New turntable dilemma - which one to choose between 2.

[Yorkshireman]

I have decided to add a turn table to my system ( and break out the stored vinyl ), and have narrowed it down to 2 setups,
both are used, and are the total same cost.

1. Michell Gyro SE, SME 309, Denon DL-110, Whest two phono stage.

2. Kuzma Stabi S, Stogi S, Linn K18, Lejonklou Gaio phono stage.

Any comments, things to look out for, etc welcome.

Mark

[Stratmangler]

Why the cartridge choices?

[mikeyb]

It won't matter which one, because within weeks you'll be upgrading anyway, it's the nature of the beast and it can't be killed [emoji6]

Both are excellent turntables I would go for the one you like the look of best and enjoy.

Just

[struth]

had a whest 2...i wouldnt again. but the gyro is a good deck. dl110 is decent, but can be improved and sold easily enough as could the whest if you dont like it. Think its more a case of which tt floats your boat

[Yorkshireman]

Why the cartridge choices?

basically both are in for free

[Yorkshireman]

had a whest 2...i wouldnt again. but the gyro is a good deck. dl110 is decent, but can be improved and sold easily enough as could the whest if you dont like it. Think its more a case of which tt floats your boat

Grant, looks wise I love the Gyro and the sme arm, very visual, but i also love the simple uncluttered look of the Kuzma.

What was it with the Whest 2 you didnt like ?.

[Yorkshireman]

It won't matter which one, because within weeks you'll be upgrading anyway, it's the nature of the beast and it can't be killed [emoji6]

Both are excellent turntables I would go for the one you like the look of best and enjoy.

Just

:thumbsup:

[struth]

i Like the look of the Stabli too.. solid oak and a good psu. arm might be an issue for me. I like a detachable headshell as it makes life a lot more simple. sme arms are very good bits of kit

[Si74]

Stogi S is the nicest arm I've ever owned and I've owned rather a lot so I'd being going for the second set up.

[bob4333]

Gyro + SME = Choice pairing.:)

Both well engineered and likely to hold their price if you decide that ultimately they're not for you. You don't see too many advertised, folk tend to hang on to them.

And both will work well with other combo's if you decide to split. The 309 is capable of taking a better cartridge if your experience takes you that way.

Visually the Kuzma leaves me cold. :uhho: (but, I know, we don't listen with our eyes).

[sq225917]

12" Stabi stogi owner here. Central Sheffield if you'd like a listen.

[Yorkshireman]

Gyro + SME = Choice pairing.:)

Both well engineered and likely to hold their price if you decide that ultimately they're not for you. You don't see too many advertised, folk tend to hang on to them.

And both will work well with other combo's if you decide to split. The 309 is capable of taking a better cartridge if your experience takes you that way.

Visually the Kuzma leaves me cold. :uhho: (but, I know, we don't listen with our eyes).

Hi Bob, thanks for the insight, my preference is leaning towards the Kuzma.

[Yorkshireman]

12" Stabi stogi owner here. Central Sheffield if you'd like a listen.

Hi Simon, thanks for the offer, what phono stage would you suggest using with the Kuzma ?.
If i get it I may have to enlist your help in setting it up.

[YNWaN]

Personally I'm not that keen on the sound of the Michell decks.

[Floyddroid]

Vircon on here has a Kuzma and it sounds terrific. Much less of a mechanical sound that you can get from the Michell. I know i heve had three Michell's A Gyro, a Gyro SE and an Orbe. The Kuzma was much more involving to my ears. I had a top end Whest too, never again!

[Yorkshireman]

Well i have been favoring the Kuzma over the Michell,
Is there any big advantage of the Stogi S over the Stogi tonearm, to me the Stogi looks a better design than the Stogi S,
but looks can be deceiving.

[Floyddroid]

Well i have been favoring the Kuzma over the Michell,
Is there any big advantage of the Stogi S over the Stogi tonearm, to me the Stogi looks a better design than the Stogi S,
but looks can be deceiving.

Not something I would know. However, i will ask Vircon.

[Bksabath]

Hi Simon, thanks for the offer, what phono stage would you suggest using with the Kuzma ?.
If i get it I may have to enlist your help in setting it up.

Be really nice and Simon will make a paradise for you :D

+ chance to listen to the Yam :goodluck:

[sq225917]

I'd match the phonostage to your cart choice. I run a Benz LP and a Paradise. The Paradise will run any MC cart between 0.15mV and 0.5mV, cart loading easily adjustable to each cart. Let me know if you fancy a listen. It's set up with a Bruno Putzeys pre, pair of 120 watt monos and Yamaha NS1000m with RAAL ribbon tweeters.

The S is a unipivot, some people, myself included, prefer the fluidity that a good unipivot can deliver. I'm not wedded to the concept, it was the only sensibly priced 12" I could have fitted at the time, not being a fan of SME arms which I find a touch cold and sterile.

[bob4333]

Hi Bob, thanks for the insight, my preference is leaning towards the Kuzma.

Nothing amiss with that, form follows function.

Good luck with it, and it looks as though there are a lot of people on here with experience of the Kuzma prepared to help.

[Yorkshireman]

Just like to thank everyone for all there input, its all very welcome, and will help me make my decision,
I picked these 2 turntables as they are available used, and both have a good reputation from there user's.

Had a bit of a disaster last night, I got some of my LP's out of storage and its not good, looks like they have been
subjected to some extreme heat and there is mega warp age in evidence.
Probably not a good idea to leave them in the loft for 25 years+
(they were stored in plastic boxes, with the LP's stood on edge vertically, not tightly packed)

Looks like i maybe buying some of my favorite ones again.