Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
August 13, 2012 - 2:31pm
#1
Adding a turntable to an existing setup
Loudspeakers Amplification | Digital Sources Analog Sources Featured | Accessories Music |
Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | Analog Sources Accessories Featured | Music Columns Retired Columns | Show Reports | Features Latest News Community | Resources Subscriptions |
suggesting a table and phono stage. However, in taking that route compromises will be made on the turntable and cartridge, and you can always get a phono stage later if you don't like the sound of the Marantz.
With about $1,000 I'd call Needle Doctor and have them set up a Sota Moonbeam II w/dustcover and a Nagaoka MP-150 cartridge.
I think you have a nice system there.
I have the Music Hall 2.2 at one of my homes and the MMf-7 at the other.
They are both very good turntables.
I would recommend that you get the MMF-2.2 and the Musical Fidelity V-LPS phono stage, which is excellent and only about $150. That will run you about $600 total.
The phono stage in your amplifier is only fair, and the V-LPS is a LOT better-sounding.
I would then upgrade the cartridge. The one that comes with the turntable is fair, but with the V-LPS and a better cartridge, you will REALLY get very nice performance.
I suggest the Ortophon 2M Blue, which you can get for $225 from Needle Doctor, or the Clearaudio Aurum Classic for $325.
Be aware that you CAN NOT use Grado cartridges with the MMF-2.2! The Grado cartridges are unshielded and produce a very loud hum with the 2.2 (I made this mistake and had to return the cartridge).
Thanks for the responses.
Yeah, my biggest concern was that the marantz phono was not going to be very good and if I spent all of my budget on the table I would have to live with it until I could get some thing better. I am very happy with the system so far and want to get the right pieces and not have to just live with anything I don't like.
I think the music hall 2.2 and v-lps phono stage is what has been the top of my list since I started looking, I keep going back to that. If I ordered the table and update cartridge from needledoctor would they install the new cart in the table or would I have to do that myself? Would I need any thing else to get it set up correctly, force gauge etc?
Again, thanks for the help.
They would use the appropriate protractor to get the cartridge properly aligned. So, I think about all you would have to do is level the surface you will put the turntable on and then level the turntable on that, put on the counterweight, zero it out and then set the tracking force (a stylus force gauge keeps one from guessing), and install and set the anti-skate. Should be ready to go. Needle Doctor also will give you credit for the Music Hall Tracker cartridge they replace or you can keep it as a spare.
What kind of music, sound do you prefer? Depending on your answer, you might want the Nagaoka MP-150 rather than the Ortofon 2M Blue.
I listen to a little bit of everything but most of the time I'm listening to rock/heavy metal.
The Nagaoka MP-150 might sound less edgy than the 2M Blue.
I ordered those with the v-lps mkII phone stage, hopefully they should be here tomorrow. Thanks both of you for the help.
enjoy!
Turntable is here and connected and so far it sounds great. Very happy with the combination, thanks again.