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Misc. TT questions

U

unionista

Active Member
Random questions not worthy of separate threads...

1. Is the tonearm on a new Thorens TD 295 Mk4 the same as those on the cheaper Music Hall TTs? It looks to be judging from pics.

2. Is the Marantz TT42 the same basic machine as a Denon DP-300F?

3. VPI claims that their new Traveler TT is the only entry-level TT made in the USA. This would imply that the SOTA Moonbeam is NOT American-made. Does anyone here know where the Moonbeam is made?

4. Is the NAD C556 TT a rebranded Moonbeam? If not, what is it based on?
 
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No NAD is made by Sota. SOTA makes their own turntables. The NAD is sourced also from Pro-Ject. Marantz TT 42 is made by Dual-Fehrenbacher. The Thorens looks to be sourced from Pro-Ject. So, there is your answers/
 
Yep, that Thorens is made by Pro-ject. Since Musical Hall 'tables are also sourced from Pro-ject, it's very likely that they use similar tonearms. Note that the Pro-ject 'arms are quite good.

The NAD is a re-badged Rega RP-1. Here's a photo of the C556 from NAD's website:
img.php


And this is a pic of the RP-1 from Rega's website:
RP1-cool-grey-cut-out.gif
 
I did some checking but don't count it as all inclusive going to Sotas website. From what Sota says it sounds like it's handcrafted/assembled in the USA and sells for around $750. Could the parts be mfg elsewhere? I'd have to dig deeper to see if that's the case. The appearance/design looks like a Rega. The VPI Traveler is made in the USA and runs about $1300. Looking at both the Sota and Traveler it seems obvious to me that both are aiming for a segment of the market that the British mfgs (Rega/Project/Music Hall) have occupied with their minimilist design turntables. I'd advise you to read a good number of owner reviews before you take the plunge but if I was in your shoes I'd be closely looking at the VPI Traveler as the final choice. As for the VPI claiming that the Traveler is the only entry level turntable made in the USA I'd think what they are saying is that it is the only true "audiophile" entry level turntable made in the USA. The term "audiophile entry level" has been bandied about by other mfgs and is very questionable to say the least in its application and includes Crosley with an audiophile model. Owning a few VPI products I'd have to say any departure from their high level of quality/performance would be out of line with their long tradition.
 
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The VPI Traveler is a very new model so I have not seen any reviews on it yet. The reviews that I have seen on the SOTA Moonbeam have all been positive. I have not seen any of these decks "in-the-flesh" yet as most of the dealers are quite far away from me.
 
Try Audio Asylum, Audiogon, Vinyl Engine to name a few for the Traveler. The ones I read all sounded positive re the VPI.
 
I don't own a Traveler if that is what your asking or the Nov copy of Stereophile. Possible that a few of the Bay State/MA high end shops carry some of the tables by VPI/SOTA/Rega etc. Check the mfgs site for local dealers and maybe you can audition.
 
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