Pro-ject Debut with Nait-2

Posted by: Alco on 08 April 2001

Howdy folks,

I know there are still a lot of vinyl-lovers
among you Naimoholics.

Now, since I always had a crush for analog replay
(but don't own more than about 25 LP's) I was wondering this...:

I'm just a poor bloke, so can't afford a Linn LP-12 right now. (not very obvious either with a 25 LP's collection,eh)
It's also very,very hard to find a s/h LP12 or something in that leaque for a reasonable price here in Holland.

now, the thought crossed my mind to start very slowly and safe with buying a Project "Debut" for the give away price of only 110 UKP.
This way I'd keep a lot of money to go buy LP's
again. I can always upgrade to a better TT later.
(whats the use in buying an very expensive deck, when you only have 25 LP's and hardly any money left to buy more music...)

I still use a Nait-2 connected to my CD-3.5 + f/c.
So, are there any musiclovers who tried/own the
Pro-ject Debut with Naim amplification ??

btw, don't recommend me the Rega P3,please
(too big,too ugly and hard also to get s/h.)

Posted on: 08 April 2001 by John C

The Project debut sounds crap through a Nait. I have one and have to buy a real TT as a matter of urgency. Get a P2, well I didnt say P3 did I?

John

Posted on: 08 April 2001 by Ron The Mon

Alco,
You don't have to spend a lot of money or get a Linn or Rega to get good sound off vinyl. A few tables I'd recommend and am sure are available used in Holland:
1.Thorens(almost any model)
2.Dual(505 & 506 are best), but be careful, sometimes the "Dual style" headshells are broken and need to be special-ordered.
3. Pioneer and Sansui tables from the early '70s with 'S'-shaped tone-arms.
The above models should be belt-drive, and manual or semi-automatic. The reason most these tables turn up used for a good price is there is usually something wrong with them. A common problem is the belt is worn or missing. An LP-12 belt will fit most models and is worth the price. Needles are usually missing or worn. Any good cheap cartridge is better than an old damaged one. You will be able to recoup all your investment in any of these models when you trade up to an LP-12 as their values are pretty consistent, And lastly, even though it may seem out of proportion to the turntable's value, a good wall-shelf or floorstand will make magic of it.

Ron The Mon

P.S.
All my recommendations are real wood or wood-grain veneers, though if you find an old(circa 1980) Rega 2 with silver tone arm and wood base you may change your mind about their looks.

Posted on: 08 April 2001 by Alco

Thanx,

A Thorens also crossed my mind, since they are indeed easy to find s/h. I would like to put a
Rega rb250 or 300 on it if that's possible.

I just bought a copy of "What Hifi" yesterday
where they had a picture of an old Rega P2 of
1976! Boy, that Rega looked much better than they do today.

well, with a little patience I should be able
to find what I'm looking for,eh

Greetings,
Alco.

Posted on: 09 April 2001 by Frank Abela

Alco

Ron's suggestion of a Thorens is good. I don't know 2nd hand prices in Holland, but something like a TD166, TD150, TD124 (you wish:), are all good decks.

Try to stay away from the Duals (which aren't wood veneered if memory serves) - they're not really in the same league as their competition at the price.

This brings me to the Debut. We tried the Debut. We were not convinced about the build quality.

Regards,
Frank.

Posted on: 09 April 2001 by Cheese

I once owned a Thorens TD 318 for three months, and returned it to the dealer.

It just didn't sound. Boooring! According to a Thorens specialist, the older models were far better, like the TD 126 for instance. The TD 320 is supposed to be good too.

This is, according to him, due to the use of poor quality materials since the turntables are no more manufactured in Switzerland. Also, the original arms supplied by Thorens are simply worthless. If you like Thorens, go for one with a Rega or SME arm. And: throw away that unlistenable rubber mat, it just kills the sound ! Replace it by a felt mat and adjust the arm.

I just can't understand why Thorens sticks to those horrible rubber mats which are a thing of the past. Maybe tastes in hifi were different in the seventies.

Now, like it or not, I own a standard Rega P2 with standard arm and cartridge - it's not yet an LP12, but it kills the Thorens a hundred times. I know Regas are ugly, but once you've heard them, you just ask yourself why you attach so much importance to the looks !

Bernard