Which TurnTable - 50K range?

Randy,

Thanks for the additional info on dCS.

I've been the researching T+A HV series. The set up is so very simple / elegant:

Amps

2x A 3000 HV (monos)
2x PS 3000 HV (Elec)

Rack

PST 3000 HV (SACD)
SDV 31000 HV (Streaming DAC Preamp)
P 3100 HV (preamp with HV phono module)

T+A uses some special cabling, power accessories (power bars), remotes, and I'd be interested in exploring what their APM Tone Control-Signal Processor could do to improve my room acoustics (esp. seeing I don't have a dedicated room).

Mike may correct me, but it looks like I'd be saving a considerable amount on the digital end of this setup as compared to either MSB or dCS. And that brings up the possibility of improving the TT. I will still have to hear it first and see how the streamer works (I enjoy my Aurenders a lot - esp. the ability to rip CDS), but T+A looks promising. But hearing will be believing.


the ta digital is really very good. i wonder why you do not choose the pdt 3100 hv as sacd transport?theyr power amps a3000 with ps 3000 are NOT on the level you are looking for. pass aleph class a is more pure and exciting imho.sure, the amps are speaker dependent, and since you mentioned m3, alex, alexia2.....and the choice between them is music-style and taste dependent.well, you have descibed your music...mine is very different with rather deep house and modern stuff. ok, for me and my musictaste, considering the price, the m3 is too weak in slam and bass.apart from that it is an incredible speaker. and beautiful and small enough to put it in the livingroom. alexia2 has no weakness. a touch less resolution vs m3. still more than enough resolution. alexia2 likes pass amps better than t&a amps. audionet humboldt on the alexia2 is on the level of pass xs series, without the heat and warming up time. if you go wilson, i strongly consult you to audition the humboldt. i dont know about the synergy with magico. the alexx....it is very big and probably series 2 not far away. what i want to say is, lol, with your kind of budget i wouldnt buy any of this speakers . i would skip the turntable for the moment and buy the m6!!! your electronics are on very good level. switching from a3 to m6 would kick you out of the door:) one single change to paradise. and then you can switch your location or not, however you would have an easy time to find the right (your very own taste) amplification and later the right source.
 
Best vinyl performance I ever heard was from TechDAS with a SAT arm and Lyra. My suggestion would be to check out TechDAS AF V premium and SAT LM-09 plus your cartridge of choice for final tuning like MSL, Lyra, Ortofon, Etsuro… that should be reasonable covered by 50 big ones!

For cables in general give Ansuz Acoustics upper level a try D2, DTC and on, specially mains cables do great magic…

Mike waiting for his AF V premium
 
Ok, this seems incredibly obvious to me... just pickup a Rega Plannar 10 with the top Rega cartridge... that will bring you in at just under 10 big ones... leaving plenty to get your buddy a new T+A amplifier :wave: ...

Just kidding, just kidding.... (got to have some fun) :D


I find it very entertaining all the names I see being suggested, yet some very big and famous names not being mentioned (SME, Oracle, Basis, etc.).... also very curious on why not wanting to hear about VPI going into this?

What you really need is the Goldmund Reference II. It is only about $300k :).
View attachment 28339

But the most unique looking table has to be this :), at only $180k the Audio Consulting R-evolution Meteor is an amazing design.
View attachment 28338

Ps... Hopefully you had fun reading this post, I had fun posting it :).
 
Ok, this seems incredibly obvious to me... just pickup a Rega Plannar 10 with the top Rega cartridge... that will bring you in at just under 10 big ones... leaving plenty to get your buddy a new T+A amplifier :wave: ...Just kidding, just kidding.... (got to have some fun) :DI find it very entertaining all the names I see being suggested, yet some very big and famous names not being mentioned (SME, Oracle, Basis, etc.).... also very curious on why not wanting to hear about VPI going into this? What you really need is the Goldmund Reference II. It is only about $300k :). View attachment 28339But the most unique looking table has to be this :), at only $180k the Audio Consulting R-evolution Meteor is an amazing design.View attachment 28338Ps... Hopefully you had fun reading this post :).
That’s funny and thanks for the additional TT recommendations. As far as VPI, I’m just not interested in their tables. And the Goldman would be nice, but as you said it would blow the budget. And I’m not paying 180k for a piece of wood :) - that probably sounds incredible. And yes, I had fun reading the post.
 
I love my SME model 30/12 with V-12 arm and vdH Mater Signature. The issue is only one arm And SME seems to be out of favor these days. I have to have money for eight years and it is incredibly well built and reliable. It is quite expensive and it does not have a broad dealer network. Are used SME 30 or 30/12 would be a fantastic value in my opinion.
 
I love my SME model 30/12 with V-12 arm and vdH Mater Signature. The issue is only one arm And SME seems to be out of favor these days. I have to have money for eight years and it is incredibly well built and reliable. It is quite expensive and it does not have a broad dealer network. Are used SME 30 or 30/12 would be a fantastic value in my opinion.

I haven’t heard it yet, but I believe a friend of mine owns a SME. I’m not sure of the model or anything. But if he does own one I’ll hear it soon.
 
Ok, this seems incredibly obvious to me... just pickup a Rega Plannar 10 with the top Rega cartridge... that will bring you in at just under 10 big ones...

Ha ha! I'm having a deja vu, all over again.

Here's my thoughts about it: The Rega Planar 10 is one of the best-performing and sounding turntables available at any price. Sure, its certainly possible to spend more money on a turntable, but....would that actually result in more musical enjoyment than from an Rega Planar 10? And if so, would that tiny, incremental degree of enjoyment (if one could actually quantify it) bring value for money from a TT costing 8X as much? Maybe, maybe not.

Look, I'm a guy, too, I like gear as much as any guy. Guys are hardwired to like "gear", "parts", "stuff", hardware, tools, etc. Some guys spend their disretionary income on cars, bikes, motorcycles, cameras, Leicas (see the distinction? LOL), some guys spend it on audio "gear." I get it.

So here's my thinking: if you want a super easy set-up TT that is also reliable, durable (not the same quality attribute as reliable), accurate, quiet, and...fantastic-sounding, that is a also simple enough for your wife to also use, get a Rega Planar 10. Call it a day.

If on the other had, you want something that is "ultra-trick", and requires the use of $600 protactors to setup, air pumps, bladders, expensive footers, constant monitoring and fiddling because its it fun to play with, then get a Super Spinner Plus Reference Signature Supreme, Platinum edition.

Just sayin'. :P :D
 
I was obviously inserting my tongue firmly in my cheek with my post... however I can say that I am very happy with the Rega table I own, knowing full well it is not state of the industry as far as turntables go. I do also believe that Rega appears to get a bad rap with high end enthusiast because they also manufacture tables for a wider range of audio enthusiast.

The Planar 10 did in fact grace the cover of Stereophile Magazines May 2020 issue. Michael Fremer gave it a rave review and rated it competitive with tables far above its price.

"Rega's new P10 is by far the company's most sophisticated, refined, quiet, and subtle-sounding turntable yet. It combines the immediacy, grip, and rhythm'n'pacing excitement Regas have always produced, with the subtlety and delicacy typically found on far more costly analog front ends..." Michael Fremer, Stereophile

I know Joe is looking for a higher end table and I would never recommend the Planar 10 to him; however for me it may possibly be the perfect choice. My post was very much in jest as I believe Joe took it as such :).
 
Analog is not about shipping a big box only. Very important: unless you're an TT expert, somebody must setup the TT. Perfect setting up of a high-end TT is not simple. Without the right setup the TT can play wrong; and you might not even know it. Be sure you have the right dealer for this - a dealer with a lot of analog experience. Brand is not that important - there are many good TT on the planet. The analog chain, TT, cartridge, arm, phonopre - much match perfectly together with your system. Good luck.
 
Ha ha! I'm having a deja vu, all over again.

Here's my thoughts about it: The Rega Planar 10 is one of the best-performing and sounding turntables available at any price. Sure, its certainly possible to spend more money on a turntable, but....would that actually result in more musical enjoyment than from an Rega Planar 10? And if so, would that tiny, incremental degree of enjoyment (if one could actually quantify it) bring value for money from a TT costing 8X as much? Maybe, maybe not.

Look, I'm a guy, too, I like gear as much as any guy. Guys are hardwired to like "gear", "parts", "stuff", hardware, tools, etc. Some guys spend their disretionary income on cars, bikes, motorcycles, cameras, Leicas (see the distinction? LOL), some guys spend it on audio "gear." I get it.

So here's my thinking: if you want a super easy set-up TT that is also reliable, durable (not the same quality attribute as reliable), accurate, quiet, and...fantastic-sounding, that is a also simple enough for your wife to also use, get a Rega Planar 10. Call it a day.

If on the other had, you want something that is "ultra-trick", and requires the use of $600 protactors to setup, air pumps, bladders, expensive footers, constant monitoring and fiddling because its it fun to play with, then get a Super Spinner Plus Reference Signature Supreme, Platinum edition.

Just sayin'. :P :D

PC,

While I really appreciate the time you took to make your post, a 150K MSB digital system (not including amps, speakers, etc) with a 10K turntable doesn't make any sense. If anything it should be the other way around.

If it makes you feel any better if I get the TT it will be connected with Shunyata Alpha v2 power cords into an Everest.

PS: The audio system area is off limits to everyone but me and one friend whom I trust. There is imaginary yellow tape around it - to enter the space even for cleaning would be a crime. My wife only listens when I listen.

Yellow.jpg
 
Analog is not about shipping a big box only. Very important: unless you're an TT expert, somebody must setup the TT. Perfect setting up of a high-end TT is not simple. Without the right setup the TT can play wrong; and you might not even know it. Be sure you have the right dealer for this - a dealer with a lot of analog experience. Brand is not that important - there are many good TT on the planet. The analog chain, TT, cartridge, arm, phonopre - much match perfectly together with your system. Good luck.

This is why a lot of suggestions won’t work for Joe, my customer. He will require expert setup which takes time and we only setup the tables/arms/carts we sell. Our turntable setup is very involved. We use a variety of tools including digital microscope, fozgometer, the proper jig, digital tracking force gauge and more. We also tweak the VTA for personal preference. It’s also important to recheck the setup after a certain amount of time and usage to confirm the settings and recheck the tracking force and anti skate. Proper turntable setup is no small matter. Even simple tables like a REGA require proper setup. It’s a real expertise we have, mainly because we are analog nuts stuck in a digital world! LOL.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
PC,

While I really appreciate the time you took to make your post, a 150K MSB digital system (not including amps, speakers, etc) with a 10K turntable doesn't make any sense. If anything it should be the other way around.

If it makes you feel any better if I get the TT it will be connected with Shunyata Alpha v2 power cords into an Everest.

PS: The audio system area is off limits to everyone but me and one friend whom I trust. There is imaginary yellow tape around it - to enter the space even for cleaning would be a crime. My wife only listens when I listen.

Hehe... we do not have this as a rule in our house. My wife simply does not go near the system. She is proud of it (amazing as that seems) but rarely actually sits in the room and listens. She does love hearing music downstairs when I am listening. Mainly though, she is afraid of it and does not even want to learn about it. I guess I prefer her being timid around it. :D I guess she feels about my audio system like I feel about her sewing machines.... one of which cost more than any component in my audio system.
 
Hehe... we do not have this as a rule in our house. My wife simply does not go near the system. She is proud of it (amazing as that seems) but rarely actually sits in the room and listens. She does love hearing music downstairs when I am listening. Mainly though, she is afraid of it and does not even want to learn about it. I guess I prefer her being timid around it. :D I guess she feels about my audio system like I feel about her sewing machines.... one of which cost more than any component in my audio system.

Unfortunately, at this time I don't have a dedicated room - but things may change. Anyway my system is presently in the Great Room and so everyone who comes into the house sees it. And the guys esp. ask to walk up to it. I reply something to the extent 'it sounds better in my chair, sit and have a listen.' Since we have the rule my wife can tell those that come over when I'm not home - "No" (though she probably is more kind about it).
 
Hehe... we do not have this as a rule in our house. My wife simply does not go near the system. She is proud of it (amazing as that seems) but rarely actually sits in the room and listens. She does love hearing music downstairs when I am listening. Mainly though, she is afraid of it and does not even want to learn about it. I guess I prefer her being timid around it. :D I guess she feels about my audio system like I feel about her sewing machines.... one of which cost more than any component in my audio system.

A sewing machine that expensive. WOW!!! :panic:
 
Unfortunately, at this time I don't have a dedicated room - but things may change. Anyway my system is presently in the Great Room and so everyone who comes into the house sees it. And the guys esp. ask to walk up to it. I reply something to the extent 'it sounds better in my chair, sit and have a listen.' Since we have the rule my wife can tell those that come over when I'm not home - "No" (though she probably is more kind about it).

What like, don't F'n touch that :).
 
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