Turntable Purchase Advice

G

GreatWagnero

New Member
New member, and this my first post here. After a decade long hiatus, vinyl has pulled me back in (I feel like Al Pacino in Godfather III). Having gone from zero to 150 plus desired new or minty pressings in a few weeks (ecommerce is a glorious thing), I need a turntable! I am kicking myself for having sold my collection and turntable back then. My cost to replace my favorite pressings is far greater than the price for which I sold them. Vinyl prices have gone crazy.

I had previously ordered a Music Hall 9.3 w/Goldring LX MC cart and Rega MC phono stage. Unfortunately, my turntable delivery keeps getting pushed back. Now it is "late May". So, I have decided to go a different direction.

I once owned an MMF-7 with the high output Eroica. Loved that cart. Had tried a Shure cart (V15 maybe?) in those days and it definitely had a different sound than the Eroica. My preference was for the Eroica.

So, because of my preference for the Goldring sound, and the positive experience with Music Hall, my heart was set on the 9.3. The black 9.3 is also aesthetically appealing to me. However, after a long wait that now appears to be extended by a minimum of 2 months, I am going to seek an in-stock turntable.

Suggestions for a low output MC cart and turntable combination in the $3,000 range are welcome. Desire equal or better specs, build quality, and cart sound as compared to 9.3 with LX MC. For those familiar with the difference between Shure and Goldring, perhaps you know the "feel" I'm seeking with a cart.

Thanks in advance for any help as I jump headlong into the abyss. My gear: Anthem AVM-50, Anthem MCA-525, Klipsch RF-7 mains.
 
I'd recommend the Technics SL-1200GR (silver) or Technics SL-1210GR (black). I believe the 1210 is in stock now at crutchfield and other places. I just upgraded to the 1200GR and love it. You can find them for $1700, which would leave you $1300 for the cart, which would be more than enough for a high qaulity low output MC cart.
 
I'd make absolutely sure that the MH 9.3 is something you're willing to give up for more immediate gratification. I know two months seems like a long wait right now, but it really isn't. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to preach patience or anything, but you mentioned your "heart was set". Just make sure you're absolutely fine with moving on to something else. If you're not, rest assured, buyer's remorse will last a lot longer than two months.

Don't mean to be a downer. I'm just hoping you enjoy your purchase.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. The Technics SL-1200GR looks like a great table. My preference is for belt drive, though I recognize there are tradeoffs between belt and direct drive designs.

Also, the "late May" in stock is apparently optimistic. Today I was told that they are transitioning to Chinese manufacturing and this is a completely open-ended situation, not to mention I have concerns about quality control as a "first customer" after manufacturing has been relocated. Have not confirmed this manufacturing relocation with anyone official, but that is what I was told by a dealer who stocks Music Hall.

I did make a purchase: the VPI Super Scout 21 with the 10.5" tonearm & easy VTA. Chose the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC * ES as it is known to be on the warmer side (which I liked with my old Eroica). I exchanged my Rega fono for a Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ as it could be configured for the Zephyr. The Rega was maxed at 400 ohm load setting which was not ideal for this cart.

Went over budget, but I'm convinced that I will be happy, not to mention that I really like the aesthetic of the VPI Super Scout. Some other tables I considered didn't thrill me aesthetically.

Thanks again for your thoughts and hope to be dropping the needle in about 2 weeks!
 
GreatWagnero said:
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. The Technics SL-1200GR looks like a great table. My preference is for belt drive, though I recognize there are tradeoffs between belt and direct drive designs.

Also, the "late May" in stock is apparently optimistic. Today I was told that they are transitioning to Chinese manufacturing and this is a completely open-ended situation, not to mention I have concerns about quality control as a "first customer" after manufacturing has been relocated. Have not confirmed this manufacturing relocation with anyone official, but that is what I was told by a dealer who stocks Music Hall.

I did make a purchase: the VPI Super Scout 21 with the 10.5" tonearm & easy VTA. Chose the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC * ES as it is known to be on the warmer side (which I liked with my old Eroica). I exchanged my Rega fono for a Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ as it could be configured for the Zephyr. The Rega was maxed at 400 ohm load setting which was not ideal for this cart.

Went over budget, but I'm convinced that I will be happy, not to mention that I really like the aesthetic of the VPI Super Scout. Some other tables I considered didn't thrill me aesthetically.

Thanks again for your thoughts and hope to be dropping the needle in about 2 weeks!
Click to expand...
I run that cartridge and like it very, very much. Detailed but not harsh, superb channel separation.
 
GreatWagnero said:
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. The Technics SL-1200GR looks like a great table. My preference is for belt drive, though I recognize there are tradeoffs between belt and direct drive designs.

Also, the "late May" in stock is apparently optimistic. Today I was told that they are transitioning to Chinese manufacturing and this is a completely open-ended situation, not to mention I have concerns about quality control as a "first customer" after manufacturing has been relocated. Have not confirmed this manufacturing relocation with anyone official, but that is what I was told by a dealer who stocks Music Hall.

I did make a purchase: the VPI Super Scout 21 with the 10.5" tonearm & easy VTA. Chose the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC * ES as it is known to be on the warmer side (which I liked with my old Eroica). I exchanged my Rega fono for a Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ as it could be configured for the Zephyr. The Rega was maxed at 400 ohm load setting which was not ideal for this cart.

Went over budget, but I'm convinced that I will be happy, not to mention that I really like the aesthetic of the VPI Super Scout. Some other tables I considered didn't thrill me aesthetically.

Thanks again for your thoughts and hope to be dropping the needle in about 2 weeks!
Click to expand...
You have a great table for life coming. That will always have support, parts, upgrades, etc. available. Send us a pic when you get setup. HW recommends putting it on a 2" maple block/cutting board. Look for John Boos on Ebay or Amz.

ps Did you happen to get the VPI/Nordost interconnect ?
 
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