Which turntable route to go?

[Zitro]

Hey guys,

I really want to get into analog but I'm having a dilemma. In my possession is a JA Michell GyroDec which needs a new power supply, arm board and to be assembled (it's currently in pieces). I don't really have the time or money to fix it, and honestly I'm a bit daunted by it as a first dip into analog; seems a bit much for a first table. I was hoping to start off simple, something like a Rega P1, which I could afford to buy in the near future (and sell the GyroDec). A factor that is pushing me in this direction is, as you can see from my sig, my hi-fi is pretty budget. Given this, would I really be able to tell a big difference between an entry level Rega and a GyroDec on my rig? I figure by the time I have money to upgrade to a higher resolution system, I'll have money to buy a new and even nicer TT. Just a thought, wanted to see what the "been there, done that" group had to say. Thanks!

- Jeremy

[Fongolio]

My vote is to save yourself the hassle and go with the Rega. I'm a big fan of vintage gear but the GyroDec rebuild is a big task (although likely worth it). Save it for down the road. The P1 is a very nice entry table that will give you a lot of satisfaction with a nice cartridge.

By the way that Sansui receiver is a very nice piece in your secondary rig. That P1 would work on it very nice.

[doctor r]

Save money and buy the P1, don't sell they GyroDec right away. The GyroDec you have in pieces could be an excellent table. If you decide to move up in the TT source chain you possibly will not be able to buy the same quality back for what you might sell it for today. If the P1 is totally satisfying then you can sell the GyroDec in the future and use the money to upgrade other equipment.

[Dawgfish]

I'm going to offer a similiar but slightly different suggestion; don't fool with the GyroDec for now until you get more experience with TTs and buy a used Technics SL-1200 instead. I am running a heavily modified SL-1200 with lots of the KABUSA mods and it's outstanding. I know friends who have spent way more on their turntable setup then mine and honestly, mine sounds just as good. I've had intro ProJects and a Rega P1 in the past and frankly they were not as good as the 1200. Don't get me wrong ProJect and Rega make outstanding products, but their intro tables are not quite as good as stock 1200s. You can commonly find used 1200s for $200. Add a Herbie's Way Excellent mat, a good record clamp, and a decent cartridge and you'll be in TT heaven.

[AudioGenics]

just hypothetically
if you were to sell the GryoDec
what do you think you would sell it for ?
if only the Power Supply needs repair or replacement.

[Zitro]

just hypothetically
if you were to sell the GryoDec
what do you think you would sell it for ?
if only the Power Supply needs repair or replacement.

I'm not sure really. There is one on audiogon in great running order for $1500, and it's stock. Mine is obviously not assembled and needs the power supply, but it does have the Orbe platter and clamp upgrade ($850 msrp) and an RB300 tonearm (missing Rega arm board; has a VTL one on it now).

Thanks for the advice guys. Dawgfish, I have heard great things about that table, but I'd rather get something new right now just because between undergrad, work and preparing for graduate school I just won't have time to upgrade or fix anything if something breaks. I want something low maintenance that I don't have to worry about tinkering with for a while (outside of the usual adjustments). Oh, another limiting factor for the table is this: my pre-amp is a very budget Cambridge Audio 540P; I don't think it would do a GyroDec justice lol.

[Zitro]

Looks like Rega is phasing out the p-1 in favor of a manual rp-1 that is a bit more expensive and has no dust cover. Anyone know of the major differences between these two pieces? I really liked that the P-1 was fully built in Britain; is this new one a Chinese product? Either way, if I want the p-1 I need to act fast.

Oh, and just in case I'm away from my comp, a preemptive Happy Thanksgiving!

[coolsax]

I believe the RP1 is a replacement for both the p1 and the p2, Affordable Audio had a review of it recently.