Pro-ject Xpression vs Debut III

strider

I'm giving myself +/- $500 to spend to get into a decent analog set up. The plan is to take the AVR out and use it for HT in another room. I'll be using a Carver C-1 pre, M500 amp, with my 2B's for 2 channel. Would my budget be better spent on the Xpression, or the Debut III with a dedicated phono pre-amp. I don't have much first hand knowledge when it comes to TT's, but from my research I've concluded: the C-1 has a decent phono section, the tone arm is one of the most important factors in the TT set up, and I'm probably gonna end up spending a bunch more on analog eventually. The things that I found attractive with the Xpression were the carbon fiber tone arm and the heavier platter. The Debut would give me some $ for a phono pre or maybe one of hearingimpaired's clamps. Opinions? Thanks in advance,

Ben

zombie boy 2000

fwiw....

Don't necessarily assume you will experience a particularly nasty case of "upgraditis" once you get your turntable. I thought the same thing... and for whatever reason, experienced just the opposite.

The Debut (though a budget TT) liberated me from focusing on the gear and getting back to what I love most about this hobby -- the music. I know that sounds pretentious and possibly even bogus due to the short amount of time I've owned the Pro-ject, but I don't know how else to explain it...

I've had 20 times more fun record shopping then I have had hunting down gear.

YMMV (first time I ever used that....)

cstpeter

I have the Xpression and been loving it. If you get it, I would encourage you to replace the cartridge--the Sumiko Oyster that comes installed just doesn't cut it. I upgraded to the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2, and the improvement was dramatic. I've read the tonearm is good enough to warrant a much more expensive cartridge, making the Xpression easily upgradeable.

strider

cstpeter wrote:

I have the Xpression and been loving it. If you get it, I would encourage you to replace the cartridge--the Sumiko Oyster that comes installed just doesn't cut it. I upgraded to the Sumiko Blue Point No. 2, and the improvement was dramatic. I've read the tonearm is good enough to warrant a much more expensive cartridge, making the Xpression easily upgradeable.

I'm glad you chimed in, I saw (I think) that you had the Xpression. That tone arm really caught my attention. Another thought I had regarding the Xpression and cartridge was getting a new stylus for an Ortofon OM 10 that I have on my TT that took a dump. Sometime down the road, though. I'd like to be able to get enough ear time on the set up as it's bought before I begin changing things.

strider

zombie boy 2000 wrote:

fwiw....

Don't necessarily assume you will experience a particularly nasty case of "upgraditis" once you get your turntable......

......I've had 20 times more fun record shopping then I have had hunting down gear.

YMMV (first time I ever used that....)

That's very good to hear, I was hoping to hear your opinion because I remembered you had recently purchased the Debut. I had a TT that was ok, but it stopped working a few months ago. Despite not having anything to play them on, I've not stopped picking up lp's. It's addictive! There's something about being able to read the liner notes, admire the artwork, etc that makes it enjoyable for me. When I have a cd that gets scratched, it usually doesn't phase me. An lp, however, makes me sad. Most of the titles I have on vinyl are either out of print and hard to come by in decent shape, or are $20-30 dollars a piece.

As for the lack of upgraditis, I dunno. So far, my wishlist is a Bottlehead phono amp, a VPI 16.5, The Clamp, different pre amp, the list goes on and on.

zombie boy 2000

Oh... don't get me wrong. Amps, speakers, cables, source, pre -- all expendable

It's almost like a Jeckyl/Hyde thing with the turntable and CDP... I'm always plotting how to make my digital sound better. However, when I throw on a record... I'm not phased.
It's almost like two different hobbies. Clear as muddy ****?

cstpeter

strider wrote:

I'd like to be able to get enough ear time on the set up as it's bought before I begin changing things.

Yeah, I was relatively happy with the Xpression with the Oyster, so don't feel like it has to be changed immediately. Just know that the sound can be improved a lot by upgrading the cartridge (and I'm sure it can get a lot better than the Blue Point No. 2 I currently have).

It sounds like you already have a nice phono stage, but that was also another big upgrade for me. I went from the phono in a Denon 3806 to the Graham Slee Amp 2--big improvement there.

EDIT: One more thing, the Pro-Ject Speed Box is a must! Big improvement in dynamics and bass.

cmy330go

I would definitely take the Xpression over the Debut. The ability to adjust VTA on the expression will be very valuable. Especially when it comes time to change/upgrade cartridges.

If you decide you don't want to spend the extra cash for the Xpression you could also try a Music Hall MMF-2.1. It is at the same price point as the Debut but adds VTA and Azimuth adjustment, and for what it's worth it comes out of the same manufacturing facility that the Pro-ject tables are built in.