TT – To Buy or Not to Buy – That is the question

Posted by: John on 30 June 2001

I am having difficulty making the decision on whether to buy a TT and between buying something at the Rega P25 level or the P9 level. The cost difference is substancial. With my setup 52, super, 135s, SBLs it also makes sense to go the prefix route. I have heard the P25 and a full blown Linn LP12. I was very impressed with the ease they presented the music. That is the only finger I can put on the LP benefit. I was not blown away by the LP12 but I heard it on a Mark Levenson system with monster Wilson speakers. My CDS1 in my Naim setup is just as impressive and IMO out performed the LP12 in the Levenson system.

At this point I think it might make sense to try a P25 with the prefix and upgrade to the P9 level if I find I like playing LPs. My concern is the number of used TT advertisements that state “used for less than 40hrs”. Are there many people who have gone down this same path and in the end rarely play LPs? Will I find the TT source is just different and not better? Do I need to jump to the P9 level before I am really giving the TT source a fair trial? I am concerned that I will not be impressed with the P25 relative to my CDS1.

I could probably bring the P25 home but I don't have any phono boards to listen to it. The dealer also only has a Nait with phono boards. Far from a 52, 135s.

Do I sound confused? I am!

Help please!
John

Posted on: 06 July 2001 by Phil Barry
Mike,

I would watch out if I were you. It may take a while, but my bet is that you will either drop out of vinyl (again?) or upgrade.

I agree with Hock that if one source is far inferior, it will not get played...or it will gnaw at you with hope about how good it's medium COULD sound. The P3 gives a glimpse of the insight vinyl offers, and a good one, but it's only a glimpse.

Regards.

Phil
Fighting off the CD upgrade devil, now that WNIB is down the tubes

Posted on: 07 July 2001 by Arthur Bye
Hockman wrote:
quote:
It's hard to know what exactly people mean by "analogue" sounding. Julian for example felt that the CDS1 was more
"analogue" whilst the CDS2 combined the [best of] digital and analogue. I guess this statement is consistent with the view
that the CDS1 does PRAT better than the CDS2 (Arthur, help me out here ).

I never saw this remark by JV, but I find it pretty interesting. This especially as there are quite a few Mana sheep that advocate the superiority of the CDS1(on Mana) over the CDS2.

Personally I like both of them and could live with either happily. I do give a nod to the CDS2 for ease of use and higher levels of resolution along with a smoother more analog sound.

Recently though, I've been giving thought to the idea that while the CDS2 sounds more analog (read LP) sounding, it's not necessarily more realistic sounding. There are occasions with the CDS2 where the liquidity that gives it an LP character sounds a bit off from what would be heard live. It's a nice sound, but it's not necessarily right. Sort of like with tubes which can sound fantastic, but you know it's not reality. Seductive.

Of course it could be my speakers, my ears, or my attitude.

Getting way off topic here though.

John: you should do your best to get a demo of a Rega P9, properly set up, with a MC Dynavector (XX-2) cartridge. It's really hard to be wrong with this, but it means a bit more money. But it also means low maintenance and top drawer kit.

Arthur Bye

Posted on: 07 July 2001 by Don Atkinson
John,

You quote "My CDS1 has no harshness and the tonal color is adequate. Added warmth, a wider range musical expression and better musical coherence (if possible??) do interest me. I still suspect these will be the gains it a good TT. Am I correct or are the gains different?"

Generally, you are correct. My cds1 also has no harshness and the tonal colour is excellent IMHO. My TT (LP12/Ekos/Arkive/Lingo/Linto) does not add the 'warmth' you mention, but it does have the wider range musical expression and better musical coherence.

Some poeple might say mine does add 'warmth' but to my ears this aspect is actually like adding a bass guitar in the line-up of a four-piece band like the Shadows or Buddy Holly and the Crickets. And it doesn't camouflage the rest of the band in any respect at all, it just adds enjoyment.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Don

Posted on: 09 July 2001 by John
Has anyone done a comparison between these two TTs:

1. LP12/Akito/Lingo

2. Rega Planar 9

They seem to retail for about the same price. There seems to be more LP12s available second hand so I could probably pick up the LP12 a better second hand value but how do they sonically campare? Are there huge differences between to the top of the line LP12, middle and basic versions?

How old of a LP12 should I consider before I should consider the servicing costs?

Thanks
John