Make a decision

[fiorita]

I plan to buy a entry level turntable from 2nd hand market with below choose:

1) Goldring GR1.2 (3 Months old), around USD190
2) Pro-ject Xpression mk2 + Phono box SE (10 Months old), around USD320.

Hope somebody can get me advice and information to make the decision. Many thanks

[JaS]

The Rega sourced arm in the Goldring is arguably better with a bit of tweaking but I'd expect the overall sound, especially with the SE phono stage, to be superior from the Pro-ject. You could also add a Speedbox at a later date to tighten the sound up even further, a nice addition if you are at all pitch sensitive.

Regards,
JaS

[fiorita]

The Rega sourced arm in the Goldring is arguably better with a bit of tweaking but I'd expect the overall sound, especially with the SE phono stage, to be superior from the Pro-ject. You could also add a Speedbox at a later date to tighten the sound up even further, a nice addition if you are at all pitch sensitive.

Regards,
JaS

Hi Jas,

Thanks for your valuable adv. I learnt from several forum. The goldring apply the OEM RB250. It's good arm.

But I find some comments. Pro-ject arm is not good and difficult to set up for new comer. It's make me can't make the decision. Could you comment by rtn.

[sreten]

Hi,

As I understand it the GR2 tonearm is on a par with the Rega RB250,
the GR1.2 is not quite as good. The GR1.2 is probably the best "fit and
forget" of the two, especially if you already have a phono stage input.

The Elektra is probably pretty similar to the OM10 in the Project.

/sreten.

[stereophile]

I plan to buy a entry level turntable from 2nd hand market with below choose:

1) Goldring GR1.2 (3 Months old), around USD190
2) Pro-ject Xpression mk2 + Phono box SE (10 Months old), around USD320.

Hope somebody can get me advice and information to make the decision. Many thanks

fiorita- Hi, I was wondering if you already have a phonostage, then you wouldn't need to buy the PhonoBox SE. You can get the Project ttable for a lower price(if the seller is willing to split the package).

As to the ttables, the rega arm in the Goldring will require shims if you want to change the VTA. Nice thing with the arm is that there are a lot of aftermarket products to tweak it with. The project tonearm can be adjusted in all parameters, including VTA by merely loosening an allen set screw.

These, to me, are the things to consider when you choose between the two turntables you listed above.

[fiorita]

Dear All,

Thanks for adv.

Finally, I bought "Pro-ject Xpression mk2 + Phono box SE"

I consider

1) My amp. is entry level (NAD 304). The quality of Phono input may not good enough. Actually, Phone box SE is really improve the sound. It's much detail/ clear compare to direct input via NAD 304 phonostage.
2) I may upgrade the cartridge later.
- MM cartridge: Shure M97XE
Is it a good cartridge?
Is it fit for my Turntable?
Or
- MC cartridge: Phone box SE support to MC cartridge. But I have no idea which MC cartidge suitable for my TT.

Could you adv me some idea with many thanks.

[bauzace50]

Hello Fiorita,
Your situation is typical! You say you are relatively new to this hobby, and bastlnut gave a wise observation in another thread: enjoy each one for what it is!
It's good to experiment and develop Your Own Views and Convictions. I owned one M97xE, and all of the V15. Though I love the V15V, the M97xE could never finally please me for its polite soft treble and limited tracking ability.
If you want to experiment with moving coils, I heard two starting units which were eminently enjoyable: the Sumiko Blue Point, and the Dynavector high-output with the red body (forgot the model number).
This is a journey, enjoy it, and trust Your Ears,
bauzace50

[stereophile]

and the Dynavector high-output with the red body (forgot the model number)

That would be the Dynavector 10x5