What are members recommendations on current turntables in the $15K to $22K price range?

Barry2013

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Oct 12, 2013
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Congrats! We are enjoying our J Sikora Standard Max Line. Like you stated, highly recommended.
Thanks Joe
Yes I can well believe you.
I haven''t heard the Max yet, but I am sure it is very impressive too.
Do you by any chance know if Sikora are planning to be at Munich this year if the Highend show goes ahead?
 
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Audire

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Jan 18, 2019
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Thanks Joe
Yes I can well believe you.
I haven''t heard the Max yet, but I am sure it is very impressive too.
Do you by any chance know if Sikora are planning to be at Munich this year if the Highend show goes ahead?

I haven’t heard. But I would expect they would be. Notable Audio should know - Notable Audio
 

MJG

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Oct 12, 2018
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Thanks Joe
Yes I can well believe you.
I haven''t heard the Max yet, but I am sure it is very impressive too.
Do you by any chance know if Sikora are planning to be at Munich this year if the Highend show goes ahead?
Yes, they will be there.
 

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Audire

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Jan 18, 2019
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Yes, they will be there.
There’s nothing vinyl. Listening to one record on a J Sikora could be better than the rest of the show. ;)

322DD91D-3F7C-4E2B-A07C-280BFE657B24.jpeg
 

DasguteOhr

Well-Known Member
Sep 26, 2013
2,352
2,510
645
Germany
Stephan, what is the mat you are using on your Raven AC-1? I have the same turntable and am curious about which mat you think works best compared to the stock mat. Regards, Al
Black forest audio DÄD!MAT really amazing inexpensive mat,more resolution,precision and naturalness in sound. Best buy for me(98€)

 
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tima

Industry Expert
Mar 3, 2014
5,777
6,818
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the Upper Midwest
Hi Lee,

I might have missed it. Did you arrive at turntable choice? Or is what I see in your signature your new analog front-end?

"VPI Scoutmaster with 3D tonearm, Analog Drive System, HRX pulley, Iso-Acoustics Gaia feet, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref Phono 3SE"
 
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JRW1971

Member
Dec 21, 2021
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34
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53
Just getting ideas at this point. Will be pairing with Ref Phono 3SE and Lyra Etna Lambda cartridge.

Thanks in advance...
I recently (as in, 20 hours ago in cartridge time) swapped out my old 'table, with a REF 3SE and Etna Lambda. The new guy is the J Sikora Standard Max with the JS tonearm. I'm seriously loving it. I always thought the Etna Lambda paired really well with the 3SE, but the JS 'table adds several degrees of solidity and grip. It's a killer machine; I think worth 3x MSRP.
 

Lee

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2011
3,210
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Alpharetta, Georgia
Hi Lee,

I might have missed it. Did you arrive at turntable choice? Or is what I see in your signature your new analog front-end?

"VPI Scoutmaster with 3D tonearm, Analog Drive System, HRX pulley, Iso-Acoustics Gaia feet, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref Phono 3SE"
Yes, I will probably have a TechDAS AF3PS coming later in the year.
 
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Lee

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2011
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Alpharetta, Georgia
I recently (as in, 20 hours ago in cartridge time) swapped out my old 'table, with a REF 3SE and Etna Lambda. The new guy is the J Sikora Standard Max with the JS tonearm. I'm seriously loving it. I always thought the Etna Lambda paired really well with the 3SE, but the JS 'table adds several degrees of solidity and grip. It's a killer machine; I think worth 3x MSRP.
The J Sikora was recommended strongly to me by two of our writers. It’s a great table.
 

Audire

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Jan 18, 2019
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The J Sikora was recommended strongly to me by two of our writers. It’s a great table.

I own a J Sikora. The J Sikora Ref was just rated A+ by Stereophile and so was their KV-12 Tone Arm. Awesome! You have to hear it!

3A63D584-AE6F-4C6B-B45E-7112E465FE83.jpeg
 

JRW1971

Member
Dec 21, 2021
21
34
18
53
The J Sikora was recommended strongly to me by two of our writers. It’s a great table.
I’m guessing their names were Jacob and Michael. (Fun fact: I bought the Lyra Lambda Atlas SL that Jacob used when he reviewed the J Sikora Standard Max).
 
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Lee

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2011
3,210
1,738
1,260
Alpharetta, Georgia
I’m guessing their names were Jacob and Michael. (Fun fact: I bought the Lyra Lambda Atlas SL that Jacob used when he reviewed the J Sikora Standard Max).
Very cool.
 
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Bonesy Jonesy

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2017
677
503
230
UK & Spain
The rega planer 10 is a super turntable and up there with the best in my opinion and a bargain.
Rega 10 being a 'super' turntable wasn't my experience having owned one (and the RP10 before it for approx. 12months) for just over 12 months. It has too many design flaws to be a 'super' table !
Just my 2 pennies worth !
 
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Bonesy Jonesy

Well-Known Member
Jan 3, 2017
677
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UK & Spain
it aint flipping quantum physics — see if the boy is worth his salt. Ask him how he would do it.
It is 'quantum physics' and quantum mechanics too....why.....because every single thing on our little planet is happening in the quantum realm / world. As Scientists are now finding out (due to sophisticated equipment that can measure and see these phenomenal happenings at their disposal).
 

gleeds

Industry Expert
May 29, 2018
754
1,207
235
Barry, I too am impressed with the J Sikora and know Joe absolutely loves his Reference. More broadly, I am impressed with the amount of truly high-end audio coming out of Poland at an excellent price-to-performance ratio.

For a decidedly German approach please allow me to invite you to come by room 1509 at Axpona. We will be debuting the German made Ars Machinae M1, which in basic trim can fit into your budget including a brilliant 12" tonearm from the same designer. Right now we are breaking our M1 in with a MySonic Platinum Reference and having a blast. I hope to see you in Chicago!

Cheers,

Gary


image-hifi-2_ars_machinae.jpg
 

Barry2013

VIP/Donor
Oct 12, 2013
2,305
487
418
Essex UK
Barry, I too am impressed with the J Sikora and know Joe absolutely loves his Reference. More broadly, I am impressed with the amount of truly high-end audio coming out of Poland at an excellent price-to-performance ratio.

For a decidedly German approach please allow me to invite you to come by room 1509 at Axpona. We will be debuting the German made Ars Machinae M1, which in basic trim can fit into your budget including a brilliant 12" tonearm from the same designer. Right now we are breaking our M1 in with a MySonic Platinum Reference and having a blast. I hope to see you in Chicago!

Cheers,

Gary


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Hi Gary,
That is kind of you.
I am in the UK so a bit of a trek to Axpona so trust you will understand why I won't be able to take up your kind invitation
Best
Barry
 

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