Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list

Posted by TheBrewmaster (A) on April 20, 2014 at 16:01:24

Shopping for a new turntable in the midprice range. Small vinyl collection that has been in storage for years, probably will not expand it much in the future (but might!). I’m not an expert vinyl man and have only owned a couple of tables in my life (both older automatic Technics jobs from the 80’s- 90’s). So I’m a little hesitant about getting something that requires a lot of fuss and adjustment (seriously, you have to manually change the belt on the pulley to make a speed change on these things now?). RELIABILITY is a top priority because I have zero use for an expensive component that breaks down.

Having said all that, of course sound quality and value are high priorities too, so I’ve narrowed it down to a short list. Since I’m starting from scratch again, I prefer an easy setup that includes a cartridge. I will need a custom sized (made-to-fit) dustcover due to my rack setup.

Alphabetical order:
1) Clearaudio Concept. Available with MM or MC cart option. If I choose the Clearaudio, I’ll probably just spend the money on the MC cart option to avoid future upgrade regret. My understanding is that the dust cover is not included (which I want) and is an expensive option (ridiculous $250). I like the totally plug-n-play aspect of this model and from what I understand everything including the cart is pre-adjusted at the factory, which I like.
2) Marantz TT-15 with the supposedly well-regarded Virtuoso ebony wood MM cart. I prefer the Clearaudio table over the Marantz but I read that the cart is better in the TT-15 … true?
3) Rega RP3 with Elys MM cart. Dustcover included I think.
4) Rega RP3 with no cart – any strong recommendations that won’t require setup fuss on my part?
5) Rega RP40 – includes TT-PSU power supply and Elys40 MM cart. I prefer this model over the RP3 based on value alone. Includes dustcover, which I need.
6) VPI Scout or Scout 1.1 with JMW-9T tonearm but cart not included. This one will bust well past the $2k threshold and might push $3k with everything I need – is it worth it? I’m not seriously considering the Traveler because if I want to save money I lean towards the other options and buying the Traveler will always remind me it’s not a Scout! Lol

Phono preamp matching not a huge concern now because I will buy one that matches the turntable/cart combination I choose.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

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Topic - Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - TheBrewmaster 16:01:24 04/20/14 (35)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - DeeCee 15:36:22 04/22/14 (0)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - HW 07:41:23 04/22/14 (0)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - E.Raven 06:35:25 04/22/14 (0)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - jsm71 06:10:16 04/22/14 (0)

What are your expectations? - EdAInWestOC 05:36:24 04/22/14 (0)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - Lew 23:18:43 04/20/14 (0)

I spent a couple of hours listening to the RP-40 recently - padreken 22:13:27 04/20/14 (9)

RE: I spent a couple of hours listening to the RP-40 recently - Lew 10:36:32 04/21/14 (8)

I've read it so many times from different sources that I believe it. - Bob_in_OKC 20:43:47 04/21/14 (0)

I've read that, too - padreken 19:20:00 04/21/14 (1)

RE: I've read that, too - TheBrewmaster 21:18:01 04/21/14 (0)

RE: I spent a couple of hours listening to the RP-40 recently - Travis 12:19:48 04/21/14 (4)

I don't know whether they are "issues". - Lew 12:46:10 04/21/14 (3)

RE: You should try a Rega. :^) nt - Travis 12:50:56 04/21/14 (2)

RE: You should try a Rega. :^) nt - Lew 12:55:10 04/21/14 (1)

RE: You should try a Rega. :^) nt - Travis 13:02:10 04/21/14 (0)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - El Monte 18:49:48 04/20/14 (1)

RE: That's a great idea, here's another, less $$$ one - amioutaline? 19:18:43 04/20/14 (0)

some things to consider - teenage diplomat 17:59:26 04/20/14 (3)

RE: some things to consider - ecl876 18:47:53 04/20/14 (1)

RP6 should be better than P3-2000 - teenage diplomat 20:09:15 04/20/14 (0)

Azimuth adjustment - MWE 18:25:08 04/20/14 (0)

Any of the above - Bob_in_OKC 17:53:22 04/20/14 (3)

Dynavector 10X5 - TheBrewmaster 22:20:47 04/20/14 (1)

RE: Dynavector 10X5 - Bob_in_OKC 05:03:30 04/21/14 (0)

RE: Any of the above - TheBrewmaster 22:14:58 04/20/14 (0)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - Travis 16:44:17 04/20/14 (3)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - TheBrewmaster 17:24:14 04/20/14 (2)

Another recomendation for RP6... - kuma 18:19:37 04/20/14 (0)

Agree with the Rega recommendation. Really like... - MWE 17:49:19 04/20/14 (0)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - Curious 16:20:32 04/20/14 (1)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - TheBrewmaster 16:33:15 04/20/14 (0)

RE: Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list - BPoletti 16:09:47 04/20/14 (2)

VPI HW-19 IV - TheBrewmaster 16:25:39 04/20/14 (1)

RE: VPI HW-19 IV - BPoletti 19:50:33 04/20/14 (0)

Ready for a new turntable, I have a short list

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