Which turntable do you recommend

[3db]

My choices are

1.) A demo NAD553 for $550.00 from a hifi specialty store
http://www.nadelectronics.com/turntable/533_framset.htm

2.) A new Pro-ject Debut for around 402.00
http://www.project-audio.com/bild.php?debut.jpg

Any experience with either one? Which do you recommend?

[jrhymeammo]

The price you have listed seem high on both. Are they Canadian dollars? For the price I would get Xpression2 ($499) by Pro-ject. I own Xpression1 and think it is a great entry-level TT. Xpression2 to me is better since it has metal cones as feet, and would be great for vibration control (this to me is huge). Carbon fiber tonearms are great, but I'm not sure if Debut comes with one. And it is about the only one in this price range with RCA phono jack that I know of, and playing with different cables are always fun. But if you are going to decide from those 2 listed above, I would go with NAD for the RB-250 tonearm. Ask and read up on Rega owners since NAD TT are supplied with Rega RB 250s.

Good Luck

[3db]

The price you have listed seem high on both. Are they Canadian dollars? For the price I would get Xpression2 ($499) by Pro-ject. I own Xpression1 and think it is a great entry-level TT. Xpression2 to me is better since it has metal cones as feet, and would be great for vibration control (this to me is huge). Carbon fiber tonearms are great, but I'm not sure if Debut comes with one. And it is about the only one in this price range with RCA phono jack that I know of, and playing with different cables are always fun. But if you are going to decide from those 2 listed above, I would go with NAD for the RB-250 tonearm. Ask and read up on Rega owners since NAD TT are supplied with Rega RB 250s.

Good Luck

yes they are in Canadian dollars. SInce the Canadain dollar is so high, I was hoping to see price drops on electronics here in Canada but it hasn't happened yet

[BRANDONH]

My choices are

1.) A demo NAD553 for $550.00 from a hifi specialty store
http://www.nadelectronics.com/turntable/533_framset.htm

2.) A new Pro-ject Debut for around 402.00
http://www.project-audio.com/bild.php?debut.jpg

Any experience with either one? Which do you recommend?

Go direct drive and forget about it.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/dj/na...=100001+201817

[Robb]

Hey BrandonOh,
What a coincidence! I have that very same table under the Audio Technica brand name...just wondering what cart you use with it. Cheers!

[BRANDONH]

Hey BrandonOh,
What a coincidence! I have that very same table under the Audio Technica brand name...just wondering what cart you use with it. Cheers!

Hey Rob,
The table in the above pic is not mine I have the Grand Master Technics SL-1210M5G (below):



http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ges?sku=807049

but the cartridge I use is the Shure V15VxMR sadly it has been discontinued
I am planning on getting one of these though:

KAB/ORTOFON PRO-S40 http://www.kabusa.com/phoncart.htm#pg2a




OUTPUT 5cm/S:4mV
FREQ RANGE:20Hz - 29kHz
RESPONSE 20Hz-20kHz:+2 -0 dB
TRACKING 315Hz:>90uM
LATERAL COMPLIANCE:25 uM/mN
STYLUS TYPE:FG70 5/70 uM
STYLUS REPLACEMENT:STY40
STYLUS TIP MASS:0.30 mG
TRACKING FORCE: 1.25-1.75 Gr
LOAD IMPEDANCE: >47kOhm,
200-500pF
CARTRIDGE WEIGHT: 18.5 Gram

The advantage of the integrated design is that the arm wand, cartridge coils and cantilever are in alignment. This creates a better path for vibration dispersion. The result is great midrange transparency and powerful punchy bass. These are custom assembled by KAB. Who else!

[emaidel]

I've said this before (probably at this site, but, perhaps at another one) and I'll say it again: despite the adoration some people give the Technics SL-1200 and its siblings, it isn't the best choice for an audiophile turntable, but is for a DJ. The tubular, "S-shaped" tonearm is just too massive and clunky to work well with a low-mass, high compliance phono cartridge, and its pivot, while incredibly durable to allow for the abuse DJ's relentelessly give it, isn't of a low enough fricition to satisfy a discriminating audiophile. The models depicted here on this thread have a pitch control, which is of no use to an audiophile, and some of the newer models also have a reverse switch, which is equally useless (and potentially dangerous, when used with a high quaility, audiophile cartridge not designed for back-cueing).

There's also a great deal of admiration for KAB, who, at least in the example of Stanton and Pickering cartridges, has simply ripped apart certain stylus assemblies, inserted what's left of them into either Groovemaster or Trackmaster bodies, and called the resulting kluge an "audiophile" product. The all but totally exposed cantilevers (originally protected by the stylus handles they were initially a part of) which now protrude dangerously from Groovemaster and Trackmaster bodies are exceptionally prone to severe damage, which is completely and totally contrary to the exceptional durability both Pickering and Stanton cartridges always exemplified.

My two cents, but having been Pickering's National Sales Manager in the late 70's, and the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Stanton throughout the 90's until the company was sold, I know of what I speak.

[JohnMichael]

My vote is for the NAD. I own the Rega Planar 2 and I have also owned a Thorens ttable manufactured by Pro Ject. I think the arm on the NAD is better. The Rega has been completely dependable. The Thorens(Pro Ject) went back for service twice.

[BRANDONH]

I've said this before (probably at this site, but, perhaps at another one) and I'll say it again: despite the adoration some people give the Technics SL-1200 and its siblings, it isn't the best choice for an audiophile turntable, but is for a DJ. The tubular, "S-shaped" tonearm is just too massive and clunky to work well with a low-mass, high compliance phono cartridge, and its pivot, while incredibly durable to allow for the abuse DJ's relentelessly give it, isn't of a low enough fricition to satisfy a discriminating audiophile. The models depicted here on this thread have a pitch control, which is of no use to an audiophile, and some of the newer models also have a reverse switch, which is equally useless (and potentially dangerous, when used with a high quaility, audiophile cartridge not designed for back-cueing).

There's also a great deal of admiration for KAB, who, at least in the example of Stanton and Pickering cartridges, has simply ripped apart certain stylus assemblies, inserted what's left of them into either Groovemaster or Trackmaster bodies, and called the resulting kluge an "audiophile" product. The all but totally exposed cantilevers (originally protected by the stylus handles they were initially a part of) which now protrude dangerously from Groovemaster and Trackmaster bodies are exceptionally prone to severe damage, which is completely and totally contrary to the exceptional durability both Pickering and Stanton cartridges always exemplified.

My two cents, but having been Pickering's National Sales Manager in the late 70's, and the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Stanton throughout the 90's until the company was sold, I know of what I speak.

Audiophile Snobiophile who cares!
I have the Pro-Ject 1.2 and replaced it with the Technics which easly out preforms the Pro-ject in every way.
True the Technics is used and sold as DJ table but was first intruduced as an audiophile table and today the build quality and sound that comes from these tables is every bit studio um Audiophile quality.
I dont care what anyone says about those over priced audiophile rubberband driven tables, Technics are still an excellent table especially for the money.
And between the two tables the original poster is asking about the Technics fitted with a good cartridge will blow them away.

[emorphien]

Both are good turntables. You get what you pay for though, if the NAD has been taken good care of it would be the better overall turntable and give you more upgradeability (better arm and all the Rega P2 goodies will work on it).

I believe the model should be either 533 or 555 for the NAD however, with the 555 just being a newer version by my assumption. I really haven't been able to get much info on the 555.

As far as the price on that NAD... I could get a 555 new for $500ish (USD) which is more than you're going to pay for that, but not much. I don't know the state of the market for this kind of gear in Canada but you're paying pretty much the same to the new US price for that turntable (currency adjusted, I'm not that dumb ). I'd find out what the new price for one of those is in Canada, it's a demo so give it a thorough going over and base how much you think its worth off that. I personally would expect it to be a fair bit less.

edit: Ok i looked a little and your Debut is about $60USD more than it is here after the currency change. Based on that your NAD is probably still too expensive, but not as bad as I had originally thought

[emorphien]

I agree Technics are good tables, but in general I find them too analytical and lifeless for the majority of music I listen to. For actually listening to and enjoying my music I prefer a "rubber band" driven table.

[emorphien]

The Denon cartridges are good. I like my 110. Another option is the 160.