I want to upgrade my Turntable to something heavier


I am about to retire from work. I would like to upgrade my turntable before I do this. I have a Pro-Ject, which I like a lot, but I have two big dogs. I have been considering something 1) heavier and 2) balanced. I have SourcePoint 10 Speakers driven by a PS Audio Stellar Amp. The Stelkar also offers Balanced inputs. 

I am leaning towards the Pro-Ject X8 as being a good price with room for a better cartridge. I have considered VPI, but I don't care about upgrading. Once I am retired, this is it. Ideas or Suggestions?

alahankbear

RB, Yes you can use RCA connections in a balanced system, but not only must the ground side of the cable not be grounded, it also has to be carrying the negative phase of a balanced signal. (Obviously, if the signal is SE and the ground end of the RCA is not grounded, you would have horrendous loud hum, anyway.) The disadvantage of using an RCA for balanced, if all else is correct, is that many RCA cables use a conductor for the ground side that is not as good as the conductor for the hot side and may even be the shield itself.  So, if one is going to use RCA for balanced, I would make sure the ground conductor is separate and equal to the hot conductor and not synonymous with the shield.  You don’t get any benefit in terms of gain from using a balanced cable with XLR termination unless both ends of the cable are hooked to balanced devices.  That Raven linestage referenced earlier is very unique.  I looked at the schematic, and it seems they take a single-ended input and produce a balanced signal internally with their input transformer, 1:1, so no gain from that transformer but just creates a balanced signal internally.  Then they amplify the signal in balanced mode, and at the output they use another transformer to both convert the signal back to SE and reduce output Z, converting signal voltage to current. Very simple but elegant. Would that device give you a bonus for gain in balanced mode? I dunno. The gain benefit of balanced operation is linked to driving a balnced device with a balanced input. 

My Boulder integrated does not have RCA inputs. I have absolutely no issues using XLR cables in that connection. I realize that neither one of my two phono stages, one tubed and one solid state, is a true balanced design. In a system where both RCA and XLR connections are possible, the selection of phono stages is much wider than it is in my case. You can explore less costly options. 

My rack is a beauty, bentwood frames, curved cornered glass shelves, each isolated above it’s wood frame, but the end supports were physically stupid. 

Combine that with the fact the floor is not only springy, it is not level.

If the rack and all the weight is slightly tilted, the floor vibrations will get that entire off-center mass moving, not just small vibrations transmitted to the TT.

So I decided to make it level, and extend the front and rear fulcrum points further. Notice the shadow under the original end support.

 

Wall Shelf.

Now, my rack and TT are level, but, like the song says, 'give me 3 steps', because if the floor is springy, it's not just vibrations, it is in/out of level more than if we had solid floors. A wall shelf would be better for me also.

That's why I have to take my JVC's arm lift to VAS, to refill the oil and slow down it's 'too fast' self lowering, give me time for 3 steps, especially when using light tracking cartridges. Now, that arm, with the lightest tracking cartridge, I know to turn my body, reach back, start the drop and 'Get Back'.

@richardbrand This note is meant in the kindest way, you have much to offer and I enjoy your posts.  You need to find a way to contribute without every post including a promotion for Holbo.  Otherwise you risk being discounted as nothing more than a shill.  

@elliottbnewcombjr i found a box of stabilizing feet. I had a couple and my nephew’s dog ate one, I assumed he got both. I have placed the newly found feet and moved things around so I have removed a good 96% of the vibrations at this point I can stomp around my TT and the anti-skate weight barely swings. I really just needed the motivation to rethink the set up. Thank you for all the help. I still want a new TT. I am setting an upper limit of $4500-$5000 with cartridge. And seeing what is out there. At least you got me off my butt to solve one issue.