I don’t know about anything other than LP12s and that only cos I have one - had it 26 years now. It requires a phono stage between it and a 552 (had the 552 just over a year). I don’t know if any competing turntables come with phono stages attached, though I suspect not. The 52 (and before that 102) that I had before the 552 could (and did) take internal phono cards, but I think the 552 will require a phono stage
My LP12 has an internal phono stage (prefix) which is powered by my 552 and feeds a line level signal into the 552. Some people use Naim superline phono stage but that requires a Naim power supply and would use up all your budget before getting an LP12! I haven’t spent much on the LP12 in the 26 years I have had it but am about to spend lots on it…
By the way, I have really enjoyed the 707s I have heard and may get some one day
I’d suggest that if you have a ‘few’ records and are thinking of buying some more while not going crazy, an LP12 may be a bit OTT. I bought a Rega Planar 1 last year - it’s good but it’s certainly nowhere near my 272 in terms of quality. A few weeks ago I bought a Rega Planar 6 with Ania cartridge and Fono MC phono stage and it’s great. So much better than the 1 and doesn’t sound obviously ‘worse’ than the streamer. Linns are good - I had a really nice one once - but must be set up properly by someone who knows what they are doing. The Rega however takes five minutes to set up - stick it on a £125 Rega wall shelf and you are away. All in, with a pair of Rega Couple 2 leads it costs £1,850. If that’s too cheap then there is always the 8 or 10. All are equally easy to set up and you don’t open the potential for a never ending upgrade path.
I agree HH, rega are fit and forget and can produce incredible sound. It’s very difficult to get poor sound from a rega. There’s very little to improve soon for any given model.
In contrast an LP12 can be a total dog if not set up correctly and is the opposite of the rega in that constant upgrades/ improvements are possible.
Both are great tt’s but are very different to own.
An entry level deck won’t come close to your current source and, then would you play the deck at all
Second mid level set up deck that will bring you back to playing vinyl more and then tge itch to go further, budget would be advantageous and if it does not work then sell on easily
Linn Sondek, with my experience in 20 years of ownership you would need a deck at Akurate level or above to match your current sources
Does this mean buying new, well you can or find a dealer to make you a deck from a donor deck
So I would look at kore, good arm, lingo 3 or 4 karsouel cartridge, speak to a LP12 specialist disscus your budget and thoughts plenty of options to look at
Other top decks mentioned on here, from my point of view a well constructed deck well balanced is one of the finest musical sources
I had a RP3 from the age of 18 and then got a Linn Axis about 6 years ago when I was 40 which was at a similar level to the Rega.
I did a fair bit of research and bought an LP12 which had a lovely plinth, new lid and looked great. It has the pre Cirkus bearing and white bonded chassis and Valhalla power supply. I paid about £1000 for it.
Subsequently I have gradually upgraded the LP12 to Akurate level. Firstly I got the deck serviced and had a Lingo 1 fitted at the same time. I then had the tonearm serviced and upgraded by Audio Origami. About 2 years later I had the Cirkus bearing done (now replaced by Karousel), Kore sub chassis fitted at the same time. I have upgraded the cartridge and have also had the Lingo 1 serviced.
Am using a Graham Slee Reflex M phonostage.
I would say including the interconnects, phonostage and turntable shelf as well as everything listed above, I have spent around £5500 getting the turntable to this level which is still slightly below Akurate level new!
The Rega turntables are very good too and offer a much simpler journey.
My LP12 is much loved and I have enjoyed upgrading it over the last 4 years or so.
I would be having a serious think about where I want to go with vinyl before spending ANY money
If you only have a handful of records but know you like the format and are going to head in that direction…great …buy what ever TT is within your budget and be happy
If is a bit of a whim and your really not sure how it’s going to develop…then a second hand RP3 or the like is a great way to test the waters without blowing your years hi-fi budget
But whatever you choose…have a long hard think about the above … and leave a budget for buying more vinyl too…it ain’t cheap no more!!!
As a lp12 owner for about 30 years I would go with a rega first see if you are happy then trade in for an lp12 . but you will be opening a can of worms.
I suspect that if you want an LP12 which compares favourably with your CDS3 and does justice to the rest of your system, you should be looking at least at Akurate level. Then bear in mind that you’ll need a record cleaning machine too if you wish to avoid static issues and excessive clicks and pops. If I were in your position and didn’t already have a sizeable record collection, I’d probably resist any itch to play vinyl and try instead a PS555DR power supply on the CDS3. Vinyl can be a lot of faff and it’s not cheap.
As @anon4489532 has said, going for a decent spec LP12 may be tempting but perhaps a bit too much if you only have 10s of records and you only want to dip your toe in the water at this stage.
On the other hand, I have bought 2 Rega decks recently for members of the family who are entering the world of vinyl music. The Planar 3 is absolutely tremendous value for money and is clearly the benchmark at its price point. However, given the calibre of your system, you may find the relative lack of pitch stability a concern if you opt for a lower end Rega deck.
So the sweet spot would be somewhere in between these 2.
A new Rega Planar 8 with Ania moving coil cartridge is about £2,200 here in the UK, though you would need to add either a Rega Fono (£200) or better an Aria (£900).
Slightly less expensive, a new Rega Planar 6 with Ania cartridge and Fono phono stage comes in at £1670.
Both the Planar 8 and Planar 6 come with Rega’s rather good NEO external power supply, which really helps with pitch stability.
Care is needed when mounting these Rega decks, as they don’t have an internal suspension system. If you have a spare shelf on top of a FRAIM stack, then this is ideal. Otherwise, Rega’s wall shelf is a very good option. If neither is possible, then check out SRM/Tech for one of their inexpensive Rega isolation platforms.
By all means look at other options and indeed second hand, but here is where I would start.
That’s a good summary. The Fono MC phono stage costs £249 and seems to match the Ania really well, which is perhaps not surprising as they were literally made to work together.
It’s worth noting that the Planar 6 now comes with the new improved EBLT belt, as used on the 8 and 10. And don’t forget that you can get alternative colour mats from Rega if you like a bit of contrast.
I was in a similar position and got a Rega3 to replace an old original broken Xerxes. Had lots of records and a CDS3 like you.
The Rega was great. Four years later though I have a top new LP12. My two sources compliment each other perfectly. Lots of good suggestions above of course.
Downside? In short it’s a lot of cash and I suspect you will need a Superline powered by your 552 or Urika 1 to boot. Only you can decide if the investment is worth it. I thought it was.
I’ve owned my LP12 for over 30 years.
There’s a reason I still own it and that’s because I believe the sound is the best of any turntable, at any price. (That I’ve heard).
If you’re not sure about throwing a lot of money at it if you’re unsure how much use it’ll get.
I reckon you could go the pre-owned route and buy a very nice LP12 using pre-owned parts.
If I were you, I’d be speaking to Peter Swain at Cymbiosis about what he might be able to put together for your budget, if you’re in the UK.
By all means listen to other offerings but ultimately, trust your own ears.
I had a Rega3, coupled with a 200/202 sometimes the results were way above price tag and sometimes not, I just think the Rega 3 would not be a happy combo with the quality of the amplification .
Have a CDX2 and like you in the end I felt the upgrade urge , have a Clearaudio Emotion , its’ a sweet and attractive turntable but it needs a good phono stage , so probably outside the OP’s budget.
LP12s fitted with springs/grommets from recent times really do not go ‘out of tune’ like the old decks used to. Once serviced they will not need anything done, other than occasional belt maintenance, for years on end.
The ‘never ending upgrade path’ is equally available to Rega owners. You’ve just recently gone along that path yourself by trading up to a better model. It’s no harder to stop where you are with an LP12 than with any other TT.
I simply said they need setting up properly, nothing about needing constant attention. I loved my LP12, which had an Aro, Armageddon and Prefix. I should never have sold it really but what’s done is done. Of course you can sell one Rega and buy another as I did. I just like the idea of everything being in the box, including a fitted cartridge, and that it’s up an running in five minutes. Both are good decks and both would serve the OP well, as would many others I’m sure. I’m certainly not becoming a Rega fanboy - I simply find the Planar 6 extraordinarily good and brilliant value.
I only have a few albums but the records are nice ‘things’. I’m playing a Glenn Gould recording of Bach, which I found in the local hospice shop for £2 and the vinyl is pretty much perfect. And today a limited edition remaster of The Durutti Column’s Vini Reilly arrived in the post. It’s just nice to have a few records and the 6 seems a good compromise of performance and cost.
