Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

[Hollywood]

EISA BEST BUY TURNTABLE 2019-2020
Pro-Ject X1

I'm strongly considering this deck as my next turntable for all the reasons previously listed in this thread as well as all the global praise the Pro-Ject x1 has received since it's inception last year. But one can't help but wonder if the extra $500 to jump from the X1 to the beefier X2 is warranted At first glance they both look the same but when you look closely, there's some noticeable differences such as a thicker and heavier plinth for starters followed by a denser acrylic platter as well as a more sophisticated motor suspension and of course a better cartridge in the form of an Ortofon Pick-It 2M Silver (Here in ). But what about performance? Which I often think is the sum of all parts more than the record player itself. Does the X2 justify the higher price tag than it's less expensive little brother???

 

[HiFi Guy]

EISA BEST BUY TURNTABLE 2019-2020
Pro-Ject X1

I'm strongly considering this deck as my next turntable for all the reasons previously listed in this thread as well as all the global praise the Pro-Ject x1 has received since it's inception last year. But one can't help but wonder if the extra $500 to jump from the X1 to the beefier X2 is warranted At first glance they both look the same but when you look closely, there's some noticeable differences such as a thicker and heavier plinth for starters followed by a denser acrylic platter as well as a more sophisticated motor suspension and of course a better cartridge in the form of an Ortofon Pick-It 2M Silver (Here in ). But what about performance? Which I often think is the sum of all parts more than the record player itself. Does the X2 justify the higher price tag than it's less expensive little brother???

I wouldn’t make a choice on the X2 based at all upon the Ortofon Silver. It’s only slightly different from a Red.

 

[Rowan]

I wouldn’t make a choice on the X2 based at all upon the Ortofon Silver. It’s only slightly different from a Red.

Have you any experience or knowledge with any of the AT 7XX carts? My Nag MP200 is about 3 -4 years old now and is starting to get towards the end now. I almost fell off my chair when i saw the stylus replacement costs. As much as I love it I can get an AT VM740 for about £20 more than just the Nag stylus and I like the idea of being able to swap between the range so could try the Shibata 750 at some point too (plus the replacement stylus is £70 cheaper a shot). Looks like it may be a decent fit for my Rega Rb303 arm (although a ball ache to fit) but like anything that includes change... its a nerve wracking idea.

 

[Hollywood]

I wouldn’t make a choice on the X2 based at all upon the Ortofon Silver. It’s only slightly different from a Red.

So what's the difference between a 2M Silver and a Pick-It 2M Silver? The X1 comes equipped with a Pick-It S2 C in my neck of the woods, isn't that only marginally better than a 2M Red?

 

[Joe Mac]

I wouldn’t make a choice on the X2 based at all upon the Ortofon Silver. It’s only slightly different from a Red.

Sadly the the pick it mm on the X1 is a red re-voiced for Project too. At least with the silver it’s a stock ort so you can put the the blue on it. The real shame is that those carts are on tables at that price point...

 

[displayname]

EISA BEST BUY TURNTABLE 2019-2020
Pro-Ject X1

I'm strongly considering this deck as my next turntable for all the reasons previously listed in this thread as well as all the global praise the Pro-Ject x1 has received since it's inception last year. But one can't help but wonder if the extra $500 to jump from the X1 to the beefier X2 is warranted At first glance they both look the same but when you look closely, there's some noticeable differences such as a thicker and heavier plinth for starters followed by a denser acrylic platter as well as a more sophisticated motor suspension and of course a better cartridge in the form of an Ortofon Pick-It 2M Silver (Here in ). But what about performance? Which I often think is the sum of all parts more than the record player itself. Does the X2 justify the higher price tag than it's less expensive little brother???

I just glanced at the specs, and if I was considering these two tables, I would go with the X2 purely for the 9" tone arm. All the other upgrades further justify the cost. I've said before all the upgrades and exotic materials in the world can't fix geometry.

 

[Joe Mac]

So what's the difference between a 2M Silver and a Pick-It 2M Silver? The X1 comes equipped with a Pick-It S2 C in my neck of the woods, isn't that only marginally better than a 2M Red?

The silver is a red cart but with the coils in silver rather than copper and a red stylus on a silver piece of plastic rather than a red one. The pick it is a red but pro-ject worked with ortofon to have it re-voiced to their preferences rather than ortofons. Because of that the rebadged it as their own. I’d honestly not be hugely keen on it either, I’d be chatting with the dealer to see if you could get it without a cart or with maybe a Grado or something fitted if they stock them.

 

[Hollywood]

The silver is a red cart but with the coils in silver rather than copper and a red stylus on a silver piece of plastic rather than a red on. The pick it is a red but pro-ject worked with ortofon to have it re-voiced to their preferences rather than ortofons. Because of that the rebadged it as their own. I’d honestly not be hugely keen on it either, I’d be chatting with the dealer to see if you could get it without a cart or with maybe a Grado or something fitted if they stock them.

They do but that will significantly bring the price up won't it?

 

[Joe Mac]

They do but that will significantly bring the price up won't it?

If they sell them with no cart too then no. It’ll have a lower price and you’ll pay for the new cart, they should fit it for free. It might be more if the new cart is more than the cost of stock cart.

For example the dealer I use in the uk sells the new classic evo cartridge free for £200 less than it comes with the stock ortofon mc cartridge.

If they don’t sell the with a no cart option then if they are good should give you a discount or trade back deal because the stock cart has no use on it. It will likely cost more in that scenario.

The only way to truly find out is to ring them and ask.

Also if you’re looking for more info on the x2 level of pro-ject you should chat with @Mather - from what I can tell it’s the table that replaced the one he has in their line up.

 

[Hollywood]

Sadly the the pick it mm on the X1 is a red re-voiced for Project too. At least with the silver it’s a stock ort so you can put the the blue on it. The real shame is that those carts are on tables at that price point...

Why stock such an expensive piece of machinery with a budget cartridge?

 

[Hollywood]

If they sell them with no cart too then no. It’ll have a lower price and you’ll pay for the new cart, they should fit it for free. It might be more if the new cart is more than the cost of stock cart.

For example the dealer I use in the uk sells the new classic evo cartridge free for £200 less than it comes with the stock ortofon mc cartridge.

If they don’t sell the with a no cart option then if they are good should give you a discount or trade back deal because the stock cart has no use on it. It will likely cost more in that scenario.

The only way to truly find out is to ring them and ask.

Also if you’re looking for more info on the x2 level of pro-ject you should chat with @Mather - from what I can tell it’s the table that replaced the one he has in their line up.

They're closed today but I might ring them tomorrow and see what they can do for me. Having said that, I'm not necessarily in the market for a new TT, I'm just entertaining the idea at this point. However I am supposed to receive a chunk of cash from my employer in the next few months in the form of retroactive pay

 

[Joe Mac]

Why stock such an expensive piece of machinery with a budget cartridge?

i suppose the 2m’s aren’t cheap, whatever we may think of them, they use that line in their entry to higher entry level tables (debut to x) and the silver was on the previous itteration of these tables too. They tend to use the om ortofons on their budget and the classic seems to be where they start with the mc ortofons. As for why ortofon? Themselves and project clearly have some sort of deal and working releationship, project built an ortofon badged turntable for them to sell for their 100th anniversary too.

 

[Joe Mac]

They're closed today but I might ring them tomorrow and see what they can do for me. Having said that, I'm not necessarily in the market for a new TT, I'm just entertaining the idea at this point. However I am supposed to receive a chunk of cash from my employer in the next few months in the form of retroactive pay

Yeah it’s always worth the conversation, they’ll have a better handle on the models and which ones they can get a dealer specific deal from the distributor to allow a bit of wiggle with the cartridge. They may even suggest something completely left field too and should offer to let you try in store before you buy. But yeah I get it, sometimes the looking can be half the fun, even if just out of curiosity and you don’t buy.

 

[HiFi Guy]

The silver is a red cart but with the coils in silver rather than copper and a red stylus on a silver piece of plastic rather than a red on. The pick it is a red but pro-ject worked with ortofon to have it re-voiced to their preferences rather than ortofons. Because of that the rebadged it as their own. I’d honestly not be hugely keen on it either, I’d be chatting with the dealer to see if you could get it without a cart or with maybe a Grado or something fitted if they stock them.

I’ve not heard a Silver, but know the Red well. Considering the Silver is a Red with silver coils, I’d imagine I’d like it even less than a Red. I’d want to put a Blue stylus on it ASAP.

Probably the two best sounding budget cartridges would be a Grado Blue3 or an Audio Technica ATVM95ML. I’d gladly take either one over an Ortofon.

 

[Hollywood]

Yeah it’s always worth the conversation, they’ll have a better handle on the models and which ones they can get a dealer specific deal for the distributor from to allow a bit of wiggle with the cartridge. They may even suggest something completely left field too and should offer to let you try in store before you buy. But yeah I get it, sometimes the looking can be half the fun, even if just out of curiosity and you don’t buy.

I'm also considering branching out completely from Pro-Ject if the right deal presents itself. I just don't know enough about the competition and comparables unfortunately. Music Hall's MMF 7.3, the Marantz TT 15S1, or the Technics SL-1500C perhaps?

 

[HiFi Guy]

I'm also considering branching out completely from Pro-Ject if the right deal presents itself. I just don't know enough about the competition and comparables unfortunately. Music Hall's MMF 7.3, the Marantz TT 15S1, or the Technics SL-1500C perhaps?

Well, the Music Hall is a Pro-Ject. It’s built in the same factory in the Czech Republic.

The Marantz is built by Clearaudio in Germany. It’s well regarded but the setup is supposed to be more involved than average. Also- no dust cover.

The Technics has a built in phono stage with bypass. Not something I like seeing at the price point. Also comes with a pre mounted Ortofon 2m Red. This table is “Technics Lite”- for someone who wants a real Technics (like the GR) but can’t afford it.

Of the 3, I’d buy the Marantz. Better yet, check out the MoFi Studiodeck.

 

[Hollywood]

Well, the Music Hall is a Pro-Ject. It’s built in the same factory in the Czech Republic.

The Marantz is built by Clearaudio in Germany. It’s well regarded but the setup is supposed to be more involved than average. Also- no dust cover.

The Technics has a built in phono stage with bypass. Not something I like seeing at the price point. Also comes with a pre mounted Ortofon 2m Red. This table is “Technics Lite”- for someone who wants a real Technics (like the GR) but can’t afford it.

Of the 3, I’d buy the Marantz. Better yet, check out the MoFi Studiodeck.

Thanks for the rec! I'll be sure to check it out.

 

[Hollywood]

Thanks for the rec! I'll be sure to check it out.

Unfortunately the Mofi Studiodeck is not available locally. ☹

 

[Rip_City]

Finally took that next step. LX2-LPS phono arrived!
I also bit on an open box PLX-1000 for $515. Can't wait for that to arrive!

 

[AnthonyI]

Finally took that next step. LX2-LPS phono arrived!
I also bit on an open box PLX-1000 for $515. Can't wait for that to arrive!

View attachment 65170

View attachment 65171

Very nice, and nice price on the PLX