Are any of these turntables worth looking at?

[mr_petit]

ULM is not a big problem, you can use adapter.

Good to know, but does the contraweight on the arm have enough range to fit a fairly heavy cartridge like a at-150mlx (8,3gr) with a fairly light VTF (about 1,25gr)?
Can you confirm that?
For a normal arm that's no problem, but the ulm arm is made for very light cartridges, so it's contraweight might not be that heavy.
I have no experience with these adapters, so I assume that the alignment is also 100% (so the slots are long enough to facilitate all alignments on all cartridges and cartridge height also isn't a problem?). Can you confirm that too?

I've had a 650rc for a short while a long time ago (I guess 25 years ago) but wasn't really impresed with the motordrive and overal quality. So I swapped it out with a 721 which is on a completely different level in many ways. The 721 is here forever.

 

[srb02]

any of those old Technics are great middle of the road tables. my favorite is my SL-D205 w/an AK "red" stylis.

 

[radiokom]

Good to know, but does the contraweight on the arm have enough range to fit a fairly heavy cartridge like a at-150mlx (8,3gr) with a fairly light VTF (about 1,25gr)?
Can you confirm that?

It was more than 30 years ago when I had CS741Q ULM version. Used with 1/2" adapter and Stanton 881S (5,5g) @ 1g recommended VTF without problem, it was perfect match for that time. Tonearm is good, dynamically balanced for high to high-medium compliance cartridge. But this is my only experience with Dual, later I switched to Technics 1210MK2, MC and so on. I do not remember weight of adapter, but it was very small. I believe it should work with 8,3g cartridge but no I can not confirm. I simply do not remember adjustment range.

 

[Chad Michael]

We have 4 record stores locally, that sell vintage hifi equipment, serviced by a local tech. The majority (maybe all) has a 30 day warranty. Yes, you will pay more. However, if you are not comfortable taking things apart, and performing repairs, a serviced one might be for you.

That is quite a list you have there. Are these from thrift stores, craigslist, marketplace, etc? Is it possible to try it before you buy it?

 

[melofelo]

Lots of decent table in that list.
If the price is good , The Technics SL-D2 and Pioneer PL-12D both have decent tonearms that mate well with a medium compliance cartridge like the AT-95e or the AT-VM95e ..check the pivot bearings for play/binding though. The Dual 606 is als worth a look if you prefer high compliance cartridges. I had the cheaper/ later CS-505/II Deluxe as my ever first turntable back in the mid 80s with the ULM arm...and it track warped records like nothing else I've used although its low mass was ultimately a limitation in what cartridges could be used. I imagine the older model in good condition with direct drive would be a good option at the right price.

 

[stereofisher]

Any of the Duals worth looking at?

Most are later Duals. PE was bought by Dual. That 3060 is a rebadged Dual 1225/1228. Had a PE 3048 I got cheap. Serviced it. Kept for 9 month. I really liked that PE. Worked well that nine months. Had a 1009SK take its place. That 3060 is all mechanical. No electronics. Clean and lube them and they wil run a long time. Have a 1219 I did 10 years go. Pictured on my avatar. Working well.

Add Technics to the want list.