David Loyd Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 Sorry for yet another thread about this. But I never know if I should hijack a thread or start a new one. I have a $400 budget and want to upgrade my AT LP120. Here's what I'm looking at so far. Project Debut Carbon Rega P1 Uturn audio Orbit or a used Thorens TD 190-1 with Orofon 2m red mm phono cartridge for $200 The Thorens really threw a wrench into my plan. I know reviews have said its a really good tt for the most part, but not worth the new price of around $600. But at $200 does anyone think this is a good deal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jase Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 Rega, all day. I may be slightly biased though. But rega are fantastic with almost endless 'upgrading' options. And even when you reach the end of the upgrade path, buy the next level up, and start again haha David Loyd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casinonightzone Posted December 26, 2013 Share Posted December 26, 2013 you should throw the uturn audio off of that list. i love love love my pro-ject debut carbon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 If you plan on upgrading down the line the Rega might be a better buy, but as a whole package the Debut Carbon is a better deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loyd Posted December 27, 2013 Author Share Posted December 27, 2013 Thanks for the input guys. I'm leaning toward the rega and Carbon, with the Carbon at a slight lead. I figure the switch to an acrylic platter and a better cartridge 6 months to a year from now would be fairly easy and not too much cash. If I can still get a 10% or 15% off for the Carbon at musicians friend then its pretty much a done deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthemforadoomed Posted December 27, 2013 Share Posted December 27, 2013 Rega for sure. David Loyd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loyd Posted December 27, 2013 Author Share Posted December 27, 2013 Thanks again guys. I am now a proud owner of a rega RP1! I found the only shop in a 30ile radius that sold high end audio equipment and they had Thorens, project and rega all for sale. I listened to them all and while they all sounded great, the Rega definitely seemed to have more clarity and warmth the other two turntables I listened to. jase 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jase Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Nice! Now, acrylic platter, aluminium su-platter, record clamp, white belt etc...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickydenim Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Nice one! I started with a RP1 and added mods as I went. You can really go crazy but when you are ready the first thing I would look at are the white upgrade belt and better cartridge. The Ortofon 2m Blue match nicely. Happy listening! David Loyd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 I hate the RP1 platter. And it's really not worth the money for the more expensive upgrades with the RP1. A new cart is and mat is a must, but otherwise, just save for a better turntable. NOT putting down your purchase. My buddy has a RP1, and he put an AT440mla on it and it sounds great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loyd Posted December 28, 2013 Author Share Posted December 28, 2013 Thanks guys. They offered the upgraded package for $195. I might upgrade later down the line, but honestly I listened to both the the upgrade and standard turntable without knowing which one was which and thought the 'grey' cartridge turntable sounded better. When he told me that was the 'standard' model I was ok with that. Haha I have a rubber mat taken from my old technics. Surely that will be better than the felt mat that the rega comes with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 That mat will be better in some ways, but you have to be careful of the change in height of the playing surface, or VTA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Also, you live in the DC area right? What shop did you go to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dethrock Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 Nice choice on the RP1! I just bought an RP3 and it should (hopefully) be here on Monday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 I have to be honest, I find all the comments suggesting immediate upgrades a bit weird. In that case, why not just buy a more expensive table in the first place? Upgrades can only go so far, and the whole idea of them is spending less in the beginning and adding more down the line when the funds allow. There's really no point to buying a cheaper table together with upgrades that cost almost as much. How much did you pay for the RP1? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 I have to be honest, I find all the comments suggesting immediate upgrades a bit weird. In that case, why not just buy a more expensive table in the first place? Upgrades can only go so far, and the whole idea of them is spending less in the beginning and adding more down the line when the funds allow. There's really no point to buying a cheaper table together with upgrades that cost almost as much. Agreed, that way lies the LP12 route. Upgrading a cheap or 2nd hand turntable as a bit of fun to see how far you can take it has always appealed and i've done a few over the years, but upgrading an expensive new turntable that should be the pinnacle of what the maker can do at that price doesn't make a lot of sense to me, I would much rather sell that turntable on and use the money as an upgrade path to try something new, or when funds allow in the case or the Rega line keep the arm, sell the rest of it and use the arm on something different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loyd Posted December 28, 2013 Author Share Posted December 28, 2013 Kannibal I went to a place called IQ home entertainment in Fairfax, VA. Really decent place and the guys really worked to,get me a good deal. Slinch I paid $380 for the Rega. I honestly have no intention of upgrading everything on it anytime soon. The earliest would be next Christmas, maybe my birthday but I plan on keeping this as is right out of the box for quite some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted December 28, 2013 Share Posted December 28, 2013 I know that place. Good folks. They had them set up? It's been a while since I've been there, but I don't remember that they had a demo RP1, They did have a Rega set-up, now that I think about it, but it was out in the showroom by the TVs. Not a great place to demo. $380 is a great price though! You should really upgrade the cartridge when you can. The stock OM5e is terrible and causes noticeable IGD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loyd Posted December 28, 2013 Author Share Posted December 28, 2013 I know that place. Good folks. They had them set up? It's been a while since I've been there, but I don't remember that they had a demo RP1, They did have a Rega set-up, now that I think about it, but it was out in the showroom by the TVs. Not a great place to demo. $380 is a great price though! You should really upgrade the cartridge when you can. The stock OM5e is terrible and causes noticeable IGD. Yeah they had a standard RP1 set up and an upgraded RP1 model set up in the speaker room. I'm not opposed to a upgrade in needle. Do you think the Ortofon 2m red would be a decent upgrade? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kannibal Posted December 29, 2013 Share Posted December 29, 2013 I'm more a fan of the Denon DL-110. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loyd Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 I'm more a fan of the Denon DL-110. Ill definitely look into that. Honestly though after spending the day listening to vinyl on the new table, I'm so impressd with this table as is.Compared to my AT LP120, the clarity and warmth is truly awesome. I can't imagine how much better it would be with a better cartridge but I can't wait to find out. definitely upgrading but it probably won't be for a while. That price on comet supply is really tempting though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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