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Originally Posted by rjoseph /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I was hoping to buy a TT and keep it for sometime to come. If B&O is not the one, what other ones would you recommend. I saw some Dual, JVC and Denons online. since i prefer local pickup, should i just wait for one of these to come up and buy it. I especially like the wooded ones. Just looking for something that is closest to CD quality in clarity.
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The RX2 is lighter than some of the earlier B&O tables so in order to get the best out of it you really should put it on a very solid surface preferably on it's own. It's a suspended subchassis design with leaf springs like the Thorens models from the 1980s and '90s (TD320 etc) so it's self levelling unlike most decks of this type. It will work on any surface but will sound light in the bass unless it's solidly supported.
If you have suspended floorboards I'd consider a wall shelf, for any turntable.
B&O decks are better than the others you mentioned on the whole and the belt driven ones like this will give you years of trouble free usage with only the belt and oil needing a change occasionally. The only expensive part is replacing the cart every 2-5 years (depending on level of usage).
Any of the S(oundsmith)MMC range will work. I think the RX2 came with a now discontinued basic MMC5, but they get better as the numbers go down with SMMC2 being about as far as I would go if you are feeling flush. This has a ruby cantilever and contact line diamond which is something you only usually find on the very best Dynavector MC carts these days. (@1000USD++)
B&O decks, like all their kit has a very smooth and cultured sound. The stylus has very low surface noise and they are great for headphone listening. Depending on what kind of music you like; if you are more into Metallica say than John Coltrane, you might find it a little too smooth. That would be my biggest criticism really.
Of the other decks you mentioned,
Dual were always more of a budget deck, albeit one of greatest, and the earlier ones which can play '78s are probably the best made and most coveted. The later CS-505 series are excellent too and you can still buy the CS-505-4 new for around 500 Euros. Don't know if they are still exported to the USA, but they are not as good as a Beogram.
As well as a lot of dross all the big Japanese firms like JVC and Denon made some amazing hi-end designs which you can see here
THEVINTAGEKNOB : vintage audio museum, but these are rare and sought after and on the whole pretty complex mechanically, being full of parts which are no longer available so beware.
They turn up cheap from time to time but unless you really know your onions then they are best avoided. For a similar deck look no further than a Technics SL-1200 which are much more widely supported and can be upgraded to a very high level. In stock form though I'd still take a Beogram over an SL1200.