klinemj
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Honorary Emofest Scribe
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Post by klinemj on Mar 2, 2020 18:14:06 GMT -5
I have a long time friend who is really into music, and he's got a huge vinyl collection.
His 30+ year TT is dying, and he'd like to get something new - ideally a belt drive. He's looking at a Fluance turntable with an Audio Tech Diamond Cart. He's trying stay under $400 due to other recent expenses.
Any advice on that vs. other options? (And...no...don't reco a switch to digital/streaming...)
Many thanks!
Mark
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Mar 2, 2020 18:32:49 GMT -5
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butchgo
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The Dark Side rules
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Post by butchgo on Mar 2, 2020 19:04:03 GMT -5
Try uturnaudio.com
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Post by doc1963 on Mar 2, 2020 19:11:08 GMT -5
I have a long time friend who is really into music, and he's got a huge vinyl collection. His 30+ year TT is dying, and he'd like to get something new - ideally a belt drive. He's looking at a Fluance turntable with an Audio Tech Diamond Cart. He's trying stay under $400 due to other recent expenses. Any advice on that vs. other options? (And...no...don't reco a switch to digital/streaming...) Many thanks! Mark Fluance just launched a sale on their RT-84. It’s $382 out the door complete with a pre-mounted Ortofon 2M Blue. The RT-84 is identical to the RT-85 minus the acrylic platter (which can be purchased as an “upgrade” down the road if he chooses to do so). I’ve auditioned the RT-85 and it’s an excellent table. Do take the time to check out the many glowing reviews of the RT-85. Actually, Andrew Robinson just reviewed it. At his price point, I don’t think he could go wrong with the 84...  |
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Post by jackfish on Mar 2, 2020 20:06:24 GMT -5
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Post by brubacca on Mar 2, 2020 20:14:32 GMT -5
Preface this with my absolute distaste for the Ortofon 2m Red and Blue. I absolutely have an intense dislike for the way they make music.
Get a Uturn Audio TT with the Grado Black. A work friend has one and absolutely loves it. I'd recommend anything not using an Ortofon 2m...
I LOVE my Hana EL, but way out of budget.
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Post by dsonyay on Mar 2, 2020 20:43:24 GMT -5
Rega Planar 1 or 1+. Very simple, and a very good cartridge installed. Gets excellent reviews due to tonearm construction. It sells around 400 I believe.. maybe less. Truly a ready to play TT with minimal setup. The arm is built specifically for the cartridge, so there is nothing to adjust.
But, there's a lot out there for 400 and below that review well.
I have a Rega Planar2. It is a bit more, but the Planar 1 and 1+ (1+ has a preamp)
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Post by creimes on Mar 3, 2020 0:06:08 GMT -5
Hey Mark Another vote from me for U-Turn Audio, go the custom route choosing what color and what options, with the acrylic platter, cue lever and Grado cart it's $349 uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-customCheers, Chad |
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Post by jackfish on Mar 3, 2020 7:55:39 GMT -5
The real choice for cartridge on the U-Turn Custom is the Ortofon OM5E and a LP Gear Stylus 40 Shibata for Ortofon OM40 Super cartridge for $200. Sounds better than the Ortofon 2M Black. www.lpgear.com/product/ORTSOM40SLPS.html13.3" MacBook Air, 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, iTunes/BitPerfect MacBook Air SuperDrive Western Digital My Book Essential 2TB USB HD Schiit Bifrost USB DAC and Audioengine D3 DAC Emotiva USP-1, ERC-1 and two UPA-1s Pro-Ject Xpression III and AT440MLa AKAI AT-2600 and Harman Kardon TD4400 Grado SR80i Wharfedale Diamond 225 Magnestand MMG Rythmik Audio F12 |
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klinemj
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Honorary Emofest Scribe
Posts: 14,742
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Post by klinemj on Mar 3, 2020 11:24:01 GMT -5
You are all giving my friend some great leads! He's leaning to a Fluance right now.
Mark
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Post by dsonyay on Mar 3, 2020 12:29:38 GMT -5
Here is an EXCELLENT REVIEW of 3 budget turntables. The Planar 1 is on this batch and does REALLY well... (Note.. I do own a Planar 2, but have no affiliation with Rega .. or anything in the audio world) youtu.be/MuuOgT0XBK0This same guys reviews a Fluance rt84: youtu.be/U_spemm1rdc |
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Post by davidl81 on Mar 3, 2020 14:44:30 GMT -5
Here is an EXCELLENT REVIEW of 3 budget turntables. The Planar 1 is on this batch and does REALLY well... (Note.. I do own a Planar 2, but have no affiliation with Rega .. or anything in the audio world) youtu.be/MuuOgT0XBK0This same guys reviews a Fluance rt84: youtu.be/U_spemm1rdcI have a Rega P1 and it’s solid for the price. |
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Post by dsonyay on Mar 3, 2020 16:53:53 GMT -5
Here is an EXCELLENT REVIEW of 3 budget turntables. The Planar 1 is on this batch and does REALLY well... (Note.. I do own a Planar 2, but have no affiliation with Rega .. or anything in the audio world) youtu.be/MuuOgT0XBK0This same guys reviews a Fluance rt84: youtu.be/U_spemm1rdcI have a Rega P1 and it’s solid for the price. I was watching a video about their arms.. apparently they do a super job in this critical area, and it carries down to even the entry TT they offer |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2020 11:55:03 GMT -5
My suspicions are the Rega P1 with their Carbon MM cartridge is better than the 2M Blue cartridge, not so much the TT itself. Maybe the Rega carbon tonearm helps some but betting not that drastic; carbon would be better at buffering noise, not improving dynamic range. He did not check cartridge alignment in the video of the Fluance. One really needs to swap out the cartridges using the same TT to do a true A vs B; first on one TT then the other.
Years ago I had different cartridges mounted on shells for a quick swap to do comparisons; pretty hard to do with different tonearm designs- "S" vs "strait". Bearing slop?... I don't know about that- prove it. Also, cartridge matching the whole system does matter.
A few weeks ago, I asked about Ortofon cartridges because they are new to me; I tend to stay with what I know- Shure, Empire, Stanton, Pickering, AT, Grado. Read some not so shining comments about Ortofon.
SO, the conclusion is "out of the box" the Rega out-performed. And it makes me question Ortofon more than the Tables themselves. Fluance is a design copy (as many are) of the Technics SL series- the standard for years. Rega P1 does pique my interest now.
I applaud the man for his efforts.
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Post by dsonyay on Mar 4, 2020 12:56:56 GMT -5
My suspicions are the Rega P1 with their Carbon MM cartridge is better than the 2M Blue cartridge, not so much the TT itself. Maybe the Rega carbon tonearm helps some but betting not that drastic; carbon would be better at buffering noise, not improving dynamic range. He did not check cartridge alignment in the video of the Fluance. One really needs to swap out the cartridges using the same TT to do a true A vs B; first on one TT then the other. Years ago I had different cartridges mounted on shells for a quick swap to do comparisons; pretty hard to do with different tonearm designs- "S" vs "strait". Bearing slop?... I don't know about that- prove it. Also, cartridge matching the whole system does matter. A few weeks ago, I asked about Ortofon cartridges because they are new to me; I tend to stay with what I know- Shure, Empire, Stanton, Pickering, AT, Grado. Read some not so shining comments about Ortofon. SO, the conclusion is "out of the box" the Rega out-performed. And it makes me question Ortofon more than the Tables themselves. Fluance is a design copy (as many are) of the Technics SL series- the standard for years. Rega P1 does pique my interest now. I applaud the man for his efforts. I hear what you're saying.. on the video I linked he wanted to compare Turntables "out of the box" with zero mods , so "as they come". Now, with Rega P1, there is literally nothing to adjust.. not even the counterbalance. It is screwed on til in hits the stop point. vTA is not adjustable (as are most TTs) and maybe Cartridge alignment can be adjusted.. but they are usually spot on.. although, an alignment sheet is thrown in the packaging to double check. A lot of his reviews follow a nice procedure. Like when comparing cartridges he uses same TTs and equipment. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2020 12:58:38 GMT -5
Ortofon Red vs Blue on Fluance.
edit- I'm so much like this man- a TT is not my 'go-to' system anymore. Ya I want quality, but at what price for occasional play.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2020 14:07:19 GMT -5
We have choices. Rega P1 sounds like a good option for someone starting their vinyl journey.
Rega P1 molded head to arm, no thanks; that limits flexibility for me.
Fluance RT82 is still at the top of my shopping list because I have other cartridges available to me. It checks these boxes- Technics SL design, removable head & brushless DC servo motor. $300 is less than repairing the 30 year old Technics SL1200. (sold for parts)
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Post by doc1963 on Mar 4, 2020 16:23:33 GMT -5
My suspicions are the Rega P1 with their Carbon MM cartridge is better than the 2M Blue cartridge, not so much the TT itself. Maybe the Rega carbon tonearm helps some but betting not that drastic; carbon would be better at buffering noise, not improving dynamic range. He did not check cartridge alignment in the video of the Fluance. One really needs to swap out the cartridges using the same TT to do a true A vs B; first on one TT then the other. Years ago I had different cartridges mounted on shells for a quick swap to do comparisons; pretty hard to do with different tonearm designs- "S" vs "strait". Bearing slop?... I don't know about that- prove it. Also, cartridge matching the whole system does matter. A few weeks ago, I asked about Ortofon cartridges because they are new to me; I tend to stay with what I know- Shure, Empire, Stanton, Pickering, AT, Grado. Read some not so shining comments about Ortofon. SO, the conclusion is "out of the box" the Rega out-performed. And it makes me question Ortofon more than the Tables themselves. Fluance is a design copy (as many are) of the Technics SL series- the standard for years. Rega P1 does pique my interest now. I applaud the man for his efforts. I agree with you on much of this. Ian is very passionate and “colorful” in his reviews, but there have been times where I’m not totally onboard with his methodology. Especially when it comes to “shootouts” and comparative reviews. This just happens to be one of them. In fact, I can almost guarantee you that when he did his review of the RT-84, he did not lower the gain setting of his Schiit Mani that he’s so over the moon for (and I can see that he used it in this review). When using the default (42 dB) gain setting of the Mani, a high output MM cartridge (5.5 mV in the case of the 2M Blue) will certainly overload it. I can tell you from my experience with the Mani that you must reduce the gain to its lowest setting (30 dB) to avoid overload and potential compression when using the 2M series or similar cartridges. My Nagaoka MP-110 and MP-200 cartridges play well with the Mani at its default gain setting, but not the Ortofon 2M Red or Blue. The Ortofon cartridges sound best with the Mani's gain lowered to 30 dB. Knowing this, and having spent some time with the RT-85 myself, I’d have to take this review with a grain of salt. I will agree that the tonearm could be better, but that would certainly drive up the cost and gain little benefit. What matters more is that this table is well isolated and quiet (rumble) and its platter speed is accurate and well controlled. For less than $500, you do get that and more… HERE is Andrew Robinson’s take on the RT-85 and HERE is Audioholic’s review. Same table, different perspectives... |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2020 16:25:21 GMT -5
Hey, don't forget that Emo XPS-1 has gotten very high reviews and it will dial in any cartridge to your system.
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Post by doc1963 on Mar 4, 2020 16:32:37 GMT -5
Hey, don't forget that Emo XPS-1 has gotten very high reviews and it will dial in any cartridge to your system. Except that Ian "trashed" it in his phono preamp "shootout"...  But I do agree with you... that was another one where my opinion didn't gel with his. Personally, I think the phono preamp of my XSP-1 (same as the XPS-1) sounds better than my Schiit Mani. But that's just "my" opinion (and we all know what they say about those)...  |
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