Bite the bullet

S

steven klass

New Member
I am trying to decide between a U Turn and a Music Hall of the relatively same price I am an old guy that is use to TT with all the knobs and dials. Even the pricey TT seem very spartan compared to the vintage gear. But any advice would be much appreciated.
 
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Does it have to be a new turntable? I ask because I'm no longer young, and I much prefer the build quality and feel of vintage turntables over most affordable new ones. If you live near a large city, you should be able to find a reputable company that will sell you a refurbished table that will outperform any modern table for the same money. That's all I use.
 
Maybe so, but it is still a deal considering the pedigree. It very well could be one of the best buys for a modern TT. IMO.
 
battermoose1 said:
Maybe so, but it is still a deal considering the pedigree. It very well could be one of the best buys for a modern TT. IMO.
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Oh, not arguing THAT, don't get me wrong. In my opinion, the Marantz is a helluva good table! But, in a completely different league, in both price and quality, than the U-turn or Music Hall.....
 
Another question for the OP - which Thorens model do they have?

Depending on which one, it may make more sense to spend the money on some simple upgrades for it. Or maybe a new cartridge?
 
Yeah, why buy a new turntable with a brand new manufacturer's warranty and a new cartridge when you could hunt forever on eBay or Craigslist for a turntable someone's trying to unload because it's been too much trouble?
 
Well, I had a couple of vintage tables but in late 2019, I bought a Technics 1210GR. Primarily used a VM95ML cart on it until recently where I bought a VM540ML on a Labor Day sale. It's a better cart but not by much. That table is life changing if your a serious record guy (and can afford the price). DD, amazing start-up and torque, dead silent, easy to set up and as much as a Marantz fanboy as I am, I would go near the Clearaudio made Marantz table although it is definitely a looker. Compare the performance specs, however. It pisses some people off when I say I will no longer own a rubber band driven table when Technics DD tables are available, especially the GR and G. But they're in another price category than the OP may be willing to spend. Based on what he already owns, if he wants a different sound, go cartridge shopping.
 
homebrew said:
Yeah, why buy a new turntable with a brand new manufacturer's warranty and a new cartridge when you could hunt forever on eBay or Craigslist for a turntable someone's trying to unload because it's been too much trouble?
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Funny, I never seem to have any problems finding really good turntables for relatively little compared to new tables. And they all work really well. At least they do now. I did have my tech clean up all the hardened grease and relube the 1219, but that is all. And the B&O needs some attention, which is why I have multiple tables. Always have a backup if you buy vintage. The Sony and the Yamaha PX-3 worked perfectly from the time I got them years ago, and still work great!

steven klass said:
Well, I have 2 Duals, Phillips, AT, and a Thorens all vintage. But you know how it is when you get the "turntable fever", I just wanted to get something modern to play with and compare.
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I see the OP isn't a newbie to the hobby. I understand. I wanted an upgrade a few years ago, started to look at upgrading the tonearm on my Kenwood KD-550, and ended up with a Yamaha GT-2000L. I'm glad I did because it sounds so sweet! A few more bucks, but worth it to hear such a major improvement. I have a Yamaha PX-3, and a Sony PS-X600 in my critical listening system, a Dual 1219 for my Bedroom system, and a B&O 4001 on the sidelines. There isn't that much differences between them except for the controls, but the GT-2000? That was at a whole new level. Might be something to consider.
 
I can understand your foray into the modern world of TT's having five to choose from, wondering if more can be eked out from this part of the sound chain.

No mention of what you have in mind, or just musing at this point?

You could just keep the one vint TT, using the funds from selling the others towards an upper tiered player. Again, not sure what sort of newer gear and price range you want to stray into.

Q
 
without knowing your budget, have you ever looked at a Well Tempered Lab Turntable?

First read about this table in 1985, immediately became my bucket list table at $3495 knowing I might never be able to afford one.

Here we are 35yrs later, many vintage decks are like gold, but apparently the out of the box design of the WTL keeps them under the radar.

About 18months ago another member here mentioned picking up a WTL Reference and it got me thinking. So I looked on eBay and see an original listed for $1350, wow, what a deal, but still more than I wanted to spend.

It didn't sell, relisted at $1100, then $1000, $900, then sold. Damn, missed out, but wait, the seller backed out and it relisted. I made an offer he had to refuse.......he didn't lol, now I had to come up with $650. Almost canceled the sale, but realized I might not get another chance like this again.

All I can say is WOW, it easily exceeded all of my expectations. But here's the great news, I've seen 4 more sell in the $800 range in the past 12months, bargain of the analog world.

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some of my other decks for reference
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the WTL was a huge step up from these rather nice decks, endgame for most really, and were for me until the WTL
 
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You might also consider the Fluance RT85. No built-in preamp, but that's not an issue, built-in is a newer thing, and you already have good phono pre-amplification.
Nothing flashy, just a decent modern belt-drive TT, with an Ortofon 2M Blue, for $500.
 
BilboBaggins said:
Funny, I never seem to have any problems finding really good turntables for relatively little compared to new tables. And they all work really well. At least they do now. I did have my tech clean up all the hardened grease and relube the 1219, but that is all. And the B&O needs some attention, which is why I have multiple tables. Always have a backup if you buy vintage. The Sony and the Yamaha PX-3 worked perfectly from the time I got them years ago, and still work great!



I see the OP isn't a newbie to the hobby. I understand. I wanted an upgrade a few years ago, started to look at upgrading the tonearm on my Kenwood KD-550, and ended up with a Yamaha GT-2000L. I'm glad I did because it sounds so sweet! A few more bucks, but worth it to hear such a major improvement. I have a Yamaha PX-3, and a Sony PS-X600 in my critical listening system, a Dual 1219 for my Bedroom system, and a B&O 4001 on the sidelines. There isn't that much differences between them except for the controls, but the GT-2000? That was at a whole new level. Might be something to consider.
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absolutely, if you don't purchase basket cases thinking to save money lol.

All of my vintage tables work flawlessly and have needed nothing other than belts, lube and arm setup.
 
I upgraded about 4 years ago on word from vinyl enthusiasts that vinyl had made a come back, which meant to me vinyl was now pop free. At any rate, I purchased a new Technics SL-1210GR and a few new carts, as well as a load of new LPs from Barnes & Noble. I discovered it was all in vain, since I could not discern LPs having improved, or that the Technics delivered higher performance than my 46 year old Sony PS-4750 Turntable, even though the Technics has a complement of features absent on the Sony, to assure exacting cartridge alignment. So, right now the Technics is somewhat a novelty in my system. I am using it but for the most part it just reminds me that I bought wisely when I purchased the Sony back in 1975. My attitude then as now is the only thing that’s expensive is buying something that does not satisfy, because then you have the original purchase cost, plus the replacement cost. So yes bite the bullet, get or keep what your knowledge of it all suggests will best satisfy.
 
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SterlingOne said:
I upgraded about 4 years ago on word from vinyl enthusiasts that vinyl had made a come back, which meant to me vinyl was now pop free. At any rate, I purchased a new Technics SL-1210GR and a few new carts, as well as a load of new LPs from Barnes & Noble. I discovered it was all in vain, since I could not discern LPs having improved, or that the Technics delivered higher performance than my 46 year old Sony PS-4750 Turntable, even though the Technics has a complement of features absent on the Sony, to assure exacting cartridge alignment. So, right now the Technics is somewhat a novelty in my system. I am using it but for the most part it just reminds me that I bought wisely when I purchased the Sony back in 1975. My attitude then as now is the only thing that’s expensive is buying something that does not satisfy, because then you have the original purchase cost, plus the replacement cost.
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homebrew said:
Yeah, why buy a new turntable with a brand new manufacturer's warranty and a new cartridge when you could hunt forever on eBay or Craigslist for a turntable someone's trying to unload because it's been too much trouble?
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At least it's not vintage tape equipment...
 
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