Looking to buy a new turntable / any suggestions (12k budget incl. Tonarm and Cartridge)

[JeromeFrancis]

Hello alltogether,

I am new to the forum and looking forward to exchanging. I already found a lot of good information here.

Wanted to reach out as I am currently in the market for a new turntable and wanted to see if someone would have any suggestions for me. Currently I own a Clearaudio Concept MC turntable with Nagra VPS phono stage. For the upgrade I was looking at models such as Clearaudio Ovation / Basic Innovation , Dr Feickart's with Kuzma arm or Acoustic Solid and Acoustic Signature models but I am definitely open for alternatives as well. Any suggestions would be helpful, especially in tonearm and cartridge choice. Clearaudio would be easiest as I can just choose everything they suggest in house for their models but not sure if I am getting the best for the budget and whether it pairs well with my setup even though I am very satisfied with my current Concept model.
Some requirements:
- 12k budget (arm and cartridge included)
- Needs to pair well with my Nagra VPS
- Easy to use, not too fiddly
- Should be well rounded as i am not genre specific listener. For the majority, I spend my time listening to Country, Jazz, Folk, Rock and Classic but occasionally Techno, Rap and other genres as well.
- At least 1/3 and 45rpm speed selector

Thanks,
J

 

[Another Johnson]

Clearaudio is running bundle promotions in honor of their 45th anniversary through 12/31/2023. They’re giving away cartridges in many of the bundles.

Some dealers, like Paragon Sight and Sound in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will take your existing gear in trade, further lowering your cash outlay. Perhaps there are similar dealers closer to your home in Zurich.

Clearaudio is a real company, with real engineers, and great quality control. I think they would be my choice in your price range.

You might also consider used options if you have skills to do your own evaluation and set up. I just picked up this rig (Clearaudio Master Reference w/ Universal 12” tonearm) used and added a new cartridge that retails for $2200. My total expenditure was way under your budget, but it did take a lot of work to sort it out.

 

[joey_v]

Another potential option I would say is look into the new THorens 124DD. Pair it with a phasemation.

 

[JeromeFrancis]

Clearaudio is running bundle promotions in honor of their 45th anniversary through 12/31/2023. They’re giving away cartridges in many of the bundles.

Some dealers, like Paragon Sight and Sound in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will take your existing gear in trade, further lowering your cash outlay. Perhaps there are similar dealers closer to your home in Zurich.

Clearaudio is a real company, with real engineers, and great quality control. I think they would be my choice in your price range.

You might also consider used options if you have skills to do your own evaluation and set up. I just picked up this rig (Clearaudio Master Reference w/ Universal 12” tonearm) used and added a new cartridge that retails for $2200. My total expenditure was way under your budget, but it did take a lot of work to sort it out.

Thank you for sharing your insights. Indeed have never heard a/t negative about Clearaudio. Your Master Reference looks very nice. May be a little bit too sophisticated for my needs.

 

[JeromeFrancis]

Another potential option I would say is look into the new THorens 124DD. Pair it with a phasemation.

Thank you for the reply. I will be having a look at it. I like the Vintage design. Phasemation, you mean as a cartridge right? Do you have experience with a particular phasemation cartridge and the Thorens?

 

[DasguteOhr]

If it's not necessarily new, here are two nice offers in Germany. I would sit in the car drive for 5-7 hours and listen to them before I buy them. Take your Nagra phono with you so that you can at least determine whether they work well together. My personal favorite would be Simon Yorke its a lovely machine with shelter cartridge. It's at a dealer in Aachen who has quite a selection of turntables.

Simon Yorke Designs S7 + 9" Tonarm + Shelter System (1269121925) | Gebrauchtgerät | Plattenspieler komplett | Angebot auf audio-markt.de

Angeboten wird „S7 + 9' Tonarm + Shelter System“ von Simon Yorke Designs als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Plattenspieler komplett“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 1269121925 endet am 11.05.2024 um 06:03 Uhr.

www.audio-markt.de

The other record player is a private offer. a complete package with lots of accessories. I would say its a bargain. Brinkmann lagrange/tonearm and cartridge.

Brinkmann Audio LaGrange komplett mit zwei Tonarmbasen inkl. Breuer-Kabel, BetonArt-Laufwerksbasis, Performance-Transistornetzteil, Tonarm Brinkmann Audio 10.5, MC-System Brinkmann Audio Pi (1688291726) | Gebrauchtgerät | Plattenspieler komplett | An

Angeboten wird „LaGrange komplett mit zwei Tonarmbasen inkl. Breuer-Kabel, BetonArt-Laufwerksbasis, Performance-Transistornetzteil, Tonarm Brinkmann Audio 10.5, MC-System Brinkmann Audio Pi“ von Brinkmann Audio als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Plattenspieler komplett“ bei audio-markt.de -...

www.audio-markt.de

Both in your price limit good luck

 

[JeromeFrancis]

If it's not necessarily new, here are two nice offers in Germany. I would sit in the car drive for 5-7 hours and listen to them before I buy them. Take your Nagra phono with you so that you can at least determine whether they work well together. My personal favorite would be Simon Yorke its a lovely machine with shelter cartridge. It's at a dealer in Aachen who has quite a selection of turntables.

Simon Yorke Designs S7 + 9" Tonarm + Shelter System (1269121925) | Gebrauchtgerät | Plattenspieler komplett | Angebot auf audio-markt.de

Angeboten wird „S7 + 9' Tonarm + Shelter System“ von Simon Yorke Designs als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Plattenspieler komplett“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 1269121925 endet am 11.05.2024 um 06:03 Uhr.

www.audio-markt.de

The other record player is a private offer. a complete package with lots of accessories. I would say its a bargain. Brinkmann lagrange/tonearm and cartridge.

Brinkmann Audio LaGrange komplett mit zwei Tonarmbasen inkl. Breuer-Kabel, BetonArt-Laufwerksbasis, Performance-Transistornetzteil, Tonarm Brinkmann Audio 10.5, MC-System Brinkmann Audio Pi (1688291726) | Gebrauchtgerät | Plattenspieler komplett | An

Angeboten wird „LaGrange komplett mit zwei Tonarmbasen inkl. Breuer-Kabel, BetonArt-Laufwerksbasis, Performance-Transistornetzteil, Tonarm Brinkmann Audio 10.5, MC-System Brinkmann Audio Pi“ von Brinkmann Audio als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Plattenspieler komplett“ bei audio-markt.de -...

www.audio-markt.de

Both in your price limit good luck

Thank you for the suggestions. I am not in a hurry, so will take some time investigating, it's a project for next year. I might even wait another bonus season and look for a DeBaer as I have a fable for clean Swiss precision instruments. Never heard about Simon Yorke but looks interesting. Brinkmann I have heard only good things about and it seems to pair well with Nagra, it's clearly an option. There is a dealer in Zurich who recently had a Bardo on sale.

 

[Kjetil]

I have heard a Rega Planar 10 outperform a Thorens 124 DD. The Thorens is not a very good direct drive design.

 

[joey_v]

I have heard a Rega Planar 10 outperform a Thorens 124 DD. The Thorens is not a very good direct drive design.

Planar 10 limits vta adjustment etc.
Thorens has the vintage feel and appearance with DD motor.
The build of the anniversary edition is special, the platter is a combination metal.

 

[tom539]

For the budget, I would recommend a StSt Motus DQ II with Sorane SA-1.2 tonearm and Allnic Rose cartridge in the HS-1A headshell.


This combination has been running here for almost a year and I am very satisfied.

Alternatively, a Dynavector DRT XV-1s fits the SA-1.2.

Good luck with your search

atb, Tom

 

[joey_v]

Thank you for the reply. I will be having a look at it. I like the Vintage design. Phasemation, you mean as a cartridge right? Do you have experience with a particular phasemation cartridge and the Theorens?

I would look at the phasemation. PP2000 or lower models. Boron canti, samarian magnets...

Other potential option is Lyra or Airtight. I have those two.

But if I had a third turntable, I would likely purchase the DD124 anniversary while theyre still available, and a Phasemation PP2000.

 

[JeromeFrancis]

For the budget, I would recommend a StSt Motus DQ II with Sorane SA-1.2 tonearm and Allnic Rose cartridge in the HS-1A headshell.
View attachment 121398
View attachment 121399
This combination has been running here for almost a year and I am very satisfied.

Alternatively, a Dynavector DRT XV-1s fits the SA-1.2.

Good luck with your search

atb, Tom

Thank you for sharing. Looking good indeed!

 

[bonzo75]

For the budget, I would recommend a StSt Motus DQ II with Sorane SA-1.2 tonearm and Allnic Rose cartridge in the HS-1A headshell.
View attachment 121398
View attachment 121399
This combination has been running here for almost a year and I am very satisfied.

Alternatively, a Dynavector DRT XV-1s fits the SA-1.2.

Good luck with your search

atb, Tom

i agree with the table, STST is very high value, but I would start with FR 64s and SPU, and once some more funds become available buy the Dava cart and replace into the same headshell used for the SPU.

the TD124 with SME 3012r and basic Dava cart, no power supply was better than the continuum caliburn with the etsuro gold. And the TD124 on its own does not have as much resolution. The continuum is now sold

 

[jfrech]

First your Nagra VPS is one hell of a phono stage (owned one for 10+ years). Do you have the VFS plates to go with it? What about the Nagra MPS power supply? If you don't, I might lessen the table budget and at least get the Nagra VFS.

I thought the turntable options above are all good, maybe add a Rega P10 to the list and spend a little extra on the cartridge.

 

[JeromeFrancis]

First your Nagra VPS is one hell of a phono stage (owned one for 10+ years). Do you have the VFS plates to go with it? What about the Nagra MPS power supply? If you don't, I might lessen the table budget and at least get the Nagra VFS.

I thought the turntable options above are all good, maybe add a Rega P10 to the list and spend a little extra on the cartridge.

Thanks for the input, appreciated. To answer your questions: To note: The MPS does not have the battery installed, may be that would be a sensible upgrade, not sure it is worth it though..

 

[jfrech]

Thanks for the input, appreciated. To answer your questions: View attachment 121405 View attachment 121406 To note: The MPS does not have the battery installed, may be that would be a sensible upgrade, not sure it is worth it though..

Looks great !! What tubes are in your VPS? Since only 3 tubes some great NOS might give this lil kick up. Re: the battery, not sure if it's worth the cost, it will lower noise which improves a few things, but the MPS is pretty great alone. Did you upgrade the fuse inside the VPS and on the MPS's AC inlet? Great tubes = $400 or so, Great fuses $75-100. I might get a Nagra VFS for your preamp too. (maybe upgrade tubes here too)

Another turntable is the AMG lineup...a table/arm in your budget, my Nagra dealer carries these, great also.

 

[joey_v]

How much is the battery pack?

 

[JeromeFrancis]

Looks great !! What tubes are in your VPS? Since only 3 tubes some great NOS might give this lil kick up. Re: the battery, not sure if it's worth the cost, it will lower noise which improves a few things, but the MPS is pretty great alone. Did you upgrade the fuse inside the VPS and on the MPS's AC inlet? Great tubes = $400 or so, Great fuses $75-100. I might get a Nagra VFS for your preamp too. (maybe upgrade tubes here too)

Another turntable is the AMG lineup...a table/arm in your budget, my Nagra dealer carries these, great also.

Good idea on the fuses, so far everything is with Nagra stock. What fuses would you recommend for those? In terms of tubes, I am a bit hesitant to tinker with that as I am not familiar at all yet. If so, i would let my dealer here in Zurich do it and maybe also speak to Matthieu from Nagra about it before when he is around at the dealer about what he thinks. I actually thought the Nagra tubes are already pretty decent as the tube replacement kid is priced similarly.

 

[JeromeFrancis]

How much is the battery pack?

Not sure but I guess in the region of 2k.

 

[joey_v]

Not sure but I guess in the region of 2k.

Spend the money on the cart