Turntable/Cartridge Combo Debate
apc
Posts: 779
Reading thru some of the previous debates regarding entry level TTs I am left to question the selection of cartridges included from the factory. I think all of my candidates are factory mounted and ready to roll out of the box with minor setup regarding the belt.
To set the stage, price is limited to the $350 range including cartridge. I plan to spend more upgrading speakers than TT. I currently use an older Technics with a budget Stanton cartridge. It all sounds fine to me, so replacing with one of the choices below would be an upgrade for me.
I've narrowed the selections to the Pro-Ject Debut III with Ortofon OM 5E, the Music Hall MMF 2.1 with Goldring Elan and the Rega P1 with the Ortofon OM 5E as well.
Of note, the cartridges are priced alone at $49 for the Ortofon and $70 for the Goldring. Should this be a consideration? What else should I use as a guide when selecting my next TT?
To set the stage, price is limited to the $350 range including cartridge. I plan to spend more upgrading speakers than TT. I currently use an older Technics with a budget Stanton cartridge. It all sounds fine to me, so replacing with one of the choices below would be an upgrade for me.
I've narrowed the selections to the Pro-Ject Debut III with Ortofon OM 5E, the Music Hall MMF 2.1 with Goldring Elan and the Rega P1 with the Ortofon OM 5E as well.
Of note, the cartridges are priced alone at $49 for the Ortofon and $70 for the Goldring. Should this be a consideration? What else should I use as a guide when selecting my next TT?
Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend.
Post edited by apc on
Comments
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Depending which Technics model you have, you might be better off just getting a better cartridge for it. If its an SL-1200 or one of its variants, they are surprisingly good, and I doubt you will hear an improvement by going to one of the entry level models you mentioned. I know that many here will disagree with me on this point, but that's my stance.
But, if you have one of the cheaper Technics with Auto return, etc., then I'd say go with the Music Hall.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
The TT is an old SLD202 given to me by a friend. I bought a budget cartridge to try it out.Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend.
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The TT is an old SLD202 given to me by a friend. I bought a budget cartridge to try it out.
Well, probably better to get one of the ones you mentioned in your post.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
Reading thru some of the previous debates regarding entry level TTs I am left to question the selection of cartridges included from the factory. I think all of my candidates are factory mounted and ready to roll out of the box with minor setup regarding the belt.
To set the stage, price is limited to the $350 range including cartridge. I plan to spend more upgrading speakers than TT. I currently use an older Technics with a budget Stanton cartridge. It all sounds fine to me, so replacing with one of the choices below would be an upgrade for me.
I've narrowed the selections to the Pro-Ject Debut III with Ortofon OM 5E, the Music Hall MMF 2.1 with Goldring Elan and the Rega P1 with the Ortofon OM 5E as well.
Of note, the cartridges are priced alone at $49 for the Ortofon and $70 for the Goldring. Should this be a consideration? What else should I use as a guide when selecting my next TT?
Beings that I've never actually heard one of these tables I must tell you that this is an opinion based on my reading of reviews on these tables and NOT from my experience. They are all good entry level tables and have each received good reviews. I would go with the Rega P1. It has received very, very good reviews from reviewers whom I respect (Art Dudley/Wayne Garcia) plus, you can upgrade the Rega to death, and as time goes by, and by the time you are done upgrading, own a world class analog front end by doing so. As far as the cartridges go, I've not heard anything about one of those cartridge taking any of the others by storm or have been named "budget cartridge of the year" so I would imagine they produce aprox the same quality of moving magnet performance as you would expect.
You may be able to purchase two of the three on a credit card, A/B them and send the one you don't like back. Just make sure there is a 30 day MBG on them. I wouldn't A/B them in the store cause you home rig and room are going to be a hell of a lot different than the store.
Again this is an opinion not based on experience.
EDIT: Here is a link to a review. -
I considered all of the same tables except the Rega (wasn't out yet) when I was selecting a TT for my HT system. Out of the box they are going to run pretty much neck and neck. What won me over was the fact that you can fully adjust (VTF, Anti-skate, Azimuth, VTA) the tonearm on the MMF-2.1. So if you decide down the road to upgrade cartridges you will be able to properly adjust it without having to buy anything extra.
BTW. Should you choose the Music Hall I would heavily recommend calling Stephen Monte at Quest For Sound in Philadelphia. I've purchased a total of 3 Music Hall tables from him and I have yet to find anyone with a lower price or that can compete with his level of service.HT
Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600
2 CH
Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500, -
BTW. Should you choose the Music Hall I would heavily recommend calling Stephen Monte at Quest For Sound in Philadelphia. I've purchased a total of 3 Music Hall tables from him and I have yet to find anyone with a lower price or that can compete with his level of service.
Excellant advise! -
I just purchased a Rega P1 a couple of weeks ago. I also upgraded to the glass platter and a Rega Elys cartridge. For the phonostage I went with a NAD PP-2. The rest of my system consist of tube equipment. It's the first turntable I had in twenty years. Although I think it sounds pretty good I haven't heard anything else to compare it too. If I should decide to upgrade further the tonearm wiring and the interconnects would be first on the list. I must admit though, it's nice to listen to vinyl again.Decware CSP3 Preamp, RCA 6DJ8, 2 X Rocket 6N1P-EV's, Cary SLA70B Signature V2 Amplifier: 2 X Mullard GZ32's, 2 X RCA/GE 5691's, 4 X Tung-Sol 6550's
Cambridge Audio 640C V2 CD Player & Dacmagic DAC
Rega Planar 3: Deep Groove Subplatter, P3 Motor
upgrade, Dynavector 10x5, JA Michell counterwieght, Cardas tonearm wiring and Mapleshade stand
Parks Audio Budgie Hybrid Phonostage with BEL 6922 tubes, Polk Audio LS70's
H.H. Scott 330D AM/FM Tuner with H.H. Scott 335 Multiplex adaptor. -
One vote for the Project Debut III. I have one and love it. For the price it is a great TT.
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They are all nice entry tables apc. And since nobody likes their baby called ugly I am not knocking anybody's choice. In your case though the Rega's set it and forget philosophy may be what you want. Very easy set up, all I would add would be one of Joe clamp's when your ready, in fact, no matter which table you get I would get The Clamp.
RT1 -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »They are all nice entry tables apc. And since nobody likes their baby called ugly I am not knocking anybody's choice. In your case though the Rega's set it and forget philosophy may be what you want. Very easy set up, all I would add would be one of Joe clamp's when your ready, in fact, no matter which table you get I would get The Clamp.
RT1
He's next on the Clamp swap thread!!!
