alliclaytor Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 All, I have been looking to get a good TT for some time. I would like your advise before I walk in the door. Of course I will let my ears do the deciding but would like to see what input/experience anybody had. He wants about twice as much for the pioneer as the dual, both are in apparently good condition. Choice 1: Pioneer PL530 with Grado cartridge Choice 2: Dual 1218 with stanton MK VI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 I've been down the turntable path for over 3 years now, with short bucks dribbled way on mostly disappointment. My advice is to keep saving and plan to spned at least $400 on a table and budget at least $200 for a cartidge. The Bang and Olufsen's are a great table fior cheap but only if it has a good condition cartidge since they are made of unobtanium. Rega's and Project (used) are also great values. Save and be paitient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 FWIW .....Technics sl 1200 w/ shure or stanton cart....end of story you would need to spend big $$$$$ to get a big improvement IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted July 24, 2008 Share Posted July 24, 2008 I agree. Good sound, dependable mechanism, happy listener. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleJ Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I can't help you in your choice but I can pass along the following!! You also have to allow funds for some of the accessories as well; and they do add up!! 1. Cleaning brushes 2. A good test record 3. Tracking force gage(s) 4. Cleaning solutions 5. Cleaning machine (if you are lazy and don't want to do them by hand)[] 6. Zerostat Gun There are a lot of posts mentioning great recommendations of what to get for the above mentioned items. Have fun!!! JJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallette Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 While there seems to have been a rennaissance of interest in rim drive count me out. I had all the experience with them I ever want...not that they cannot sound good but almost any other drive method is an improvement. I do not know of any Stanton "IV, " and am pretty familiar with the Stanton line having owned a number of them. My favorite is the 698EEE which holds up well against anything in it's price range and some costing quite a bit more. The Pioneer is a fine vintage I recall from my couple of years working weekends at a stereo store in the 70's. I'd give it a hard listen. I ended my own turntable quest with a VPI Scout. Not cheap, but anything better costs much, much more IMHO. Regards, Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 i've got a stanton 681 EEE mk III on a Tech SL 1210 and so far have ben very happy considering that the whole package was about $550 new... I've heard the VPI scout and it's definitely at the top of my wish list for when I get a new TT...I agree (and my experience is not that vast) that you would have to double or triple the price of the vpi scout to do better and then it's only a matter of very small degrees and personal taste at that level I need to stop accumulating stupid amounts of speakers and amps so I can afford to upgrade my sources....which will probably give me more bang for my buck at this point...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldenough Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Alliclaytor, I have a pioneer PL-530, at the right price and fitted with a decent cartridge it will not disappoint as a first T/T. Mne still gets regular use as a back-up to my Rega. Big heavy table and quite cool looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 ...and it SURE is purty...Alliclaytor looks like you will be getting a fine TT... Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hifi jim Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Oldenough, any thoughts or comments on the difference between the Rega and the PL-530? I have a PL-51 that I would like to upgrade, wondering what the extra bucks and lack of auto features buys me soundwise on the Rega. I was thinking of going for a PL-530 for the auto return and start, but I can't help but wonder what a P3 would sound like (loved my Planet 2000 cdp). Any info would be helpful. Thanks. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldenough Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Jim, i'm probably the wrong person to ask, if I were to post my comments regarding different turntables that I own (probably twenty) or cartridges (havn't counted em lately) I would be the laughing stock of this forum. I just don't happen to think you need to spend stratosheric prices on this source in particular. There are some great bargains to be had at very reasonable prices (vintage). I believe the PL-51 is one of Pioneers better offerings and is a good solid performer. My Rega is one of the older Planar 2's with the wood trim, I've equipped it with an RB3000 arm and Shure V15iii, is the sound quality better than the V15 on the Pioneer.....Damned if I could tell much of a difference, if any. I think before you sink $1000 bucks into one of the decks that many here will extol the virtues of, I would consider what could be done with the Pioneer you have, ie new cartride/stylus and a good careful set-up of that combination. Then let your ears be the judge, it don't take much to beat the pants off of most CD offerings, if you come to that opinion yourself then you can only be happy. On the other hand...if you have a few grand sitting around spare then go for something more "exotic", just don't go back a few months later and compare it to what you already had, you may just be disappointed........ Disclaimer..: These are only my humble opinions and should not be taken seriously....or out of context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaiser SET say Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Those Staton moving iron carts are great[] Not sure what phono pre you run but I just picked this baby up and I'm taken aback at just how nice it and it's Music Hall (Goldring) Tracker cartridge sounds[] I'm with old E now you just don't have to spend a fortune to have a nice analog front end[:|] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hifi jim Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 Thanks Oldenough, that's the conclusion I was coming to. I really wanted auto return, but I just picked up a B&O for that (cartridge included) and I'll try a different cartridge on the PL-51. Glad to hear these old Pioneers are decent enough to keep from spending too much on the front end...cause I really need a speaker upgrade [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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