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  • Beer Budget Entry Level Turntable?

    For your son or daughter for college or someone wanting to either get started in or return to analog.

    Let/ say a budget of approximately $1000 for table, arm and cartridge not including tax. What say you all?

    Rega?
    Project?
    VPI?
    Music-Hall?
    Other suggestions?

    I like the VPI Nomad for its sound and if for nothing, it comes with a built in phono section/headphone amplifier. That makes the table a perfect match for a receiver or integrated amplifier for a dorm room!
    Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
    Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
    ________________________________________

    -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
    -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
    -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
    -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
    -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
    -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
    -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
    -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
    -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
    -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

  • #2
    I heard about the Nomad. Seems like a nice one piece solution from a company who knows what they're doing. Hopefully the electronics are up to snuff.

    Comment


    • #3
      Build quality; its got to be Pro-ject all day long (its ridiculous what 400$ buys you nowdays) although I have to say when it comes to sonics, Rega may have a foot in the door too. Nothing against VPI but its just in a different Price category and with the buyers of these Turntables 400$ to 1000$ makes a huge difference. For all time best price performance ratio in that enry level category, goes to the clearaudio concept turntable (1200euro) again for build quality and sonics
      Attached Files

      Comment


      • Rob
        Rob commented
        Editing a comment
        sony demo'd at the Newport shown a few years back with a clearaudio concept in system including their top of the range SS AR1 speakers and Pass electronics. All things considered the SQ was great considering the cost of the source, I didn't feel like the system was being held back either.

    • #4
      I'd have to say Pro-ject as well and there are several models to choose from.
      I couldn't recommend the Rega, despite a good rep, but they don't play nice with Grado cartridges.
      No experience with VPI, but I don't like the fact a number of their tables use VINYL to finish off their plinths.
      Dynavector DV20x2L MC cartridge - Genesis G7.1f speakers - Marantz Reference PM-KI-Pearl Int. Amp. - Oracle Audio Paris MkV turntable - Various Morrow & Valab/King cables

      Comment


      • Steve Lefkowicz
        Steve Lefkowicz commented
        Editing a comment
        I ran a Grado GTE+1 in a Rega Planer 2 years ago (with a Grace 707 arm) and had no issues with hum. Maybe I just got lucky? Otherwise I would use a Rega, Ortofon or a Denon 103 in a new Rega RP1 or RP3.

    • #5
      Thorens, Pro-ject for under 1K....for a smidge more Clearaudio Concept, Nottingham Interspace Jr. and VPI Scout Jr.
      Jeff Whitlock
      A/V Solutions

      www.avsolutionsca.com

      Comment


      • #6
        Originally posted by A/V Solutions
        Thorens, Pro-ject for under 1K....for a smidge more Clearaudio Concept, Nottingham Interspace Jr. and VPI Scout Jr.
        Jeff how are the new Thorens? They have pique my interest but is it true they are not building the tables?
        Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
        Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
        ________________________________________

        -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
        -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
        -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
        -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
        -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
        -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
        -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
        -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
        -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
        -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

        Comment


        • #7
          Originally posted by Billy Shears
          Build quality; its got to be Pro-ject all day long (its ridiculous what 400$ buys you nowdays) although I have to say when it comes to sonics, Rega may have a foot in the door too. Nothing against VPI but its just in a different Price category and with the buyers of these Turntables 400$ to 1000$ makes a huge difference. For all time best price performance ratio in that enry level category, goes to the clearaudio concept turntable (1200euro) again for build quality and sonics
          All excellent points!
          Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
          Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
          ________________________________________

          -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
          -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
          -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
          -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
          -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
          -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
          -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
          -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
          -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
          -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

          Comment


          • #8
            The Music-Hall tables have always impressed me with their sound and value for the money. I remember comparing in the mid-90s one of Roy's $300 or $400 tables to the then darling of the digital world-the $2000 Cal Audio player. There was no contest which was better sounding!

            The Ortofon included with the Nomad is probably better sounding than any similarly priced cartridge we had back in analog's heyday!
            Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
            Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
            ________________________________________

            -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
            -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
            -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
            -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
            -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
            -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
            -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, vdh Colibri Master Signature, Mutech Hayabusa,
            -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
            -Assorted cables including Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
            -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

            Comment


            • #9
              Originally posted by Johnny Vinyl
              I'd have to say Pro-ject as well and there are several models to choose from.
              I couldn't recommend the Rega, despite a good rep, but they don't play nice with Grado cartridges.
              No experience with VPI, but I don't like the fact a number of their tables use VINYL to finish off their plinths.
              VPI is not really competitive in the sub $1K range anyway, they really shine at $2K and up
              Magnepan 1.6 QR Loudspeakers, Amherst A-2000 MOSFET 150 WPC Amp, Conrad Johnson PV-10A Modded Tube Line & Phono Stage, Electrocompaniet MC II Class A Head Amp, Audio Technica AT-OC9XML Cart (Stereo) , Graham Engineering 2.2 Tonearm (Stereo) , VPI Aries-1 Turntable (Stereo) , VPI Clamp, Denon DL-102 Cart, (Mono) , Luxman Tonearm (Mono) , Kenwood KD-500 Turntable (Mono) , Michell Clamp, Marantz 20B Analog FM Tuner, Pioneer SACD, Onkyo DX-6800 CD Transport, DIY 24B/192K DAC, Sennheiser HD-650 Headphones, Headroom Max Balanced Headphone Amp, DIY Silver Interconnects

              Comment


              • #10
                Originally posted by A/V Solutions
                Thorens, Pro-ject for under 1K....for a smidge more Clearaudio Concept, Nottingham Interspace Jr. and VPI Scout Jr.
                I'd add the Marantz TT-15S1 to that list.
                Dynavector DV20x2L MC cartridge - Genesis G7.1f speakers - Marantz Reference PM-KI-Pearl Int. Amp. - Oracle Audio Paris MkV turntable - Various Morrow & Valab/King cables

                Comment


                • #11
                  Originally posted by MylesBAstor

                  Jeff how are the new Thorens? They have pique my interest but is it true they are not building the tables?

                  The Thorens are nice affordable tables and certainly a good starting point.....unless things have changed there not building.
                  Jeff Whitlock
                  A/V Solutions

                  www.avsolutionsca.com

                  Comment


                  • #12
                    Originally posted by Johnny Vinyl
                    I'd add the Marantz TT-15S1 to that list.
                    AKA Clearaudio Emotion table
                    Jeff Whitlock
                    A/V Solutions

                    www.avsolutionsca.com

                    Comment


                    • #13
                      Originally posted by A/V Solutions

                      AKA Clearaudio Emotion table
                      I know!
                      Dynavector DV20x2L MC cartridge - Genesis G7.1f speakers - Marantz Reference PM-KI-Pearl Int. Amp. - Oracle Audio Paris MkV turntable - Various Morrow & Valab/King cables

                      Comment


                      • #14
                        I'd love to see a version of the Nomad with no built in phono or headphone amps,at a lower price. Otherwise, I'd stick with Music Hall, Pro-Ject or Rega, depending on what the local dealer carries.
                        Steve Lefkowicz
                        Senior Associate Editor at Positive Feedback
                        -
                        Analog 1: Linn LP12 (MOSE/Hercules II), Ittok, Dynavector 10X5 MK.II Low, iPhono2/iPowerX; Analog 2: Pro-Ject RPM-1 Carbon, Talisman S, iFi iPhono.
                        Digital: Geekom Mini PC (i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, JRiver Media Center 29, Tidal HiFi, Qobuz Studio), iFi NEO iDSD, iFi iUSB3, iPurifier2, Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ.
                        Electronics: Khozmo Stereo Passive with AMRG Ladder Attenuator and "NewClassD" Active Stage, Antique Sound Labs MG-SI15DT-S, Burson Timekeeper Virtuoso
                        Speakers: Tekton Perfect SET 15, Tekton Lore, Magneplaner .7, GoldenEar BRX
                        Interconnects: Morrow Audio MA1, Vermouth Audio Black Pearl, Audioquest Evergreen
                        Speaker cables: Morrow Audio SP4, Vermouth Audio Red Velvet, Audioquest Type 5
                        Digital cables: Aural Symphonics USB, iFi Gemini twin-head USB.
                        Accessories: Sound Organization turntable shelf, Mondo racks, Pangea Audio Vulcan rack, AV Room Services EVPs under the speakers, Pi Audio Group Über BUSS, Monster HTS2000 power conditioner, Kinetronics anti-static brush, Pro-Ject VC-S record cleaner, Spin Clean record cleaner.
                        Headphones: Schiit Valhalla amp, Burson Conductor Virtuoso Amp, Meze Audio 99 Classic and 99 Neo, Beyerdynamic DT770Pro 600 ohm, 1More Triple Driver Over Ear, 1More Triple Driver IEM

                        Comment


                        • #15
                          I also think we need to be cognizant of the fact that people who aren't already knowledgeable audiophiles or record collectors would probably not view any turntables above $1000 as "beer budget." If you own a $30,000 table a $1,000 table might seem cute and cheap, but to someone looking to start out, even $500 seems extravagant. That's where things like the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon or Music Hall 2.2 come in. Great tables for the price.
                          Steve Lefkowicz
                          Senior Associate Editor at Positive Feedback
                          -
                          Analog 1: Linn LP12 (MOSE/Hercules II), Ittok, Dynavector 10X5 MK.II Low, iPhono2/iPowerX; Analog 2: Pro-Ject RPM-1 Carbon, Talisman S, iFi iPhono.
                          Digital: Geekom Mini PC (i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, JRiver Media Center 29, Tidal HiFi, Qobuz Studio), iFi NEO iDSD, iFi iUSB3, iPurifier2, Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ.
                          Electronics: Khozmo Stereo Passive with AMRG Ladder Attenuator and "NewClassD" Active Stage, Antique Sound Labs MG-SI15DT-S, Burson Timekeeper Virtuoso
                          Speakers: Tekton Perfect SET 15, Tekton Lore, Magneplaner .7, GoldenEar BRX
                          Interconnects: Morrow Audio MA1, Vermouth Audio Black Pearl, Audioquest Evergreen
                          Speaker cables: Morrow Audio SP4, Vermouth Audio Red Velvet, Audioquest Type 5
                          Digital cables: Aural Symphonics USB, iFi Gemini twin-head USB.
                          Accessories: Sound Organization turntable shelf, Mondo racks, Pangea Audio Vulcan rack, AV Room Services EVPs under the speakers, Pi Audio Group Über BUSS, Monster HTS2000 power conditioner, Kinetronics anti-static brush, Pro-Ject VC-S record cleaner, Spin Clean record cleaner.
                          Headphones: Schiit Valhalla amp, Burson Conductor Virtuoso Amp, Meze Audio 99 Classic and 99 Neo, Beyerdynamic DT770Pro 600 ohm, 1More Triple Driver Over Ear, 1More Triple Driver IEM

                          Comment

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