Hey everyone. I really like the look of these old dual turntables, like the 701, but as far as quality of music and quality of build is concerned do you think i would be better off with getting a new rega p1 for 350 or a nice condition dual 701 for around 450?
I have a shure n97xe stylus so i am kind of worried about going for the cheap rega because it has a more basic orofon stylus from what i see , and to get the table i would have to sell my shure. the 701 i found has my stylus on there so that wouldnt be a prob.
I am also looking at a dual cs 5000 and considering anything as far as quality sound for around 300-400ish. I am definitely trying to stay under 450 for my budget, because that is even too much right now. Any comments appreciated, Thanks!
The Rega has by far the better tonearm and the Dual has a much worse platter that will ring and doesn't respond to tweaks. Neither has a suspension to speak of and so both will respond to whatever you sit them upon. The Dual has a speed adjustment and the Rega runs slightly fast. The Dual is direct dive and the Rega is belt. If you have a need for extrememly fine speed resolution, buy the Dual. Otherwise the Reag is the better table. Don't pick a turntable by considering the cartridge it comes with.
LOL I had a 701 with a Shure V15 MK3 cartridge. I NEVER liked that table for some reason. I didn't like the way it looked, the dust cover, I don't know it didn't do a thing for me. It went in the trash can.
Direct drive Dual's would not be a choice that I would make. Dual's belt drive tables are much better. These days you can get a near mint Dual 505-3 or 505-4 for less than $100 and with a budget cartridge you can have a rig that sounds every bit as good as a starter table from Rega, ProJect, or Music Hall. However if you want to just buy a table and start playing records...like now, the P1 would be a fine table.
