Best turntable under 10K - suggestions ?

[bruno2009]

Hi,
it`d be great to hear your thoughts and experience on turntables (under 10K), as I`m thinking to upgrade mine. I am a huge fan of AVID and at the time I use a Diva II SP - since the upgrade to the Acutus SP is too expensive (15K is simply too much) and the Volvere does not make a real big enough step forward, I am thinking to move away to a different manufacturer (if affordable and a measurable step up in quality).

I use a McIntosh C 52 and a MC 452, so McIntosh turntables have come to my mind - just not sure if they are actually worth the money (McIntosh is not exactly a classical manufacturer for turntables).

Clearaudio and Transrotor are out of the question for me (had both). Linn is also not an option for me.

Just trying to spin some thoughts and maybe learn a little about new/alternative products here that I might not have on the radar.

Any thoughts/experience ?

[doggiehowser]

Depends on whether you need a tonearm as well. But the Acoustic Signatures are beautifully built. Love the frictionless motion of the platter when I just spin it with just a brush.

[dantes0929]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

Depends on whether you need a tonearm as well. But the Acoustic Signatures are beautifully built. Love the frictionless motion of the platter when I just spin it with just a brush.

It will be hard to beat under 10k budget McIntosh mt10 with good cartridge for instance concerto V2 or stradivari V2 cart. Used mt10 is about $6k and new Concerto v2 $2700, and you should be happy with this kind of setup and operate 5-8 years without touching anything.

[dolsey01]

If Clearaudio are out of the question, wouldn't that rule out McIntosh since they are the OEM?

How about the VPI Avenger? Starts around 9K and can be upgraded along the way from there. Multiple arms, different drive systems, etc..

[W9TR]

If you like high mass 'tables the Nottingham Analogue Dias with Wave Mechanic power supply is hard to beat. I've had mine for several years - it has great pace and drive.
Tom

[audio bill]

I second Tom's praise of the Nottingham Dais, which provides reference level performance when matched with a suitable arm and cartridge.

[Tikkenator]

I am loving my SME MODEL 15A

[bruno2009]

Don`t need a Tonearm and a Cartridge - will keep mine (SME 309 and EMT TSD 75 - both sound and match fantastic). These should also work fine with McIntosh. Don`t really want to go for used though (otherwiese I`d look out for the Acutus SP - which can be found under 10K used).

[Tikkenator]

SME 309 mates perfectly with the Model 15

[bruno2009]

Hi - I may give SME a thought actually. Kuzma is also on my list.

Very high on my list are also the McIntosh models (they would make a nice optical match to the rest).