Best turntable under 10K - suggestions ?

[Deckard]

You might want to check out the AMG Giro.

[wpascoe]

Originally Posted by bruno2009

Also - which I am still trying to figure out - maybe no more significant steps up can be expected at all - in this case I will just stick with what I have an live happily ever after (but that`s the thing with this hobby, isn`t it - always trying to figure out whether there`s a way to still upgrade or not)...

Unless you've got a Continuum Caliburn or a Helix 1 and you're outfitted with a SAT tonearm, there are upgrades available that will make a significant difference.

[John49]

Originally Posted by tom_hankins

If you have the SME arm, the Sequel SP is a good step up from your Avid you have now. It gets you fairly close to the Acutus SP.

FWIW I was going to order an Avid Sequel SP as a replacement for my Orbe'd Michell Gyro SE (an OrGy), but my dealer was playing something on an Acutus SP in the demo room and I was blown away. I took some of my well-loved LPs round there the next day and no more thought of a Sequel SP...

[greekgod]

Originally Posted by bruno2009

Obviously this is an option, if no significant improvement is to be expected from an upgrade.

I do think that my DIVA II SP with the SME 309 and the EMT 75 sets the bar pretty high. The thought has actually occurred to me, that it may not be easy to top this under 10K - so that maybe - to make a real improvement - the step will have to be up to the Acutus SP.

In this case it might actually be worth to consider saving up a little longer and then to go for the "big jump".

Also - which I am still trying to figure out - maybe no more significant steps up can be expected at all - in this case I will just stick with what I have an live happily ever after (but that`s the thing with this hobby, isn`t it - always trying to figure out whether there`s a way to still upgrade or not)...

I was planning to upgrade to something in the $10,000 range myself but ultimately have decided that I am better off continuing to save my money until I can get Avid's most expensive turntable.

[greekgod]

Originally Posted by John49

FWIW I was going to order an Avid Sequel SP as a replacement for my Orbe'd Michell Gyro SE (an OrGy), but my dealer was playing something on an Acutus SP in the demo room and I was blown away. I took some of my well-loved LPs round there the next day and no more thought of a Sequel SP...

That is very good to know! I see in your system description that you have no arm. Which arm are you planning to buy? Why did you decide on the Benz for your cartridge?

[bruno2009]

Hi - as stated - I run the AVID Diva II SP with the SME 309 and EMTs 75 - as a matter of fact, I think that the step from the regular Diva II to the SP version is so big, that the models inbetween (Volvere and Sequal) have become kind of "redundant".

The step is not big enough to justify the jump in price - as the Diva II SP stets the mark too hight - it plays way better than the Diva (II) - so the only stept that really makes sense is to actually go for the Acutus or stay with the Diva II SP.

I actually talked to Conrad Maas (he did some adjustments to my turntable) and he says himself, that the models "inbetween" have big sale problems - exactly because of this.

I think that this is what I will do - stick with the Diva II SP and then move right to the Acutus - the only way to put an end to this journey...

[John49]

Originally Posted by greekgod

That is very good to know! I see in your system description that you have no arm. Which arm are you planning to buy? Why did you decide on the Benz for your cartridge?

I have a Durand Talea II still in its wooden box, waiting for an improvement in my health to install it. This is after being faithful to SME for many years, 3009 S2 Improved, IV and V. The Benz was chosen as that is what I heard used in my Acutus SP demo on an SME IV, which is what I had at the time.

[bruno2009]

@John49... I had a Benz installed before for years - then I was introduced to EMT. EMT Systems sound way more musical to me and they match brilliantly with SME - as this works perfectly for the Diva II SP - maybe this could be worth a try with the Acutus...

[1KW]

I have been very happy with my SME 309 tone arm on a Michelle Gyro SE

[joshnich]

I would certainly check out PTP Audio. Really remarkable turntables. I cannot imagine ever going back to belt drive after experiencing the PTP Solid 9
Josh