Putting some thought into turntable types
Q. I am interested in purchasing a turntable. My budget is $500. What is your opinion of direct drive vs. belt drive turntables? — S.M., San Jose, Calif. A. It’s obvious that you are better off with a $1,000 belt drive turntable than a $500 direct drive turntable — and vice versa. But in general, which do I think is better? This simple question took a lot of thought.
Many audiophiles would immediately say that belt drive is better and direct drive costs a fortune to do well. The reasoning behind audiophile prejudices is the belief that inexpensive direct drive turntables pick up too much vibration from the motor and sound noisy, or that quartz-controlled direct drive mechanisms sound uneven because they are constantly “hunting” for the correct speed.
I have come to consider both arguments to be baloney. You have to be careful when selecting a cartridge for a direct drive turntable, because certain cartridge types (like moving coils) may pick up hum from the motor, but when matched with a proper cartridge, an affordable direct drive turntable can sound great.
Of all the turntables I have owned or tested, the ones I have liked the best have been direct drive. A well-executed direct drive has a neutral sound, with smoothness, precision, power and accuracy. I own a high-end belt drive model— AVID Diva II — and a direct drive Technics SL1210M5G. I tend to use the Technics more. If I needed a new turntable today, I would buy the newest version of the Technics, the SL-1200GR, at $1,699. Given the quality of construction and the improved drive system, the SL1200GRis a high-end bargain.
My preference is a generalization because any turntable must be evaluated as a sum of its parts. The turntable, arm and cartridge all mustwork well together. The phono preamp, which amplifies and adjusts the signal from the cartridge so it can work with an amplifier or powered speakers, also must be considered. The preamp is found in the turntable, in an amplifier or receiver, or as a separatecomponent.
I have two direct drive and two belt drive recommendations for you to consider, all under $500. All are great performers. As you look them over, I think you’ll quickly knowwhich one is for you.
LP Gear offers two direct drive Audio-Technica turntables upgraded with my favorite budget cartridge, LP Gear’s The Vessel A3SE. This cartridge’s spectacular sound transforms these turntables into something special. The A3SE-improved AT-LP5 is $489, and the A3SE-improved AT-LP120USB is $349. I have not tried the AT-LP5, but many readers are thrilled with the upgraded AT-LP120-USB. Both include a phono preamp and USB computer connections. Seelpgear.com.
The $399 Pro-ject Debut Carbon DC has long been the audiophile standard under $500 and should be on your list. No phono preamp is included. See sumikoaudio.net.
The $249 Fluance RT81 is the most attractive for under $500, with its polished wood base. It has a built-in phono preamp and a good starter cartridge.See fluance.com.