Best vintage turntable under 600 usd with auto stop?

[TrevorBarten]

TrevorBarten,

Technics was THE professional direct drive turntable manufacturer. In AM/FM broadcasting, discos, and in recording studios, mastering studios, and in record manufacturing plants, record label A&R departments. Sony made 2-3 turntables which were of that standard in their whole history. The SP-10 Mk II motor also was the drive system used in many Neumann lathes which cut the records we all love. Consider these thoughts. The Sony DD motor is far less robust than the Technics motor is, and the classic Technics motor is maintainable, and designed to be repaired and maintained. Just pointing out some things.

All of my tough records with unusually short space between last of the music and the trail out will play reliably on Technics automatics in good condition and automatic return work reliably. Big Sony problem, the grease on them often turns to gum and not unusual to see them turn to cement in the Southern climates. Same automatic parts fail, same common weak points. Professionals use Manual Turntables by the way. So my definition of professional and yours are quite different.

Technics, the turntables Classical Radio Stations use, and Discos Abuse.

I am not talking about the biotracer series when I say professional I am talking about turntables like the sony ps-x9. Obviously an automatic turntable is not going to be for professional use, I never implied that either. And yes I am aware that that recordplayer also has automatic functions but you get the point. It doesn't have an electro magnetically controlled tonearm and can be used purely manual. Besides it's not like the professional stuff is always the best there is. Sure decks like the sp-10 you mention or the garrard 301/401 or even the sony ps-2250 are nice but they are a lot of work and you also need to keep a lot in mind regarding which tonearm you want or the type of plinth you go with. If I really wanted a professional deck I'd go with emt over a technics regardless.

 

[Jens Sinding]

Isn't itt the oem manufacturer for the cheaper micro seiki turntables? I had a budget itt turntable before and was pleasantly surprised with how nice it was. Pretty sure it was the model you mention except not quartz locked. Though with my current budget I would think it's a shame to buy something that would only fill 1/6th of it.

I think the ITT tt’s were built by CEC. The have a lot of the same parts as contemporary Yamaha tt’s
ITT Schaub-Lorentz was a German brand and had a lot of OEM built Japanese units.
I agree that you can do better with your budget
But it depends a bit on your strategy. Buy relatively cheap and have ready money saved for the next acquisition, or max out the budget now and wait a bit longer.
As others have pointed out a Technics SL-Q2, or Q3, is also a great turntable with the good motor and cast aluminum plinth.
The ITT HIFI 8015 sells at around 200€ in good running condition, but they can be found cheaper (I paid 55€ for mine with a defective tonearm that turned out to be perished rubber belts).

 

[KentTeffeteller]

I am not talking about the biotracer series when I say professional I am talking about turntables like the sony ps-x9. Obviously an automatic turntable is not going to be for professional use, I never implied that either. And yes I am aware that that recordplayer also has automatic functions but you get the point. It doesn't have an electro magnetically controlled tonearm and can be used purely manual. Besides it's not like the professional stuff is always the best there is. Sure decks like the sp-10 you mention or the garrard 301/401 or even the sony ps-2250 are nice but they are a lot of work and you also need to keep a lot in mind regarding which tonearm you want or the type of plinth you go with. If I really wanted a professional deck I'd go with emt over a technics regardless.

For me, EMT is the best, but I prefer one with other tonearms. Or one RAI style (they ordered theirs with Ortofon/SME compatible arms). But that is from the era when studio engineers handled records. And MC cartridges, when European state radios had virtually unlimited budgets. Few EMT turntables were sold in the USA either.

 

[Moby Dick]

Off the top of my head a pioneer pl-518 is easily had for that price.
You might get lucky and score a pl-530.

Or technics sl-1500, sl-1700.

kenwood make many nice TTS that are in that price range.

 

[C Hart]

There are lots of good turntables for that price. +1 for Technics direct drive anything. I have the SL-1600 now but they all have basically the same design philosophy. The stock tonearm is very good, other specs are state of the art even for today. Also they are mostly way cheaper than $600.

 

[Jens Sinding]

I think the ITT tt’s were built by CEC. The have a lot of the same parts as contemporary Yamaha tt’s

Rubbish, I meant Mitsubishi tt’s. There are also a lot of parts sharing with some Realistic turntables.

 

[Montycat]

I have a recently purchased Denon DP-30L. Not fully automatic, but it drops the needle when you hit the speed button and lifts at the end of the record and shuts off. Took it apart to lube and clean it when I first got it and was impressed with the engineering that went into it. Mine is the model with the S arm which is said to be the better version. Put an audio technica 540 cart on it. It's quiet, excellent sound. Gets many good reviews

Also picked up a Pioneer PL-5. This table also gets good reviews, but the Denon is a much better table. Especially from an engineering standpoint. The Denon is just a much better thought out table. You can find either one of these series of tables for not much money

Funny you should mention these 2 in the same post as I have both as well. I also prefer the Denon though I had to re-cap mine to solve a runaway speed issue. It's a nice mechanically simple, easy access design.

 

[mdelola]

You could get lucky and find a fully working Technics SL-1300 for 10 dollars like I did. Now it's my main table and it's friggin sweet!

 

[Sgt Shultz]

I have had a few of that series of kenwood before and I really like the heavy platters. The solenoid design for the arm cueing is not that great though. Also I am not from the US so luckily (or sadly?) didn't miss out on anything .

That's OK, another member here in the US was able to nab it for less than the starting bid, and it included a cartridge worth more than the price of the table so essentially the table was free for him I like when that happens. I've helped a number of members here with similarly great scores.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Try a Technics SL-7 fully auto, close lid and press a button, machine takes care of everything. Also quartz locked.

T4p mount cartridges, few choices still made or which have genuine stylus support.

 

[leesonic]

Depends how far under $600 you want to go. The Dual 505 and it's various iterations offer a simple lift off at the end of the record. If you want to spend a little more, I would suggest one of the Technics turntables that are like automatic SL-1200s : the SL-1300, SL-1500, and SL-1600. They weren't as popular with DJs, so you are more likely to find one that's not too beaten up.

 

[Jens Sinding]

Ariston Q-Deck is another option for a touchless auto lift tt. It comes with the Jelco SA-250ST arm, or in case of early models with the Ariston Enigma/Jelco SA-50 arm. Prices are very dependent on condition but they are fairly easy to maintain.