(3) Turntables, which one would you pick and why?

If I were in the market for a VPI Prime, which is what I would choose, I would be calling Seth at SSD any inquiring about this deck in particular:
VPI Prime Turntable (Open Box)

If I wanted to "up" my game, for a little over the Retail Price of a Standard Prime, I would defiantly look into this Beauty
VPI Prime Signature Turntable (Certified Pre-Owned)

 

I have a VPI but I don't have their speed controller. Maybe someone who does have one can pitch in? I'd think that getting the platter speed dead nuts would be the effect of that controller.

 

1200 for ease of use and peace of mind. Knowing that it's regularly used in sound archives is a plus for me also.

 

I have a Classic Signature table outfitted with an HRX Pulley (with two belts) and controlled by an SDS. I use a Speed, Gyroscope App on my iPhone to determine the speed.

Once the belts have broken in, the platter speed stays "spot on". I check the speed occasionally and it very seldom varies. I like the SDS as you can also adjust the 45 rpm, and at the flip of a switch change speeds, no need to move a belt up and down a stepped pulley.

 

Technics, mainly because I'm a "quartz-locked direct drive" guy. All of my life I've been extremely picky about a turntable spinning at the precise speed (which doesn't mean that it must have a 0.00000001% WMRS spec number either), and I've never fully trusted belt drive turntables in that regard.

 

I was firmly in the belt drive camp before, but I’ve seen the light.

 

I like the VPI Direct Drive but it's a bit out of my price range at the moment!

 

Would love to hear a comparison between that one and the SL-1200G! I mean, check out Analog Planet and listen to how well the G acquitted itself against Fremer’s Continuum.

 

VPI Prime. I prefer the high mass platter, detached motor and 3D tonearm.

Blacker background/lower noise floor.

 

I'd take the VPI with a budget for speed controller. I've never worked with a VPI tonearm, so…

I like the heavy platter, but I'd rather not have a metal platter. Tough choice, really. Final call would have to do with IF I wanted to do cartridge swaps I suppose and/or if I planned on having multiple tables.

VPI wins on the isolated motor.

 

VPI, because I recently moved to a Scout Jr. from a Rega and love the difference. More depth, dynamics, and detail, plus it just feels better built all the way around.

Never heard a 1200 even though I own one (DJ table that I plan to fix up one day, used up till now to help clean records - should be a fun project).

 

I'd go with it's because most audiophiles have never heard a good direct drive table table setup correctly with a good cartridge in a good system. Instead they go off all the hype and stereotyping that was spread around in the 70s and 80s. My SL1200 sounded better than the Project tables I heard and was pretty comparable to an RP3. It took going to an RP6 to get an easily noticeable improvement. The improvements were more detail and a bigger sound. The 1200G has all that plus an instrumental realism for lack of a better phrase.

 

Belt-drive turntables are easier to manufacture than direct-drives. Add some clever marketing tactics (like "best sense of rhythm", for instance) to the equation, and premium brands can then charge premium prices without going into much hassle. A direct-drive made by an audiophile brand will cost you real big.

(Strictly my perception and opinion, of course. No facts are being stated here)

 

It's a fact that the circuitry associated with the speed control and other features costs money if you don't have an economy of scale to some degree. Probably more profit in plinth/arm/motor/platter designs. Personally, I don't find having an external speed control problematic. I like it being modular because you can swap in a new one and keep the table rolling.

I also think some of the preconceived ideas about belt/dd have faded. I think people generally understand the design weaknesses of both.

 

Speed stability, ease of use, build quality, no mdf, serious machine looks, archival use...Yes, it's the G.

 

VPI Prime. Then the Technics, then the Rega.

 

Oh, it wasn't clever marketing more like online opinions.

'will cost you real big'

I see - yes, the direct drive VPI is around £6,000 in the UK. But then a belt-drive can also cost big, too. Like this Linn at £23k: Linn Klimax LP12 Of course that is an exception.

But in terms of the TTs in this thread question, the Technics SL1200G listed above is actually nearly a £1000 more than the Rega RP8. Is it generally true that to get a good quality direct drive you will need to spend more?

 

Is it possible that direct-drive are better sonically and quality-wise than they used to be?

 

Great engineering, exceptional speed stability and pitch control, removable head shell for easy cartridge swaps! And great price considering the handmade in Japan quality.

 

Not sure what you’re seeing there...The VPI direct drive is $30,000, which is also about £23k.

 

I’ve owned a Scout, RP3, and still (and will likely always) own a 1200mkII. Something about the 1200 ergonomics that just makes it extremely satisfying to use. I too love the ability to easily swap carts. I did have a second arm for the Scout so it did allow me to gat that fix, but it was still not nearly as easy as the 1200. The Rega was just a huge disappointment. Not that it did not sound nice, it did, at least after some simple mods. I’m sure the RP8 is a huge step up. I hated the complete lack of torque. And I guess I am old school as I want my TT to have some heft to it.

Also always wonder why Project does not get included in these surveys. I think having a big presence in the low end gets them shoehorned into that mold, but their offerings at the $1800-3000 point are truly excellent yet get no mention.

 

Can you elaborate?

 

You're right I was misled by the name 'VPI classic' when I looked them up in the UK. That real price is out of my dreams.

 

Also forgot the VTA adjustment!

 

You had a Prime and an SL-1200G?