Choices to make, please help

[Brian Brown]

I need help making a decision. What in your opinion is between
Marantz 6170
Yamaha YP-B2
Realistic Lab 250
Please list best to last.
Thanks

 

[Balifly]

I need help making a decision. What in your opinion is between
Marantz 6170
Yamaha YP-B2
Realistic Lab 250
Please list best to last.
Thanks

Base on performance specifications:

Marantz 6170
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/marantz/6170.shtml

Yamaha YP-B2
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/yamaha/yp-b2.shtml

Realistic Lab 250
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/realistic/lab-250.shtml

 

[shelly_d]

OK:

I agree with Balifly based upon the specs. I'm going to share a bit of information about those specs on the chance you don't know how to read them or what they mean.

First is the rumble or signal to noise ratio. It is how much low frequency noise the turntable actually makes. The Marantz is at -65 dB. This is a very respectable number. With a typical cartridge and system setup you probably will not hear any mechanical noise through the speakers at this level. Yamaha is very slightly noisier at -62. The Realistic is actually quieter then the Marantz at -67 dB. The numbers in this spec are close enough that they are pretty comparable. The difference between the Realistic and the Yamaha (best to worst) will probably not be audible with the music playing. Having said that, if your taste in music runs to classical with very quiet passages like flute solos in them, then this difference could become important. If that is the case, you might want to look for something that gets down to the -73 dB or better range. That level of performance would probably yield better Wow and Flutter specs as well. As a comparison, one of the quietest consumer grade turntables made back in the day was the Technics SL-1200 MK2 or later. That came in at -78 dB. To understand these numbers, a difference of 10 dB is perceived as twice as loud (or half as loud). A difference of 3 dB is the smallest volume difference we hear that is still perceived as volume, not some other quality like sounding richer or fuller or some such subjective term.

Wow and Flutter: Given as one number, this describes how much the speed varies. The smaller the better. Again the best of the consumer grade tables from back in the day the Technics I mentioned above. That reached the very low number of .025%. Of the 3 you mentioned the Marantz comes in a very impressive .03%. The other 2 are somewhat less stable at .08% and .09% respectively. The specs are all good enough that it would take a VERY sharp ear to hear the speed variation in any of the them.

This is all based on the assumption that all 3 are operating up to factory spec.

Hope this helps.

Shelly_D

 

[Brian Brown]

Thanks for the explanation for I am a newb at this. I actually love listening to everything from classical to heavy metal so I guess I'm a bit of a nut case. . The reason I ask is because I have the Marantz and the Yamaha, but they both need a little work. I found these (KEF C-20 speakers, Realistic Lab 250 turntable, Technics SA-80 Receiver) locally for $200(asking price). The ad says everything works good and is ready to run. I could use a new receiver as well. Sound good?
Either way I plan on fixing the Marantz and the Yamaha.

 

[stereofisher]

Two hundred for the lot sounds like a good deal. Try it it out if you can to see how it sounds. You can always flip what you don’t need or want. Sold the Technics new a lot in the 70s. Never let me down. Have tried many combinations over the years. Took a long time to get the sound I am happy with. There are deals out there. It’s fun trying different combinations. Been playing with this hobby since high school. Age 68 today. Probably 50 systems. You will eventually figure what works for you.

For years I had a lot of Pioneers,Kenwood, and several Macintosh as well others. Funny back in the seventies, I also tried Marantz and wasn’t impressed. Things changed when EBay arrived. Remembering model numbers I searched for deals. Alsways liked JBL speakers. Finally got my prized Century 100s. At age 52. Still have them. Always like receivers, all the lights. Have had separates but always went back to receivers. My source for receivers changed about 5 years ago when a very dirty Marantz 4270 showed up. I like four channel receivers. This was free. Got me started with Marantz to stay. Sounds great with the JBLs with a small pr of Pionners for the rear. Went back to Duals for turntables settling on the 1219. Have three of these, one on each system. Learn how to fix Duals along the way. Running JBL Decades on the bedroom set with a Marantz 2270. This is really one of the few I paid a lot for. Rebuilt by Bob Seece here on AK. Sounds great. Shown on my avatar. Last is my shop. Found a small but mighty 1030 integrated amp for $100! Got everything I want now. Took 50 plus years. What a ride it’s been! Settled in on Dual, Marantz, and JBL. The shop has a neet pr of small Advents. Now all I would like is a pr of JBL 88s. The trip continues.

As above I agree, the Marantz is the best of the three. Try the others. You make the choice. What sounds best to you. Welcome to AK. Loads of info here. Enjoy the ride.

Eric