Another turntable recommendation thread...

[Eppie]

Hi gang. Been using a CEC ST630 linear tracking turntable for many years but it's time to replace it. Can no longer get the strobe to line up (probably some leaky caps) and it recently started skipping, so the tone arm servo is starting to go. There's much better stuff out there now any way. I think I've narrowed it down to 4 in the sub $1000 Canadian range ($1 Cdn = $0.80 US):

• Pro-ject RPM 1.3 Genie for $300 used (not sure which cartridge; budget option)
• REGA P2 for $600 mint used (played once) w/ Eclipse cartridge (retails for $900)
• REGA P3-24 for $650 used (no cartridge; over 10 years old?) ($750 from another shop with TTPSU)
• Pro-ject Debut Carbon EVO for $770 new with Ortofon 2M Red (retail $900)

The RPM 1.3 is in town and the low budget option. Doesn't mention a dust cover and the rec-room does get dusty.
The P2 is a steal at $600 but 2 hour drive away (which I am more than willing at that price).
How much better is the P3-24 than a new P2? ( The store is about 1.5 hour drive away.)
If I went new, would lean towards the Carbon EVO currently on sale.

I should mention that I have an Audio Technica AT-152LP cartridge. This was their top of the line at the time and was replaced by the AT150MLX (for reference). It's a P-mount but comes with a headshell adapter so I can mount it to a headshell.

I'm not familiar with the P3-24 and what they're worth. From the photo, it does not have the TTPSU, so I assume that means removing the platter to change speeds. As mentioned, another shop has the P3-24 with TTPSU for $100 more, which indicates that the price is not out of line for this area. There is also a REGA Planar P3 with Nagoaka MP11 for $595 here. Looks to be in very nice shape. Are there any standouts among the ones listed or are they pretty much on par? Anything significantly better than the Carbon EVO at the ~$800 Cdn price point? I like the feet dampeners and under body speed switch with the EVO and it looks pretty good on paper, so wondering if some new tech from Pro-ject would be better than old tech from REGA?

 

[3db]

The first one on your list is a good entry level table compared to the others. I think the best deal out of those 4 would be the Project Debut Carbon as it has an on board speed controller.

 

[Eppie]

The first one on your list is a good entry level table compared to the others. I think the best deal out of those 4 would be the Project Debut Carbon as it has an on board speed controller.

Yeah, I think I've settled on the Debut Carbon EVO. Hard to beat at that price point, and local dealer is willing to price match the on-line price of $750 Cdn ($600 US). Only black and white in stock but other colours arriving at the distributor within a month. The AT-152LP that I have is rated 5 - 35kHz with channel separation of 32dB, so on paper it's technically better than the Ortofon M2 Red (20-22 kHz 22dB) but I'll try both. I've been using this cartridge for a long time so I wonder if these old ears can notice the difference.

 

[3db]

Yeah, I think I've settled on the Debut Carbon EVO. Hard to beat at that price point, and local dealer is willing to price match the on-line price of $750 Cdn ($600 US). Only black and white in stock but other colours arriving at the distributor within a month. The AT-152LP that I have is rated 5 - 35kHz with channel separation of 32dB, so on paper it's technically better than the Ortofon M2 Red (20-22 kHz 22dB) but I'll try both. I've been using this cartridge for a long time so I wonder if these old ears can notice the difference.

I have the 2M Red and its a nice cartridge. May not be the best but it doesnt do anything wrong either.

 

[Mikado463]

Yeah, I think I've settled on the Debut Carbon EVO.

good choice, I concur !

 

[Eppie]

good choice, I concur !

Picked up the Pro-ject yesterday and I'm a happy camper. Nice improvement over the old linear tracker. Easy setup and good noise isolation. I'll try my old cartridge once I can check the stylus for wear but the Ortofon is not too bad. Tried to post a pic but the forums can't handle the large size images from my phone. Have to download to PC and resize manually. <grrrr>.

 

[Mikado463]

Eppie, what is your routine in so far as record cleaning ?

 

[Eppie]

Eppie, what is your routine in so far as record cleaning ?

I have an Audio Technica brush and anti-static gun (when needed) but I'm seriously considering a record washing system. Most LPs ars in excellent shape but would be nice clean up the pops and ticks.

 

[lovinthehd]

Picked up the Pro-ject yesterday and I'm a happy camper. Nice improvement over the old linear tracker. Easy setup and good noise isolation. I'll try my old cartridge once I can check the stylus for wear but the Ortofon is not too bad. Tried to post a pic but the forums can't handle the large size images from my phone. Have to download to PC and resize manually. <grrrr>.

Congrats. An alternative to the pic thing is using tapatalk on your phone to access the forum.....

 

[Mikado463]

I have an Audio Technica brush and anti-static gun (when needed) but I'm seriously considering a record washing system. Most LPs ars in excellent shape but would be nice clean up the pops and ticks.

Good, 'Cleanliness is next to Godliness' when it comes to LP's preservation and playback. I use a RCM (VPI 16.5) combined with a very regimented cleaning procedure. All of which provides almost 'pop free' playback, even on recordings that are 40-60 years old.