Turntable

[DaveF]

Gents,

This was probably done before on the previous forums but could anyone give me a few pointers on what to consider when purchasing a turntable? I have a reasonable understanding of the different components that make up a player and the technology used.
For example, is the gap between mid level and high end tables in any way similar to Cd players?
What would be considered high end? How much maintainence does a vinyl setup require?
Apart from taking great care of the vinyl medium, do the vinyl players themselves have any influence on how much surface noise or clicks are heard?

A few random questions there I know but I'm sure I'll have better ones later.

Cheers,
Dave

[Fran]

Don't go there Dave, $$$ warning!!!

More seriously though.......

There are 4 major components to figure out:

1. The turntable
2. The arm
3. The cartridge
4. The phonostage

Naturally you can drop serious dough on each one. However, a really good starting place would be the likes of the pink triangle that AndyS has for sale here at the moment. There are excellent DIY options out there, but they are just that - DIY. For example, a Lenco GL75 will set you back 150e, add a decent arm and cart and you could have really really good sound for 500-700 or so. But the Lenco needs to be mounted in a heavy base etc etc.


After that a good MC cart (the one you heard in my place was a Zyx R50 bloom) will add ~500-1K and a good phonostage.... maybe something like a Tom Evans phonostage. A few here have the Graham Slee ones and seem to like them. Mine that you heard that day was a Pass pearl with step-up transformers. Many say that valves are a great way to go for a phonostage.

As regards maintenance, virtually zero on the TT and arm, cartridge will eventually wear out, but will give many years service. The biggest pain is cleaning the records, particularly if you buy second hand ones.


RE the clicks. Its really hard to decipher that one. I believe it to be a combination of record cleanliness (& previous use), arm, cart and turntable.


Now having said all that...... CD has improved a huge amount in the last few years - really large jumps forward. And more is yet to come I reckon. Now, theres lots of new vinyl out there, and reissues too, but very little classical. That might be a major point for you.


Fran

[DaveF]

Thanks Fran. I wouldn't be buying a turntable to listen to classical music. It would be mainly for classic rock, blues, Jazz etc of which I havent much on CD at the moment in comparison to my classical collection.
I'm just trying to gauge on how much expenditure is needed for decent vinyl setup. I dont want to end up buying an entry level system that fails to deliver in the long run and I just end up spending even more on upgrades later on.
I think my MusicFirst passive preamp can be modified to include a phono stage so I must look into that.

[Fran]

OK, thats good.

I think it would be worth going having a look at Andys table. Derek has one of those too and I know it sounds very good. His might be a slightly different model though..

Yes, it is an older table but they sound good. You need to investigate the phonostage. FWIW, I think you should go straight to an MC cart - often the recommendation is to try a MM first, but I've yet to hear an MM that matches the detail and reality you get with a MC cart. That Zyx is a good cart, and the benz-micro ones are good too. Cloneys do Clearaudio and Ortofon I think - might be worth checking out some from those lines. I've heard the Koetsu black and its a nice cart too.

Phonostages are your next area of enquiry!! There are so many variations out there, and mine are all, and have always been all DIY offerings, so I'm not familiar with whats out there. I do know the Tom Evans ones are well regarded. The late Laryzh (RIP) used a Graham Slee era gold and loved it - I think Sean has one of these too. Maybe its time to go visiting!!

Fran

[DaveF]

which part of the system gives you the most noticable difference? The turntable/drive mechanism, the cart, the tonearm, etc etc??
I guess they are all important but lets say that you are starting off with all components at a reasonable competent level, so what components should be prioritised for upgrading or is the whole thing more of a black art?
Better to spend cash on a brand new all-in-one setup that comes with everything OR get a good value competent deck and pour the money into upgrades???

[Modest]

Cloney shop have some S/H turntables like:
Roksan Xerxes with alphason hr100 arm , as new mint condition n/a €895
Clear Audio Emotion TT with sumiko blue point €1200 €499
I think worth to try as well :)

Modest

[Ivor]

Cloney shop have some S/H turntables like:
Roksan Xerxes with alphason hr100 arm , as new mint condition n/a €895
Clear Audio Emotion TT with sumiko blue point €1200 €499
I think worth to try as well :)

Modest

The Xerxes is a bit of a bargain at that price. I use that turntable and like it lots.

[DaveF]

Cloney shop have some S/H turntables like:
Roksan Xerxes with alphason hr100 arm , as new mint condition n/a €895
Clear Audio Emotion TT with sumiko blue point €1200 €499
I think worth to try as well :)

Modest

The Xerxes is a bit of a bargain at that price. I use that turntable and like it lots.

What exact model do you have Ivor? I see a few different models on the net: .10, .20, .20plus etc etc.

[Ivor]

Cloney shop have some S/H turntables like:
Roksan Xerxes with alphason hr100 arm , as new mint condition n/a €895
Clear Audio Emotion TT with sumiko blue point €1200 €499
I think worth to try as well :)

Modest

The Xerxes is a bit of a bargain at that price. I use that turntable and like it lots.

What exact model do you have Ivor? I see a few different models on the net: .10, .20, .20plus etc etc.

To be perfectly honest I have no idea. It's not new I know that!

I'll turn her over later and have a look. (leave it lads... that's too easy)

[Derek]

Dave
I’ve got a Pink Triangle (not with arm illustrated) same as Andy’s,



a lovely TT, but that’s where the line up diverts.
My tone arm is a Roksan Artemiz



with a Clearaudio Discovery on the pointed end



feeding a Tom Evans Microgrove Plus



I love the sound, well balanced with great detail.
I got the cartridge from Noel Cloney.
I was in the market to upgrade from my Blue Point Special, a really great value high output MM,
a super cart, but when I tried the Discovery I wasn't giving it back.

If you want a listen my speakers are back in business and sounding better than ever.

Wasn’t it The Xerxes the TT Inspector Morse used?


I knew it