I've used Regas for 15 years (a 2 with a Linn K5 then a 3 with a Rega Elys). Both sounded great and are near impossible to beat for the money - esp secondhand. They need careful siting though, but the Rega wall mounted support cost me £25 new.

Oh - and if it's the Stooges you're listening too - I can heartily recommend the recent 180gm repressngs of all three

What exactly is "giving up the ghost"? Turntables are pretty simple mechanical devices, for the most part: motor, drive mechanism (belt or gears), clutches and mechanisms for driving automatic tonearms on turntables with more bells and whistles, several switches, maybe a couple of servo motors, platter. I'm no expert, I barely know the difference between a capacitor and a resistor, but I've repaired and given away at least 5 turntables that people gave to me because they'd "given up the ghost". Depending on the maker, most of the parts are relatively easy to find, to boot. For an example, just do a google search: audio turntable motors. What could be more appropriate for listening to the Stooges than a turntable that you rebuilt, especially if, in doing it, you cut yourself and bleed on it?

mark

if you search this forum for "turntable rega," using the 'all search terms' match, you will find oh so much info on turntables

tm

If you've got a good used store near you (or if you go to Saturday Audio Exchange's website) try a Dual. It's a German company, and my table has been going strong for over 10 years now with not a single problem. Otherwise, the ever-popular Technics 1200 can be had for about $350 and will probably hold up better than most others mentioned.

tmidgett wrote:mark

if you search this forum for "turntable rega," using the 'all search terms' match, you will find oh so much info on turntables

tm

Tim,

I searched but did not find the answer to my question, which is as follows:

Is there a US dealer for Rega?


Anyone know?

steve wrote:If it's still available, I can recommend the VPI, even in its most basic model.

This model was called the VPI 19jr. It is/was a good 'table and came fitted with the rega RB250 arm usually. They had an upgrade path that was good for the $$$. But, the 19 line has been discontinued.

VPIs entry level table now is the Scout @ $1600 list. It is an excellent table. you may be able to find deals for much less. I dunno. Seems that they still have upgrade options for their 'tables.

Good luck

A question for those in the know....

I'm looking to upgrade my table in the next year or so. I'm looking for something that's going to track really hot recordings well. I've got a fair collection of old Mercury SR, RCA LSC Living Stereo, as well as some of the Classic Records reissues.

The problem with my current setup is it will not track the really hot dynamic parts well. It breaks up on the fortissimo crashes, the loud brass sections, and I blame this in part to the low effective mass of the tonearm.

I'm currently using a Grado Gold, which sounds great and I'd like to keep; so I'm not interested in any AC motored tables like the Dual.

Would a good solid table with a RB300 solve my problem. Should I look into a Shure V15 cart too? Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution?

BTW my current setup is a Harman-Kardon TC55 with the ITO(H)? arm and the Grado Gold cart. Tracking is 1.5g. I've setup the cart to have the least tracking angle variance/error about 1/2 to 2/3rds in toward the run-out spiral.

Thanks!

Dylan wrote:If you've got a good used store near you (or if you go to Saturday Audio Exchange's website) try a Dual. It's a German company, and my table has been going strong for over 10 years now with not a single problem.

I can second that. I've had my Dual for about 8 years without any problems.

VPI Scout. A total bargain, if you can imagine a $1600.00 turntable a bargain. Everything sounds terrific on it (w/ Grado Platinum Cartridge)...

If you cant spend that much, the Music Hall tables are a safe bet. If you are going to spend $700.00 on a turntable, suck it up and pay double for a VPI. You'll never have to upgrade.

I've had my NAD 533 turntable for roughly 4 years now and highly recommend it. Purist charm, reasonably priced. Comes with a Goldring Elektra cartdridge.