It's a give and take, sometimes one is better over the other. IMHO, you can NOT dabble in vinyl. You either do it, or you do not. It is a big investment, in both time and money. Low end TT's suck, they have so much noise, and can be finical on setup, lacking some key adjustments. Think getting a $1k used TT, then a $500 cart would be a great starting point. In my TT journey over the last 3 years has been 3 new TT's about 5 carts, several cables, then a couple power supplies. Once getting my current TT, I realized the money wasted on the "budget" TT's and carts. Once you experience a low noise floor on a TT, with dynamics, and punch, you will understand it. |
here's another used AT160ML auction about to end Here’s an opportunity to take a chance on a used AT160ML MM Cartridge with MicroLine Stylus on Beryllium Cantilever, in an AT Magnesium Headshell that provides both Azimuth adjustment and ’concealed’ overhang adjustment. This is my preferred cartridge, for it's sound, imaging, and light 1.25g tracking. https://auc.aleado.com/yahoo/lot?auctionID=v1204216654#enlargeimg You need an account with Aleado, a bidding agent, enough verified funds in your account to cover your bid, and then there are many small add on charges, double shipping (seller ships in Japan to Aleado who verifies the item) (Aleado gives you alternate methods/costs to choose to ship to you). Even with the add-ons, I have done well for about half a dozen items this way. I do not know this seller. Shipping to USA will resume, 15% tariffs added/billed later on the net winning cost of the item, no tarrifs on the add-on charges. ............................. I like Boron if buying new, and I see they still sell 3 VMN Boron Stylii that fit these older AT150, AT155, AT160; AT440 bodies AT-VMN45xML (microlinear/nude/boron cantilever) |
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