help with 3 turntables to choose
- Thread starter luxmaster
- Start date
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GPJeff
Super Member
The Kenwood 3070 from the 1978-1979 catalog. 4th Down from the top of the line.
http://kenwood.pytalhost.eu/1978/78-79-15.jpg
Catalog-
http://kenwood.pytalhost.eu/1978/
http://kenwood.pytalhost.eu/1978/78-79-15.jpg
Catalog-
http://kenwood.pytalhost.eu/1978/
Someone else recently posted asking about the Sansui 2050c, so I've copied my response with a few edits:
I owned a Sansui 2050c for about a year before I lost it in a fire.
It was a very nice turntable! I think what I liked about it most was its elegant simplicity. It's a semi auto (auto lift, no return) that benefits from having very few moving parts on the inside of the table. There is very little break or wear out.
I also thought it looked pretty handsome. Real wood cabinet, suspended metal plinth, and a classic S-arm.
I only had one complaint: when the auto lift engages, it is typical for these tables to make a pretty loud TWANG! sound as the cue lever slams back into its original position. On the bright side, you will definitely know when your record has finished playing!
Also, make sure it comes with the anti-skate weight. Replacements are impossible to find.
Sonically, you can do better, but I thought it was a very decent turntable with a lot of character. Good luck on your quest, and choose what makes you happy!
I owned a Sansui 2050c for about a year before I lost it in a fire.
It was a very nice turntable! I think what I liked about it most was its elegant simplicity. It's a semi auto (auto lift, no return) that benefits from having very few moving parts on the inside of the table. There is very little break or wear out.
I also thought it looked pretty handsome. Real wood cabinet, suspended metal plinth, and a classic S-arm.
I only had one complaint: when the auto lift engages, it is typical for these tables to make a pretty loud TWANG! sound as the cue lever slams back into its original position. On the bright side, you will definitely know when your record has finished playing!
Also, make sure it comes with the anti-skate weight. Replacements are impossible to find.
Sonically, you can do better, but I thought it was a very decent turntable with a lot of character. Good luck on your quest, and choose what makes you happy!
There's a Dual CS505 out there for about the same price, better arm and maybe better cartridge (Ortofon). Also a Dual CS 5000 with a similar Ortofon cartridge for a bit more, obo (maybe less if you are a good haggler.
These may have better performance, but being German, they tend to have a somewhat sterile appearance.
These may have better performance, but being German, they tend to have a somewhat sterile appearance.
luxmaster
Super Member
That Dual is a beauty but not so much a fan of Dual. The Sansui is very elegant looking but I did read somewhere that the older Sansui's have an issue with the motor eventually slowing in time. I think my mind is made up on the Kenwood. I already looked at the unit and I like it's appearance and all operations work smoothly. It sounds great. I am shocked that the Kenwood is not more well known and just considered entry to middle of the line. The only problem I had was it had a crack on the back of the cover by the hinge. It doesn't look like like it is going to get worse and I can live with that.
flavio81
Turntable technician
The 2050C isn't such a good turntable. I had the 4050C, head and shoulders better construction (i've dissasembled both).
That Marantz, to the garbage bin. I wouldn't own ANY Marantz turntable.
The Kenwood can be your option. But which was your TT and what happened with the motor? Motors don't die so easily.
flavio81
Turntable technician
The Dual CS505 is a very fine turntable!! The CS5000 is quite sophisticated and has its fans.
luxmaster
Super Member
It is funny you mention this. I own a l&G turntable made by Luxman. I was an idiot and tried something I don't usually do. I switched the speed of the record during playback. When I did the motor sounded like it just got driven to the ground and seized or something. Now when I lift the arm there is no motion and no noise to tell me that the motor is trying to start. I figured it would be cheaper to get a used turntable then it would to fix this since there is very little info about my turntable out there.
I have experience with both the Kenwood and Marantz. I would opt for the Kenwood as the better of the two.
I bought my Marantz 6170 at a yard sale for five bucks. The tonearm had issues and was not worth fixing. I stripped out the motor & platter and used it for a DIY turntable project. I built a heavy wooden plinth and mounted a DIY unipivot tonearm on it. It turned out really well, much better than I'd expected. There's a thread on the RCG detailing this project for those interested:
http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=60816
I think you've made the right choice out of the three and considering your price range.
I did happen to see some ads on CL there regarding a vintage store that has "dozens" of turntables, but they might be priced higher than usual. Might be worth checking out just to see what they have? They probably scooped up all the good tables over the past few years or got a lot of stuff on trade-in.
