$1,000 budget - Which table do you buy?

[34dean]

You may have seen this already, but Paul Rigby has an interesting article on eight different EVO upgrades.

https://theaudiophileman.com/pro-ject-evo-upgrades-8-to-choose-from/

He believes that with a few of these upgrades the EVO becomes competitive with his Rega RP3 and Michell TecnoDec. It depends on what sonic criteria you care most about, though, and he seems mostly concerned with things like noise floor, tonality, and imaging.

You may have seen this already, but Paul Rigby has an interesting article on eight different EVO upgrades.

https://theaudiophileman.com/pro-ject-evo-upgrades-8-to-choose-from/

He believes that with a few of these upgrades the EVO becomes competitive with his Rega RP3 and Michell TecnoDec. It depends on what sonic criteria you care most about, though, and he seems mostly concerned with things like noise floor, tonality, and imaging.

I have upgraded my isolation platform, added an acrylic mat, and added a clamp. Considering the power supply and sub platter.
My table has the Rainier Sumiko cartridge.

 

[CrSens]

If you want some change in sound, the cartridge will supply most of the different flavor to sound. If you describe what type of sound you like, people might be able to recommend cartridges, they are plenty interesting ones in $200-$600 range.

 

[34dean]

If you want some change in sound, the cartridge will supply most of the different flavor to sound. If you describe what type of sound you like, people might be able to recommend cartridges, they are plenty interesting ones in $200-$600 range.

If I were to change out the cartridge, getting more detail out of my music would be a primary desire. I find the stock cartridge that came with my table is good but not highly detailed.

 

[CrSens]

If I were to change out the cartridge, getting more detail out of my music would be a primary desire. I find the stock cartridge that came with my table is good but not highly detailed.

I think the best value for money for detail is AT VM540ML, it has superb tracking and kind of sounds like a MC cartridge.
Other interesting cartridge is Grado Opus3, very full, dynamic, detailed and spacious sounding, but trickier to set up.
Another step up would be Hana EH, high output MC, but depending on preamp you have it might be still lower volume then you are used to.
Another cool cartridge is AT VM95SH, this if you require neutral and even tonal balance and still good detail.

 

[Danathepill]

And the winner is
https://www.ebay.com/itm/354169379560?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=1110013&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIMRXI&ao=1&asc=240772&meid=d7440981eb024127beae0b41d60cbf73&pid=101112&rk=5&rkt=24&sd=194202084155&itm=354169379560&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2563228&algv=PersonalizedV1_7&brand=Kenwood&_trksid=p2563228.c101112.m1982&amdata=cksum:354169379560d7440981eb024127beae0b41d60cbf73|enc:AQAHAAAA8KvVpLM%2FL%2FYbyLgq7kTmGAa%2BmdV6E%2B%2FNLqADVYBoE0oMVUm%2F0qQ2ryBSnWnR%2Fc8w1nFFmPBttqKqSTBxBt4gAkwNcEPCvDmUN09feF7mRfVyCh6LeXfkTnA8MpxzACE2hDvqQCObYaMpPJRLVCweOSkcN8kdvC9wNC5tLhlBLPzCpBVLHiLJk8tci247MvGAoVcuelJIDI2Mvk3mecJDy%2FymsQjflUT9XiQjET3r1joTs8%2B37VhKuMfnngYtTqzP4Gi%2FRchdSaB64agF0gIHXUJkwePdgXeseTrDBIGNwAWpV%2BmQG3b1bvaUWaYdyBZCjQ%3D%3D|ampidL_CLK|clp:2563228
But yes that Denon is also a winner. Either would be amazing and never lose value

 

[34dean]

Spend around half that on an MC cart (assuming you have a phono pre that can handle) and be very happy.

Any recommendations for a cartridge? I have an Apt Holman fully recapped and restored preamp which I believe supports MC cartridges with ease.

 

[adnick]

Steve at VAS cartridge re-tipping offers a Denon DL 103 with an elliptical stylus for a bit over $200….

Have one myself and no ones going to beat it for that kind of money No affiliation just look at the VAS offing’s on eBay.

VR
Andy

 

[joecoulson]

https://www.musicdirect.com/equipment/phono-cartridges/ortofon-quintet-blue-mc-phono-cartridge/

 

[tabarddn51]

Hi I concur that VAS is a great place to get an Elliptical re-tipped 103, that would make it just about as good as the Ort Quintet Black which is a $1000 cart, if I am not wrong.
Better would be to find a 103D as it's the best sounding of the 103 range.
However you need to try and find out the Eff Mass of the arm, I have read it is around 20 grams, which means it will be OK for wither of the 103's. Also the Hana EL or EH are great buys.

Cheers

 

[BillWojo]

I agree with Andy about getting a 103 from VAS, it's got to be the best deal on a cartridge out there. Sure you need MC capabilites but for about another 200 bucks you can pick up a Denon AU320 SUT. All in for a little over 400 bucks your listening to a remarkable cartridge. Would take several times that to better it.

BillWojo

 

[Redd House]

Get an ARXA max it out with mods and you’ll have a force to be reckoned with, with most anything under $2k . The only disadvantage would be VTA adjustment unless you have a totally different arm put on in which case would drive the drive the price up.The DP-75 Mister Pig is talking about is an excellent contender as well, I was fortunate enough to hear his and his Technics SP10/2 and the Denon was exceptional sounding.

Here’s mine
View attachment 2628343

Audiofreak71

Yep. I've got about $1,000 into this and honestly haven't heard a better sounding turntable for five times that amount.

 

[jrtrent]

Hi I concur that VAS is a great place to get an Elliptical re-tipped 103, that would make it just about as good as the Ort Quintet Black which is a $1000 cart, if I am not wrong.
Better would be to find a 103D as it's the best sounding of the 103 range.
However you need to try and find out the Eff Mass of the arm, I have read it is around 20 grams, which means it will be OK for wither of the 103's. Also the Hana EL or EH are great buys.

The owner's manual for the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO says the arm's effective mass is 6 grams.

The OP also said that his EVO came with the Sumiko Rainier cartridge. Does anyone have experience with the Olympia and/or Moonstone upgrade styli to know if either might get him the added detail he wants? Just based on a couple reviews I saw, the difference between the Rainier and the Olympia is bigger than the difference between the Olympia and the Moonstone (with one reviewer saying the Olympia is "very close" to the Moonstone in the area of detail retrieval).

 

[Genov]

Thank you. I’ve read quite a few of your posts and know you really know your stuff when it comes to TT. What cartridge in the $200 to $300 range would you put on that table?

IMHO, you will need to spend (at very least) the price of this table, on a cart, to get the most out of it.

 

[34dean]

The owner's manual for the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO says the arm's effective mass is 6 grams.

The OP also said that his EVO came with the Sumiko Rainier cartridge. Does anyone have experience with the Olympia and/or Moonstone upgrade styli to know if either might get him the added detail he wants? Just based on a couple reviews I saw, the difference between the Rainier and the Olympia is bigger than the difference between the Olympia and the Moonstone (with one reviewer saying the Olympia is "very close" to the Moonstone in the area of detail retrieval).

I would be very interested in this input. Thank you!

 

[aj_chicago]

So nobody said 2 Dual 1229Qs and a 1219? I don't get it.

 

[Chad Michael]

Technics ... they did it right, and still do, it just costs more now

 

[JoeESP9]

So nobody said 2 Dual 1229Qs and a 1219? I don't get it.

I get it. A Dual would-be way down on my list off TT's to spend $1K on especially any of the vintage models you mentioned.

FWIW: With vintage TT's I'd prefer a Radio Shack Lab-400 over just about any Dual.

 

[Chad Michael]

This is the wheel of steel, it hauls the mail. You could spend a ton of money trying to get there, but this is already there. There are surely tons of vintage turntables (that will likely need work) and modern (which will likely cost dearly) trying to compete with the 1200. I bought mine from KAB Electro Acoustics, brand new, for under 500 USD about 12 years ago.....

 

[Sgt Shultz]

Well if we must revive this old thread, if wanting DD

Kenwood KP-1100


What's actually hiding under that beautiful exterior


Some like to run them nude and with multiple arms


If made today $$$$$

 

[JoeESP9]

If I had one of those Kenwood's I'd polish that casting and have it Chrome plated. I'd definitely run it nekkid.