Anyone with experience with this table?

[ryoohki]

http://www.project-audio.com/main.ph...tables&lang=en

Pro-Ject 1 Xpression III Classic

I like the Mahogany Color, it's about 800$CAD with the tonearm and cartridge (the max i'am willing to pay (before taxes)...

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

http://www.project-audio.com/main.ph...tables&lang=en

Pro-Ject 1 Xpression III Classic

I like the Mahogany Color, it's about 800$CAD with the tonearm and cartridge (the max i'am willing to pay (before taxes)...

Hi,

Before I upgraded to the VPI Classic that is the table I had and I had it paired with same receiver you have the Denon 3808ci.

I was extremely happy with the table, it was a great table. I highly recommend it for the price point.

The only caution I would give you is I found the Denon to not sound good sonically for 2 channell.

Joe

[CasualKiller]

Arcam_or_Bust had one of these. After a few days of playing around with it we actually found no improvement over his 8 dollar garage sale Technics SL-D2 turntable. The Pro-Ject went back to the dealer. For 800.00 you can find a much better turntable than that.

Here's a Thorens TD-170 for 559.00 with an OM10 cartridge, either toss that and buy a nice high output MC Denon cart or you can upgrade through these guys to a 2M Blue for 759.00 installed.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-...2&category=355

[ryoohki]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'am open to anything. Locally in Montreal. Price are higher tought. I already have a Phono Stage, i know that the denon is not the best for this but i know i'll never have the budget for a decent 2 channel AMP so...

[CasualKiller]

If you don't mind used here's a great setup on CAM for 850.00. If you had "cash in hand" so to speak I bet you could talk him into including shipping:

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/detai..._ii_cartridge/

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

If you don't mind used here's a great setup on CAM for 850.00. If you had "cash in hand" so to speak I bet you could talk him into including shipping:

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/detai..._ii_cartridge/

I actually just bought the SE version of this turntable and I can tell you it is an absolutely dynamite TT. Expect to pay a few bucks for shipping though as it is very heavy and solid.

John

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

Arcam_or_Bust had one of these. After a few days of playing around with it we actually found no improvement over his 8 dollar garage sale Technics SL-D2 turntable. The Pro-Ject went back to the dealer. For 800.00 you can find a much better turntable than that.

Here's a Thorens TD-170 for 559.00 with an OM10 cartridge, either toss that and buy a nice high output MC Denon cart or you can upgrade through these guys to a 2M Blue for 759.00 installed.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Thorens-...2&category=355

That's true if your comofortable with buying a used table from Audiogon for example.

However if you want a new table the project xpression III is a good chance in my opinon. I would also conisider Rega, Music Hall, Thorens.

Joe

[CasualKiller]

I'm pretty heavy set in my opinions, not just from Arcams Pro-Ject Experience but I also owned an RPM-5 with a 2M Bronze cart and from my experiences Pro-Ject overall has left me with a bad vibe. I wouldn't touch Music Hall either as they are manufactured by Pro-Ject using Pro-Ject parts for Music Hall.

The Rega is meh, I've also owned their entry level stuff and to be honest I would not spend money on anything in their line beneath the Rega P3-24.

I stand by my original statement, for 800.00 there is better setups that could be found and I've provided 2 good examples from 30 seconds of searching.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by CasualKiller

I'm pretty heavy set in my opinions, not just from Arcams Pro-Ject Experience but I also owned an RPM-5 with a 2M Bronze cart and from my experiences Pro-Ject overall has left me with a bad vibe. I wouldn't touch Music Hall either as they are manufactured by Pro-Ject using Pro-Ject parts for Music Hall.

The Rega is meh, I've also owned their entry level stuff and to be honest I would not spend money on anything in their line beneath the Rega P3-24.

I stand by my original statement, for 800.00 there is better setups that could be found and I've provided 2 good examples from 30 seconds of searching.

Forgive me CK, but it sounds like a lot of Pro-ject bashing to me. How can your opinion then be taking seriously?

John

[CasualKiller]

When you spend 1800.00 on a turntable setup the last thing you expect to see under the mat is a badly primer painted slab of MDF with drill marks and holes in it. What was even more infuriating was when I brought it up I was told that premium platters are available for a not very small fee....

There are some companies out there that are just name brands and nothing more, this is one of them.

[ryoohki]

Well there was a 5500$CAD turntable at last year Audio Show in Montreal with a leaking bearing after 2 days of use. The display of the company was down for the weekend. Imho, it mean nothing if you had a bad experience with a company.

Off course at 1800$ you expect very good. I would be pissed too. But crap happened. My 1800$CAD Denon 3808ci blowned 3 seconds after i powered it up. Was pissed, replaced it, been 110% statisfyed with it since

Anyway thanks for the suggestion all!

I checked Rega but i don't really like their finish, look like MDF...

[ryoohki]

Thanks for all the suggestion. My friend updraged his Rega P5 (with TT PSU) to a P7 with a MC Cartridge. he'll sell me his P5 with used cartridge (MM) and TT PSU to a price that i couldn't refuse so i took it. Actually don't have it in hand because he's Cartridge was B/O so he's using his MM one. But during to month of january! :_

[richteer]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

Thanks for all the suggestion. My friend updraged his Rega P5 (with TT PSU) to a P7 with a MC Cartridge. he'll sell me his P5 with used cartridge (MM) and TT PSU to a price that i couldn't refuse so i took it. Actually don't have it in hand because he's Cartridge was B/O so he's using his MM one. But during to month of january! :_

Excellent, we have another winner! I'm sure you'll be very pleased with your new toy!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by richteer

Excellent, we have another winner! I'm sure you'll be very pleased with your new toy!

LOL! Indeed we do. Another vinyl convert! Most excellent!

John

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by ryoohki

Thanks for all the suggestion. My friend updraged his Rega P5 (with TT PSU) to a P7 with a MC Cartridge. he'll sell me his P5 with used cartridge (MM) and TT PSU to a price that i couldn't refuse so i took it. Actually don't have it in hand because he's Cartridge was B/O so he's using his MM one. But during to month of january! :_

I think you will be very happy with your P5. I was kind of iffy on the looks at first & hadn't expected much before actually hearing it. I was wrong !!! I have auditioned many (not all brands, but that's nearly impossible) TT's before and during the same time as the P5. I kept coming back to the P5 with the same cartridge & phono pre combo I currently have. Keep in mind my tastes now days may not line up with many others. I don't look for that "wow factor" most people associate with good sound quality. I tend to rely on the recording itself (bad or good) & then let the tubes add their own sonic charm.

I think when it comes to the Rega lineup you are paying for their tone arms, which are undeniably good in their price range. The tone arm on the P5 costs something like $950-$1000, nearly the total cost of the P5 itself. My cartridge is a Dynavector Karat 17D3 (about $1000) has a pretty much completely flat frequency response. I went with the Dynavector P75mkII solid state phono pre ($750) to keep the house sound so to speak. I plan on picking up the external power supply for the P5 (just haven't got around to it) & few other upgrades like the natural white rubber belt, ceramic platter, dampening, isolation platform, etc..... to squeeze all the performance I can out it.

In the end I would have had to spend 12-15K on the TT rig itself I liked most. So I guess I'm saying I'm very happy where I'm at right now. Down the road I will have my SME, Shindo, & Verity Audio setup till then

Enjoy !!!

.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by mdabb

I think you will be very happy with your P5. I was kind of iffy on the looks at first & hadn't expected much before actually hearing it. I was wrong !!! I have auditioned many (not all brands, but that's nearly impossible) TT's before and during the same time as the P5. I kept coming back to the P5 with the same cartridge & phono pre combo I currently have. Keep in mind my tastes now days may not line up with many others. I don't look for that "wow factor" most people associate with good sound quality. I tend to rely on the recording itself (bad or good) & then let the tubes add their own sonic charm.

I think when it comes to the Rega lineup you are paying for their tone arms, which are undeniably good in their price range. The tone arm on the P5 costs something like $950-$1000, nearly the total cost of the P5 itself. My cartridge is a Dynavector Karat 17D3 (about $1000) has a pretty much completely flat frequency response. I went with the Dynavector P75mkII solid state phono pre ($750) to keep the house sound so to speak. I plan on picking up the external power supply for the P5 (just haven't got around to it) & few other upgrades like the natural white rubber belt, ceramic platter, dampening, isolation platform, etc..... to squeeze all the performance I can out it.

In the end I would have had to spend 12-15K on the TT rig itself I liked most. So I guess I'm saying I'm very happy where I'm at right now. Down the road I will have my SME, Shindo, & Verity Audio setup till then

Enjoy !!!

.

Hi Andrew,

Are you going to show us some pics of your setup? I know many of us would love to have a look as you have an amazing system!

John

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by John72953

Hi Andrew,

Are you going to show us some pics of your setup? I know many of us would love to have a look as you have an amazing system!

John

I thought I sent you some snap shots PM Yeah I do need to take some new pics. Keep in mind things are still in there temporary state. After witnessing many other people's comments here about wires, this & that, I'm somewhat hesitant. I'm sure people will give me an ear-full. Not knowing when you work twelve hours a day, have three kids & a wife who needs attention. I'm lucky to enjoy my setup three hours a week. Let alone have time to work on making things perfect. Sounds great, just not groomed for the show yet, but will be in due time !!! I'm a perfectionist to a fault when it comes to renovation, unfortunately that is time consuming & tedious.

I also plan on making my own cabinet to hide the electronics. This is going to be extremely time consuming and slow process. I will be building a 42"W x 24"D x 50"H French Art Deco style design cabinet (like an armoire). The finish is going to be real wood veneer. Maccassar Ebony outside & most likely with a Lemon-wood interior. Finish choices aren't 100% set in stone. I will also be making a smaller cabinet to house my special records & CD's. First comes renovating my downstairs so I have a place to put things. Unfortunately the wood flooring we have chosen, not too expensive, but is special order only. That takes about 4-6 weeks to fulfill. That was ordered about a three weeks ago, so not much time left I/we hope. Then you have to let the wood acclimate to the inside environment & that takes about week.................. So much on my plate, but now that the holidays are almost over the process is about to begin !!!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by mdabb

I thought I sent you some snap shots PM Yeah I do need to take some new pics. Keep in mind things are still in there temporary state. After witnessing many other people's comments here about wires, this & that, I'm somewhat hesitant. I'm sure people will give me an ear-full. Not knowing when you work twelve hours a day, have three kids & a wife who needs attention. I'm lucky to enjoy my setup three hours a week. Let alone have time to work on making things perfect. Sounds great, just not groomed for the show yet, but will be in due time !!! I'm a perfectionist to a fault when it comes to renovation, unfortunately that is time consuming & tedious.

I also plan on making my own cabinet to hide the electronics. This is going to be extremely time consuming and slow process. I will be building a 42"W x 24"D x 50"H French Art Deco style design cabinet (like an armoire). The finish is going to be real wood veneer. Maccassar Ebony outside & most likely with a Lemon-wood interior. Finish choices aren't 100% set in stone. I will also be making a smaller cabinet to house my special records & CD's. First comes renovating my downstairs so I have a place to put things. Unfortunately the wood flooring we have chosen, not too expensive, but is special order only. That takes about 4-6 weeks to fulfill. That was ordered about a three weeks ago, so not much time left I/we hope. Then you have to let the wood acclimate to the inside environment & that takes about week.................. So much on my plate, but now that the holidays are almost over the process is about to begin !!!

Yeah you did send me some, but you have such a great setup that I posed the question because I think others should see it as well. I know about the perfectionist syndrome all too well, which I why I don't update my system either. I've made some changes, but I'm not ready to show them yet.

I also understand full well about work, family life and other constraints placed upon us. I hope you do post some though once everything is said and done.

John

[mdabb]

Originally Posted by John72953

Yeah you did send me some, but you have such a great setup that I posed the question because I think others should see it as well. I know about the perfectionist syndrome all too well, which I why I don't update my system either. I've made some changes, but I'm not ready to show them yet.

I also understand full well about work, family life and other constraints placed upon us. I hope you do post some though once everything is said and done.

John

I will buddy One of the things I no longer do is invest money in quick fixes. That's what I don't want when it comes to AV cabinets. I have searched high & low, I just don't like modern AV cabinets like BDI & Salamander. In reality, AV cabinets & a lot of furniture that is out there today are not a quality pieces of furniture. Not only that, but my gear will never fit comfortably inside to begin with. I've thought about retrofitting an antique/vintage piece of furniture, but why ruin a beautiful/expensive piece of furniture.............. I have seen & will buy a vintage/antique record storage cabinet. I guess I/we have a look we are after & I am more a fan of having our home look like a home, rather than a basement theater setup. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just not for us. Fortunately/unfortunately I think my home theater days are over & moving on with strictly 2ch here out.

Hope no one takes offense to my post about home theaters and such. Really not my intention to do so !!! I simply don't watch that many movies anymore for various reasons. So I have lost interest in home theater. 2ch has & always will be my true love !!!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by mdabb

I will buddy One of the things I no longer do is invest money in quick fixes. That's what I don't want when it comes to AV cabinets. I have searched high & low, I just don't like modern AV cabinets like BDI & Salamander. In reality, AV cabinets & a lot of furniture that is out there today are not a quality pieces of furniture. Not only that, but my gear will never fit comfortably inside to begin with. I've thought about retrofitting an antique/vintage piece of furniture, but why ruin a beautiful/expensive piece of furniture.............. I have seen & will buy a vintage/antique record storage cabinet. I guess I/we have a look we are after & I am more a fan of having our home look like a home, rather than a basement theater setup. Not that there is anything wrong with that, just not for us. Fortunately/unfortunately I think my home theater days are over & moving on with strictly 2ch here out.

Hope no one takes offense to my post about home theaters and such. Really not my intention to do so !!! I simply don't watch that many movies anymore for various reasons. So I have lost interest in home theater. 2ch has & always will be my true love !!! [/

I feel like you do Andrew! I could and would be perfectly happy only having a 2Ch setup. I know, because I do, that I can still enjoy watching movies in all of their glory. I might be missing out on some of it, but I'd rather invest my dollars on the front-end of 2CH....that's my plan and I'm glad I've gone back to it this year.

John