What is the Best turntable for under $5000 ?

[1KW]

Here is the challege, come up with a very nice turntable/cartridge combination for under $5000. Now that I have a pre amp back in the stereo system I have been looking at getting a new turntable. Six Gold Lion tubes have been ordered for the C2300 and I am just waiting for them to arrive. Having given this some thought I have come to the realization that a music server with HI DEF. capable music files will become my main source for many reasons and occupy most of listening time (90%). My LP collection is going to be small in comparison to my digital library. At the same time I already have a few hundred LP's and still enjoy spinning some vinyl sometimes. I have therefore come up with a budget with cartridge that I would like stay within but at the same time have improved performance to my old technic SL1200 . So lets help those of us who are looking to try and have analog playback that rivals or beats redbook.

[jdandy]

David.......I am assuming you meant turntable, arm and phono cartridge under $5K. This presents many options, and your taste in turntable designs will come into play, as well.

Here is a very nice turntable and arm combination by Creek. The Creek Wyndsor. It come with the custom made Creek OEM300 arm, made especially for Creek by Rega Research. The turntable is also supplied with a separate LP1 speed controller that allows you to switch to either 33.3 or 45 rpm and adjust the pitch. Other goodies that come with the turntable are a 12" strobe disc for setting perfect rotation, and a heavy record clamp. There is a lot to like about this turntable for a retail price of $3995.00

Here's the link to the Assembly Instructions: http://www.creekaudio.com/products/i...ns/wyndsor.pdf

[BearCubinNY]

That's a good recommendation Dan. I heard this table when I was auditioning my JA Michell Gyro SE. They are priced the same TT/arm as my Gyro/OL Encounter. I went with the Gyro because my dealer made it happen.

Reg

[dbz]

Originally Posted by jdandy

David.......I am assuming you meant turntable, arm and phono cartridge under $5K. This presents many options, and your taste in turntable designs will come into play, as well.

Here is a very nice turntable and arm combination by Creek. The Creek Wyndsor. It come with the custom made Creek OEM300 arm, made especially for Creek by Rega Research. The turntable is also supplied with a separate LP1 speed controller that allows you to switch to either 33.3 or 45 rpm and adjust the pitch. Other goodies that come with the turntable are a 12" strobe disc for setting perfect rotation, and a heavy record clamp. There is a lot to like about this turntable for a retail price of $3995.00

Here's the link to the Assembly Instructions: http://www.creekaudio.com/products/i...ns/wyndsor.pdf

This has been on sale in the UK for £899 (about $1300) for the simple reason..no-one bought it. It is now discontinued.

[jdandy]

David.......The Project RM9.2 turntable looks good. It is supplied with a carbon fiber tone arm and Sumiko Celebration II moving coil phono cartridge at a retail of $3999.00


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[Jerome W]

Dan won't second that one but I love the Linn Majik combo.
Don't know the price in USA but it retails for 3000 euros in Europe, arm and cart included. The LP12 has a unique bloom IMHO, and a wonderful pace and rythm. The bass is not as tight as Clearaudio's though, for the first models of LP12. The LP12 SE fully loaded with Akiva MC cart is the best source I ever heard, digital or analog, but it comes around 15000 euros taxes included and its bass is full, tight and extremely rich.
If the look does not hurt you, I personnaly like its look actually, you can find second hand MT10 sometimes at around your budget of 5k.
My set up ( see signature below ) is around 5000 euros in France, taxes included, but I suppose that you could get the same at 5000 US dollars without taxes. You will need Serge to set it up if you're not an expert or a very good dealer to do it cause it's really long and touchy. I believe that I get 90 % of a LP12 SE, at the third of the price.

Cheers,

[joe1515]

I highly recommend the VPI Classic paired with Benz Micro Glider S cartridge. That is what I am using. For under 5k you will have a killer analog set up.

Joe

[MC352]

I like this JA Michell Gyro SE $2895 list.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by MC352

I like this JA Michell GyroDec SE $2895 list.

That's a Gryo SE MkII, not a GyroDec. GyroDecs have a large acrylic plinth around them.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by MC352

I like this JA Michell GyroDec SE $2895 list.

Chuck.......That is a fine looking turntable. I have admired this turntable a number of times, and the price you quoted includes the Rega RB300 tonarm. Nice deal.