Best turntable under 50k?
- Thread starter Frankie67
- Start date
Mike, what turntable would you recommend for under $50K? Which table are you now most listening too, or does it still matter on mood and genre and what you feel like at the moment? You have some good choices.
i think that the CS Port LFT2 with linear tracker, the Wave Kinetics NVS, the appropriate J. Sikora, the Brinkman Balance, or a Saskia if you can find one would all be 'not limiting' and in the properly accessorized and sorted system context would take you to a high level. these are just one's off the top of my 'currently distracted' head.
obviously i owned the CS Port, NVS and Saskia myself.....so can vouch for those more confidently.
I spent a few hours spinning records on my AF3P with Elite arm and MSL Signature Platinum cartridge tonight, I never felt duped, I never felt something wasn't right or needed improvement. I think the AF3P is a solid choice and if you have the funds, by all means reach for one. My previous TT was a REGA RP10 with a Soundsmith cartridge and that did not seem like it needed improvement either.
I encountered someone on a forum somewhere who built a custom electronic device that made certain he always knew exactly what speed and how much deviation he was seeing with his turntable. I personally have no desire to be that guy. But it is a hobby with so many details to consider. He believed the drag a stylus encounters changes during playback and it alters the speed of playback. I think the what, 70 pound platter on the AF3P can stabilize the stylus drag problem. (hope hope hope!)
Some of these turntables had designers who were concerned with these details. I am comfortable with the results TechDAS has achieved with its under $50k offering. I also learned to appreciate vacuum hold down. Who knew?
I encountered someone on a forum somewhere who built a custom electronic device that made certain he always knew exactly what speed and how much deviation he was seeing with his turntable. I personally have no desire to be that guy. But it is a hobby with so many details to consider. He believed the drag a stylus encounters changes during playback and it alters the speed of playback. I think the what, 70 pound platter on the AF3P can stabilize the stylus drag problem. (hope hope hope!)
Some of these turntables had designers who were concerned with these details. I am comfortable with the results TechDAS has achieved with its under $50k offering. I also learned to appreciate vacuum hold down. Who knew?
The Japanese designers of these wonderful tables of course.
My old RX-5000 Air was made around 1980. I don't remember any other table offering it until later.
Luxman pd 555 vds (vacuum disk stabilizer 1979 patent)
I read somewhere that Luxman had the idea and Micro Seiki built the record player on commission. In 1980, the Micro Seiki models with VDS came onto the market.
whether that's really true no idea.
Luxman PD555 on thevintageknob.org
vintage Luxman audiophile belt-driven turntable with VDS, built by Micro Seiki
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These systems are only intended to show what is technically possible and are far too prone to errors in the long run. The Audiolabor record clamp "fest", for example, nails LPs just as firmly; vertical runout of the LP up to 4mm is no problem with convex washers.or a good outerring does equal the systems may not be as convenient to use but they work just as well.![20180206_173500[1].jpg](https://www.whatsbestforum.com/data/attachments/131/131504-10239ab902d4e39a61afd934625c22d3.jpg "20180206_173500[1].jpg")
this one is pretty good, no sealing lips.
agnewanalog.com
this one is pretty good, no sealing lips.
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agnewanalog.com
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Even the strongest air pump ever built can only achieve a vacuum of 1 bar. So, the power of the pump is not relevant; even a small pump can easily handle 1 bar (none of them can achieve absolute vacuum and it’s not necessary). When complicated mechanical and electronic devices such as air-levitated platters, vacuum hold-down systems, and precise speed control are involved, I would put my money on Japanese engineering rather than Italian. This is purely from a technical standpoint. I haven’t heard the top Vyger turntables, but I trust your judgment that they sound great.
The Vyger sounds quite superior to Techdas with most carts. Techdas would be more reliable based on reports, though Tang did have some software issues with his AF1p that required fixing, and he was on similar chat with other users, things users do not report or forums. I think Techdas is better serviced for sure. It's probably more consistently engineered as well.
I would never generalize between Japanese engineering or Italian engineering, as I just do not have enough datapoints to generalize, I know only one Italian table. Also by that generalization logic best to buy everything German.
The only time I preferred Techdas was Af3p with Dava. And I heard many, Af3, Af3p, AF1, Af1p, AF2. Including in compares, many carts.
I’m sure the top Vyger turntables sound great, but I haven’t had the chance to hear them yet.
I don’t agree with your view that buying German products is always logical from a technical and engineering standpoint. Japanese products are generally better built and more reliable. Just compare cars, if you like, or electronic products from the 1970s. A German amp or CD player might already be dead or showing issues due to Frako, Roe, or Philips capacitors, while their Japanese counterparts are often still going strong.
Personally, I would prefer a basic design for turntable with fewer complications—a conventional design over complex ones like TechDAS and Vyger. I believe that too many moving parts and intricate circuits are more likely to fail over time. If I had too much money that’s different story then.
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I don’t disagree with that principle in general. I really don’t like any other complicated table, I am happy with a Brinkmann balance with Dalby on top. Rest is cartridges and records and signal path.
The only complicated monster I like is the Vyger Atlantis
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What arm and cartridge would you prefer on your Balance? Have you heard Ron’s combination?
I always consider my La Platine Verdier as a DIYer/enthusiast product. For me it’s like an unfinished turntable requires a lot of experimenting. It’s made from simple easily obtainable parts. That’s a plus but you can never be sure that things don’t go sideways.
Dava. Many arms will work, FR, Durand Tosca, Ikeda.
No I haven’t heard Ron’s, but I have heard many including a local U.K. one for 5 years, so how Ron has set it up is not a reference for me. I don’t think his style of system is suited for LPs anyway
Also, the BB used in the UK and EU is around 10 to 12k. While recommending to Ron and others I realised it is significantly more expensive in the US so there might be better US deals
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That is one of the reasons I bought the Kuzma XL DC i.e. a solid high mass non complicated design with superb engineering quality and reliability (plus it looks amazing and different to a lot of other TTs out there !). And fitted with a great and easy to set-up tonearm from the same Manufacturer, you just can't go wrong with this TT set-up.
I totally agree. The simpler, the better, as long as it sounds right. Still true with expensive turntables. Repairs are a hassle.
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