3-Speed Turntable Recommendations?

Doc Friedman

Doc Friedman

Active Member
This isn't a pressing question, and I probably won't act on it for a while, but I was wondering what you guys would recommend for a 3-speed (or 4-speed) turntable, This would be to use in my studio/office for research, and digitizing. I'm a historian, and I come across all kinds of strange recordings. For example, I have a stack of old New Music Recordings 78s from the 1930s that I have never listened to, and I would like to be able to get at them. But I also use a lot of LPs in my research, though no 45s (yet), and I have only ever seen one 16 rpm record in the wild. I have a somewhat cheesy Pioneer PL-600 in my office right now, a Pro-Ject Carbon in my living room, and a Linn LP-12 restoration project.

So my question is this... What would be a decent choice for a 3-speed turntable. I have no preference for new or vintage -- okay, maybe a slight preference for vintage -- except that I'll need to be able to swap the stylus out of the cartridge for 78s. I don't mind doing a little tech maintenance, but I don't want to get into another restoration project. It doesn't need to be the best table in the universe, just solid, dependable, and somewhat unfussy. I don't need USB, since it will go through a DAC. And I'd rather keep the price fairly low, since this will come out of my research budget, and I still have to plan for a bunch of trips this year.

So... Any ideas?
 
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Vintage best value idler- Dual 1019. ( lots of other Dual options also)
Vintage belt awesomeness - Empire 598
Vintage DD spectacular - Technics SP15
King belt/idler - Thorens td-124

Vintage budget idler- VOM ... I have many of these and I love them for the $25 and under that I am into each.

New decent - Audio Technica at-LP120 - I intend to get one of these some day to compare to the other 3 speed tables...

I use two Dual 1019s, One for 78s and one for 45s.
I use one Empire 598, mostly for 45s and 33s... 78s demand the shell change and its a pain on the 598.
I am in the process of rebuilding a TD-124

I have 4 VOMs in various parts of living spaces... when they are rebuilt, they are adequate.
 
Go for an idler drive table, something like a Garrard 401 would be perfect for you. You could build a nice plinth with multiple tonearms and have one set up for 78's. If the Garrard is too spendy for you , there are several companies that made idler drive transcription tables, Russco, QRK, also check out Rek-o-kut or if you really want to go old school a Gates with the 16" platter would be awesome.
 
Oh... VOM is Voice of Music.
They built and provided a ton of TTs all through the 50s-60s and 70s. They are very abundant, and quite adequate. But if you are going to convert to digital, It is hard to beat the LP-120
 
jeremyjustic said:
Go for an idler drive table, something like a Garrard 401 would be perfect for you. You could build a nice plinth with multiple tonearms and have one set up for 78's. If the Garrard is too spendy for you , there are several companies that made idler drive transcription tables, Russco, QRK, also check out Rek-o-kut or if you really want to go old school a Gates with the 16" platter would be awesome.
Click to expand...

Yes, these are all options also... So many to choose from.
We should ask what your budget is...?
 
Elac Miracord 50H is a solid, well built turntable. They are relatively easy to find and not that hard to get working properly.
 
malden said:
Elac Miracord 50H is a solid, well built turntable. They are relatively easy to find and not that hard to get working properly.
Click to expand...

Totally agree! I had one in a Fisher console that was wonderful... Very easy to clean and regrease.
Oh, wait, it was a 10 h or f
 
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Doc Friedman said:
This isn't a pressing question, and I probably won't act on it for a while, but I was wondering what you guys would recommend for a 3-speed (or 4-speed) turntable, This would be to use in my studio/office for research, and digitizing. I'm a historian, and I come across all kinds of strange recordings. For example, I have a stack of old New Music Recordings 78s from the 1930s that I have never listened to, and I would like to be able to get at them. But I also use a lot of LPs in my research, though no 45s (yet), and I have only ever seen one 16 rpm record in the wild. I have a somewhat cheesy Pioneer PL-600 in my office right now, a Pro-Ject Carbon in my living room, and a Linn LP-12 restoration project.

So my question is this... What would be a decent choice for a 3-speed turntable. I have no preference for new or vintage -- okay, maybe a slight preference for vintage -- except that I'll need to be able to swap the stylus out of the cartridge for 78s. I don't mind doing a little tech maintenance, but I don't want to get into another restoration project. It doesn't need to be the best table in the universe, just solid, dependable, and somewhat unfussy. I don't need USB, since it will go through a DAC. And I'd rather keep the price fairly low, since this will come out of my research budget, and I still have to plan for a bunch of trips this year.

So... Any ideas?
Click to expand...

How much do you want to spend?
 
I would recommend not getting a changer for this and going manual. If you can afford one in nice order, a Lenco L75 would be a good candidate and can accept some nice tonearms like the Jelco and Linns. And has variable speed range which handles most every 78 RPM ever cut.
 
biscuithead said:
We should ask what your budget is...?
Click to expand...
Well... In theory, I could blow my whole research budget. But then I'll be WALKING to LA from New York this winter for my research trip to the Getty Institute. ;)

In practice, I'd like to keep the price in the hundreds for now. The Garrard looks ideal but spendy, and I'd like to eventually upgrade to something really nice for the office... But not until I get tenure. SO I'm thinking $100-$300.

I have considered the AT 120. I have some AT gear -- mics, headphones, etc. -- that are pretty solid. I have a bit of a prejudice against DD. I worked in radio many, many years ago, and I used to find the low-level noise bleed from the DD turntables we had the CBC absolutely maddening. But that was 25 years ago, so maybe the newer DD tables run quieter?

The Miracord and Dual interest me. A college roommate had a Dual way back when. I coveted it obscenely at the time. How much maintenance am I likely to be getting myself into with one of these two? I'm happy to do some. I have the skills to do a fair bit of work -- like the LP-12 project -- I just don't have the time to do a lot of it. Hence the LP-12 project. And how much of a pain would it be to swap styli as needed?

By the way, this is all very instructive. Keep it coming.
 
KentTeffeteller said:
I would recommend not getting a changer for this and going manual. If you can afford one in nice order, a Lenco L75 would be a good candidate and can accept some nice tonearms like the Jelco and Linns. And has variable speed range which handles most every 78 RPM ever cut.
Click to expand...

Yeah... I want one!
 
Doc Friedman said:
Well... In theory, I could blow my whole research budget. But then I'll be WALKING to LA from New York this winter for my research trip to the Getty Institute. ;)

In practice, I'd like to keep the price in the hundreds for now. The Garrard looks ideal but spendy, and I'd like to eventually upgrade to something really nice for the office... But not until I get tenure. SO I'm thinking $100-$300.

I have considered the AT 120. I have some AT gear -- mics, headphones, etc. -- that are pretty solid. I have a bit of a prejudice against DD. I worked in radio many, many years ago, and I used to find the low-level noise bleed from the DD turntables we had the CBC absolutely maddening. But that was 25 years ago, so maybe the newer DD tables run quieter?

The Miracord and Dual interest me. A college roommate had a Dual way back when. I coveted it obscenely at the time. How much maintenance am I likely to be getting myself into with one of these two? I'm happy to do some. I have the skills to do a fair bit of work -- like the LP-12 project -- I just don't have the time to do a lot of it. Hence the LP-12 project. And how much of a pain would it be to swap styli as needed?

By the way, this is all very instructive. Keep it coming.
Click to expand...

I find the Dual Sleds to be very easy to switch out. They sometimes have contact issues, but nothing a logical person can't handle. The Elac has a cool wheel and head shell that is easy and non-problematic. My Dual 1019s require a motor lube every 2 years, and just don't let the idler rest on the pulley when not in use. Either is a good option and relatively maintenance free, once they are cleaned and regreased and dialed in.
 
Doc Friedman said:
Well... In theory, I could blow my whole research budget. But then I'll be WALKING to LA from New York this winter for my research trip to the Getty Institute. ;)

In practice, I'd like to keep the price in the hundreds for now. The Garrard looks ideal but spendy, and I'd like to eventually upgrade to something really nice for the office... But not until I get tenure. SO I'm thinking $100-$300.

I have considered the AT 120. I have some AT gear -- mics, headphones, etc. -- that are pretty solid. I have a bit of a prejudice against DD. I worked in radio many, many years ago, and I used to find the low-level noise bleed from the DD turntables we had the CBC absolutely maddening. But that was 25 years ago, so maybe the newer DD tables run quieter?

The Miracord and Dual interest me. A college roommate had a Dual way back when. I coveted it obscenely at the time. How much maintenance am I likely to be getting myself into with one of these two? I'm happy to do some. I have the skills to do a fair bit of work -- like the LP-12 project -- I just don't have the time to do a lot of it. Hence the LP-12 project. And how much of a pain would it be to swap styli as needed?

By the way, this is all very instructive. Keep it coming.
Click to expand...

I wish I had an answer for you about the AT-120. You will find quite the partisanship on this one... hopefully an open-minded user will chime in on this.

I forgot to mention the Dual CS-455-1. I just got a used one. It is relatively new, a belt drive, and does a great job on 45s and 33s, I haven't really run it through the paces on 78rpm.
 
Doc Friedman said:
... And I would have no use for the changer...
Click to expand...

Even though the Elac 50H is a changer, it doesn't have to be used that way. I have a couple of each, Dual, Garrard, Miracords and the Elac Miracords seem to be the least trouble. A 50H in mint shape can be found for under $300.00.
 
Rek-O-Kuts are great turntables but the OP wants to spend a maximum of $300.00 and does not want to get into restoring a vintage turntable.
 
Technics SP-15 would be ideal for the job. 33/45/78, wide range of speed adjustment and super quick and easy to use for transcription work.
 
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