Help with a turntable dilemma

[soulman]

I recently bought a Systemdek llx to start listening to music more often again. I can't really mount a wall shelf and it bounces around like crazy in our old victorian semi.

To cut a long story short I went to listen to freefallrobs technics, which I liked, with a view to px the systemdek. He quickly noticed play in the Linn arms bearings, which after a check by my local Linn dealer, is terminal for the arm.

I have around £300 and want to know how you think I should spend my money:

Option 1 - buy a used rega rb300 and get an armboard for the systemdek (£150)

Option 2 - px the systemdek locally for a new RP3 with rb303 and elys2 (£300 but the tt is a union jack!)

Option 3 - borrow a friends technics sl-1210mk2 and fit the rb300 from option 1 (£155 and ok by mate on a very long term loan)

Any other options? System is naim nait 1 and quad esl63, music taste is 60s rock, soul and 70s rock, jazz, r&b and other bits and pieces.

 

[SCIDB]

Hi,

If your turntable is bouncing badly, you to try any potential deck in your room to see if it stable.

SCIDB

 

[russ abbott - royds broth]

Is there a reason you can't put a wall shelf up?

I used a big thick heavy slab with big lumps of blu tak, then a tt stand at an old house with wooden floor.

 

[soulman]

Its in a bedroom and its difficult to find a place for one. The house is 125 years old with original floors and upstairs is quite well sprung!

More interested in SQ I'll sort the bounce problem if keeping the Systemdek is th best option. Was just wondering if other options will be better in terms of sound

 

[SCIDB]

Hi,

the bounce problem may affect other turntables.

SCIDB

 

[kabayiri]

If you're interested, I've got a RB300 arm which came with my P3, and I also have this Audionote arm

http://www.audionote.co.uk/products/analogue/arm_one_01.shtml

It's basically a selected RB250 but with AudioNote rewiring, which is really nice.

 

[soulman]

Kabayiri are you looking to sell either, if so how much for?

 

[soulman]

Well I went to compare the Systemdek with an rp3 this afternoon. It wasn't even close, the rp3 had much more authority, weight and precision.

The rp3 is at home now in a weeks demo, it might be staying as it seems a cracking deal at £280 plus my deck...

 

[kabayiri]

Well I went to compare the Systemdek with an rp3 this afternoon. It wasn't even close, the rp3 had much more authority, weight and precision. The rp3 is at home now in a weeks demo, it might be staying as it seems a cracking deal at £280 plus my deck...

Is it the Union Jack one?

Good to hear it's proving enjoyable. I have a white RP6 on a custom white quartz stand and I think it looks and sounds great.

Have the vibration issues gone?

Dave

 

[soulman]

Yes Dave its the Union Jack one, no skipping when I walk around and it sounds amazing at all volumes, full bodied, loads of weight and attack but with a precise soundstage, it'll be difficult to give i back. Don't think I can borrow a nice Technics to compare before it has to go back...

Can I still have the stand for a donation to charity? If funds allow I may also take the rb300 for a future technics project.

 

[soulman]

Is there a way of setting tracking force without a gauge on the rega? It was set at the shop but I was going to recheck it but don't have a gauge...

 

[Vinyl Art]

Yup, balance the arm and i think each full turn of the counter weight = 2Gm. Check out the actual weight on Vinyl Engine.

 

[kabayiri]

...

Can I still have the stand for a donation to charity? If funds allow I may also take the rb300 for a future technics project.

Yeah, no problem at all about that.

It's a nice stand from Alphason, I think it was called Jumbo. 4 shelves, 30in wide, about a foot plus between shelves. The shelves are rosenut which I am told don't "fit in" with our floor/doors now! I'll try and take a pic tomorrow and send.

 

[russ abbott - royds broth]

Well I went to compare the Systemdek with an rp3 this afternoon. It wasn't even close, the rp3 had much more authority, weight and precision. The rp3 is at home now in a weeks demo, it might be staying as it seems a cracking deal at £280 plus my deck...

Have you tried the systemdek with a working arm yet?

 

[soulman]

No but the problem of not being able to move at all without setting the arm bouncing around has gone away with the arrival of the rp3, big bonus and it sounds ace!

 

[russ abbott - royds broth]

Ah...no wonder it wasn't close then.

If the bearings have gone in the linn arm it may be part of the reason it is skipping.

 

[mikedefacto]

I would just borrow your mate's SL-1200 and see if the bouncing is an issue. If it goes away, then keep that and put your money into a nice cartridge, and forget about the Rega arm.

- - - Updated - - -

Well I went to compare the Systemdek with an rp3 this afternoon. It wasn't even close, the rp3 had much more authority, weight and precision. The rp3 is at home now in a weeks demo, it might be staying as it seems a cracking deal at £280 plus my deck...

Oh I missed this... I hope you enjoy your new record player

Actually, forget me.. you haven't bought it yet. I would still try the Technics as it will cost nothing to do so, and you can always still buy the Rega if you prefer it.

 

[soulman]

I'm going to borrow that later this week, the bouncing was cured by the intoduction of the rega. Will try and borrow/beg/steal a decent cartridge and compare the rega and technics. I am really liking the sound of the rega, full with plenty of detail and good imaging. It also fulfils my faff free rule I decided upon when I started this return to more serious music listening...

 

[Stevebrock]

The RP3 is a great deck for the money!

When the (seconds) RP6s came up I couldn't resist - got a good price for my RP3/Elys2 though.

I went for the Exact cart - a good uplift over the RP3.

This weekend I have borrowed a Dynavector 10x5 (high output MC) - WOW this cart blows the Exact away! You want transparent, open, taut bass and musical - the 10x5 has it. Been playing so much vinyl over the weekend, hearing more detail too.

10x5 ordered!