First turntable purchase advice please

Your first upgrade should probably be a proper TT stand. You won't appreciate this until you hear how much of difference it can make, and it's a gift that keeps on giving as you upgrade other things. It's this sort of epiphany that keeps the hobby fascinating.

I bought my Michell without auditioning it. In fact it was an auction site purchase but from a dealer. It came with the ac motor and qc power supply so although it is quite old is in perfect condition. All I had to do is buy an arm, cartridge and phono stage. I happened to pick up a second hand Rega Aria, a brand new SME IV and Ortifon quintet bronze cartridge. I may upgrade the phono stage and defy the cartridge one day and then I'll be going for some proper auditioning.

The set up I got is miles more enjoyable than other music heard from other sources though my Superuniti. I didn't see the point in buying a turntable that would likely give me a poorer sound than I was used to but for all I know an RP6 might have been fine.

I look through all the posts on this thread and honestly can't disagree with any of them as they are all valid points. The fact is going towards vinyl is probably unnecessary these days but many of us fools just like the look and feel of vinyl playback and the fun in shopping for the stuff. We do it because we enjoy it, not because it's a sensible way I'd spending money. If you can afford it then get stuck in but if you're having to take out a bank loan for it be careful.

Massimo Bertola posted:

Tony2011 posted:

staffy posted:

I have a Rega P3, which I have had for around 12 years.  I dont find the sound lean,however if I were buying again today I  would seriously look at Project turntables before I made my mind up.

Really? That would be like saying " I love my Porsche but if I had to buy another car I'd go for a VW". 

By the way, have you bought yourself a proper RCM yet?

Well, considering that Ferdinand Porsche was Austrian, just like Pro-Ject turntables (and ignoring the fact that he founded both Porsche and VW), I'd say that a proper comparison would have been 'I love my Leyland but if I had to buy another car I'd go for a Porsche'...

Do Pro-Ject  motors also run on diesel? Just like VW, I would not trust their wow & flutter test results! 

Khan posted:

Very interesting suggestions. Firstly ANALOGMUSIC, I have the cable that came with the 82 which i believe is the RCA to 5 pin DIN. And I aim to upgrade and service the NAP 300 to DR spec next year as Ive already spent over 8K on hifi so far this year. LOL. Sounds insane when i write it out. But it had to be done since I bought & heard the Naim Unitiqute 2 BT (second system), I sold almost my entire old system to upgrade to old Naim gear. Which is why I trust all your opinions as we share a similar preference for audio.

Now i do understand that to get the best from vinyl I will probably need an all analogue earlier pressing of the albums I like. Although I might enjoy purchasing new records also.  But ANALOGMUSIC, what would you say is a good turntable compared to Chord Hugo?

Also guys how would you describe the difference in sound between say a Michel Gyro compared to Rega rp8? Or Linn LP12, although that will probably be harder as it would depend on the spec.

Khan

Khan it isn't just a question of your Hugo.

For instance on my 202/200 my Project Debut carbon sounds great to me, but the moment I plug in my 282, it is very open and revealing and I cannot enjoy my Vinyl anymore. I can hear all the imperfections now and it is just not the enjoyable anymore.

I was advised that at 82 or 282 level (especially since you have supercap), you really need to aim for level of Rega RP6. And I would stay with Naim and get a stageline for a phono stage, not sure if the 82 can give power to it?

There is a saying in engineering " if you buy the right thing but spend more than planned, all you did was overpay for it.

But if you buy the wrong thing, then not only will you have wasted money since eventually you will go back and have to buy the thing you should have, but you will lose money on the first purchase, so you end up buying twice"

I only upgraded from my 202/200 to 282/HCDR/250DR once I had the DAC V1 (which sounds identical to me compared to HDX) and Hugo, amplification at this level (which includes your 82/SC/300) really needs very high quality sources as it is so revealing.

and for me I think many people (and I am included too) read the forums, get inspired and buy quality amps at 282/250 level, and then find that buying the NDX/XPSDR level source is just very expensive, and it is a real gift (really, it is, having heard one) from Naim to get the 272, since it is capable enough as a source preamp to be paired upto Nap 300 !

I think that is what source first means - if one spends money on the amp and speakers, but neglects the source, then it just reveals the imperfections of that source even more and it is not pleasant or musical anymore.

But a better source, can easily front a lower quality amp and speaker, and the result is enjoyable.

So sorry, it is not good financial news for you Khan (to buy a turnable that is at Rega RP6 level) , but depending on where you are, if you can borrow a turntable from a dealer, hopefully you can listen for yourself.

Appreciate all the helpful advice guys. Yes it is true. Vinyl may not be entirely necessary but if it gives a more musical presentation then I am willing to invest my time and money. I have some well recorded albums on digital but also some that sound very harsh and compressed to me. I just never understood why they sounded like that until I started reading about mastering and loudness wars etc.

So far going through the online retail stores I am leaning towards Rega as it seems to be a bit more affordable for me at the moment. Like I have said Ive already spent quite a substantial amount on Speakers and amplification this year. And I completely respect the idea of source first so I think perhaps an RP8 or RP6 with a cost effective MC cartridge to get me started. My NAC 82 has a MC phono board so that should serve me well for now.

I do like the idea of Linn LP12 upgrades and Michel Gyro but they seem to be out of my price bracket with all components included.

I do have a question about the base of Turntables. What would you guys say are the key differences (if any) between suspended chassis  and low mass rigid approach? I only ask as that is one of the key differences in design between the brands i am considering.

If MC is an option go for Rega RP8 with Apheta fitted at the factory. 

Rega advises for the turntable to be placed on a light but rigid structure. I guess that means as hi-fi rack or a stand. Have a look at my profile pics to see my cost effective way of placing turntables

adam

Khan posted:

Hello guys,

I am in the market for a turntable and I'm am completely overwhelmed. I have been researching for days and I am no closer to understanding what to look out for.

Khan

It's easy, provided you live relatively near dealers who stock these products. Just go and have some demos, take your time and take your own music.

Buying new is always a safer bet, but dependent on your budget you can always consider second-hand. Sourcing this through a reputable dealer is entirely possible once you have an idea of what you want and that's something you'll find out with a comparative demonstration.

KR

Peter

Khan posted:

.....going through the online retail stores...

......

I do have a question about the base of Turntables. What would you guys say are the key differences (if any) between suspended chassis  and low mass rigid approach? I only ask as that is one of the key differences in design between the brands i am considering.

I fear this is a problem.

IME, Linn, Naim and Rega dealers are only too happy to demonstrate product differences to you.

C.