How do you select a turntable? What is the process?

Dpod4 said:
I have the AMG v12 and the Spiral Groove SG1.1 and the Clearaudio Innovation Wood. All can be had for $16k or less (used for first two and new for innovation). Biggest bang for the buck is Clearaudio which is upgrade able (can add a second arm and can buy the master reference bottom platter). The prettiest including the sound is the AMG v12. The highest performing most brilliantly engineered (IMHO) is the SG 1.1. I could happily live with any one of them. Bigger differences occur based on cartridge, cable, isolation, and phono stage.
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Dpod,

I would love to hear more detail on how the AMG and SG 1.1 compare....(hope I am not steeling the thread).
 
FlexibleAudio said:
Dpod,

I would love to hear more detail on how the AMG and SG 1.1 compare....(hope I am not steeling the thread).
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AMG is more romantic sounding (might be the Benz cartridge) - the spiral groove is perfectly resolving ... Every note extracted and a huge soundstage. Total extension and everything comes thru (might be the goldfinger cartridge).
 
hey boogieman ive heard and love and dreamed about the internal phonostage in cat preamps. they are phenomenal its a great start. ive heard the phonostage run several tables and it can run with just about anythigng but it really shined with the grado statement and reference cartridges. like they were made for each other. my favorite combo was a grado statement on a vpi tnt hot rod 6 which would now be the vpi hrx. this was a setup made in heaven. search them out im sure you can get into that setup under your total budget. call Jeff at a/v solutions. hes a dealer for both.
great choice and one of my favorite preamps of alltime.
 
I agree with most of the comments (CA Inno Wood owner),and definitely with Steve and Mike (that setting up and breaking down TTs is a PITA). Of course I'm also not a DIY person, and if you are, more power to you.

If you're interested in used and live anywhere near David Michael Audio (Steve's link) or Bill Parrish (link below) or Jay (second link below), and can get the table, arm and cartridge set up included in the purchase price, that's what I would do. Bill and Jay are nice guys with lots of analog experience, and prices for used turntables, especially at the top of the food chain where you're shopping, can be crazy.

If you want new, I've found Jeff Whitlock, a sponsor here (third link below), to be unbelievably generous with his time and exceedingly knowledgeable in all things analog. Turntables are a rabbit hole, and having a guide you trust can make all the difference.

Brinkmann Audio Balance with 12.1 tonearm loaded to the max, latest - Reduced!!! | Turntables | Long Valley, New Jersey 07853 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

BRINKMANN OASIS TABLE w/ GRAHAM SUPREME ARM, HEAR PHENOMENAL MUSIC FROM YOUR FAVORITE LPs! | Turntables | Carlsbad, 92010 | AudiogoN - The High-end Audio Community

Turntables Phono Cartridges - A/v Solutions
 
Hate to drift from the crowd, but to be honest you need to assess more things than folks have mentioned.

You need to figure out if you want direct drive or a belt-driven table. You need to hear a light mass vs heavy mass setup (Rega vs VPI for example). And you need to hear a restored Garrard/Thorens as well as a modern table. You also need to figure out what arm works best for you (ie. do you mind the PITA uni-pivots).

Don't rush into a 15k setup due to others opinion is my best recommendation.
 
The Spiral Groove sg1.1 listed on audiogon by David Michael audio (great folks I have dealt with them...they are in audio biz for all the right reasons)...is a smoking deal on a 36k kit from a reputable dealer. It is end game level sonics and quality. Pitch stability of direct drive, prat of suspended, inky black depths of mass unsuspended. And the head of spiral groove is consumer focused always willing to help. He has given me exceptional service. Very personal and committed to his products. My local dealer who set up all my tables says it doesn't get better than Alan Perkins and the SG 1.1.
 
KeithR said:
Hate to drift from the crowd, but to be honest you need to assess more things than folks have mentioned.

You need to figure out if you want direct drive or a belt-driven table. You need to hear a light mass vs heavy mass setup (Rega vs VPI for example). And you need to hear a restored Garrard/Thorens as well as a modern table. You also need to figure out what arm works best for you (ie. do you mind the PITA uni-pivots).

Don't rush into a 15k setup due to others opinion is my best recommendation.
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Keith, I guess that's exactly what the OP asked for... I mean, when he talked about "what's the process"...
These are some of the variables you'll find in the turntable world, and you'll need to find the combination that pleases you. It's like speakers, with lots of variety (sealed box, open baffle, ported, paper cones, aluminum cones, etc.)
With that said, I think a "regular", belt-driven, heavy mass, non-suspended table, with also a regular arm (pivoted) will work as a start. Let's not forget he'll be able to "fine tune" the sound further with his choice of cartridge. The table, at this point, must not interfere too much.


alexandre
 
Appreciate all the responses! Does anyone have a sense how much sonic difference the arm and the cartridge will make vs. the table?
 
annapolis Raider said:
IMHO Boogie, you'd be better served by starting off down the Analog trail at a lower level. As others have mentioned, there are some great values at the 5 to 6k price range. Any of these tables can be easily sold at a later date as your personal tastes develop. Starting off with a 15k turntable is a little like giving an 18 year old a 911 as his first car......you don't want to end up around a tree, lol.
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Thanks. That's great advice. I know myself, and as soon as I settle in with a piece of gear I start itching to make things better. There is a Porsche driving school in Alabama that solves this problem for sports cars: https://www.porschedriving.com/sports-driving.aspx

And I would definitely have an experienced pro help with the table setup.
 
Can someone please recommend a good set of question to help make a decision and to help overcome the influence of a good salesman?
 
to me the arm and cart are the table. find a good sturdy table and put a great arm and cart on it is always the way id prefer to go. look at the table in my sig and go to the website and read about it a little. its the ugly duckling but the read an theories are very interesting .
im not saying to buy one im just saying its good bit of info to learn.

from your above post id say call the honest and most knowledgeable turntable guy i know Jeff at a/v solutions. he wil at least make you a little smarter while table shopping
 
Mike said:
I have a VPI Classic 3 with a Ortofon Cadenza Bronze.

View attachment 7101

And a Kronos Sparta with a Benz Micro LP-S (thinking about getting a ZYX Universe II).

View attachment 7102

To answer your question, its all about a synergy between the table, arm, cart - and let's not forget, the phonostage. I use a ARC REF2SE with upgraded tubes. In your budget, I would consider the AMG V12 with a Benz Micro LP-S or a VPI Classic 3 with a Ortofon or Lyra cart (and spend the rest on records).

I'm presuming you already have a phonostage? If the $16K needs to include the phonostage, then I would go with a VPI Classic 3, Ortofon Cadenza Black and a Manley Chinook or Zesto phonostage.
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Thanks. I have heard the AMG a couple of times. It is the most natural sounding product, however I am not sure if it were the setup, but it seemed lack explosiveness. Ohterwise it would make it to the shortlist. Also, I have found Lyra cartridges overly detailed for my taste.

How does the VPI compare to the Kronos?
 
Boogieman said:
Thanks. I have heard the AMG a couple of times. It is the most natural sounding product, however I am not sure if it were the setup, but it seemed lack explosiveness. Ohterwise it would make it to the shortlist. Also, I have found Lyra cartridges overly detailed for my taste.

How does the VPI compare to the Kronos?
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Dynamics/explosiveness is usually tied to good set up on a good cartridge. My Benz LPS on my AMG doubled in dynamics and extension when someone good set it up. Having said that, the spiral groove is a more dynamic tell-all table.
 
Dpod4 said:
Dynamics/explosiveness is usually tied to good set up on a good cartridge. My Benz LPS on my AMG doubled in dynamics and extension when someone good set it up. Having said that, the spiral groove is a more dynamic tell-all table.
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dont you have a goldfinger statement on your sg1.1?? that could help with the tell tale sound and dynamics.:D. lol have you experimented with your cartridges back and fourth on your many tables?? i would not be able to help myself and would move them around every week.
 
Petro85 said:
its very tough.lol. you really have to go listen and find whats right for you, and what works with your gear. ive owned 5 vpi tables and almost bought a 6th just to find out they were not what i was looking for. ive bought and sold several phonostages and pres with internal phonos. i drove around for 6 month listening to cartridges. took me 15 years to be very happy with both my table and cartridge. and not looking to upgrade anymore...... maybe. lol.
i wont recommend anything as you can find a billion recommendations in this forum alone.
its really a very personal matter and you must either take the time to find what right for you, or just buy and sell until you come across "the keeper" no one can truely recommend what the right table for you. with your budget you should be able to find something very nice.
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Boogieman Steve will not recommend anything BUT after searching 15 years i think that his choice should be YOUR first choice, everything is in his signature unless he is deaf it should be a pretty good choice, as for me i'm sorry I have been pro cd since 1983. :)

PS: Some will say that i am deaf.:)
 
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