Turntable.

If you can't put the turntable on a dedicated rack, that might have some bearing on your choice. Especially if your 'reasonably solid unit' sits on a suspended floor, you might find that the turntable bounces all over the place. In my experience, a turntable with a suspended sub-chassis like an LP12 copes with this much better than something with a more basic suspension system, although I admit there are people here with much more experience of this than I have.

Michell Gyrodec with a Dynavector cart. Should leave enough for a decent phono such as an Aria.

Rega RP10

Yes Chrisso, that is exactly the case, i should have mentioned that, having a sub chassis will iam sure be a good choice, I've had dedicated racks before, and iam totally understanding regarding isolation, but i wanted a change, each of my kit sits on 18mm class slaps, and so will the deck, its made a difference, and yes the LP12 Majik is one of the 3 i had in mind, and the Gyrodec being another, how ever, regarding the Gdec, is it me, but the revolving platter may be a distraction, i have only seen them in motion on youtube, and i could'nt help think, thats going to do my head in, may be i need to get a little more personal with one and see, thanks Thebigfedc, i assume different carts suit certain decks? and yes, Fueller, of course Rega, seems iam in the right area, this being a naim forum i can with some confidence take it that these decks have good synergy with my SN2?. Regards.

Rega RP8 with Apheta 2 cartridge and Rega Aria phono stage. £3k new. Superb TT solution,

Rega R/P3 might just scratch the itch.  I run a 20-year-old Planar 3, and it is quite wonderful, compared to 40 years of other turntables.  Find your happy place between the P3 and RP10, and strike with confidence!

Nick

Different thing buying a TT. Dealers let you take home boxes and speakers. How many let you take home a TT? Then there's the cart, phono amp, cables, rack, and any given LP contributing to the synergy of the final sound. Maybe here, with TTs, there's a case to be made for reading reviews, listening to various decks at a dealer, and making a determination as to how that translates to your home. I could recommend you get a RP6, which I own, but what real value is that?

joerand posted:

I could recommend you get a RP6, which I own, but what real value is that?

Very fair assessment, Randy.

It's worth asking whether you have many albums already. If not, the 3k might be better spent on a CDS3. 

If you can't place the deck on a dedicated stand or wall shelf then a Gyrodec is likely a good choice as it seems to work OK on a heavy platform where others like the Linn and Regas just don't.   If the gold weights on the platter underside are annoying then go for the Orbe platter option - it's a nice upgrade too.  

An excellent deck, well supported by Michell, very good value, and easy to sell on if the vinyl thing doesn't work out for you.

Roksan Radius or Clearaudio are others to think about alongside those already mentioned.

Some interesting comments, it could be said i am jumping on the Vinyl band wagon, I've championed cd since the early 80s, and i still do, and i have a very few Lps Hungryhalibut, but i now want to add a TT, some may say its just folly, and a waste of cash, iam going to have my cake and eat it so to speak, and if i get it right, and with your comments and my limited experience with modern vinyl players i am in with a good shout. Joerand has a point, listening to TTs before you buy isn't has easy as other kit, the dem room seems the the most likely place to hear one, well, it is for me, these things are more susceptible to external vibrations, the Regas seem the obvious pick, but like Richard dane points out regarding putting a deck on a solid set up compared to a light rigid one may be a deciding factor, the Rega 6, 8,9,10, Linn Majik and GDec{Orbe} were the 0nes i had short listed, i didn't mention those with my first post, so its begining to look like most of you seem to have, or experienced those decks, which has helped considerably, i would like to throw in a red herring, the Avid Diva 11, is it a possibility?? of course your views are welcome. Regards.

If you do go for a Linn, have the Tramp 2 base fitted. It's designed for just your placement situation. You might also be able to find a dealer with a used but higher spec LP12 with a warranty attached for the same money.

Stu

Something maybe a little more controversial to consider as you were formerly a champion of CD and just getting interested in playing LP's and only have a few.

If you are wanting to buy mostly new or re-issued LP's then caveat emptor as many are mastered from the same lower resolution digital files as used for CD or even worse MP3.

Some LP's are being mastered from higher res 24/96 or higher digital files and these arguably have better or more acceptable SQ.

However, IMO to really hear LP at its best it needs to be mastered from an all analogue chain as the format was intended. This means either looking for decent used LP's or paying premium prices for "audiophile" AAA pressings and there are some great audiophile labels out there and some that are bandwagon jumping rip offs.

Another vote for the Gyrodec, I had one for twenty years and sold it for more than i paid for it.

Karl

The Nottingham Analogue decks are super.

Ok, the Tramp 2 base is interesting Stuart, i know a dealer that should be able to help, considering i had never heard of such a base, Dreadatthecontrols, i intend to enjoy picking up LPs as i go, i will shop the conventional way, flicking through albums old school, down loading may at some time be for the future aim sure. Good to hear that Karls Gyrodec kept him happy for 20ys, now thats the kind of reliability i like, and over the last couple of days i have looked at the Well Tempered, and Townsend, Dozey, but very few dealers stock so varied TTs in one shop as mentioned here, and iam only prepared to travel so far, because in some cases i will  take my speakers with me for demos, and i will not be buying blind, its looking like i shall demo the Regas and Gdec at one dealer who have my speakers, the Linn at at another, where i will need to take my speakers, and possibly one other deck somewhere else, the joys.....  just glad its all doable regarding the suspension of certain decks within my price, i shall keep you posted, and see what you have to say and guide me with your expertise, seeing iam such a vinyl virgin..... just one more thing Dreadatthecontrols regarding paying premium prices for vinyl, i have just recently purchased a Nancy Sinatra CD second hand £40, jesus.  cheers fellas. Regards.