Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

Angsty said:
From what I’ve seen the Rega is a very good performer. A major upgrade from the Onkyo built-in.

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Home review

How do you improve the almost perfect? Rega has managed it with the Fono MM MK3
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www.audiosciencereview.com

Rega Fono MM MK3 Phono Preamp Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Rega Fono MM MK3 phono stage. It was kindly sent to me by a member and costs US $395. Despite its relatively high price, it only supports Moving Magnet cartridges. I was disappointed in the plastic case and overall look: EDIT: case is actually...
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Yeah he suggested it's the one he wanted and the reviews are pretty glowing all around. Especially considering he said he plans to stick with Nag and won't be going MC. I wasn't sure if there were any sort of compliance issues regarding the system he's running because I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT OHMS STUFF. But I figured it would be fine, everything very standard in his rig.
 
Mather said:
Yeah he suggested it's the one he wanted and the reviews are pretty glowing all around. Especially considering he said he plans to stick with Nag and won't be going MC. I wasn't sure if there were any sort of compliance issues regarding the system he's running because I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THAT OHMS STUFF. But I figured it would be fine, everything very standard in his rig.
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Fluance with Nag should not be a compliance issue. All MM cartridges use the same 47k ohm loading- no problem there with Rega.
 
I know I've asked this before, but I am getting close to upgrade time on the turntable. Last upgrade for a while other than playing with carts and other accessories.

I'll be moving from a uTurn. I've maxed out its performance in my opinion with the below and a Grado Gold 3 cart.

I currently have this as the rest of my chain:
Sutherland Insight > Leak Stereo 130 > Wharfedale Lintons.

Aesthetically, I have a nice Silver/Walnut thing going on which looks great. Mostly listen to rock/jazz and love the inherent warmth that my system has. Would perhaps love just a tad more analytical/clarity to it, but great records sound great.

So from what I've looked at, my endgame forever table would be something like the Feickert Volare or a VPI Prime/Prime Scout (the Frankenstein one at Upsacle has my eye), but I finally got my wife's (limited) okay with an upgrade and I don't think one for $4k is in the cards. If I can convince her of that (other than buying lottery tickets due to my luck) anyone have opinions on those tables?

More realistically, I'm going to be in the $1500-2500 range. The Mofi UltraDeck is at the top of that and while I like the idea of it, aesthetically it doesn't do a lot for me. My least favorite thing about the uTurn is the belt, I want switching between 33 and 45 to be as easy as possible and not have to deal with the belt falling off a lot like it does switching on the uturn. The Technics 1210 would be great, but I don't know when I last saw the silver in stock (and 4OE sold out of the black). I've looked at the Project X2, Marantz TT15S1, and the VPI Scout. They all look nice, but none really distinguish themselves at least from what I've read. Also, I live 2 hours from an audio dealer, so trying these in person is not likely. I have a lead on an UltraDeck at the old price, with cart fwiw that may or may not be there when I'm officially ready. Not looking at Regas as they seem fussy, are pricey in the US, and I like Grados (so avoiding hum is important).

I have a Grado Gold3 as I said and have no issue getting an 8mz stylus and moving it over, so no cart needed. I eventually want to try the upper series with them. I don't want an onboard preamp, so that knocks out the Technics 1500.

Thoughts? Opinions? Unreasonable hatred for one of my choices? I'd be curious in everyone's opinion as this is my trusted spot on the internet as y'all are closer to me than anywhere else on the internet when it comes to these sort of things. I haven't been directed wrong when it comes to the Insight and Lintons, which I love. I also love the Leak too. Most importantly, I want a turntable that I'll love.
 
wmeugene said:
I know I've asked this before, but I am getting close to upgrade time on the turntable. Last upgrade for a while other than playing with carts and other accessories.

I'll be moving from a uTurn. I've maxed out its performance in my opinion with the below and a Grado Gold 3 cart.

I currently have this as the rest of my chain:
Sutherland Insight > Leak Stereo 130 > Wharfedale Lintons.

Aesthetically, I have a nice Silver/Walnut thing going on which looks great. Mostly listen to rock/jazz and love the inherent warmth that my system has. Would perhaps love just a tad more analytical/clarity to it, but great records sound great.

So from what I've looked at, my endgame forever table would be something like the Feickert Volare or a VPI Prime/Prime Scout (the Frankenstein one at Upsacle has my eye), but I finally got my wife's (limited) okay with an upgrade and I don't think one for $4k is in the cards. If I can convince her of that (other than buying lottery tickets due to my luck) anyone have opinions on those tables?

More realistically, I'm going to be in the $1500-2500 range. The Mofi UltraDeck is at the top of that and while I like the idea of it, aesthetically it doesn't do a lot for me. My least favorite thing about the uTurn is the belt, I want switching between 33 and 45 to be as easy as possible and not have to deal with the belt falling off a lot like it does switching on the uturn. The Technics 1210 would be great, but I don't know when I last saw the silver in stock (and 4OE sold out of the black). I've looked at the Project X2, Marantz TT15S1, and the VPI Scout. They all look nice, but none really distinguish themselves at least from what I've read. Also, I live 2 hours from an audio dealer, so trying these in person is not likely. I have a lead on an UltraDeck at the old price, with cart fwiw that may or may not be there when I'm officially ready. Not looking at Regas as they seem fussy, are pricey in the US, and I like Grados (so avoiding hum is important).

I have a Grado Gold3 as I said and have no issue getting an 8mz stylus and moving it over, so no cart needed. I eventually want to try the upper series with them. I don't want an onboard preamp, so that knocks out the Technics 1500.

Thoughts? Opinions? Unreasonable hatred for one of my choices? I'd be curious in everyone's opinion as this is my trusted spot on the internet as y'all are closer to me than anywhere else on the internet when it comes to these sort of things. I haven't been directed wrong when it comes to the Insight and Lintons, which I love. I also love the Leak too. Most importantly, I want a turntable that I'll love.
Click to expand...

If that aesthetic is important to you would you consider vintage? There are plenty of options out there and there are companies now who specialise in refurbishing and/or modernising them. For that look new the Pro-Ject Classic Evo is the closest for new but if you don’t feel that the X2 is right then the Classic, being a turntable at the same price range from the same manufacturer, shares similarities so isn’t going to be right either. If you can find a technics in silver then there is a company in London that does this for the GR that might interest you…

audiogold.co.uk

Audio Gold Turntable Isolation Plinth – to fit Technics/Audio Technica | Audio Gold

audiogold.co.uk audiogold.co.uk
 
Joe Mac said:
If that aesthetic is important to you would you consider vintage? There are plenty of options out there and there are companies now who specialise in refurbishing and/or modernising them. For that look new the Pro-Ject Classic Evo is the closest for new but if you don’t feel that the X2 is right then the Classic, being a turntable at the same price range from the same manufacturer, shares similarities so isn’t going to be right either. If you can find a technics in silver then there is a company in London that does this for the GR that might interest you…

audiogold.co.uk

Audio Gold Turntable Isolation Plinth – to fit Technics/Audio Technica | Audio Gold

audiogold.co.uk audiogold.co.uk
Click to expand...
I'm a little terrified of vintage to be honest. I know there's some great values there, but I'd be a little worried about getting something that needs a lot of work or may have compatibility problems. I know that may be an unnecessary worry.

I'd be curious about thoughts on the Pro-Jects, I don't know if they would be right or not for me.

I saw the plinth you linked and would definitely consider one if I ordered a Technics.
 
Joe Mac said:
If that aesthetic is important to you would you consider vintage? There are plenty of options out there and there are companies now who specialise in refurbishing and/or modernising them. For that look new the Pro-Ject Classic Evo is the closest for new but if you don’t feel that the X2 is right then the Classic, being a turntable at the same price range from the same manufacturer, shares similarities so isn’t going to be right either. If you can find a technics in silver then there is a company in London that does this for the GR that might interest you…

audiogold.co.uk

Audio Gold Turntable Isolation Plinth – to fit Technics/Audio Technica | Audio Gold

audiogold.co.uk audiogold.co.uk
Click to expand...
So the ProJect Classic Evo in Walnut is pretty sexy, definitely will put that on the list.
 
wmeugene said:
I know I've asked this before, but I am getting close to upgrade time on the turntable. Last upgrade for a while other than playing with carts and other accessories.

I'll be moving from a uTurn. I've maxed out its performance in my opinion with the below and a Grado Gold 3 cart.

I currently have this as the rest of my chain:
Sutherland Insight > Leak Stereo 130 > Wharfedale Lintons.

Aesthetically, I have a nice Silver/Walnut thing going on which looks great. Mostly listen to rock/jazz and love the inherent warmth that my system has. Would perhaps love just a tad more analytical/clarity to it, but great records sound great.

So from what I've looked at, my endgame forever table would be something like the Feickert Volare or a VPI Prime/Prime Scout (the Frankenstein one at Upsacle has my eye), but I finally got my wife's (limited) okay with an upgrade and I don't think one for $4k is in the cards. If I can convince her of that (other than buying lottery tickets due to my luck) anyone have opinions on those tables?

More realistically, I'm going to be in the $1500-2500 range. The Mofi UltraDeck is at the top of that and while I like the idea of it, aesthetically it doesn't do a lot for me. My least favorite thing about the uTurn is the belt, I want switching between 33 and 45 to be as easy as possible and not have to deal with the belt falling off a lot like it does switching on the uturn. The Technics 1210 would be great, but I don't know when I last saw the silver in stock (and 4OE sold out of the black). I've looked at the Project X2, Marantz TT15S1, and the VPI Scout. They all look nice, but none really distinguish themselves at least from what I've read. Also, I live 2 hours from an audio dealer, so trying these in person is not likely. I have a lead on an UltraDeck at the old price, with cart fwiw that may or may not be there when I'm officially ready. Not looking at Regas as they seem fussy, are pricey in the US, and I like Grados (so avoiding hum is important).

I have a Grado Gold3 as I said and have no issue getting an 8mz stylus and moving it over, so no cart needed. I eventually want to try the upper series with them. I don't want an onboard preamp, so that knocks out the Technics 1500.

Thoughts? Opinions? Unreasonable hatred for one of my choices? I'd be curious in everyone's opinion as this is my trusted spot on the internet as y'all are closer to me than anywhere else on the internet when it comes to these sort of things. I haven't been directed wrong when it comes to the Insight and Lintons, which I love. I also love the Leak too. Most importantly, I want a turntable that I'll love.
Click to expand...
The belt on the UTurn is a pain in the ass. The belt on the MoFis aren’t. It’s super easy and nothing falls off.

That said, if you don’t like the cosmetics….but don’t let the belt stop you.

I’ll look around and see if I can find a 1200GR (silver) for you. I know a few “off the beaten path” places.
 
wmeugene said:
I'm a little terrified of vintage to be honest. I know there's some great values there, but I'd be a little worried about getting something that needs a lot of work or may have compatibility problems. I know that may be an unnecessary worry.

I'd be curious about thoughts on the Pro-Jects, I don't know if they would be right or not for me.

I saw the plinth you linked and would definitely consider one if I ordered a Technics.
Click to expand...

My feeling is that the pro-jects have a ceiling of value. Upto about €1200, which is the X2 or the classic evo, they’re decent tables in their price ranges and a good option with a little bit of stretch with the right upgrades. Past that and I’m not so keen. If the technics 1200 GR is in the running and you can get hold of one I’d totally be going there. It’s just better to begin with and has even more stretch with things like the funk firm acromat apm, KAB tonearm damper and better isolation to begin with.
 
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