Upgrade Path Decided. Turntable Is First. Suggestions Welcome

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by joe1515

I would also check out Rega P5 and like you already mentioned the VPI Scout.

Good Luck!

Joe

That would be a table that I'd like to hear also. I'll have to do some looking in my local area to see if there are any dealers that actually have a demo on hand. I know you like your VPI Classic and I do too. Just wish it were around $600 to $700 less than it's MSRP. BTW, what are your experiences with the 10.5i arm?

Originally Posted by richteer

I don't think you could go too wrong with any of your's or Fred's options, and I agree that your TT plans should also include a new cartridge as soon as your budget allows.

Regarding your amp choice, I've owned a pair of the ProLogue Sevens for about 2 years now, and I highly recommend them! You can see them in my system thread driving my MartinLogan Spires, a great combination.

Hi Rich, I did see the pics of your amps. Seems to me that those PrimaLuna's offer about the best value you could find for tubes anywhere. I guess in the best of all worlds (a world in which I don't live BTW), I would have a pair of tube Mac's, but at 3 to 4 times the price that just won't happen. Have you done any tube rolling? I understand that your amps have an autobias feature that allows for easy tube rolling. Also, are the stock tubes the PrimaLuna branded new Russian Genalex KT 88's?

Originally Posted by John72953

Hi Fred,

Prior to the pitfalls of this soon to be ended year, the Marantz TT 15S1 was the TT I had actually put a down-payment on. I did a lot of research, read the available reviews, sought out advice from our fellow vinyl afficionados here and elsewhere, and came to the conclusion that this TT would be a very acceptable fit into my system. Rest assured that you can also get it for cheaper than the MSRP if you have any local dealers around.

The only drawback with the Marantz that I have found, versus a VPI or some of the other TT manufacturers, is the lack of any kind of upgrade path. You need to decide if this is an important consideration for you.

All in all, I think the Marantz is a very solid and capable TT and I sure wish I was spinning my vinyl with it today.

From what I've read, and in conversation with Herman of ProLogue in The Netherlands, and Rich's satisfaction with his 7's, I'd say that is a solid choice for your power requirements. Terrific bang for your dollar investment, tubes and an awesome aesthetic appearance.

Regarding speakers...well, that is a whole other story. You know I love my Totem Sttaf's, and I wouldn't hesitate to go higher up the line if I could, but Martin Logan's, Viennas, Focal JM Lab, Dynaudios, Dalis, Cantons and the like are all excellent choices. Do you have the opportunity to audition any of these or other higher end speakers?

Anyway, great to hear that you're able to upgrade and I wish you much success in getting a system that suits you. I'm here to help in whatever small way I can, and I look forward to following your progress.

John

Hi John,

It's really sad (and kind of stupid on my part), but last year I had the Marantz circled on my list to buy, and then as the costs of assembling the audio room continued to escalate I decided to go with cheaper route and ended up with the Technics. (A TT that I am not unhappy with, but is better suited to the cabinet in the living room with the theater gear).

Anyway, now a year later I'm excited to be upping the ante on a vinyl spinner. I'm not completely firm on the Marantz, but it does seem to be a hard combo to beat for the money. I'm half hoping that someone comes back and points out a really good TT within my budget that I hadn't even thought of.

As far as speakers are concerned, I was really impressed with the recent article in Stereophile on the Zu Essence. I also like their 60 day in home audition policy. From all the reviews that I've read they really like tube power and are supposedly amazing sounding. I also would really like to audition a pair of the Thiel CS 2.4's. A bit pricier, but have also read many good reviews on them to. Then, of course, there's B&W.

You know, of all the choices, the one that I'll sweat the most is the speakers.

Anyway, if anything comes to mind about the TT, drop me a note.