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Need some advice on finding a turntable ($150-$200USD range)

simon_C

simon_C

Member
Good evening folks,

I'm looking to finally upgrade my worn out mid-tier Numark TT100 deck that ive had for 15 years with something better. Shouldn't be hard to do better than its 0.13% wow/flutter on it.

Here's my dilemma, I'm getting overwhelmed with options. There's so many decks and so many things to learn about particular technologies and brands and their shortcomings, and It's making my head swim.

So I think I need a little direction. I'm looking for a decent Quartz or Crystal lock semi-auto or fully-auto turntable, with a bayonet style headshell and an all metal tonearm, and I've got somewhere in the range of $150-200USD to spend on ebay or elsewhere online.

I'm also willing to drop the requirement for any automatic features if the unit is just THAT good.

Some of the units I've found in the $150 range that have the features I want, but I have no indication of their actual quality and performance:
Pioneer PL-300, PL-400
Sony PS-X45, PS-X55
JVC QL-A5
Technics SL-Q3

Probably some more as well. Are any of those worthwhile?

If none of that is any good, then what do you recommend I look for a decent unit in the sub $200 range? I have a decent headshell and cartridge already that I'd like to keep, so bayonet connectors are preferred.
 
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Two questions: Where are you located and are you still using the stock cartridge on the Numark?
 
I'm in New Hampshire, and no I'm not using the stock cartridge.

I want to stop using the numark because its physically not in great shape and has a lot of wow/flutter
 
Of those, I would personally go Technics without a second thought. The Q3 is well liked and well reviewed. Now, that answer could change if any of the other decks come with a particular nice cartridge, though.

Edit: I'll say tie with the Technics/JVC. JVCs model numbers are impossible for me to keep track of, but after looking it up the A5 was one I was casually after for awhile before i stumbled on my Y5F.

Between those two it would probably come down to cart and cosmetics for me
 
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simon_C said:
I'm in New Hampshire, and no I'm not using the stock cartridge.

I want to stop using the numark because its physically not in great shape and has a lot of wow/flutter
Click to expand...

your budget makes it difficult, $300 includes a lot more decks. I've helped more than one here land a Kenwood KD-500 /550 around that price point, if made today these would set you back $2500 Or more.

here's one example, this didn't sell and was relisted even after I alerted a few here. Then sent a member a PM and he was able to snag it for $310.

Screenshot_20210712-140322.png

Notice the arm, this is the KD-500 and was sold sans arm leaving the customer to source their own. As such when found they'll be sporting one of the boutique arms of the day, this one had a Grace G707 worth more than the price of admission, a real score.

if not familiar with this table it was informally known as "The Rock" due to its faux marble concrete resin base, and yes it's heavy at 35lbs.

I have several other examples of this deck around that price I could show you, but keep in mind these deals take patience and diligence on the buyers part. I just set searches on eBay for whatever I'm interested in and they send e-mails to alert me, easy peasy.

The above table was their TOTL model in it's day, so an end game deck for most, and ready for that big step up in cartridges when ready, you'll know your table isn't holding it back.

again, deals like the above take patience
 
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not to get off the subject at hand but to illustrate deals I find on eBay and have helped others here. Just earlier today I found a great deal on a Sony DVP NS900V I've highly recommended and several others have purchased on my recommendation.
sony900v.gif

This deck retailed for $1000, I've purchased two for around $80 each, they sound phenomenal. Many question my ability to make these scores, not long ago I was asked by a member just where I find these deals.

I told him eBay, skepticism followed in responses from members.

Well I sent said member a PM today, hopefully he was able to score the deck by now before I post this.

This one is in black but the same deck as above.
Screenshot_20211020-145116.png

sure it has shipping, but that estimate is to me in S Fl from the seller in Ca, if living closer it would certainly be less. Plus added to that the seller states "offers accepted" I've found they'll often take off the shipping charge if asked.
 
I'm not recommending it, but that Rotel RP-855 on the Boston (Quincy) craigslist looks to be pretty nice with an Ortofon Blue for $275. I'm not in the market but if that was local, I'd go have a look.

I knew a woman that had that model (I think) and it was surprisingly good. I think it had an OM-20.
 
I appreciate the help, but the budget is pretty hard set at 200$. If I could afford more I'd pay more.
I know there's always something good at any price range, with the price range taken into account to temper expectations. I'm not looking for some collectors item or some out of this world unit, Just a nice solid player that's better than the one I have.

I found a Technics SL-Q3 with an Empire cartridge for under 200 that I'm looking at, and a sony PS-X55 with an ortofon for the same price but that one has a power-on issue i don't know that I want to tackle. (probably just a dirty power button or input fuse).
Theres another X55 with no cartridge or headshell that has an issue with the automatic function that could just be an improperly aligned platter mat obscuring the sensors, and they want 130 for that.
There is also a JVC QL-A5 with headshell and unknown cartridge for 140.

I'm no stranger to waiting and finding deals, or hunting craigslist and facebook marketplace, been doing that near on 20 years now. Just looking for some general direction and opinions on what kind of stuff i can generally find in my price range. There's always something.
 
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I'll add a close second for the JVC,
simon_C said:
I'm no stranger to waiting and finding deals, or hunting craigslist and facebook marketplace, been doing that near on 20 years now. Just looking for some general direction and opinions on what kind of stuff i can generally find in my price range. There's always something.
Click to expand...

It took me about 23 years to find my QL-Y5F for $5 at a garage sale through marketplace! I'm half joking -- I only got into direct drive TT's in fairly recent years. That said, after owning Pioneer/Luxman/JVC direct drive TT's, I really love my incredibly basic Luxman P99 and my fancy JVC. Great build, rock solid reliability on both, nice finish and aesthetics, etc. The Pioneer I have is fine, but I feel lacks a lot of the refinement and is very "feature emphasis" heavy wrapped in a techy looking plastic shell -- graphite tone arm, proprietary headshell, etc. to the point of being a bit "gimmicky" imo. Operation and function is fine, but the Lux and JVC both blow it out of the water in just about every regard. Overall I've really come to appreciate that very late 70's to early/mid 80's era of Japanese DD.

For reference my semi-auto Luxman was $40, and has needed absolutely nothing. Fantastic no frills deck I'll never part with. It wouldn't hurt to look for Lux and some of the (now) lesser known brands. CEC built A LOT of the Japanese made decks of that era (including my $40 entry level Lux) so you're getting a great deck with a lesser known name. Off the top of my head I know at least some Realistic/RadioShack, Marantz, Sanyo, Hitachi (maybe?) decks were CEC and nearly all Luxman, I believe. I'm sure there's many others I don't know off the top of my head.

Edit: just saw this 2012 thread has been revived: https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/cec-turntables.430417/
 
Well I ended up buying the technics SL-Q3 with the empire cartridge.

And as soon as I did, I found a local ad for a Denon DP-35F in perfect working order. Just picked up the Denon today.
The technics will be here tomorrow, and I'm going to clean and service both units and decide which one I like better and sell the other.

The Denon, After levelling and wiping it down.

TtJEimZ.png


It's just got a generic looking cartridge on it (I think its this one, it has no numbers on it anywhere but it looks like this.)

I'm really pleased with it so far though, every function on it works perfectly and smoothly.
 
Grenadeslio said:
not to get off the subject at hand but to illustrate deals I find on eBay and have helped others here. Just earlier today I found a great deal on a Sony DVP NS900V I've highly recommended and several others have purchased on my recommendation.
View attachment 2373090

This deck retailed for $1000, I've purchased two for around $80 each, they sound phenomenal. Many question my ability to make these scores, not long ago I was asked by a member just where I find these deals.

I told him eBay, skepticism followed in responses from members.

Well I sent said member a PM today, hopefully he was able to score the deck by now before I post this.

This one is in black but the same deck as above.
View attachment 2373089

sure it has shipping, but that estimate is to me in S Fl from the seller in Ca, if living closer it would certainly be less. Plus added to that the seller states "offers accepted" I've found they'll often take off the shipping charge if asked.
Click to expand...
MUCH easier to pack and ship than a turntable.
 
simon_C said:
Well I ended up buying the technics SL-Q3 with the empire cartridge.

And as soon as I did, I found a local ad for a Denon DP-35F in perfect working order. Just picked up the Denon today.
The technics will be here tomorrow, and I'm going to clean and service both units and decide which one I like better and sell the other.

The Denon, After levelling and wiping it down.

TtJEimZ.png


It's just got a generic looking cartridge on it (I think its this one, it has no numbers on it anywhere but it looks like this.)

I'm really pleased with it so far though, every function on it works perfectly and smoothly.
Click to expand...
Keep a surge suppressor on that Denon. The tracking circuitry has some unobtanium parts.
 
I use a JVC QL A7,
rock solid in its functions,
and beautiful sounding.

YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED,
especially at that price.
 
I passed on the JVC but i got the technics. and I already have a surge suppressor on the denon, so im good there.
 
Grenadeslio said:
not to get off the subject at hand but to illustrate deals I find on eBay and have helped others here. Just earlier today I found a great deal on a Sony DVP NS900V I've highly recommended and several others have purchased on my recommendation.
View attachment 2373090

This deck retailed for $1000, I've purchased two for around $80 each, they sound phenomenal. Many question my ability to make these scores, not long ago I was asked by a member just where I find these deals.

I told him eBay, skepticism followed in responses from members.

Well I sent said member a PM today, hopefully he was able to score the deck by now before I post this.

This one is in black but the same deck as above.
View attachment 2373089

sure it has shipping, but that estimate is to me in S Fl from the seller in Ca, if living closer it would certainly be less. Plus added to that the seller states "offers accepted" I've found they'll often take off the shipping charge if asked.
Click to expand...

I ended up snagging that black one for $90, shipping included. It's arriving tomorrow :)
 
Guess I’m late but I was going to offer a Pro-Ject 1.2 with a Sumiko Cart for $150, I am near Boston
Ed
 
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