Well here the story
My fat cat named Chubbs was on top of my newer pro-jet turntable ( essentials III, all analog, well hit kicked it down and it took a 4 foot drop and did not make it. I’m was so pist
Well my wife said I can buy a new table, has to be under 650. And ideas on what to buy?
I don’t need and fancy bells on it,
I was looking at a music hall mmf 2.3
But it looks a lot of a pro-ject made table that has been rebranded as a music-hall.
Hell I’ll even buy used from someone here
Thanks
My fat cat named Chubbs was on top of my newer pro-jet turntable ( essentials III, all analog, well hit kicked it down and it took a 4 foot drop and did not make it. I’m was so pist
Well my wife said I can buy a new table, has to be under 650. And ideas on what to buy?
I don’t need and fancy bells on it,
I was looking at a music hall mmf 2.3
But it looks a lot of a pro-ject made table that has been rebranded as a music-hall.
Hell I’ll even buy used from someone here
Thanks
The Project TT’s suffer from bad motor noise (mechanical and motor induced hum). You can test (and any TT for that matter) this by putting on a record with a very quiet music passage and cranking up the volume. Even after buying a ‘noise reduction kit’ from the distributor for about $30, it was still bad. You may be lucky and find a quiet exemplar but I would not count on it.
For $650, my money would be on a good 2nd hand quality TT
For $650, my money would be on a good 2nd hand quality TT
Your right Project heard you and their latest deck DC Esprit SB has a new DC supply running an AC synchronous motor motor .
Best Turntables Under $1000 of 2020 - #5 is Highest Rated
On the other hand I would more likely buy a GOOD used old superdeck as that's my era of choosing turntables and they were generally built to a much higher engineering standard than what is manufactured now .
With you all the way in --NO "bells & whistles " .
Best Turntables Under $1000 of 2020 - #5 is Highest Rated
On the other hand I would more likely buy a GOOD used old superdeck as that's my era of choosing turntables and they were generally built to a much higher engineering standard than what is manufactured now .
With you all the way in --NO "bells & whistles " .
I got lucky with the table I have. It was dead quiet. Even when I put my scope on it , it was very quiet. But that doesn’t matter any longer as the motor shaft broke when it fell onto the floor , and also the cover cracked all over. I have one of those very old set up records. I think it was from shure , the one album that is yellow and black , the one that has all the test tracks on it for setting up your table. On the one track for the anti-skating set-up . I had the volume cranked up very high and could not hear anything from it even , even my very efficient Klipsch Speakers , and I are also hooked up my scope to test the difference between the left and right channels and doing that , I had very little noise. Noise I could measure , but noise I could not hear. So I guess I got one of those very few unicorn quiet project tables
I know the test record you are talking about I have a UK version , good thing to have ,so everything is okay now ?
My vote:
VPI HW 19 2-Speed Belt Driven Turntable Record Player w/ Sumiko PREMIERM FT 3 Tonearm & PIB 1 Interface Box | Turntables | Los Angeles, California 90041 | Audiogon
...or similar. It’s a little out of your range...maybe you can haggle if you have your own tonearm/cartridge?
Point being...I doubt the cat will knock it over as it’s built like a tank.
I have all of the stock parts from my mk2 HW 19 because I only reused the plinth (modified) in a elaborate overhaul. Still holding on to them as I’d like to build a table for my son with them.
VPI HW 19 2-Speed Belt Driven Turntable Record Player w/ Sumiko PREMIERM FT 3 Tonearm & PIB 1 Interface Box | Turntables | Los Angeles, California 90041 | Audiogon
...or similar. It’s a little out of your range...maybe you can haggle if you have your own tonearm/cartridge?
Point being...I doubt the cat will knock it over as it’s built like a tank.
I have all of the stock parts from my mk2 HW 19 because I only reused the plinth (modified) in a elaborate overhaul. Still holding on to them as I’d like to build a table for my son with them.
I'd skip it. The real entry point for Rega is the Planar 3. I know the new one's are out of your price range, so look for used online.
Here's one without a cartridge: Rega Planar 3 V1 Belt Drive Turntable; RB300 Tonearm (No Cartridge) | eBay
jeff
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That’s way over anything I want to spend
And the shipping is crazy high. Almost $150 dollars for shipping. I can ship a set of Klipsch H1’s from Florida to West cost. I know as I’ve done this just 7 months ago
Is everyone here of the opinion that something like a Technics SP25 with a decent tonearm or an SL1200mkII is no good? Because I think you can find those for less than $650 in good condition most places in the US.
Also there are some good '70s Denon, Kenwood, Pioneer big direct drive decks. No good? Must be belt drive?
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Also there are some good '70s Denon, Kenwood, Pioneer big direct drive decks. No good? Must be belt drive?
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For my main system, I insist on Direct Drive, utterly silent, really no maintenance involved, and reliable.
The only "noise" I can detect in a silent groove is the actual groove noise floor.
And a used DD can be had for cheap if you look around.
The only "noise" I can detect in a silent groove is the actual groove noise floor.
And a used DD can be had for cheap if you look around.
If you’re US based, you should be able to pick up a good VPI.
Re the Project T/T - the issue is not just electrical hum, but mechanical noise coupling through the motor mounting.
Don’t ever buy a T/T without testing for this.
Re the Project T/T - the issue is not just electrical hum, but mechanical noise coupling through the motor mounting.
Don’t ever buy a T/T without testing for this.
A red board with a platter an an arm on it's upper side and, most probably, a electric motor beneath, and...?
For USD 650 I'd also go for a TT from the good old days.
Not too long ago I spent € 750 for a Revox B791 with a ELAC ESG796 plus D-793 SH boron cantilever stylus (SAS cut) and, after having solved a minor issue, I'm quite happy with it!
BUt I've also been happy with my Dual TT's, especially the CS 741 Q. Für your 650 bucks budget you could get three of these 😉!
Best regards!
@carl
I realize that particular table I linked was above your stated price range.
I’m not a VPI zealot, but I have found the build quality to be an astoundingly good basis for a table that can only be improved on (there are many avenues for upgrades and DIY improvements). Everything beyond a decent HW 19 is pretty much out of my range. I do also own a dual 1019 and a Rek O Kit B12H.
My intention was that you might focus on the “haggle” part if you have your own arm/cartridge...and that you could probably find other examples of the HW 19 for sale. The MK4 version has the most refined design, but demands the highest prices. I got my MK2 for $400 plus shipping ($50) on eBay. It was reasonably close to me and the seller was cooperative concerning packing etc.
Just food for thought in case you had any interest. Given some patience and luck I would think you could score a similar deal.
Best of luck in your hunt.
I realize that particular table I linked was above your stated price range.
I’m not a VPI zealot, but I have found the build quality to be an astoundingly good basis for a table that can only be improved on (there are many avenues for upgrades and DIY improvements). Everything beyond a decent HW 19 is pretty much out of my range. I do also own a dual 1019 and a Rek O Kit B12H.
My intention was that you might focus on the “haggle” part if you have your own arm/cartridge...and that you could probably find other examples of the HW 19 for sale. The MK4 version has the most refined design, but demands the highest prices. I got my MK2 for $400 plus shipping ($50) on eBay. It was reasonably close to me and the seller was cooperative concerning packing etc.
Just food for thought in case you had any interest. Given some patience and luck I would think you could score a similar deal.
Best of luck in your hunt.
Thanks for all the great advice
I’ve owned many tables over the year. DD, belt drive and so on. I can’t count how many tables from the 60’s and 70’s that I’ve had and sold. I want to try the new route this time. I also have all the parts to build a table
Other the the drive to build it/ I’m disabled and have more bad days then good days
This hunt is just has much for my wife and daughter as it is mine. I’m 54 and that pro-ject table was the very first and only new peace of audio gear that I’ve ever bought.
I’m a collector of audio gear, or some would say ( hoarder ) . My daughterseen how I was just standing there looking at my pride and joy laying on the floor ( after Gubbs the fat cat ) knock it down. So my daughter said to my wife, let buy dad a new table.
That’s way I’m looking for a new table. It’s about her and how she is helping me.
As for DD tables. I’m ok with them. But I live belt drive tables more. And any raga tables over the 2.3 model is just to much to spend , for me Anyway.
And this post is also apart of my therapy for losing my table and I want to thank you guys for all your input. Your words are NOT falling on Deaf ears.
It’s hard for me to make myself buy a new table, or any other new gear. You get more for your money buying used. But I want to make my little girl and wife happy as well
I’ve owned many tables over the year. DD, belt drive and so on. I can’t count how many tables from the 60’s and 70’s that I’ve had and sold. I want to try the new route this time. I also have all the parts to build a table
Other the the drive to build it/ I’m disabled and have more bad days then good days
This hunt is just has much for my wife and daughter as it is mine. I’m 54 and that pro-ject table was the very first and only new peace of audio gear that I’ve ever bought.
I’m a collector of audio gear, or some would say ( hoarder ) . My daughterseen how I was just standing there looking at my pride and joy laying on the floor ( after Gubbs the fat cat ) knock it down. So my daughter said to my wife, let buy dad a new table.
That’s way I’m looking for a new table. It’s about her and how she is helping me.
As for DD tables. I’m ok with them. But I live belt drive tables more. And any raga tables over the 2.3 model is just to much to spend , for me Anyway.
And this post is also apart of my therapy for losing my table and I want to thank you guys for all your input. Your words are NOT falling on Deaf ears.
It’s hard for me to make myself buy a new table, or any other new gear. You get more for your money buying used. But I want to make my little girl and wife happy as well
I think the Rega P2/planar 2 would be very listenable and a good buy. Still lightweight so maybe equally not catproof!!!
If you are able to set up a cartridge you could easily swap out the carbon it comes packaged with, maybe the dealer would fit one of your existing cartridges for you.
I recently bid on a ebay Rega 1 plus advertised as damaged, and once i had taken care of the issue and fitted the carbon stylus properly it sounded surprisingly good. Also, over the years I have had the P3-24 with the 24V Ac motor and additional PSU that was a good turntable for the money.
As others have suggested if you can go to a P3 with PSU that is a better buy and no fiddling with swapping the drive belt over to change speeds between 33 and 45rpm. Maybe you could grab a dealers old stock or sale item.
If you are able to set up a cartridge you could easily swap out the carbon it comes packaged with, maybe the dealer would fit one of your existing cartridges for you.
I recently bid on a ebay Rega 1 plus advertised as damaged, and once i had taken care of the issue and fitted the carbon stylus properly it sounded surprisingly good. Also, over the years I have had the P3-24 with the 24V Ac motor and additional PSU that was a good turntable for the money.
As others have suggested if you can go to a P3 with PSU that is a better buy and no fiddling with swapping the drive belt over to change speeds between 33 and 45rpm. Maybe you could grab a dealers old stock or sale item.
