Gathering Feedback: Best Arm/Table combos below $6k?

That's a great question, Chris.
I'm assuming you mean $6K retail price for a new table/arm combo?

I'm always on the lookout for something that will beat my VPI Aries (with a TNT 5 bearing and platter) and Graham 1.5 (w/2.2 bearing) rig. I consider a new version SDS a must for speed stability. This combo has a wide soundstage, black backgrounds, good low end weight and a lush sound.

However, it does not have the PRaT of, say, some of the higher end Regas, the neutrality of the more recent VPIs, the bearing quietness of the SMEs and some of the German tables, and the isolation of the updated Sotas.

While I love the SME30 (and haven't heard the Walker, Rockport, & Redpoint), it's way beyond the range, even on the used market. The SME 20/2 is not as good as the 30, but it's still a great table and can be found on the used market for under $6K. It has great speed stability, focus, isolation, and machining.

I also heard a VPI TNT 6 (?) with 12.5 arm in the Merlin room at CES that sounded very good (Sorry, I don't remember what platter was being used)

Here are some other tables I have on my short list. The first 3 are already over budget, sorry:
- an updated Sota Cosmos (I love the isolation and vacuum hold down---but worry it might screw up my records like an earlier Sota I owned did)
- a Kuzma Stabi Reference
- an SME 10 (the leading contender at the moment to replace my current system)
- the best Teres or Galibier w/i this price range (Unfortunately, the Redpoint falls outside the range)
- a Nottingham Hyperspace with Ace-Space Arm ($5,499)
- a Nottingham Space 294 combo ($3999)
- a ClearAudio Ambient with Satisfy Arm ($4500)
- a Wilson/Benesch table (as much as the budget will allow)
- the best, latest Basis table the budget will allow (They've gotten much better, but I haven't spent time with 'em)

OK, I'm leaving out some out but you get the point. There are a number of fine options out there and new ones are on the way.

Anybody have experience with some of these other contenders?

Thanks!

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Let me give you a partial answer to your question, Chris.

I went to hear the Nottingham Space 294 table & arm combo last week and was told by the dealer that they couldn't keep them in stock. They had sold their display unit, too, so I couldn't audition it. Perhaps tomorrow.

However, I'm told by a few people I respect that it is a killer combo with the 12" arm. I think the reduce tracking distortion of longer arms is a very good thing---coming close to the ideal linear tracking arm, yet also producing extended bass. The supposed negative of the longer arms is increased resonance, but with the application of better materials, I think that is not such a big deal.

Heck, even SME has stretched its 20 table to accommodate a longer arm. (However, it's price point is perilously close to that of the far superior SME 30 table).

Keep your eye on new offerings from Clearaudio. If their new Ambient table and Concerto cartridge I'm auditioning right now are any indication, the sound is a whole lot more to my liking than their previous, more sterile, offerings. OK, I'm a sucker for added warmth but the detail is still preserved and you get that German precision in the bearing with low noise. It also has dead-on speed stability. Unfortunately, it is somewhat limited on choice of arms (Phantoms need not apply).

Although I've heard good things about the Origin combos, I haven't been able to audition any. Sorry.

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Here's another candidate to add to the list.

The Pro-Ject RM10 for about $2500 looks like it could be really sweet.
It has a plinth filled with granulate to match the granulate of the Ground-It Deluxe platform base (which comes with it). I found the G-It base alone made a major difference in the bass control and articulation of the RM9.1

The RM10 also has a better arm than the RM9.1's carbon fiber one, and it has magnetic suspension which takes about 90% of the weight off the bearing.

Unfortunately, I'm told that only one RM10 is in this country, but I suspect more will be on the way.

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The VPI Super Scoutmaster with JMW9 Signature Arm and Nordost wiring. There's a reason this has made HP's recommended components list 2 years in a row.

I own one. IMHO, it is the last turntable/tone arm combo I will ever have to buy (probably), it is that good. Retails for less than $6000 with SDS speed controler.

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