Topic: New vinyl set-up help/opinions

[bgalizio]

I'm starting to research more seriously my choices in a vinyl set-up. My current listening system is as follows:

• Pioneer DV-588A-S (DVD-A, SACD, CD)
• Squeezebox 3 (FLAC library)
• Belden 1804A silver cable
• Jolida 102b
• Athena S3/P3 (speakers/subs)

For the vinyl set-up, I'm currently researching the following components:

Turntables:

• Rega P1
• Music Hall MMF-2.1
• Pro-Ject Debut III

Phono Pres:

• Bellari VP-29
• Pro-Ject Phono Box
• Music Hall Phono Pack

Anyone have any opinions on one table over the others, and how these pres perform? Any other suggestions within this general price range would be great too. I don't have my budget set yet (not quite there), but I don't anticipate going much, if at all, more than this combo would cost.

[carlbeck]

Personally I would buy a used Thorens over any of those tables listed but with that being said the Rega is the obvious choice for the money. It is also the easiest to set up when it's time to swap out the cart. As far as a pre amp I would look into a Cambridge Audio, 540 or 640. I had the Bellari for a week & could never ever get rid of the hum, I also didn't care for the cheasy gain knob. Out of your choices I have heard good things about the Pro-Ject phono box.

[spott]

I've got the MMF 2.1 and it's a great entry level turntable, I'm only running it into the phono stage of a Marantz PM7200 integrated into B&W 610's - but I really like mine, I'm not wild about my Marantz amp and I've been debating another power source but I'll hold on to the MMF for a bit. 

[Nick's Picks]

i'm dying to try this:  http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preaphon&1184391501
you should do it for me!
:-)

[nickgregory]

My turntable experience has only involved the rega P1 and the rega fono pre stage.  So keep that in mind in reading this.

I was down to either the P1 or the Pro-Ject Debut tables when I was making my decision, and I ended up choosing Rega for a couple of reasons.  First I had heard nothing  but raving success from folks that have bought the P1 with no turntable experience, and were up and running and enjoying the table in zero time flat (an experience which I encountered myself).  Second, Rega is recognzed as being quality when it comes to turntables from everything I had read, and I figured even though this doesnt have their cart on it, they wouldnt put their name on it if it was crap.  Third, I got a nice deal on it from Chris at Eugene Hi Fi, and pulled the trigger.

End of the day I couldnt be happier.  As I dont have a basis of comparison, I am not going to go into how it sounds as who knows how it would stack up against another player in my system, but I can say I am happy with the purchase.

I also cant say whether the pre stage is any better or worse than anything else, but I have been considering something like what Nick is recommending above or this:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject-Tube-Box-SE?sc=2&category=401

in the future...just to see the impact of a tube based pre on the front end...

[bgalizio]

Thanks for the replys so far! I guess I'm leaning toward the Rega P1 also because of the rave reviews it has had here and through other online/magazine reviews I've read.

Good call on the Cambridge Audio phono stages. I knew there was another brand in that price range that I was missing!

It looks like the tube phono pres are a little out of my range right now. Maybe that's an upgrade for down the road...

[cheshirecat]

Check the retail space board, Chris at eugene hifi has a special on P1s for TS.com members.

I just bought one from him on Saturday to replace an older TT... looking forward to getting it.

[bgalizio]

Check the retail space board, Chris at eugene hifi has a special on P1s for TS.com members.

I just bought one from him on Saturday to replace an older TT... looking forward to getting it.

Yup. Talked to Chris a while ago when I was first researching a table. He was very helpful and I'll be sure to go through him if I go that route.

[cshepherd]

Thanks, guys.  If you can swing the extra $$, I would get the Pro-Ject or the Music Hall phono stage.  We have a customer who tried the Bellari out and didn't like it.

Chris

[Kyle]

Love my P1. Great TT. Thanks again to cshepherd for the great deal.

[Nick's Picks]

I want a P1.
but I'll continue to live w/the free Thorens TD160 I currently am "borrowing".
I just need to buy a cart for it.
Chris...you guys carry AT carts?

[cshepherd]

I want a P1.
but I'll continue to live w/the free Thorens TD160 I currently am "borrowing".
I just need to buy a cart for it.
Chris...you guys carry AT carts?

We don't carry AT carts.  In fact, we don't have an entry-level cartridge line yet.  We're looking at Ortofon, largely based on how well their $40 cart tracks on the P1.  We recently picked up Dynavector and I'm sure we'll have an entry level cartridge before the end of the year if not sooner.  Our shopping list is a little out of control right now.   .  Are Audio-Technica carts popular with the older Thorens tables?

Thanks for asking,
Chris 

[Nick's Picks]

there is one in particular that is supposed to be very good...for any table.  I believe its not quite entry level...but more like in the $150 range.  still, cheap.

Audio-Technica 440MLa Cartridge
and then there is the AT150MLX, which is in the $249 range...

[Sloan Simpson]

The AT 440 MLa is currently considered the second coming of Christ over on AudioAsylum    Everyone and their brother are running 'em.  I have one (had  , I damaged the stylus (AGAIN, long story)) and LOVE it, but don't have enough experience with other carts or the audio vocabulary to back that up very well.

I think they can still be had in the $90 range.

edit - can't speak on Thorens (mine is on an old Denon), but people do seem to recommend them for almost any table

[Nick's Picks]

I found them for $88 (or, better put, Carl found them and forwarded me the link).
I'm going to pick one up.

[cheshirecat]

They also carry them at J&R if you're still looking.