Turntable help for a Newbie

Teres 255 (used from Teres, $2,675-2,875 depending on finish)
Graham 2.x ($2,000-ish)

The tables on the Teres "Scratch 'n' Dent" sale page are a screaming bargain. Heck, even the new ones are a bargain, and there's no more "set and forget" TT in the world than a Teres. I haven't adjusted anything on my 265 in months, because there's literally nothing to adjust.

The Graham is by far the easiest of the top arms to set up and adjust, and it's suitable for a broad array of good, medium compliance cartridges.

That leaves just under $500 for a cartridge. The best choice will depend on the gain in your phono stage and your tastes in sound and music.

Hard to go wrong with a VPI Scoutmaster and VPI JMW9 tonearm ($2300 new) and VPI or Walker Audio motor controller ($950-1700 new), and still have a good portion of your budget remaining for a very good cartridge (e.g., Dynavector Karat 17D2, $750). The VPI will also fall in that "set and forget" category.

Mang53,
Here's another idea. You put $5K aside for my bail money and I'll 'borrow' Rushton's rig. You can come listen any time!

<;~)

Both of the above recommendations are very good and I believe the posters have broader experience than I do with turntable systems. I'd still recommend a refurbished SOTA Cosmos, $3450 with several new parts directly from SOTA (http://www.sotaturntables.com/Refurbished_Tables.htm). That leaves plenty of budget for a good tonearm and decent cartridge. SOTA can do it all as a package within your budget.

I've been extremely pleased with my SOTA Star (with vacuum). I bought it new in 1990 with a Sumiko Premeir FT-4 tonearm. It has never needed any maintenance and holds settings like a rock. Also, the SOTA hung suspension works wonders on the suspended wood floor we have. I can jump up and down in front of the system rack (Sanus) and it has zero impact on a playing LP.

I recently upgraded the tonearm to an Origin Live Encounter, largely based on posts in A'gon from members, especially dougdeacon and twl. Thanks Doug and Tom! Although I don't know you, you've enriched my enjoyment of music with your sharing of knowledge about the importance of tonearms in general, and specifics about the OL Silver tonearm . My decision came down to that one and the Encounter, which is as you know, very similar.

I selected the Encounter because I do not like to screw around with tonearms and it had a few more of the set and forget features I wanted -- e.g., VTA, no mods required.

The OL Encounter raised the performance of my SOTA Star to remarkable levels -- a full 3-dimensional soundstage, much better timbral accuracy, and added tremendous weight and authority to the music that was not there with the previous tonearm.

So here is a third option, the refurbished SOTA Cosmos and Origin Live Encounter or Silver tonearms with an appropriate cartridge that meets budget considerations. I've heard the Shelter 501 is a good match and you'll want to check on a package discount from SOTA.

Finally, the Teres clearly has the lead in eye-candy followed by the VPI. But the SOTA classic quality all-wood cabinet is preferred by some.

Happy hunting!
Terry

Almost forgot, since you are getting back into vinyl. I recommend that you get a record cleaning machine. As I went from the Technics and Dual world to higher-end LP systems 18 years ago I bought a NittyGritty RCM based on advice of my dealer. Whoa! It makes an amazing difference. Its not really much extra hassle because you don't need to clean an LP for every play if you put the LP back into one of those decent aftermarket ricepaper (whatever) innersleeves immediately after cleaning/play rather than the original paper sleeve.