What TT's do you folks have

Latest TT list:

Technics SL D2 (78 RPM mod planned)
Technics SL D202 (with 78 RPM mod)
Technics SL D303 (with 78 RPM mod)
Technics SL Q212 (part of a rack system)
Technics SL 1300 MK1
Pioneer PL 550
Pioneer PL 340 (with 78 RPM mod)
Onkyo CP 1116A
Gemini PDT 6000
Dual 1214
Dual CS 620 Q
Yamaha YP B4
Sherwood ST 903
Fisher MT 32
Panasonic SL H308 (part of a rack system)

Yes I have a problem and need to sell some of lesser ones off.o_O:D
 
Here's a potato picture of my second turntable (and first conventional TT), an Onkyo CP-1015A.

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EDIT: Now with action shot! The cartridge I'm using is an Ortofon OM5E but I have a NOS Tonar (Nagaoka JT-)555 cart in shipping right now.
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This one l picked up on the side of the road about 6 years ago.
I've had it packed in a box but last night decided to try and get it working which l did.
Took a few hours looking up tonearm adjustments and tonearm lift adjustment and changing the cartridge but it's going like a beauty
JVC QL-Y3F direct drive.
IMG_5710.JPG IMG_5709.JPG
 
I have a dozen or more "project" turntables in varying states of disrepair. Good excuse to do an inventory:

- Three Linn Sonkek LP12s, two with Valhalla PS and one pre-Valhalla
- One Thorens TD-125 MKII with Stax UA-7 tonearm
- One Thorens TD-150 MKII AB with stock arm, no headshell
- Thorens TD-124, no armboard or arm
- Two Bogen/Lenco heavy platters (B60 and B61) with stock arm
- Oracle Alexandria
- Rek-o-Kut L34H with Gray 208 16" transcription tonearm
- Rek-o-Kut Rondine Deluxe with Pritchard ADC wooden tonearm
- Audio Technica AT-LP240

The main problem I face with most of these turntables is the cost to get them working and sounding decent. If I could manage scrape $1K together, which would I choose? I tried using tonearms and cartridges I had on hand with unsatisfactory results. My vinyl sounded tired and scratchy even with my best attempt, a Linn LP12 Valhalla with Ultracraft AC-300 MKII tonearm and AT-440MLB cartridge. While doing a google search for tonearms under $1K I found NaimNatNod's post on the AT-LP1240 and couldn't believe such a thing could be purchased at that price point. I was able to purchase an AT-LP240 on ebay for roughly $360 and stuck the AT-440MLB on it. I am getting excellent results with this setup at roughly half the cost of what I thought I'd have to spend. I am finally getting the sound I had hoped for from my vinyl, open and uncompressed with plenty of dynamic range and inner detail all the way through to the end of the record. While I still intend to eventually get a couple of my older tables working, the AT-LP240 will be the basis for comparison.
 
The only TT I've ever owned, the recently-revived Marantz TT530 linear tracking unit which I purchased new in 1980, performed flawlessly in regular use for most of those years. Knowing little to nothing about phono cartridges back then, sometime in the mid 90s I swapped out the worn, original Audio-Technica cartridge that the TT came with for an AT/Realistic RX1500. That cart worked great for me for 20 years until the needle assembly literally imploded several weeks ago. Soon after that my TT tracking motor belt gave out and my new audio gear quest officially began -- and AK came to my rescue.

Thanks to this forum I was able to find an exact replacement for the TT belt. But even more awesomely, based on what I've been able to learn here about premium vintage cartidges, I was fortunate enough to score a brand new NOS Audio-Technica AT331LP cartridge on eBay. It arrives later this week and I CAN'T WAIT to experience the difference that I know I've never before heard in my old LPs.

Next up I will be refurbishing my pair of blown EPI T/E 100 speakers and then looking into the possibly upgrade of said faithful, yet admittedly 'fair-to-middlin' Marantz TT530, perhaps to one of the better vintage Technics models.
 
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I have two TTs, a vintage Pioneer PL41 and a Project RPM3.

The PL41 was a fun restoration. It is built like no other. The cartridge on there now is a Shure M91ED with a Vivid Line stylus. Gawd ....what a combination!
1. Added like new TT mat
2. Polished cover
3. Added correct thickness TT belt
4. Built bottom plinth cover to match OEM bottom cover with correct ventilation holes. Used similar hard board material.
5. Replaced cast aluminum speed cover with like new OEM speed cover.
6. Filled minor sliver in walnut plinth. Cleaned polished restored walnut plinth.
7. Matched paint and touched up cast aluminum top plinth.
8. Replaced thrust bearing and lubricated.

PL41-a.jpg
 
I really like fixing up mediocre equipment into over achievers, This $2. pl 112d turntable was on a concrete floor in my basement stripped of cables, feet, head shell, left for junk with cd players stacked on top. I just started seeing a few guys using them on here, so I got the little thing up and running. Did some feet and dampening mods, still sensitive with the floors, but better.17203917_809729609183642_1450721445_n.jpg 17270420_809734109183192_542609633_n (1).jpg
 

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I own a Marantz 6300 purchased new in 1976. Extra fine condition. I use medium quality moving magnet cartridges in the Marantz headshells. One is a 26 year old Signet AM-40S, the other is my regular use AT440MLB.
 
After experiencing feedback problems with Japanese direct drive TT's ( Pioneer PL-51, Mitsubishi LT-22 linear tracking) I went back to belt drive suspended TT's.
I had started with an AR-XA then an AR-XB, Phillips 212, and Phillips 312. In 1990 I picked up a Sota Sapphire Series III from a Trading Times classified. $500 with dust cover, reflex clamp, Sumiko Premier MMT tonearm with PIB (phono interface box) Grado 8mz. I am still using that table 27 years later. I have no desire to change. I have a Grado TLZ, GTZ+, Goldring Epic, Ortofon FFXEII, Shure M75. I have a Music Hall MMF 2.1 that I originally bought for my daughter that I keep for a backup it has the factory installed Goldring Elan.
 
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