Looking for a $200 or so record player - Page 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eee Pee 

Have you seen the new Rega RP3?  Toneaudio.com has a quick review of it and the P3-24 side by side, and while they said the new RP3 is the new benchmark, that doesn't mean the P3-24 is bad.  And most places are letting their inventory of the P3-24 go for a couple hundred dollars off the price now.  Musicdirect for instance...

 

http://www.tonepublications.com/review/first-us-review-the-rega-rp3/

 

Just sharing...

Interesting, but the price isn't far off a 1200, and I was reading some owner reviews from audiophiles that say the direct drive quarts control motor is far more accurate than belt drive.  From a mechanical point of view direct drive should have less driveline powerloss and no lateral loading on bearings.  But belt drives lateral loading should dampen more vibrations (no scratch that, any bearing imperfections will be exacerbated by lateral loading).  Any thoughs?  better still do you have direct experience with both these units?

Thoughts?  Yes, I suppose.  I had a Garrard back in 1996, direct drive.  It was cool, for nostalgic reasons, but I was just into college and didn't treat it right, so it wasn't for me.  I moved onward to a Sota Moonbeam (quite similar to the Rega actually).  Then to a VPI HW-19.  I was "raised" that audiophiles like/prefer/use belts.  That sideload you speak of is so small because the belt tension is practically nill.

And notice how many über expensive tables use belts?  

Experience with those units?  No, unfortunately (regrettably).  Over the years in the back of my mind I always wanted a Rega.  I'm the epitome of keep it simple and that P3 is just that.  I went with the VPI after the Sota because that's what the local dealer carried and highly endorsed.  And being allowed to listen to my records on their VPI flagship at the time, the almighty TNT, was so sweet, so surely their lower end table shared some of those qualities?  Riiiiiight...

~15 years later I'm back in the market for another turntable, and coincidentally the Rega RP3 is released.  I'm buying a Rega this time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eee Pee 

Thoughts?  Yes, I suppose.  I had a Garrard back in 1996, direct drive.  It was cool, for nostalgic reasons, but I was just into college and didn't treat it right, so it wasn't for me.  I moved onward to a Sota Moonbeam (quite similar to the Rega actually).  Then to a VPI HW-19.  I was "raised" that audiophiles like/prefer/use belts.  That sideload you speak of is so small because the belt tension is practically nill.

 

And notice how many über expensive tables use belts?  

 

Experience with those units?  No, unfortunately (regrettably).  Over the years in the back of my mind I always wanted a Rega.  I'm the epitome of keep it simple and that P3 is just that.  I went with the VPI after the Sota because that's what the local dealer carried and highly endorsed.  And being allowed to listen to my records on their VPI flagship at the time, the almighty TNT, was so sweet, so surely their lower end table shared some of those qualities?  Riiiiiight...

 

~15 years later I'm back in the market for another turntable, and coincidentally the Rega RP3 is released.  I'm buying a Rega this time.

 

 

 

Sorry for the thread jack...but man, you got me thinking.

OK so I change my mind, I think belt drive when done right, for the purpose of a vibration free platter, will be better than direct drive.  The motor will always have some vibration and directly coupling this to the platter may not be the best method.  Belt drive will at least decouple the vibration of the motor from the platter, the best way would be to have the belt around the entire platter to reduce belt tension, increase grip and also increase torque for those complex passages - I saw pictures of those in the other thread of pictures of turntables.
 

Can you recommend some around $100 cartridges for a Technics MK2?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HiGHFLYiN9 

It may be difficult to find satisfaction from a $200 record player; probably the cheapest you should go is a used Technics 1200 direct drive on Craigs List (~$300) and splurge for a new cartridge (~$50-100). 

In those links, the clamping one uses a collet system that will grab onto the spindle of the platter.  The non clamping just rests on the record.  I suppose if the weight alone isn't heavy enough to flatten maybe a 180 gram record that's warped badly, you can push down on the weight and clamp it in place.  Seems feasible.  

My VPI clamp screws down so I can adjust how flat I make the record.  VPI said don't smash it, and get it right at the point before the edges of the record come up off the platter.

Not all platters or mats are shaped correctly to use a clamping system.  I have no clue if a Technics would benefit from one or not.  

In regards to the mats, you know how it goes, they all sound different.