First post! Scored 6 turntables in 7 days and I don’t know what to do! Been in this hobby for less than a month!

[Chiefkeefe]

So as the title says, I’ve bought 6 Turn tables in a short while, I am new to the hobby as of this year but I think I’ve landed some keepers! The first was a near mint Pioneer PL-630 for a whopping $60, needs some TLC but it plays good just sometimes has speed issues with the quartz lock. Gonna recap it but the BIGGEST score of my life was when I got the other 5 in a package deal. Are you ready? Here we go from worst to best and I’ll let you guys be the judge.

Pioneer PL-5,
Sony PS-LX520,
Sony PS-X600,
Sony PS-X800,
VPI Classic 3 with JMW Memorial 1st gen 3D tonearm!

I also got a few Sony amps and a cd player (in the first pic you can see them, I got two of the amps!) but to keep on the topic of turntables I won’t mention those but I got everything for $500!!!! I am still on cloud 9 if you’re wondering and now my issue is, I need a quality amp and speakers! I guess it’s not a bad problem to have but I also need to sell a few of them.

The pioneer PL-630 was the first piece I ever bought and got such a Steal I don’t think that one can leave.

Definitely the PL-5 and PS-LX520 they are both for parts not working but not sure what else to get rid of. Just want recoup some funds to put towards some speakers.

The ps-x600 is turn key working just has a cracked dust cover, should I replace the cover or sell with broken one as a fully working unit?

the ps-x800 fires up, spins but no horizontal movement, I won’t power again until I can carefully investigate the internals I ordered belts hoping that’s the only issue.

The VPI was not properly cared for, the tone arm is missing the azimuth weights on the sides that are glued on from factory and the Lemo connector was ripped off but the wires seem to be intact, should be an easy fix. I’ve contacted VPI and actually go to speak with the owner Matt! Super cool guy, I told him the story and he said they might still have some of those weights in the warehouse he will check for me and send them if he finds them!!

I just wanted to share this wild adventure with some people who can hopefully appreciate it more than my wife! She might be looking at a divorce if I keep bringing vintage audio gear home! jk she loves me but thinks I’m crazy!

 

[Bushikan]

Wow! Congratulations. That VPI Classic is a great table. Hope you got a great deal.

 

[Chiefkeefe]

Wow! Congratulations. That VPI Classic is a great table. Hope you got a great deal.

I paid $500 for everything except the pioneer pl-630 I bough that a week prior for $60

 

[joel27]

That is an incredible deal. The VPI Classic 3 is worth three times that without a problem. I own a Classic 4 and would have loved to score it for closer to what you paid lol.

 

[Chiefkeefe]

That is an incredible deal. The VPI Classic 3 is worth three times that without a problem. I own a Classic 4 and would have loved to score it for closer to what you paid lol.

Imagine the ride home with all this stuff crammed in the back of my wife’s Altima, trying to explain to her that it was worth well over what I paid for it! She was thinking I lost my marbles lol the guy I got it from was kinda out there but he inherited all of this and had no interest so I was there just a the right time!

 

[joel27]

No argument with right place right time.

 

[joel27]

@Chiefkeefe
Is that the rosewood finish? If you could snap a photo in some better light I'd appreciate it. I just would like to marvel at that finish. To me I think it's the best looking table VPI ever made.

 

[Chiefkeefe]

Now here’s m

@Chiefkeefe
Is that the rosewood finish? If you could snap a photo in some better light I'd appreciate it. I just would like to marvel at that finish. To me I think it's the best looking table VPI ever made.

yes!! I will get some good pics and post them! It has a few nicks in the finish but I’m telling myself that is the character! Boy if this table could talk I would love to hear what it went through!

 

[sound hound]

This is an affliction that many of us have. Part of the coping process is to decide what to sell and how to do it. When your wife sees that you can sell some of it off, she may regain some of the trust she had in you, before your "transgression". Welcome to the club!

 

[zwuttoo]

Problem is; you can never have too many turntables!

 

[Chiefkeefe]

This is an affliction that many of us have. Part of the coping process is to decide what to sell and how to do it. When your wife sees that you can sell some of it off, she may regain some of the trust she had in you, before your "transgression". Welcome to the club!

Which ones would you keep if you could only keep 2?

 

[Chiefkeefe]

Problem is; you can never have too many turntables!

Yea my wife disagrees and thinks I should go to therapy she says I hyper fixate on whatever I am into and I over do it. The real issue is I’m like a hawk when it comes to finding deals and in this case i got extremely lucky very early into the endeavor!

 

[Beobloke]

Which ones would you keep if you could only keep 2?

Easy - PL-630 and the VPI!

 

[beej]

Incredible mega-score - congrats. Many units can be brought back to life with the investment of a little time. That PL-5 for example and depending on the issue, can fetch $150 on the 'bay. Your time, your choice of course.

 

[Aerobat]

I'd keep the Sonys if they're working. Love the servo arms.

 

[flavio81]

Pioneer PL-5,

This is a good sounding, simple DD TT. I like these models, even if they're not so good looking.

Sony PS-LX520,

No opinion on this one but probably at the same level of sound quality than the PL-5

Sony PS-X600,
Sony PS-X800,

These two are probably the best sounding turntables of all the ones you have pictured.

VPI Classic 3 with JMW Memorial 1st gen 3D tonearm!

This one has the potential to be the best in sound quality (if we ignore the sonys). If you have fear of electronics problems and want a simple TT then you'd keep this one.
Otherwise i'd make sure nothing is missing from this one and sell this to an audiophile... Then tell your wife "look, i'm getting rid of the huge stuff"

The pioneer PL-630 was the first piece I ever bought and got such a Steal I don’t think that one can leave.

It is really good looking and I bet it has very good sound quality.

 

[Chiefkeefe]

This is my problem, half of you guys on Reddit and here say keep the Sonys and sell the rest, the other half says keep the VPI and the 630 and sell the others, I don’t think I can part with the Vpi or the pioneer but will I regret selling the biotracers when they are extinct and only exist in museums?

 

[Aerobat]

This is my problem, half of you guys on Reddit and here say keep the Sonys and sell the rest, the other half says keep the VPI and the 630 and sell the others, I don’t think I can part with the Vpi or the pioneer but will I regret selling the biotracers when they are extinct and only exist in museums?

I'd refurbish all of them (if needed), store them climate-controlled, and rotate them. You'll regret it later no matter which ones you keep.

Also, PM me about the Sonys....

 

[joel27]

If you really want two tables keep one that you find interesting and keep the VPI. The VPI will probably be the best table you could purchase for under six grand in my opinion and infinitely upgradeable. I'd say it's also the best platform to get the most out of your system compared to the rest.

 

[flavio81]

This is my problem, half of you guys on Reddit and here say keep the Sonys and sell the rest, the other half says keep the VPI and the 630 and sell the others, I don’t think I can part with the Vpi or the pioneer but will I regret selling the biotracers when they are extinct and only exist in museums?

Keep the VPI, the Sony that sounds best, the 630 and then sell the others.