Rega P3 RS, Michell TecnoDec, Avid Ingenium
I sold off my audio system several years ago after having lost my dedicated listening room to a home renovation (thaaaaat's right 
). I'm looking to build a new system at a relatively modest level and have been researching turntables in the $2000-$2500 range. The three I've been most focused on are the Rega P3 RS, the Michell TecnoDec and the Avid Ingenium. Needless to say it's difficult to listen to all of these turntables in person without traveling around the country, so I was hoping to tap into the collective knowledge of the forum. If anyone has any opinions on how these turntables compare then I'd love to hear them.
For reference, I've owned a Planar 3/RB300 in the distant past and really enjoyed it. I subsequently went to a Linn LP12, then a VPI Aries/SDS/JMW-10 and finally a Basis 2500 Signature/Vector 3. So, yeah, I'm kind of going backwards at this point but I've given myself a realistic budget and just want something relatively affordable and simple so that I can enjoy my LPs again.
Thanks in advance.
@lpluvr re internal phonostage as bottle neck, with your "modest" budget and a $2.5K TT, I guess the integrated will be in the $2–5K range to keep things proportional. So the fair market value of the PS inside that pre-amp, power-amp, DAC, PS combo is guesstimated at most $500, maybe rather $300. I fully admit, this is a gross generalization. Sonic differences between that and $1-2K can be marked. Just my backseat driving 2c. Happy window shopping! |
@bgross Thanks so much for the name of the dealer. I'll check them out. |
@oberoniaomnia I understand your logic. But if you take that $300-$500 internal phono board in an integrated amp, and put it in a nicely made chassis with its own power supply, output connectors, power cord, etc. you might be looking at a separate phono stage in the $1000-$1200 range (lots of wild guesstimation here, admittedly For my current budget, I’m likely to opt for an internal phono board and live with any compromises that come along with it but, inevitably, the upgrade bug will bite at some point and I may end up with a higher-performing separate phono stage. Given my history, I wouldn’t be surprised |
@g2the2nd I’ve looked a bit at the SOTA Comet VI based on a recommendation in this thread. It looks interesting and I like the small company vibe of SOTA and their commitment to servicing tables indefinitely. It’s definitely a contender. You're right that there is very little talk about them. I was surprised they were even still in business given how little I hear about the company. |
