(Very) Late Bloomer: Starting My Vinyl Journey and in Need of Guidance

[EfeTe]

This has turned into a highly informative super interesting thread for me too. Cheers guys!

[Down Under]

Originally Posted by Killergurt

Thank you very much Miner and all. I have much to learn but am very excited to do it.
After a little bit of research I did, I think that I am going to buy a Clearaudio Concept with Ortophon Blue cartridge to begin with.

Very good choice.

[The Lost Bears]

Great choice! The Concept is a very nice smooth sounding table.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Killergurt

Thank you very much Miner and all. I have much to learn but am very excited to do it.
After a little bit of research I did, I think that I am going to buy a Clearaudio Concept with Ortophon Blue cartridge to begin with.

I came to this thread a bit late with an idea for you, but I'll keep it under my hat since I think you've hit on a great choice with the Concept and Ortophon cart.

Post us some pics once you get it setup and running.

[Killergurt]

Originally Posted by The Lost Bears

Great choice! The Concept is a very nice smooth sounding table.

I am back after doing more research and while there are so many options out there, I have to keep it within my budget. The Clearaudio Concept is probably the one that I am going to get this weekend, but before doing so, I wanted to ask about the Marantz TT-15S1 which I came across recently and seems to check a few important boxes: made with collaboration with Clearaudio, comes with the Clearaudio Satisfy tonearm and with Clearaudio's Virtuoso cartridge. Sounds to me like a great bargain for the asking price. What is the catch here? Is this too good to be true?

Both TT cost the same, I will have to choose between them.

Thank you!

[Antonmb]

You might read this. https://www.devotedtovinyl.com/marantz-tt-15s1-review/

[briweed]

No contest.... get the Clearaudio Concept. You will not like having to change the belt for speed changes....

B

[Killergurt]

Originally Posted by briweed

No contest.... get the Clearaudio Concept. You will not like having to change the belt for speed changes....

B

Yes, I guess that this might the the real annoying thing about it based on the article provided above. I don't mind setting it up but I wonder how difficult it really is to change speed with the belt.

[dolsey01]

Originally Posted by briweed

No contest.... get the Clearaudio Concept. You will not like having to change the belt for speed changes....

B

I 100% disagree, I was completely unimpressed with the Concept. Didn't care for the Verify arm, found the motor was noisy, had trouble getting exact speeds. It felt to me very entry level. Maybe I got a lemon. The only Concept I would personally consider is the new Concept Black with the Satisfy arm. I'll admit speed changes on the TT15 are a bit of a pain but how often do you really switch? Once you get the hang of it, it's a piece of cake.

I've owned over a dozen different tables in the last decade from $400-4000 and hands down the TT15 was the Goldilocks table. It's not perfect but what you get for the money, it's hard to beat. I could certainly live with one today.

[FreddieFerric]

I looked at the TTS1 at a local dealer a while back. I was not in the market for a TT at the time, but that table was nicely laid out. If I remember correctly then, the table came with a nice Clearaudio Ebony (wood?) cartridge, but I'm not sure that extra lagniappe is still being offered today.

Nonetheless, a very nice TT, and in my mind, a step above "entry level." Question: Is it still available?