Leeming42 Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 (edited) Hi guys, rediscovering vinyl has been around 12 months now and I'm thinking its time to upgrade my turntable. Currently have a Pro-Ject Essential III Digital. Mainly listen to Classic Rock and Blues, have up to $3000.00 to spend. So many choices and so many reviews. Any advice appreciated. Edited December 5, 2019 by Leeming42 Re word Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 3 hours ago, Leeming42 said: Hi guys, rediscovering vinyl has been around 12 months now and I'm thinking its time to upgrade my turntable. Currently have a Pro-Ject Essential III Digital. Mainly listen to Classic Rock and Blues, have up to $3000.00 to spend. So many choices and so many reviews. Any advice appreciated. I agree. Among my turntables is a Project Essential II. Not bad, and quite capable, but yes, I see why you now want to step up. The good thing is that, having a turntable already, you can take your time. Keep watching the secondhand market for a bargain would be my advice. Do you want a modern design, maybe a new Technics direct drive, or higher-end belt drive, or a classic, such as an big idler drive like a Garrard 301, or 401? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippi Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 28 minutes ago, aussievintage said: Do you want a modern design, maybe a new Technics direct drive, or higher-end belt drive, or a classic, such as an big idler drive like a Garrard 301, or 401? I would agree with the above - home into a niche you'd most like to explore (will most likely suit your needs/preferences). Vintage: Denon DP's, Linn, Thorens, Garrard, Rega, Luxman, Technics.... New: VPI, Rega, Technics,... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DubbyMcDubs Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 I just purchased a Rega Planar 6 with the Ania MC cart. With the black friday 20% discount it came to $2300. I auditioned it against a Planar 8 and liked the sounds more, the fact it was cheaper was a bonus. After searching for a decent SL-1200 for a while, I am happy I bought new. It's an amazing product, especially at the price. I'm pairing it up with a Chord Huei that I picked up this week but not had a chance to listen to it on my own system so can't comment on that yet. Good luck and enjoy your new toy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hlov Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 Not sure it is still available, but it was ridiculously cheap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 How about a Technics SL1200/1210GR? Sounds great on classic rock and blues.....actually sounds great with everything! Might be hard to beat at an RRP of $2749. https://news.panasonic.com.au/2019/11/13/acclaimed-technics-grand-class-sl-1200g-spearheads-australian-turntable-lineup/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat-with-one-t Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 A vpi Classic would fall close to your budget 2nd hand. I’ve found it to be a wonderful mix of modern and classic looks..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leeming42 Posted December 5, 2019 Author Share Posted December 5, 2019 (edited) Thanks for the feedback guys, I notice a couple of you are recommending direct drive turntables. I have always been under the impression, rightly or wrongly that a belt drive is the way to go? Edited December 5, 2019 by Leeming42 Spelling mistake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 6 minutes ago, Leeming42 said: I notice a couple of you are recommending direct drive turntables. I have always been under the impression, rightly or wrongly that a belt drive is the way to go? Belt vs. DD is a religious argument! (Me, I follow the belt drive sect.) Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 11 minutes ago, Leeming42 said: Thanks for the feedback guys, I notice a couple of you are recommending direct drive turntables. I have always been under the impression, rightly or wrongly that a belt drive is the way to go? I think the history goes like this. Very early gramophone motors were direct drive via gears. Then came idler drives, which also helped speed changes and isolated some of the motor vibrations. However cheap idler drives produced so much rumble, hifi turntables were marketed with the next big solution - belt drive, and it was so much better. At that time, electronic direct drive was very difficult. Try designing motor controllers with valves. But, then came modern electronics and decent direct drive - even excellent direct drive appeared. Hifi moved over to DD - no more belts to replace. However, some DD tables were not as good as they should have been. Cogging was a perceived problem, along with stable speed control. Some took a step back as it was realised that most top quality tables, of any type, did a very good job - DD, belt, or even big old idler drives. So then the playing field was wide open and the audiophile arguments idler-vs-belt-vs-DD started I believe all genres have excellent examples that I could be very happy to live with. I have examples of all 3 that I use periodically. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtexcnndrm99 Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 (edited) 10 hours ago, DubbyMcDubs said: I just purchased a Rega Planar 6 with the Ania MC cart. With the black friday 20% discount it came to $2300. I auditioned it against a Planar 8 and liked the sounds more, the fact it was cheaper was a bonus. After searching for a decent SL-1200 for a while, I am happy I bought new. It's an amazing product, especially at the price. I'm pairing it up with a Chord Huei that I picked up this week but not had a chance to listen to it on my own system so can't comment on that yet. Good luck and enjoy your new toy! Let us know what you think of the Huei, an interesting looking device. Chord makes nice gear. On topic, it looks like we're already getting into it but the generalisation I (think) I've heard is belt drive would suit the 'punchy/bold' sound suited to Rock. Edited December 5, 2019 by crtexcnndrm99 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tobes Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 1 hour ago, Leeming42 said: Thanks for the feedback guys, I notice a couple of you are recommending direct drive turntables. I have always been under the impression, rightly or wrongly that a belt drive is the way to go? Prior to the Technics the only previous direct drive ive owned was a Luxman PD264 in the late 70's. Ive had 3 belt drive turntables since - Rega Planar 3, Sota Saphire, VPI TNT (all the original models starting from around 1980 with the Rega). Believe me the Technics 1200/1210GR is no slouch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 All high-end turntables can sound incredible with the right plinth, arm and cart. It doesn't matter if it's DD, belt or idler drive, it's the quality that matters. Some good models/manufactures have been mentioned above. My advice is not to rush in. Do your research over time, listen to different turntables if you have the chance. Lots of vintage turntables have a lifetime's use left in them. If you get something at the top end of the market, with will be an investment for life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussievintage Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 2 hours ago, crtexcnndrm99 said: I've heard is belt drive would suit the 'punchy/bold' sound suited to Rock. An idler drive, even more so. Comparing a belt to a DD, I would say it depends on the size of the motor, belt thickness/strength, and platter mass. I don't think something driven by one of those little thin hat elastic bands would sound so punchy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janjuggler Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 (edited) Hi All, Just looking at other things on the WWW and came across a very good TT from one of the sponsors @Krispy Audio on their website. A VPI at half price, worth a look. https://krispyaudio.com.au/products/vpi-player-turntable-open-box.html JJ Edited December 6, 2019 by Janjuc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DubbyMcDubs Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 11 hours ago, crtexcnndrm99 said: Let us know what you think of the Huei, an interesting looking device. Chord makes nice gear. On topic, it looks like we're already getting into it but the generalisation I (think) I've heard is belt drive would suit the 'punchy/bold' sound suited to Rock. I will do a proper write up in a new thread once I have more time with it, but first impressions: Pros Transparent and detailed sound Configuration options. Gain settings allow you to match it with your amp. Particularly useful with MC to optimize the noise Balanced output Cons Power switch is way too small and located close to the DC jack that makes it hard to switch the the off position Power switch makes a loud cracking noise through outputs when turned off Changing settings causes loud distorted sounds through the speakers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts