TT recommendations?

[basite]

For about $500 you may be able to find an original Benz Ace (it comes in low, med, and high output) which is supposed to be a good match for the carbon fibre tonearm on the Pro-Ject. Benz just came out with an updated Ace line called the Ace S at about $200 more than the original Ace. You should be able to get a deal on the original Ace if you can find one.

I heard it with a Denon DL-103 too, and it still sounded like a good match for the tonearm...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[dean_martin]

I heard it with a Denon DL-103 too, and it still sounded like a good match for the tonearm...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Very good. I'm about to get the Denon DL-103 for my Technics table, but I'm going to have to either get a step-up transformer or a new phono stage that will handle its low output.

With my older Pro-ject (aluminum arm tube rather than carbon fiber), I run an Ortofon MC-3 Turbo which I can also recommend. Its treble region is light and airy, midrange is smooth and detailed, but its bass extension and slam don't come through on my Pro-Ject. When switched over to the Technics, the MC3 really rocks. Bass comes through deep, tight and clean. I'm thinking it would do very well on a higher end Pro-Ject table/arm like the RM-5. In Europe, I think the Pro-Ject table/cart packages come with Ortofon carts which I generally prefer over the Sumiko carts supplied with Pro-Jects in the US.

[JohnMichael]

This thread is a little old, but I would like to hear about BR's trip to needle doctor.

Here's my take on the Pro-Ject RM-5 vs. the RM-5 SE: go with the regular RM-5 and add the Pro-Ject Speed Box. Then you won't have to pay for that Sumiko BPS that comes with the SE and you'll come out about $100 cheaper w/RM-5 and Speed Box. The SE with cart may seem like a better value, but from what I've read most people don't stay with a BPS for very long. For about $500 you may be able to find an original Benz Ace (it comes in low, med, and high output) which is supposed to be a good match for the carbon fibre tonearm on the Pro-Ject. Benz just came out with an updated Ace line called the Ace S at about $200 more than the original Ace. You should be able to get a deal on the original Ace if you can find one.

I purchased my Benz from NeedleDoctor and I saved money through the Benz trade in program. I traded in an old Grado for the Benz. After some wear on the Gold it will be traded in on the ACE for a good savings. I also have a Bluepoint that I will be trading in for a new one at a greatly reduced price. I will be in Minneapolis during the first week of August and I hope to make it to the NeedleDoctor.

[dean_martin]

I purchased my Benz from NeedleDoctor and I saved money through the Benz trade in program. I traded in an old Grado for the Benz. After some wear on the Gold it will be traded in on the ACE for a good savings. I also have a Bluepoint that I will be trading in for a new one at a greatly reduced price. I will be in Minneapolis during the first week of August and I hope to make it to the NeedleDoctor.

Hey, JM. Are you saying you will be trading in the Bluepoint for another Bluepoint, or for a Benz? Just curious. Most of what I've read suggests that the BP can become a little fatiguing due to the way it handles highs. What's your experience? My only experience with Sumiko carts is with the Oyster which came with my Pro-Ject table. I may have used it 2 weeks. I think I'll see if it qualifies for the Benz trade in program. (I wouldn't mind hearing Sumiko's Blackbird or Celebration though.)