Do I 'up' my turntable budget?

[plastic penguin]

Looking to upgrade my Pro-ject Xpression. I've had it since 2006 and it has served me well. Prior to the Festive period I dem'd Pro-ject Classic, Xperience and Rega RP6 - all very good in their own way but felt they didn't justify the price tag.

Ideally I should ask for a home dem - and probably will. However, for some strange reason I'm taken by Pro-ject Xtension 9, even though I've not heard one or read any reviews.

Originally I had a 1k budget but may now increase it to a ex-dem Gyrodec or Xtension.

Your views would be appreciated.

Cheers, PP.

[Clifford.T Ward]

My advice would be to think carefully ...........

Do you want to ungrade to the situation where you feel content in lots of steps?

or

Make one good jump to a quality table that will last a life time?

I would go for the latter , I would save hard research well, plan and the audition as much as I could

Remember also rubbish in rubbish out .....a good table will only perform well if it is in a good system......so remember to make sure that the other links in the chain are good performers too!

[struth]

Michell make great decks. Had a a project carbon speedbox one once, it was good but not great. Gyro is on different planet. You could get a real nice second hand deck for that budget, and should consider going that way as you will get a much better deck. Using a forum to buy should ensure you get a good un.

[topoxforddoc]

Like John's advice, i would wait. For £1500-2000, you could get an excellent TT, which would probably keep you happy for a very long time. For that sort of money, you could get something like the following

Classic Idler - e.g. Garrard 401 or Thorens TD124/II - plus plinth
Classic DD - Technics SP10 or JBE Slate Deck
Classic Belt Drive - Logic DM101 (would come into your budget now)
Modern Belt Drive - Michell Gyro/Orbe, VPI Classic

Tonearm and cartridge to suit

[plastic penguin]

Thank you gentlemen.

I would like to add that I'm not a person who likes complicated set-ups: Bias and weighting the arm/cartridge is fine, so any prospective table will need to be reasonably simple to set-up.

Since 1979 I've only owned three tables: 2 Garrards and my current Pro-ject, so I'm not a box swapper, hence why I'm posing the question.

And, yes, I feel my amp and speakers are well upto taking a table such as a Gyro or Xtension.

[topoxforddoc]

I would like to add that I'm not a person who likes complicated set-ups: Bias and weighting the arm/cartridge is fine, so any prospective table will need to be reasonably simple to set-up.

Where would you put the TT? Wall mount or table mount? Solid or sprung floor? Just thinking about isolation from footfall etc

[Audio Al]

If you don't like faffing around buy a direct drive TT , you may snigger at my suggestion Technics 1210 models ( Modified ) or a Sony PS-6750 , idler and belt drive units with sprung suspensions = faffing

[Bigman80]

There is a Sony PS-8750 For Sale in Japan. It's in your budget even with import tax and you'd never want to replace it. Simpler Sony electronics so no need to worry about it going wrong but best of all it's immaculate. I tried to do a deal with the seller but he wouldn't budge.

Here's the link.

http://www.hifido.co.jp/KW/G/P0/A10/...8796-27351-00/



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[topoxforddoc]

Big Jap TTs from the 80s are fabulous - much better than the Press made them out to be at the time. My only concern would be servicing if it went wrong. Parts are unobtanium and one of the best Jap TT fettlers has disappeared with peoples' money and their TTs. No parts and bust electronics equals expensive paperweight. Adam (Beobloke) might be able to help with advice on where to get Jap DD TT repairs, if these float your boat.

The classic mechanical TTs have a substantial support network now from independents, who have remanufactured new parts and are able to restore and service them - hence long term enjoyment and likely to outlast the lifetime of the buyer.

[plastic penguin]

Where would you put the TT? Wall mount or table mount? Solid or sprung floor? Just thinking about isolation from footfall etc

It'll go on top of my hi-fi rack: 4-tier Sounds Unique. That should give adequate isolation.