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Best table for the Ortofon 2mm Red?

lattiboy

lattiboy

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I got this cartridge a while ago and was using it on a vintage Dual turntable, but the table is having issues and I'm looking for a more modern table anyway. I would like to keep it relatively cheap, $100-300 range would be ideal.

I've seen the AT LP-3 and the Denon 300F mentioned as excellent tables, but I don't know which would be better for the cart I have or if I'm ignoring another good candidate.

I'll be running the table through an Onkyo A-9010, likely bypassing the tables' built-in preamp.
 
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Have you looked at the U-Turn Orbit turntables? They are in your price range, but I don't know if you can get one without a cartridge included. The Ortofon 2M Red is one of the options they offer, so I'm guessing the cartridge and turntable should match up well.
 
The 2M Red has 20um/mN compliance, so it's best suited to arms on the low end of medium mass to high end of low mass. Something like the Music Hall MMF-2.2 would be a good choice at $299. You could flip the cartridge it comes with to get a bit of your investment back. The U-Turn is probably in the same range.
 
Thanks folks. I've got some more options: Would you say Pro-Ject Debut III or Audio Technica LP3? I'm bypassing the preamp and probably going to use the 2mm RED. I kind of like the fully-automatic part of the LP3, but I know the Debut III is a better table. What do you all think?

I will check out the Music Hall and Pluto options too...
 
I'd go for the U-Turn or Music hall over the AT or the Pro-Ject. Even though the Music Hall is made in the same factory I haven't heard as many complaints about motor noise on their tables as the Pro-Jects.

The low end AT's don't really interest me that much. The Pro-Ject, Music Hall, and U-turns all have better wow and flutter specs despite being simple belt drives.
 
EngineerNate said:
I'd go for the U-Turn or Music hall over the AT or the Pro-Ject. Even though the Music Hall is made in the same factory I haven't heard as many complaints about motor noise on their tables as the Pro-Jects.

The low end AT's don't really interest me that much. The Pro-Ject, Music Hall, and U-turns all have better wow and flutter specs despite being simple belt drives.
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Huh, I wouldn’t have thought that. I was under the impression the Debut III was one of the better ones in the range.

Additionally, will I even notice a difference since I’m using the A-9010? It’s a great little amp, but it isn’t exactly high-end....

PS: I’d be paying $200 for the Debut. I have a line on a like-new one at that price.
 
If you're willing to stay with a used, but more modern table, a mid-range quartz-locked Technics such as the SL-Q2 or Q3, SL-1800 mk2, etc. would be a good choice within your price range and the medium-mass arm should be a good fit for the 2M Red.

Now if you're looking for new only, well that isn't going to be much help.
 
I think that actually is the Debut III.

The primary advantage the Music Hall has over the Debut III is the 9" tonearm vs the 8.6" on the Debut. Less tracking error. :)
 
lattiboy said:
Thanks folks. I've got some more options: Would you say Pro-Ject Debut III or Audio Technica LP3? I'm bypassing the preamp and probably going to use the 2mm RED. I kind of like the fully-automatic part of the LP3, but I know the Debut III is a better table. What do you all think?

I will check out the Music Hall and Pluto options too...
Click to expand...
If it's a good Debut III, it's a great table. I have one. I was lucky with mine and it's very quiet and sounds awesome.
 
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