New Turntable

[Abdo]

Good afternoon,

I have a question and would like to hear some opinions.

I need to buy a new turntable; I want something simple that I would use in my office while I work.

I already have a Rega 3 with an Elys 2.

I've considered these two options:

1. Rega Planar 1 - it comes pre-assembled with a Carbon cartridge.
2. U-turn - Orbit with Ortofon Red. https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-custom

In the case of the Rega, I have a problem with the cable length, as I would need a 2-meter cable.

Would it be possible to buy an RCA extension cable? In that case, which one would be recommended, as some people mention noise in the phono line transmission?

In the case of the U-turn, it would be simpler to buy a phono cable of a few meters.

Another question: would any RCA cable work well, or do I need a specific phono cable?

Thank you,

 

[JP]

If you're going to use an MM cartridge you don't want to extend the phono cables as you'll be adding a lot of capacitance.

 

[Ropeburn]

Easy solution: phono preamp sitting by the turntable, short cable, then line cable as long as you need, that's unproblematic.

 

[dougi]

Or a turntable with a built in phono pre, such as Technics SL-50C (or SL-1500), Elipson Chroma 400 RIAA.

 

[Abdo]

And regarding the two tables... which would be the better option... since both have very similar prices?

 

[JP]

Define "better".

 

[ChefBrunch]

I would go for the TEAC tn-4dse in the office. compact, nice built in MM phono, only needs a line out. quiet DD needs no replacement. removable headshells on a nice arm.....not flimsy, Solid performer all around.

 

[Abdo]

This Teac is interesting... I wasn't familiar with it. Maybe it's a good option. As I said above, I was undecided between the Rega P1 and UTurn... because I wanted something with minimal automation.

But this one seems quite attractive, and it has a slightly retro style.

 

[Ropeburn]

Personally I'd never get anything belt driven. Just seems like inferior technology (in a way it is), and of course some DJ bias exists.

Nice Technics turntable, fully manual. Solid, chunky, long lasting, great mechanical quality. Not cheap of course.

 

[BeeKay]

Just seems like inferior technology

Two flavors of one inferior base technology. Has some comedy elements

 

[Abdo]

I would just like some help and guidance. If it's not good, tell me.
I don't speak enough English and I don't understand if sometimes they are being ironic.
I just wanted someone to tell me... look, this isn't good, so don't buy it... buy this one...
Thank you.

 

[Curvature]

Buy a digital phono preamp. Have whatever cables you like, in whatever turntable you like, using a reasonably priced cartridge with a test record and a microphone, then EQ the response to fit.

I would buy a https://rme-audio.de/adi-2-4-pro-se.html and Technics SL1200 series spinner. Not sure about the cartridge but probably something from Ortofon. Any test record that plays white noise or pink noise would do fine. And then a UMIK-1 for the acoustic measurements.

I like Technics from DJing. I don't find turntable design to be significant beyond ease of use and reliability.

 

[Abdo]

Buy a digital phono preamp. Have whatever cables you like, in whatever turntable you like, using a reasonably priced cartridge with a test record and a microphone, then EQ the response to fit.

I would buy a https://rme-audio.de/adi-2-4-pro-se.html and Technics SL1200 series spinner. Not sure about the cartridge but probably something from Ortofon. Any test record that plays white noise or pink noise would do fine. And then a UMIK-1 for the acoustic measurements.

I like Technics from DJing. I don't find turntable design to be significant beyond ease of use and reliability.

Thank you very much for your reply.

I have a Waxwing that is currently connected to my P3 waxwing... it does an excellent job.

Since I want to add another turntable, and based on your reply I believe that both of the ones I mentioned would be good, as well as the Teac suggestion, although it's not entirely manual.

Thank you for your patience in replying and suggesting.

 

[DVDdoug]

NOTE - I haven't "played records" in decades but occasionally I digitize one that's not available in a digital format.

My turntable is "semi automatic" which means the arm picks-up when the record is done. It's a feature I like!

As far as "sound" I've never heard a difference from the turntable itself except for "cheap plastic record players" that had rumble/mechanical noise picked-up by the cartridge.

The cartridge can make a difference, mostly frequency response and that can be tweaked with EQ/tone controls.

I also like direct drive... No belts or drive wheels to wear-out and slip. I've never had any trouble with my 40-year old Technics (it's not the expensive one). But like I said, it hasn't been in continuous use for 40-years.

If I was in the market for a turntable I'd consider the Audio Technica LP-120USB. It doesn't seem too-cheap or crazy expensive, it's direct drive and it comes ready-to-play with a cartridge and built-in phono preamp, and it has USB if you want to digitize a record. But it's not semi-automatic.

 

[linuxfan]

1. Rega Planar 1 - it comes pre-assembled with a Carbon cartridge.
2. U-turn - Orbit with Ortofon Red.

I think the Rega is the better turntable, and the better tonearm, but in the configuration you listed I think the U-turn would win the shootout - because the Ortofon Red with elliptical stylus is a higher grade of cartridge than the Carbon with conical stylus.
If you put an Ortofon Red on both turntables, now the Planar would likely win ... but retailers don't normally bundle a P1/Red combination, and adding this particular cartridge is likely to make the total price noncompetitive!
I suggest the Planar 1 with a value-priced cartridge upgrade - either stick with the Carbon cartridge but swap in an aftermarket elliptical stylus, or better still, swap out the Carbon cartridge completely for an Audio Technica AT-VM95E.
A Rega Planar 1 plus AT-VM95E is a well-matched combination, and great value.

 

[ban25]

Thank you very much for your reply.

I have a Waxwing that is currently connected to my P3 waxwing... it does an excellent job.

Since I want to add another turntable, and based on your reply I believe that both of the ones I mentioned would be good, as well as the Teac suggestion, although it's not entirely manual.

Thank you for your patience in replying and suggesting.

I would not recommend a Rega or anything belt-driven, for that matter. Two issues:

1) Speed stability: Belt-driven tables have inherently worse speed stability than direct-drive tables, usually on the order of 10X or more. Some genres, with sustained notes like violin concerto, have a really noticeable pitch-shift audible on my old belt-driven Pro-Ject table. My Technics DD has no such issues.

2) IIRC Rega tables have a really stupid design decision to exclude a grounding lug on the table, requiring you to buy their phono stages if you want to avoid the inevitable ground noise.

For a quality low-cost option, I'd suggest an Audio Technica LP120X:

AT-LP120XUSB

The turntable features an S-shaped tonearm with adjustable tracking force and an AT-HS6 universal ½"-mount headshell with an AT-VM95E Dual Magnet™ phono cartridge. Audio-Technica ...

www.audio-technica.com

 

[mglobe]

I would not recommend a Rega or anything belt-driven, for that matter. Two issues:

1) Speed stability: Belt-driven tables have inherently worse speed stability than direct-drive tables, usually on the order of 10X or more. Some genres, with sustained notes like violin concerto, have a really noticeable pitch-shift audible on my old belt-driven Pro-Ject table. My Technics DD has no such issues.

2) IIRC Rega tables have a really stupid design decision to exclude a grounding lug on the table, requiring you to buy their phono stages if you want to avoid the inevitable ground noise.

For a quality low-cost option, I'd suggest an Audio Technica LP120X:

AT-LP120XUSB

The turntable features an S-shaped tonearm with adjustable tracking force and an AT-HS6 universal ½"-mount headshell with an AT-VM95E Dual Magnet™ phono cartridge. Audio-Technica ...

www.audio-technica.com

I run an Ortofon 2m Black on a Rega P3. Zero ground noise. W&F .07 with the reference belt.

 

[linuxfan]

Yes, Regas break all the rules about how a turntable should be engineered - I've been hearing that since the 1980's.
They shouldn't sound good ... but they do.

 

[ban25]

I run an Ortofon 2m Black on a Rega P3. Zero ground noise. W&F .07 with the reference belt.

0.025% on my SL-1200GR2.

Are you running with their phono stage?

 

[Abdo]

Well friends, I ended up choosing this device.

Even to test this direct drive technology.

For now I'll listen with the factory stylus, so I can compare it with the P3 and Elys 2 I have.

Thank you for your patience and to everyone who gave their opinions.

TEAC TN-4D-SE Direct Drive Turntable

The TEAC TN-4D turntable with innovative knife-edge tonearm bearing technology ensures you hear every nuance and note of your favorite records. Shop Now.

teacusa.com

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