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Advice needed: stepping up from a basic turntable

BijanK

BijanK

New Member
I’m seeking for advice on how to best improve my listening experience. I have been using a basic turntable for a long time (Yamaha TT-400) with a very much entry-level pickup from Audiotechnica. I like the turntable very much because I have a Yamaha stereo, I like the design and because the turntable can be controlled using my system remote.

I am now looking to improve my listening experience by either buying a new turntable or improving the Yamaha. If I go for a full replacement, I am considering a Denon DP47 or a Yamaha GT-750, simply because I like the design and because they’re just within my budget. (I am looking for a vintage one, not a new one.)

The alternative would be to significantly upgrade the pick up system. This would probably cost me about half as much as a new turntable, but I am unsure what improvement to expect.

What do you think: will the replacement of my turntable to one of the aforementioned models improve my listening experience significantly enough to warrant the cost? Or should I simply go for a new pick up system for a few hundred bucks?

Thanks!
 
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Can put a set of new Michelin tires on a hoopty and see improvements. You will still have a hoopty in the end.

The table you have may well be a nice functioning one. Putting a better cart on it will help maybe.

Getting a solid, heavier table with a better arm will be the way to go IMHO.
 
The yamaha looks like a plasticky belt drive TT. A vintage Yamaha TT that is direct drive from the late '70s or early '80s would be a step up if you know how to do some basic servicing. Basically any DD Japanese TT from that era would be a better performer.
 
bkatbamna said:
The yamaha looks like a plasticky belt drive TT. A vintage Yamaha TT that is direct drive from the late '70s or early '80s would be a step up if you know how to do some basic servicing. Basically any DD Japanese TT from that era would be a better performer.
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Actually, the TT-400 is quite decent and not at all plasticky. The GT-series from the late 80s seems to be quite a good performer.
 
BijanK said:
I guess we’re talking 400-600€ or so here.
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There is a nice Victor/JVC QL-Y55P direct drive quartz Lock tt on Audiomart asking $950CAD (approx 644EUR) in claimed excellent condition. The voltage would be 120V for Canada/US, but an audio engineer may be able to convert the psu's voltage to your local voltage if you're in Europe. According to end users, one cheap and effective upgrade for that deck is to replace the rubber mat with a felt or cork mat.
 
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Also if you're looking at new tt's, the tried, trusted and proven Project Debut Carbon Evo is an easy recommendation @€599,00. There are also a number of upgrades available for that deck, so there is room to upgrade in future as your budget allows. Hope that helps.
 
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