Too Many Choices! (Turntables...it's a good thing!)

In the market for a new turntable, $1500 to $2000, and their are many choices.
Oracle
VPI
Rega
Michell
Thorens
Concept

The list goes on and on. The choices out there can be quite confusing. I'm upgrading from a RP1, but keeping my Technics mono table. Running through a Mac 6100, circa 1970.
Living out in the boonies with the nearest dealer about 5 hours away, I have to rely on the inter-webs and forums to get info and perspectives.
As a drummer, I can say that many of the entry to mid-level sets are pretty damn good when it comes to pecussion and I feel that the table market is much the same.
Any recs and opinions are quite welcome.
It's a good time to be looking!

 

I'd say that an RP6 is right up your alley.

 

Can anyone confirm if there's a new version of the RP6 due this year? Don't know when you're (op) planning to buy but it may be something to consider.

 

VPI all the way.

 

There are sale prices on the Michell Technodec with Rega arm for < $1500. Check ebay.

The new EAT C Major table is two grand (list) w/o arm and looks pretty awesome.

If I had one grand to spend I'd get a Rega P3.

If I had $1500 to spend I'd get the Tecnodec with the Rega arm.

If I had two grand to spend I'd get the EAT C Major.

 

Shoutout to Dave at Vinyl Nirvana. He does beautiful work.

 

Thanks so far team.
Would I be able to hear a big difference going from the RP1 to a 3 or 6?
I've got to admit the Technodec is mighty intriguing. (Again, I realize carts are a major factor as well.)

 

Don't know why I can't edit this but the EAT table is WITH ARM at two grand. Sorry for the confusion.

 

I'd go with a VPI Scout. You're right, though - lots of good choices! I'd say a heavy platter makes a noticeable difference in sound. The music becomes more "effortless" sounding, like the feel of a car with a giant V8.

 

Another devoted fan of Vinyl Nirvana here. I love the VN150. I have owned a TD150, a TD 125 with an SME 3009, and the VN150. It is my fave of the three.

 

Agreed. I have a thorens from him and love it. I would also look into the polytable, too. It seems to have really good owner and professional reviews.

 

I was in your shoes maybe 5 months ago, and was looking at an RP6 or a Concept. I went for the Concept in the end and haven't regret the choice for a moment. Its a group of turntables at this price range that are very close to each other in quality and ability that you really can't lose.

 

It really is hard to go wrong at that price but my vote is VPI if you get one with the thick platter and uni-pivot arm. Their entry level stuff isn't the best option.

 

I'd get a Nottingham at that price Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck Turntable - Nottingham Analogue from TurntableWorld UK

 

I'm a VPI fanboy but there's something about the Polytable SUPER 12.

 

We talked about it some in another thread, but one that really looks nice is the new Origine from Oracle, right at $2K with unipivot arm and acrylic platter and acrylic 3-layer plinth ... no reviews out yet, though they say soon ... the build process looks nice in link below ...



Mono and Stereo High-End Audio Magazine: Oracle Audio Technologies Origin new turntable production

 

I would add the new ProJect Classic to the list. Haven't heard it but it sure looks nice and has some nice tech. I guess I am in the small minority here, but I greatly prefer the Evolution 9CC arm on my Perspex to the RB303 that was on my RP3 (but then the Perspex was 2x the cost!).

 

I have seen the Origin at my local dealer. It is really nice!

 

What's that big piece around the tonearm?

 

It's so you can adjust the arm mass for various cartridge compliances.

 

Isn't that what a counterweight would be for?

 

Not quite, though the shape and mass of the counterweight will somewhat alter the arm's effective mass. The counterweight is for adjusting the static balance. The effective mass depends on quite a few variables. With the extra tonearm weight, it would allow you to optimize the arm/cartridge resonance frequency over a wider range of cartridges. There's been other arms like that before.

 

^

 

Shopping in this price range as well. Also considering:
Avid Ingenium
Marantz TT-15S1
MoFi StudioDeck

Like the OP I'm replacing my entry level setup, a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with Acryl-It platter and Ortofon 2M Blue.

 

And you can get scary good deals on demo's and "B" stock from Music Direct or Soundstage Direct.

I'm not the biggest fan of where they're going as a company, but the OP can still get something in the Classic line if the budget gets stretched just a bit.