Looking on ebay there are quite a few 505's about from £30 -£100 which are a great way of getting back into it or indeed starting from scratch. Noticed a Mantra for £95 without arm too.

For me the Mantra was compromised because it used other turntable manufacturers parts, although appeared to work quite well for the money. Later models used modified Logic tone arms which did enhance the decks ability for sure. Don't think it was ever a contender for the LP12 as it had the constraints of a small independent machine shop behind it which restricted its growth both in product design and retail development. Might have been a different story if it had gained popularity but there were an awful lot of players out there namely Rega,Thorens and Revolver which were all capable and had better dealer support. Sad really as it was a thriving scene mid 70 to late 80's for British made hifi with the likes of Nytech ,Moth, Crimson, DNM, Heybrook, AR to name but a few, all of which no longer exist.

Its refreshing to see the younger generation starting to take interest in what Vinyl has to offer and appreciate proper HiFi gear no matter what the pedigree.  

My 17 year old son has a little album collection(about 20) already which is a start!

Have you managed to source parts to revive your Mantra?

The Mantra was better than the LP12/LVII, but not quite as good as the LP12/ITTOK, but then the ITTOCK cost more than the entire Mantra/RB300 set-up!! The Mantra also looked better than the LP12, at least the Rosewood version I have did.

One thing HiFi will always do and that's take subjectivity to another level. I'm as guilty as the next but admit there are times when you have to look (or should I say listen) to what your presented with and the circumstance.

Far to many variables to say what is better with which component as we know its the quest to find that perfect synergy between cartridge/arm and turntable.(and pre-amp)

The mantra in your eyes has an aesthetic advantage and in your experience more sonically rewarding in RB300 guise against LP12\LVII.

 

LP12 Takes an inordinate amount of time to setup. Once done the rewards are to be had. The deck has the ability to cope with a £100 arm and cartridge combo to in excess of £5k. 

They even did a Rosewood version. Its like a grand piano, some pianists swear by the softer resonance of the Bosendorfer,whilst others are firm advocates of the classic Steinway. Or Cageian disciples would argue the beauty of silence.

 

That's the beauty of HiFi and acoustics!

Actually, I wasnt going on my opinion alone, but that of several "experts" and specialist shop staff where I used to frequent "back in the day".

 

And as mentioned, step dad had a fit when he heard my Mantra, and spent a LOT of money upgrading his LP12 (Ittock, new suspension [Trampoline??] and new psu board- I forget which one, plus a new £3,000 Pre/Power amp.PLUS the £5K speakers he won from one of  the magazine comps. My system still runs a pair of Cambridge R40s made in 1974 that I bought 2nd hand!!

I was talking with a work colleague the other day, turns out he is a real HIFI buff. He showed me a picture of his setup, it consists of true high end gear including a wonderful turnable that cost him more than a car, and then the pre-amp and amplifiers on top. Must be £20K or more, the turntable cost him £17K alone.

 

Turntable

http://www.stoneaudio.co.uk/?product=linn+klimax+lp12

 

He has estimated that it costs around £2 for each LP he plays in wear and tear due to the cost of the cartridge and Stylus.

There are some people out there with more money than sense, remember the Naim "Six Pack" amplification set-up??

 

And I saw on the news a few days ago, an "Audio Grade" Ethernet cable is being sold for $10,000 !!!!

The 'Six Pack' was a dream system for many of us at the time.

Used to read The Flat Response magazine religiously.

 

I can remember those Krell amps that drew so much current it was probably better to hard wire them to a 40A cooker switch.

The good thing about The Krell mono blocks was you did not need the heating on in the room they were in.

The good thing about The Krell mono blocks was you did not need the heating on in the house they were in.

 

THERE, corrected that for you.