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VPI Industries Turntables Made in USA

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  #11  
Old 10-07-2015, 09:13 PM
briweed briweed is offline
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I would go for a Clearaudio Performance DC in that price range, with a ClearAudio Talisman cartridge. Other options up the food chain I would consider include the ClearAudio Ovation or if you want to really stretch the budget, I would look at the AMG Giro Turntable. I have the AMG V12 Viella and could not be happier with it (even more budget stretching). The cartridge I would use on the Giro would be either the Benz-Micro SLR or the AMG Teatro.

Just my 2 cents...

B
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  #12  
Old 10-08-2015, 01:51 AM
Loop4fun Loop4fun is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by briweed View Post
I would go for a Clearaudio Performance DC in that price range, with a ClearAudio Talisman cartridge. Other options up the food chain I would consider include the ClearAudio Ovation or if you want to really stretch the budget, I would look at the AMG Giro Turntable. I have the AMG V12 Viella and could not be happier with it (even more budget stretching). The cartridge I would use on the Giro would be either the Benz-Micro SLR or the AMG Teatro.

Just my 2 cents...

B
+1 on the Giro/Teatro
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  #13  
Old 10-08-2015, 07:15 AM
1KW 1KW is offline
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For 5-6 K you get have this set up I have been happy with all brand new: Gyro SE $2500, SME 309 tone arm $2100, Shelter MC501 cartridge $1000. Dan has the same tt and tone arm with a cadenza black cartridge.

Gyro SE | Michell Engineering
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  #14  
Old 10-08-2015, 07:57 AM
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Next to the VPI arm, the SME309 is the best I've owned. One nice feature on the new 309 arm is the changeable headshell, which makes swapping cartridges a breeze. Wish VPI had that feature rather then having to change the entire arm-wand (an expensive swap).
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  #15  
Old 10-08-2015, 10:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1KW View Post
For 5-6 K you get have this set up I have been happy with all brand new: Gyro SE $2500, SME 309 tone arm $2100, Shelter MC501 cartridge $1000. Dan has the same tt and tone arm with a cadenza black cartridge. Gyro SE | Michell Engineering
The Michell Gyro SE is a great piece of equipment. Had one for many years. Can be upgraded to Orbe spec, which then makes it an OrGy. Used mine with SME 3009 S2 Improved and then SME Series IV.
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  #16  
Old 10-08-2015, 08:08 PM
mulveling mulveling is offline
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My current table/cart (any 1 of many) greatly exceeds that 5K, but if I had to do it over on a 5K budget, it would actually be an incredibly easy choice: VPI Scoutmaster II and Ortofon Cadenza Bronze. I own a Clearaudio Innovation Wood w/ Graham Phantom and it's really nice but honestly you can get equal or better sound for less money with VPI -- not to mention the far superior service/support/upgradeability. I've got a local friend running an older Scoutmaster with Ortofon Jubilee and I'm very jealous of the price-to-performance ratio he gets there -- especially after upgrading to the 3D arm (now I want a 3D arm over my Graham). Live and learn.

The Cadenza Bronze is among the sweetest of sweet spots I've encountered in audio. It's definitely not flawless (compared to superior attributes of the Koetsu Platinums, Ortofon Windfeld, Ortofon Anna). But it really is a very good technical performer while possessing incredibly musicality. I'll never forget the first time I heard me new Kontrapunkt "c" (the Bronze's predecessor) on my SOTA Star and Tannoy Kensington speakers -- coming from a Benz Glider L2, it was essentially a night-and-day improvement on all fronts. The Cadenza Bronze sounds far better than the lower-end Ortofons, e.g. Cadenza Red, 2M Black (though I haven't hear the Cadenza Blue, which might also be good), and the upper end Ortofons start to lose the plot of musicality to my ears -- though if you decide to stretch for a Cadenza Black or pick up an old Jubilee, I think those would also be excellent choices.

Last edited by mulveling; 10-08-2015 at 08:14 PM.
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  #17  
Old 10-08-2015, 08:23 PM
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I agree with Mike about the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze, as I've been touting its virtues for quite some time. I run mine on the Nottingham Dais with Origin Live Enterprise-C arm and it performs superbly with just the right balance of warmth along with exceptional detail and tracking ability. The Cadenza Blue is a great value as well, but is definitely leaner in balance and tends to emphasize detail without any added warmth. Ortofon's Cadenza series offers truly exceptional value and allows you to select the flavor that best complements a given system.
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  #18  
Old 10-08-2015, 08:28 PM
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I should be talking with the local TT guy tomorrow who has both VPI and Ortofon. I am still open to other contenders. This thread is bringing great suggestions that may help others as well so please keep posting.
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  #19  
Old 10-09-2015, 08:12 AM
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Have you noticed the VPI HRX w/Cadenza Red listed in the classifieds? Good deal if you can stretch your budget up to that level.
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  #20  
Old 10-09-2015, 08:24 PM
mulveling mulveling is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2 View Post
Have you noticed the VPI HRX w/Cadenza Red listed in the classifieds? Good deal if you can stretch your budget up to that level.
The HR-X looks to be an absolutely fabulous table, though I've not played with one in person. Could definitely be your last table ever. The Cadenza Red might be good enough to tide you over for a while (and it will beat the hell out of your 2M Bronze), but upgrade to the Bronze as soon as possible -- it's a BIG improvement!! Heard the same thing with the Kontrapunkt "a" vs. "c", btw. The "a"/Red sounds musically and dynamically incomplete next to the "c"/Bronze. The Red is a lovely cart for backup or not-so-critical listening (i.e. running up hours) purposes, so do consider that if the package deal is right.

Last edited by mulveling; 10-09-2015 at 10:35 PM.
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