A $2500 TT will not sound better than ANY CDP, but it'll be very, very close.

I'll nominate a TT with a 10" carbon fiber arm (in this price range 12" will just add effective mass);a thick heavy glass platter; magnetic repulsion to reduce bearing load and friction; an isolation platform and quality constructuib, the Pro-ject RM10.

Dave

Dude, that table is 3K without a 'needle!'

You're evil.

OK, problem solved, look here:

Michell Technodec under budget, add a cartridge...

Dynavector cartridge. Muy bonito.

Plus, Music Direct will even set it up for ya!

Aye yai yai!

Quote:

Quote:
Dude, that table is 3K without a 'needle!'

You're evil.

One just sold used on Audiogon for $1650

I think DCStep is also one step ahead of the game.

People often ask for advice and give a price point, and then the thread usualy ends with the person saying, "I know I said 2500 bucks, but I decided to get a La-Dee-Da S3X for only 5600 dollars more than I planned on!"

I think DCStep has it figured out all around!

I didn't end up buying one, but I still think Nottingham 294 with Ace Space 294 is the real deal. Especially if you're into 12" arms (like I am) you must try this TT. I heard it against much more expensive TTs, and it didn't lose much. In purely musical perspective, I'd say the Notty came out ahead in certain respects. The combo retails for $4K, but as recent as last week on Audiogon, there was a dude offering the 294 TT/arm combo for $2500. I think someone snatched it up. If you want to go 9", you should consider Ace Space, too, but if you go Notty, the smart money is the 294, even if you pay a little bit more than the regular Ace Space.

Another pipebomb, literally, is Kuzma Stabi S/Stogi S combo. I dig how it looks, and the thing plays music with power and authority. Stephen Mejias wrote in his blog that how the TT looks, in addition to how it plays music, should in some way reflect your own character, personality (he was talking about Rega P3-24) & for me, Kuzma pipebomb would've been the TT for me in that regard. I think it retails for around $2800, and maybe a dealer around your area can work with you, perhaps come up with an attractive package including a cart. I was in lurve with this TT for a long time, especially as my buddy has this TT & it kicks mucho ass. Hardly any pipebombs come up on Audiogon, though... the owners must hate parting with it... always a good sign.

Gotta say, for TTs, I'd spring for a new one rather than a used one. Or perhaps a used deck that is well taken care of in combination with a new arm. Sellers on 'Gon are pretty great about taking care of gear, but hey, you never know. Or you can always ask a dealer if he has any trade-ins, and if he's given the TT a once-over. That way, you have your peace of mind even if it's bought used.

If you think I'm evil, then stay away from selfdivider. He'll make you learn French and your budget will, just, ah....grow.

Dave

Quote:
If you think I'm evil, then stay away from selfdivider. He'll make you learn French and your budget will, just, ah....grow.

Dave

Guilty as charged but actually, my advices seem fairly rational, no? I think I'm just poor at policing my own id. My superego is doing ecstasy in Ibiza right now.

You've out-esotericed us all. You superego must be exploding.

I'm happy for you buddy.

Dave

Hey, Miles. As for the opinion on Rega, I'd refer you to Michael Fremer's expert opinion here:

http://stereophile.com/turntables/708rega/index1.html

and also to Stephen Mejias' subjective opinion here:

http://blog.stereophile.com/stephenmejias/a_good_turntable/

Erik B in this forum also owns the P3-24, so Stephen & Erik will be much better equipped than me to answer your Rega questions. With your budget, however, you can definitely spring for a Rega P7 (I was under the impression that, with the excellent P3-24 upgrade, P5 is just not worth that extra investment.) There's a Rega P7 with Origin Live RB700 on Audiogon which looks pretty drool-worthy:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1221592843

Maybe you can get the seller to come down from $2700 if he can't sell at that price. Although personally, I think that if I went the Rega route, I'd rather get the brand new Rega P3-24 with the outboard motor. Then with your budget, you'd have enough left over for VPI 16.5 RCM and mad records. That's why Rega P3-24 was never out of contention when I was shopping for my TT... analog is a game of ancillaries & software, much more so than digital, and with the P3-24, I would have gotten off to a fast head start.

I think you were looking at the wrong Kuzma. The Stabi S/Stogi S combo I was referring to as the "Pipebomb" is this one:

http://6moons.com/audioreviews/kuzma/kuzma.html

For me, my 2 "real-world" considerations were the Nott 294 or Kuzma Stabi S, before I got drunk on the Verdier kool-aid. I swear the only reason that kept me from getting the Kuz was that my friend had bought one for crazy cheap a couple of years ago, before the dollar started tanking. And I don't think I could've withstood his taunting with any dignity.

Dave - mm... I guess my TT purchase did land on the "esoteric" side. Probably the result of me asking a lot of savvy analog pros a lot of annoying questions.