Nope, never had that problem.
Never had a problem with turntables, only a problem with limited space to keep them in.
:scratch2:.. Who am I kidding?! :lmao:
Okay, I did have a real thing for TTs for a while. To a small extent, I still do; they're probably still my favorite form of audio gear, but the urge to acquire them has all but disappeared.
I've lost exact count of how many turntables I now have. I know it is fewer than I used to have, as I've gotten rid of at least two small bunches, as well as occasional one-offs... one bunch in recent months, when I moved home. Maybe around 20 TTs are left now, if you include the Lenco "collection" and stack of Lenco "projects". I'll be getting rid of about half of what remains, as I finish going through stuff that is now in storage.
What drove my early turntable accumulation, and ironically what eventually largely "cured" me of turntable-addiction, was the pursuit of better-and-better turntable sound. I stacked up a lot of TTs that I "hoped" would be the one to give me "that sound" --but too many of them were just mid-fi units that never had the potential to really be what I was seeking.
Once I got a GT-2000 (with some upgrades), and realized that there were few TTs that would ever sound better, and the ones that could would cost BIG bucks, that was it. I have the truly "high end" sound I was seeking. Since then, the only ones I'll accumulate are unusually interesting record changers (for their cool, nostalgic appeal) or really interesting (to me) projects like the Lencos --or a super deal on an ultra-exotic, if anything like that ever crosses my path.
I'd rather spend a some months creating a single super-duper Lenco project, or cobbling together an interesting "steampunk-ish" DIY TT from scrap parts, than get another "good" TT.
Aside from the GT2000 (THE main TT in the main system), I count the PLC-590, PL-L1, PF-800, SR-929, TD124, 4HF, and the NOS L70 as "core collection" or "keeper" TTs, just because I like them. These and a few more funky idler-drives like the Micro (Seiki) one and maybe the Collaro 468 will probably stay with me for a long time, but eventually whatever is left of all the others will go. Bye-bye to what remains of the Luxmans, the Rotel, the JVCs, the Duals, the Sonys, the Marantzes, theTelefunken, etc... There is nothing wrong with them, but I don't want to be storing a cache of TTs that just won't be used.
:nono:
I haven't bought a TT in quite a while, and doubt I will again soon, although there are a few that would still tempt me. Possible temptations would include the Thorens TD224; a self-centering Nakamichi TT like the Dragon; that big hydraulic changer (I forget the name); and any super deal on something exceptional like a Pioneer P3a or a GT-2000X, or (yeah, I can dream, huh?!) a Thorens Prestige or Reference. Of course, I wouldn't turn down an affordable Rockport Sirius III either, but that's not even a sirius dream (pun intended
). But it would take something like one of these to get me to buy another TT today. The "addiction" is definitely over, although there is still some appreciation for a good TT.
Now I'm seeking a "final" phono preamp. I'd like to get the Elliott (Counterpoint) SA9/Claritas/Magnum Opus One to match my preamp, or a really good adjustable one like the all-tube EMT, but those are difficult to find and very expensive. Perhaps one year...
I'd also be willing to experiment with better cartridges+styli, as I it is probably the weakest link and I know I have a set-up now which would justify the extra expense, but I'm reluctant to sink too much into something with is so fragile and which has a clearly limited lifespan. I'm not so dissatisfied with what I have that this is a compulsion, but if a good bargain on something truly exceptional came along, I'd consider it.
