Turntable Shopping - Need some opinion.

Paul

Paul

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Ok. I decide to go with the Analog. FINALLY ~! .

I have 4 turntables in my mind (Just want to be clear - I'm not comparing these turntables so please don't get me wrong ) and I do know that it's a personal taste matter as well However I do like to have a TT that has the look and sound quality.

Here are top 4

1. EnVogue Quasar Limited Edition with Kuzma Stogi Reference tonearm

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Only 75 ever made, one of the rarest turntable on the Planet, this is a no-compromise Masterpiece designed to last a lifetime and to provide its priviledge owner with the smoothness and dynamics that can only be attained with the excruciating precision engineering combined with a 30 Kg platter driven by a high precision, analog controlled motor and world class external power supply. Hand-made in Germany. - Pre-Owned is only choice -

2. Brinkmann Audio Bardo turntable - Probably go with the 12" Tone Arm.

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3.AMG VIELLA 12 TURNTABLE AND TONEARM

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More than my budget ..... But I do like the appearance of the table as well. Maybe I should look for used one on this.

4. Well Tempered Amadeus GTA

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Easy on my wallet and same time with SUPERIOR Sounds.
 

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I would think that other than being cheaper, the Well Tempered would have easier to obtain parts, service and user advice plus probably higher percentage of resale value. Mike Pranka has his own Circle (forum) over at Audio Circle.
 
Jack. Thank you for chime in. Cool. I will check that forum :). I really liked what I heard and my friend Doug has it. So I don't doubt the SQ.


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Hi Paul,

Is a cueing mechanism important to you? They are for me because I can't be trusted. For that reason alone, the WTA would fall off my personal list.....but maybe you're more comfortable placing and lifting the stylus twice per side?

All of the choices you've presented are beautiful and no doubt stunners in the sonic realm, but dang that AMG seems like the best of most worlds to me.

Good luck!

Mike
 
Jack said:
Mike

The lack of cuing would probably be a deal killer for me to, but the people I know that own them swear by the sound. Also Jelco makes a separate cuing device that you can install if you feel the need. Quite a few people are using them on AR's. If this would work then problem solved.

Jelco JL 45 Tonearm Lift Tone Arm Liifting Device New | eBay
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Jack,

Understandable about the Jelco lift, but is the fitment correct for a Well Tempered? Did Paul say somewhere that an AR was on his radar and I just missed it?

Mike
 
You can have a queuing device added to the well tempered Amadeus. Ive looked at them at in living stereo in NYC and they confirmed it. It's a sweet sounding table.
 
Mike

The Jelco is just an add on device designed to be used and adapted to situations like this. It will take some experimenting to find the proper placement, just like with devices like the Q-Up, Safety Raiser, and Expressimo Lifter. The AR was only an example of how it has been used and just happened to be posted right before Paul asked the question. You would have to find the right material to using as a mounting platform for it if the height between the Jelco and the TT deck is not just right. The other poster on AK mounted the Jelco to a piece of Corian and then put the Corian on the AR deck.
 
nice paul!!!!! its about time :)
how come only 4 choices? the pricerange between a well tempered and an amg is enormous and there are a billion tables in there. ive been around listening to tables and cartridges for years now and in my experience those tables with all the extravagant looks, and pulleys and such although look cool are not as good in sound quality. seems you paying for all the bells and whistles. and ive listened to most all up the price scale. the way you want to go for your first table is solid sturdy base, nice tonearm, and good cartridge. as you know ive chose my table after loads of listening and research and i love it. id found it hard to beat for the price. and now i got it here and the cart is all broken in i will keep it forever, even if i get another table in the future. some of the better tables ive heard are. dr feikert was a great and simple setup. the vpi aries 3 was as good for the money as any other vpi out there. of course id like to change the arm. the brinkmann you mentioned above i never heard, but the brinkmann balance was pricey but among the best tables i ever heard, and for 1/2 the price was as good and in some cases better than the super dollar super tables ive heard.
check out Bob(absolare) rhapsody cinema website he is a dealer for acoustic signature i think it is, and its a real nice table. i dont know the price though could be pricey. but the black one on his website is gorgeous.
doug does love that well tempered, and for the price it seems like a bargain. i never listened to one so i cant comment on it.
from what ive heard, the amg is hard to beat for the money. i cant find one around here to go listen to though. it is on the high side of the pricerange, and was too much for me when table shopping. but i hear nothing but good things about it. dont forget you need a phonostage because a great table with a so so phonostage is not worth it.
best of luck if you have any questions about anything just message me, as i said ive heard so many tables and cartridges, i can give you my oppinion on alot of em.
my choice the ugly 3 footed duckling!!!!(merrill williams/ortofon cadenza black) hehehehehe!!!!!
 
Paul you're gonna' be amazed at what kind of sound will spring forth from the O/96's and those MC275's with a nice analog setup. As you know I have the Amadeus so I can't really give you a unbiased opinion on your selection of tables. What I will say though is that I love the sound I get from the Amadeus. It's just so natural and musical and...easy. The lack of a finger lift is a non-issue. Really. I've heard so many times people saying they won't consider the table because it doesn't have a finger lift/cueing mech that it makes me chuckle. I was worried about it at the beginning too but after playing about two albums I wondered why all the fuss...

I also have to give what Steve said a big +1. It's the whole package, table/cartridge/phono stage, that makes analog work. You could have a $$$$ table (or cart or phono stage) but with a lousy phono stage (or cart or table) you won't get all that it has to offer. Try to listen to as many different table and setups as you can. Then you will hear what you like and don't like and you'll find that some of those high-dollar tables may look better than the lesser priced ones, but they won't sound anywhere as good as them.
 
Wow. Wake up with lot of EXCELLENT posts. Thanks guys. Today is my day off so on my way to visit some dealer ships today. Will report back ! :)
 
If you buy AMG I'm pretty sure it would be your last .
Michael Fremer said in His last review that if He would start again it would take the AMG
 
highEndguy said:
If you buy AMG I'm pretty sure it would be your last .
Michael Fremer said in His last review that if He would start again it would take the AMG
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He said that about the AirForce One too in his review comparing it to his Continuum Caliburn. ;)
The AMG is a great choice for the OP.
 
Love my amg :) they even have a new armboard option that allows for two tonearms.
 
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