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Turntables & Tonearms Where Analog still Rules |
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#1
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Looking At Turntable Upgrade
After my recent improvements to the digital side of my system, I think the analog side is getting jealous. I'm looking to upgrade my turntable and with it the cartridge. I'm currently using a Music Hall MMF 5.1 with a Goldring 1012 GX cartridge. This has been my turntable for 8 years and I'm looking for more out of my vinyl now. The contenders are (but not limited to) as follows.
Music Hall MMF 9.3 with Goldring Eroica LX MC cartridge Pro-Ject Perspex with Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III Clearaudio Concept with Concept MC cartridge VPI Prime Scout with Ortofon Quintet Red or 2M Bronze cartridge Budget is $2500 and other cartridges are an option. Thanks
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Speakers........Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II Amp...............Pass Labs X150.5 PreAmp..........McIntosh C2600 Sources..........Music Hall MMF 9.3 Walnut w/ Goldring Eroica LX MC Cartridge Phono Pre...…..Sutherland Insight CD Player Rotel RCD-1072 Record Cleaning Machine...….Okki Nokki DAC................Bryston BDA-3 Headphones.....Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX / Sennheiser HD-660S Headphone Amp.....Bryston BHA-1 Cables....Amp to preamp - Morrow MA4 Preamp to DAC - Morrow MA4 Preamp to Headphone Amp - Morrow MA2 Last edited by Jack in Wilmington; 05-01-2018 at 12:20 PM. |
#2
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Well, you know what we say about audiophile budgets around here... decide on a realistic budget and then triple it because that is what it will really end up costing you. Now that we are working with $7500, let's look at some options...lol...just kidding.
Of those, I would go with either the Clearaudio Concept or the VPI Prime Scout. However, I strongly suggest increasing your budget slightly and getting the VPI Prime. If you get the Prime Scout, you may just find yourself wanting to upgrade the the Prime. IMO, the VPI Prime is the best high end value turntable there is. |
#3
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Based on design I would look at the mmf-9.3 and money value. Buy it without the cartridge and put a Lyra or Kiseki on it. I doubt you will look back...
Your next step will be to upgrade the phono stage. Have fun! |
#4
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When I started looking at an upgrade, I was wondering if my phono pre could handle a LOMC cartridge, so that is something on my mind. Thanks
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Speakers........Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II Amp...............Pass Labs X150.5 PreAmp..........McIntosh C2600 Sources..........Music Hall MMF 9.3 Walnut w/ Goldring Eroica LX MC Cartridge Phono Pre...…..Sutherland Insight CD Player Rotel RCD-1072 Record Cleaning Machine...….Okki Nokki DAC................Bryston BDA-3 Headphones.....Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX / Sennheiser HD-660S Headphone Amp.....Bryston BHA-1 Cables....Amp to preamp - Morrow MA4 Preamp to DAC - Morrow MA4 Preamp to Headphone Amp - Morrow MA2 |
#5
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Jack, if I were in your shoes I'd get a Technics SL-1200G along with a Hana cartridge and call it a day ......................
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#6
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They seem to be running around $4000 so that's out of my budget. I'm trying to remember the model of Technics turntable that I had back in the 90's. It was a fully automatic model with a Shure cartridge. From what I've read this is not your father's Technics.
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Speakers........Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II Amp...............Pass Labs X150.5 PreAmp..........McIntosh C2600 Sources..........Music Hall MMF 9.3 Walnut w/ Goldring Eroica LX MC Cartridge Phono Pre...…..Sutherland Insight CD Player Rotel RCD-1072 Record Cleaning Machine...….Okki Nokki DAC................Bryston BDA-3 Headphones.....Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX / Sennheiser HD-660S Headphone Amp.....Bryston BHA-1 Cables....Amp to preamp - Morrow MA4 Preamp to DAC - Morrow MA4 Preamp to Headphone Amp - Morrow MA2 |
#7
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The 9.3 has very good isolation and decoupling.....and should leave you some cash to put into a higher end cart and possibly a better phono stage. Have fun! |
#8
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Speakers........Dynaudio Contour 1.8 Mk II Amp...............Pass Labs X150.5 PreAmp..........McIntosh C2600 Sources..........Music Hall MMF 9.3 Walnut w/ Goldring Eroica LX MC Cartridge Phono Pre...…..Sutherland Insight CD Player Rotel RCD-1072 Record Cleaning Machine...….Okki Nokki DAC................Bryston BDA-3 Headphones.....Drop + Dan Clark Audio Ether CX / Sennheiser HD-660S Headphone Amp.....Bryston BHA-1 Cables....Amp to preamp - Morrow MA4 Preamp to DAC - Morrow MA4 Preamp to Headphone Amp - Morrow MA2 |
#9
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Your best bet will be to buy something that has been gently used.
Cartridge is most important. Arm is second. Together they will dominate the sound you get. For example I put a $1200 Dynavector cart on a $600 Rega Planar 3 / RB 300 arm to great effect. Tom
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#10
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Also, check with SoundStage in Doylestown. They have a trade-in program that might work.
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag Last edited by Formerly YB-2; 05-02-2018 at 11:43 AM. |
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