Fantasy Turntable Shopping

stewart0722 · Aug 30, 2014

Someone gives you 11 grand on the condition you buy a turntable and
arm with it (not talking retail.......after discount......) you plan
to carry your Lyra Kleos to your next table......

For me the ones at the top of the list are:

Palmer 2.5 with Audio Origami Arm (list 11995, can get for about 11000)
Basis 2200/Vector w/ Micrometer (list 11900, can get for 9900)
Oracle Delphi Mk VI w/ Turbo VI Pwr Supply and SME 345 (list 13275, can get for 10600)
Michell Orbe SE w/ SME V (list 9990, can get in mid 8s I think)
Merrill Williams 101.2 (list 7600) (1100 for 2 clamps) (arm Dynavector DV507 MK II list 5350) total=14K, can get for ??
(also considering Merrill Williams 101 at about 1700 less list)

arm/table combos not set, might take arm from one, apply to another......

Replacing VPI Classic 3. Did the 3D arm wand upgrade and all I can say is
I am not connecting with the music right now, so in all seriousness.....VPI
fan advice won't go very far with me.......I want something different after
three VPI tables in a row.....

What are your thoughts????? Can't wait to see all the opinions/ideas.....

Bruce B · Aug 30, 2014

Used SME 20/12

garylkoh · Aug 30, 2014

If you want to connect to the music, Roksan Xerses 20plus with Artemiz tonearm and Reference Power Supply.

Garth · Aug 30, 2014

I need more money for a fantasy if not I would go Sota used and a sme arm V

stewart0722 · Aug 30, 2014

who carries Roksan in USA?

Mark Jones · Aug 31, 2014

SME 20/3a

Steve Williams · Aug 31, 2014

stewart0722 said:
who carries Roksan in USA?

I think it is Rutherford Audio

microstrip · Aug 31, 2014

A pity you do not live in Europe - you could get my mint SME30/2 and SME V with original wood crate and manuals for a nice price!

Johnny Vinyl · Aug 31, 2014

Oracle Delphi Mk VI w/ Turbo VI Pwr Supply and SME 345 (list 13275, can get for 10600)

The first time I heard an Oracle TT around 1986-87 I was taken. I've wanted one ever since.

PeterA · Aug 31, 2014

microstrip said:
A pity you do not live in Europe - you could get my mint SME30/2 and SME V with original wood crate and manuals for a nice price!

Microstrip, what are you replacing your SME 30/2 with and what don't you like about it? Just curious. Thanks.

PeterA · Aug 31, 2014

Mark Jones said:
SME 20/3a

Agree, that would be my first choice unless you could find a used 20/12 with V-12 arm. That would be even better.

I'd also consider a reconditioned Technics SP10 with new plinth and V-12 arm. It would probably have to be a Mk II for that price.

A Basis with Vector arm could also be a good option.

garylkoh · Aug 31, 2014

stewart0722 said:
who carries Roksan in USA?

Rutherford Audio is the distributor.

Here's a dealer who carries stock and can demo: http://www.kosmic.us/roksan-xerxes.html

ashandger · Aug 31, 2014

garylkoh said:
If you want to connect to the music, Roksan Xerses 20plus with Artemiz tonearm and Reference Power Supply.

+1. The ONLY component that has remained constant in my system for many years (upgraded along the way to full current spec). It's rhythm and pace are simply extraordinary and makes music soooo enjoyable! Great detail and dynamics as well. Totally agree with Gary's thoughts.

garylkoh · Aug 31, 2014

The Roksan Xerses has been constant in my system since 1985 - from the first generation through the current, I've owned all 4 variants. I've made side-trips along the way, but have always come back. There's always something attractive about another turntable, but ultimately to connect to the music in an emotional way I always come back to the Xerses.

stewart0722 · Aug 31, 2014

Gary,

What cartridge and phono stage are you using?

I've seen your table in some of the avshowroom videos of your various rooms @ shows......
Found it interesting that the arm on the Air Force one you said was by the same designer
as the Roksan arms.....

Thanks

Eric

Mark Jones · Aug 31, 2014

PeterA said:
Agree, that would be my first choice unless you could find a used 20/12 with V-12 arm. That would be even better.

I'd also consider a reconditioned Technics SP10 with new plinth and V-12 arm. It would probably have to be a Mk II for that price.

A Basis with Vector arm could also be a good option.

Too bad you don't live in Canada, I could look after three of these suggestions.. ;-)

Mosin · Aug 31, 2014

I agree that for the price you have in mind, a maxed out Roksan would be hard to beat. There are reasons why it sounds the way it does. They actually designed it. A lot of other makers just make something to sell, or so it seems.

If you got lucky enough to find one of the heavy Micro Seiki string drives for that price, that would also be a good way to go. I suspect they sell for more than that, however.

Mark Jones · Aug 31, 2014

Man, I love those old thread drive Micro Seiki's, so cool.

XV-1 · Sep 1, 2014

Since you are in the US

The 30k demo Spiral Groove table on audiogin for 12k.

Hotstamper · Sep 1, 2014

I recently heard a table/arm that would easily satisfy my $11K tax-refund-fantasy: Oswalds Mill Anatase with 12" Schick tonearm.
Around $10K. Absolutely frickin sublime. Exciting. Vivid. Fun. Real "PRAT" and all. Utterly different from the VPI sound.

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