Turntable help needed!

[youthsonic]

Hello!

I am looking to upgrade an older Technics BL300 full auto with something a little better (and not P-Mount)
I think what I am looking for is something that will perform awesome and not make me want to always upgrade it, but still give me the option to if I chose.

I listen to a wide range of music - Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, Bright Eyes, Jenny Lewis, Neutral Milk Hotel, Sonic Youth, Getz/Gilberto, etc.
I have a Pro-Ject Phono Box S pre going to a Peachtree Nova125 connected to KEF LS50's.

So far I am thinking the following stock decks:
Pro-Ject RM5.1
Music Hall MMF 5.1
Rega RP3
SOTA Series II Moonbeam

Anyone have any experience with these decks? I have read TONS of stuff on the 'net about them, and it seems they are all fairly good.
One of my local vinyl shops carries Rega and Music Hall, while another carries Pro-Ject and the third carries stuff that is more than I want to spend.
No one super close carries SOTA, but I managed to find a remote dealer that will let me return it if not satisfied.

Thanks!

[drtrey3]

I have had two Rega turntables and been very happy with them. If you buy local, you will have someone to install the cartridge for you, which is very helpful! But all those tables look good.

Trey

[frenchyfranky]

With the four TT you mentioned, I don't think any of them is a bad choice. All these four manufacturers are very serious in their design.

[novisnick]

     OK big D,
Never thought I'd spend too much but I went with the Rega RP-6 with the Exact 2, my friend there is some room for an upgrade path I'm told but frankly I don't see the need for it at this point. If I win a bit on the lottery I may do so but this setup is out of this world for the scratch spent.

What's your budget? I'm pretty sure I know your taste and you don't want to upgrade to above average, you'd like a little better then that,,,,,right?
P-6 with Exact and the XSP-1 are an analog dream team my friend. The money is spent on quality and not auto return and such.Watch a couple of You tube vids and see how nice the rig is, just amazing in my opinion. Great quality piece of kit. Also, it does come with a hinged cover speed regulator and cables all of way above average quality.
Any questions just let me know, I haven't pointed you in the wrong direction ever now have I?

Nick

Did I mention that I'm very happy with it?

[lionear]

I think the Technics SL-1200 with a good arm will be very hard to beat. A friend of mine has one, with an SME-IV arm. It sounds great. It requires some radical surgery on the SL-1200 - the SME's base is so deep that you need to cut a hole in the bottom of the turntable. (With something like a Dremel tool.)

The SL-1200 has been compared favorably with the SME Model 20 turntable - by someone who has both.

And then there's the Marantz TT-15S1. Made for Marantz by Clearaudio, and very highly spoken of.

I'd also suggest learning as much as possible about adjusting the arm. The best way to get the cartridge aligned properly is to do it yourself, or to check it yourself after someone has done it for you.

The arm should allow VTA adjustment. If your cartridge stylus has an exotic profile (like the line contact or Shibata) then you'll be able to hear differences in VTA quite clearly. You'll hear magic when it's just right. Some people want to adjust the VTA for every LP. That may be a bit OCD. I suggest setting the VTA to a thick record (180 gram LP) and then not worrying about it for the thinner LP's. It's OK for the VTA to be a little higher than ideal - but rarely OK if the VTA is lower than ideal.

[autiger]

All those will work well and as stated the Marantz get good reviews. Buying local is a plus as stated above. I saved a lot buying a used cartridge. Did a lot of talking with the owner via email. Took the chance and it paid off on the cartridge. Did the same on the turntable and it didn't pay off. There are several places to shop online for used equip. ie audiogon. Good luck and just enjoy whatever you choose.

[youthsonic]

Thanks guys!

I got a smoking deal on a lightly used (5 hours) RP3 with an Exact II and an TT-PSU, so I went with that!

[jt357]

Nice, now the fun begins!

[vneal]

I have the Pro-Ject RPM 5.1SE with Sumiko Blue Piont #2. Not only does it look cool ---it sounds great. Best table/cartridge for a grand I think

[briank]

Aug 18, 2014 13:44:55 GMT -5 youthsonic said:

Thanks guys!

I got a smoking deal on a lightly used (5 hours) RP3 with an Exact II and an TT-PSU, so I went with that!

Great choice. When your ready to upgrade the RP-3's performance just add the Groovetracer subplatter. It's a really nice upgrade over the stock piece. Also the "Simple Mat" sold by Needledoctor is a nice upgrade over the stock felt mat.

Enjoy!