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Turntable Upgrade?

lt.slothr0p

lt.slothr0p

Member
Hi Everybody! I'm currently running a Sansui SR-222 mkii with an Empire 2000Z cartridge. But I see a Marantz 6100 listed locally at a good price. I've always loved the look of Marantz gear (although the 222 looks cool too) but to what extent would the 6100 be an upgrade over my current turntable? In general, which tt would you prefer?
 
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I like both brands and have products from each manufacturer but if I’m being 100% honest I think the Marantz tables are over priced. I’m sure it’s a great table and obviously I have no idea what you’d have to get it but I’d bet you could do better for the same money.
 
Thanks for the input guys! I've had my SR-222 for like 5 years and it's never given me an ounce of trouble. I don't think it's the quietest tt or the best at damping, etc, but it is absolutely a workhorse. Super reliable and consistent. But who among us isn't looking for greener grass? lol
 
lt.slothr0p said:
Thanks for the input guys! I've had my SR-222 for like 5 years and it's never given me an ounce of trouble. I don't think it's the quietest tt or the best at damping, etc, but it is absolutely a workhorse. Super reliable and consistent. But who among us isn't looking for greener grass? lol
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no law against having 2 turntables, or 7, I say get the Marantz heh heh heh
 
Now is not a good time to be buying a TT unless you have the monies to pay . Older inferior tables are over priced because of the demand. A really good turn tables from the past are almost as pricey as very good TT today. But that said if you do INVEST in a great table that is pre-owned and has been built recently with great mechanics and reputation you should be very happy for a long long time. I found very nice Levinson VPI turn table last year for 1/2 price. Sort of like buying a prime signature with a Fatboy arm and speed control from VPI. Which pushes you close to 10,000 now. I just put 1 1/2 inch slab or marble under it allowing me to level the TT more easily with the separate drive motor module as one assembly. The bass is clearer and tighter and more precise now. It was a lot cheaper than investing in a steel stand for the TT, for sure. I would say the improvement reminds me of upgrading tone arms where the old tone arm had some annoying resonances with a new composite arm. Or changing cartridges from MM to a very good MC cartridge with a fine line or micro ridge stylus profile. The more advanced the stylus shape the better the tracking and the lower the noise floor and the fewer pops and clicks. If you are serious about LP's the cartridge you choose with matching arm and complementary turntable is one of the most import purchases you will ever make Only your speaker selection is more important.
 
I could say the same thing about tape deck r2r. Once you have owned one of the best you will never be happy with Cassette or any other consumer format. 2 trk HS with professional noise reduction from Dolby or Decilinear DBX is the only way to go. I know we are talking about records here, but where do you think the sound came from for the LP? Great r2r 90+ % of the time. And remember all those compromising steps between The mother being cut on the record lathe and the final LP you find that is warped. So buy only the best you can afford because LP's are the compromise a lot of us, me included, love and shouldn't.
 
When new the Marantz was 129 and available for a couple years before the 222 II which was about the same price. Fairly similar in performance expectations but the newer 222 has better specs for wow and flutter and might have better signal to noise, rumble or whatever that one is. They are rated with different names so had to compare them but the wow and flutter is a good bit better on the Sansui.
 
The Scout was once recommended by Stereophile as one of the very best in the Class B rated turntables as I remember. You just need a very sturdy stand or cabinet placed on solid flooring. If you don't look for a Thorens TD 125 or 126, but with a decent arm. The Thorens arms were mediocre at best.
 
twiiii said:
The Scout was once recommended by Stereophile as one of the very best in the Class B rated turntables as I remember. You just need a very sturdy stand or cabinet placed on solid flooring. If you don't look for a Thorens TD 125 or 126, but with a decent arm. The Thorens arms were mediocre at best.
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Yes sir! I upgraded my scout with the classic platter and love it!
 
lt.slothr0p said:
Hi Everybody! I'm currently running a Sansui SR-222 mkii with an Empire 2000Z cartridge. But I see a Marantz 6100 listed locally at a good price. I've always loved the look of Marantz gear (although the 222 looks cool too) but to what extent would the 6100 be an upgrade over my current turntable? In general, which tt would you prefer?
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neither.
Look for direct drive yamaha, kenwood, jvc, denon if you want to stick to vintage. you can consider Pioneer carefully, they make great dd tt but some popular models go for vulgar prices.
 
Blue Shadow said:
When new the Marantz was 129 and available for a couple years before the 222 II which was about the same price. Fairly similar in performance expectations but the newer 222 has better specs for wow and flutter and might have better signal to noise, rumble or whatever that one is. They are rated with different names so had to compare them but the wow and flutter is a good bit better on the Sansui.
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a very good point! thanks.
 
I got a Sansui SR-2050 in trade and have been using it as my living room TT for a while now. I have never owned a Marantz TT, but I have to say that my particular Sansui is really nice. After doing some research into Sansui TT's over the last bit, they seem to be really undervalued. They came up with some really unique features, and it appears to me that they put really nice arms on their mid-level and above decks. You may get more mileage out of a cart upgrade than a new deck. Those Marantz decks sure are pretty, though!
 
dualhead said:
I got a Sansui SR-2050 in trade and have been using it as my living room TT for a while now. I have never owned a Marantz TT, but I have to say that my particular Sansui is really nice. After doing some research into Sansui TT's over the last bit, they seem to be really undervalued. They came up with some really unique features, and it appears to me that they put really nice arms on their mid-level and above decks. You may get more mileage out of a cart upgrade than a new deck. Those Marantz decks sure are pretty, though!
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totally agree that the sansui tts are underrated, but part of what i LOVED about the sr-222 mkii was how few features it has! nothing auto lol. i recently got a new stylus for my vintage empire 2000Z (a total saga) but i am so happy to have it back. i was running an ATVME95E for a while, which will be a nice backup cart/stylus. now my signal chain is: empire 2000Z>>>sansui sr222mkii>>>pioneer sx-850-->klipsch r820f.
 
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