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Which is more important? A new turntable or buying more vinyl?

I like a lot of the options given. Since it doesn't sound like your stopping shopping for records anytime soon, maybe go with option 1. Perhaps you just need a new flavor or 3 of cartridge. Maybe while you are enjoying those new flavors and enjoying all your new vinyl you can daydream about the next turntable, or speakers, or....
Quite the wonderful conundrum you have there.
 
Now with more info, travels and record shopping, I’d get a new table, period if you want but something better. Don’t read the current 1229 or Kenwood 5070 thread as it has major Dual is the winner content and we know the 125 is just better.

Anyway, with the new table spinning at home you will still be able to skip Starbucks and buy a few records on these trips. That hunt won’t end and you won’t stop buying so get the table and scrape up some sofa cushion money to bring home new records, I mean travel rewards.
 
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ESP said:
I like a lot of the options given. Since it doesn't sound like your stopping shopping for records anytime soon, maybe go with option 1. Perhaps you just need a new flavor or 3 of cartridge. Maybe while you are enjoying those new flavors and enjoying all your new vinyl you can daydream about the next turntable, or speakers, or....
Quite the wonderful conundrum you have there.
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Wonderful, but brain twisting.
 
Blue Shadow said:
Now with more info, travels and record shopping, I’d get a new table, period if you want but something better. Don’t read the 1229 or KD-5070 thread as it has major Dual is the winner content and we know the 125 is just better.

Anyway, with the new table spinning at home you will still be able to skip Starbucks and buy a few records on these trips. That hunt won’t end and you won’t stop buying so get the table and scrape up some sofa cushion money to bring home new records, I mean travel rewards.
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Solid advice. Thanks
 
Kingpin5 said:
Am I hearing the voice of experience?
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Have had a few sets for short periods but that 28” was a recent purchase to move them on and I had the stands as well as a pair of Sansui speakers a friend abandoned here. They were 28” tall, lifted the 901s above the height of arms on living room chairs, end tables and other things in the room allowing the direct/reflecting to work much better. I’ve written a bunch about 901s and a search will bring up a bunch you might like to read about them and other speakers we sold, Dahlquist, Magneplanar, Epicure and DCM as well as pics of that last set hanging in a friend’s Dog House, out building driven by big Crown power to party levels. Nothing in the way. One post. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...t-is-it-deserved.1061065/page-5#post-17154584
 
Maybe I missed it, but what are the cartridges you are presently using? There are many vintage cartridges which may offer a step up in quality in the sound department. I applaud your attachment to vintage.

Of course, there are components which have made significant improvements in sound quality over the years. Maybe speakers more than other components, at least in general. And, I would think phono preamps, too. With your timely approval of management, it would seem to be a good time for exploring some new possibilities.
 
Blue Shadow said:
Have had a few sets for short periods but that 28” was a recent purchase to move them on and I had the stands as well as a pair of Sansui speakers a friend abandoned here. They were 28” tall, lifted the 901s above the height of arms on living room chairs, end tables and other things in the room allowing the direct/reflecting to work much better. I’ve written a bunch about 901s and a search will bring up a bunch you might like to read about them and other speakers we sold, Dahlquist, Magneplanar, Epicure and DCM as well as pics of that last set hanging in a friend’s Dog House, out building driven by big Crown power to party levels. Nothing in the way. One post. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...t-is-it-deserved.1061065/page-5#post-17154584
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I’m impressed with your experience with 901s. I especially liked how you described the differences between speakers. The double bass player wearing a red ascot was a nice touch. If anything I will continue to lust after the 901s.
 
sound hound said:
Maybe I missed it, but what are the cartridges you are presently using? There are many vintage cartridges which may offer a step up in quality in the sound department. I applaud your attachment to vintage.

Of course, there are components which have made significant improvements in sound quality over the years. Maybe speakers more than other components, at least in general. And, I would think phono preamps, too. With your timely approval of management, it would seem to be a good time for exploring some new possibilities.
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The TD-165 has a Grado black. This deck is the candidate for a Mono cartridge.
The 1229 has a Shure V15 III w/a Jico stylus. This deck will just get a refresh on the stylus.
The 1219 has lesser Shure cartridge. I cannot recall which and I’m away for the holidays. This deck is the candidate for a 78 rpm cartridge.

As for phono preamps both Duals are hooked into a Marantz 3200 Stereo Console which is fed into a 2230b receiver that I’m currently very happy with and replacing it might give me the “shouldn’t haves”.

The more I think about it the more speakers are beginning to sound appealing. There may be a new thread started. Ha ha
 
As others have mentioned, I think speakers would give you the most noticeable change, hopefully for the better, but even a lateral change can be exciting, and bring a fix to upgrade-itis.

As far as phono preamps, you could try something new that has a good return policy. If you love it, keep it. If not, send it back.

Also, have either of the Marantz pieces ever been refurbished? I recapped my SAE preamp a few years ago, and the difference was astounding.
 
WillVT said:
As others have mentioned, I think speakers would give you the most noticeable change, hopefully for the better, but even a lateral change can be exciting, and bring a fix to upgrade-itis.

As far as phono preamps, you could try something new that has a good return policy. If you love it, keep it. If not, send it back.

Also, have either of the Marantz pieces ever been refurbished? I recapped my SAE preamp a few years ago, and the difference was astounding.
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The receivers have not been recapped. I’m no mavin with a soldering iron. I’m very hesitant to begin a recap project because of my lack of experience and concern I’d jack it up. I’ve watched dozens of YouTube videos. WhiLe they make it look simple I’m one of those guys for whom a home repair job requires multiple trips to the hardware store.
I know a guy locally who will repair gear, but recapping a unit may be a bridge too far. However, the receivers are in mint condition.
 
Kingpin5 said:
The receivers have not been recapped. I’m no mavin with a soldering iron. I’m very hesitant to begin a recap project because of my lack of experience and concern I’d jack it up. I’ve watched dozens of YouTube videos. WhiLe they make it look simple I’m one of those guys for whom a home repair job requires multiple trips to the hardware store.
I know a guy locally who will repair gear, but recapping a unit may be a bridge too far. However, the receivers are in mint condition.
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Some people look down on recapping working gear. As a guy with decades of electronics experience (outside the audio industry) it is essential for old electrolytics.

Pick up something low buck unit at a thrift, use that to test your soldering skills & build a process. Soldering is not hard (many times I soldered under a microscope at work, that has some challenges) but does require practice. Practice on junk. If you decide to throw in the towel, very little $ lost but experience gained.
 
heavyrock said:
Some people look down on recapping working gear. As a guy with decades of electronics experience (outside the audio industry) it is essential for old electrolytics.

Pick up something low buck unit at a thrift, use that to test your soldering skills & build a process. Soldering is not hard (many times I soldered under a microscope at work, that has some challenges) but does require practice. Practice on junk. If you decide to throw in the towel, very little $ lost but experience gained.
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My Friend, this is the most encouraging and patient advice I’ve received on building a skill set. I’ve thought about doing this very process, but kinda ruled it out because of my schedule. I have a long break at home this Spring. I may do exactly as you advise. Thank you.
 
Kingpin5 said:
My Friend, this is the most encouraging and patient advice I’ve received on building a skill set. I’ve thought about doing this very process, but kinda ruled it out because of my schedule. I have a long break at home this Spring. I may do exactly as you advise. Thank you.
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There are a lot of folks here who can help you each step of the way.
 
WillVT said:
There are a lot of folks here who can help you each step of the way.
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I have read many, many threads on gear repair. There are quite a few generous souls on AK who are willing to help without judgement. AK is a First Class site.
 
Nyjblbob said:
A better and ultimately maybe cheaper way would be Buy a Quality Dac, subscribe to Spotify, or tidal.
Stream any song any time with near close quality.
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I am in the process of a small class d amp return do to being mis-represented by Amazon. I will repurchase it new. What you suggest is where I am heading. (I will probably keep some LP's, not this thousands of records space suckers)
 
You already got a ton of great advice. I red and listened to AK and now my home is like an audio store / museum
Have 10 working TT…I know…
Among those I have VPI, Fairchild, Garrard 301 and 401 two tricked out Lenco and a few nice DD from Japan
During covid built three of the vintage ones with new heavy plinth and high quality arms, vintage cartridges and so on
Finding the parts ordering them and eventually ending up with working TT sounding pretty darn good is a joy in itself
Either keep your tables for fun and comparison and get something better or sell them and find the project
Then get a better phono stage and/ or speakers
Btw I do streaming as well (Qobuz) but keep buying records (3000 now)
Also, big fan of vintage speakers Ads, RCA and Altec to name a few
Enjoy the blessing of this community and the music and keep us psted
Happy new year to you all!
 
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