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

[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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[Tonepub]

I'd grab a Clearaudio Concept and go with a Shelter 501II or Clearaudio Maestro Wood.

I was using that combination with my C500 for quite a while and it's amazingly good and very no fuss. Both carts work very well with your C2300. The Clearaudio cart has a touch more bass weight, and the Shelter has a touch more finesse along with a little more midrange magic.

The whole thing will only cost you about $2500. If you don't have a lot of vinyl and don't listen often, this is a great place to hang your hat.

[Tonepub]

That Sumiko setup is very nice too. It's another cartridge that works well with your 2300...

[1KW]

This is great, please keep the recommendations coming. What do you think of Avid ?

[f1 fan]

David...Rega P9 with matching Exact cartridge. I think you would like it because it's a plug 'n play tt that will provide great sound and is maintenance free.

Dave

[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