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Need some advice..... Turntables

NoMercy

NoMercy

Member
I've been looking around for a new to me vintage turntable. My ultimate choice would be a Marantz 6300 but I am not willing to pay what some are asking. I want something vintage with a wooden plinth (veneer is fine) and I really like the looks of that chrome plate that is on the 6300. I think a Fisher MT-6225 would be more in my price rage but am not sure if I would be happy with its performance. I have a Technics 1200 which is a keeper and I'm not looking to match the sound that I can get out of the 1200. What I am looking for is that vintage wood plinth with a splash of chrome thrown in. I could go with Pioneer but then again there goes the price some want just too much. So I have to ask those who own the Fisher MT-6225 or know about its performance is it worth the purchase?
 
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You know I have been thinking about going to a metal shop and having a custom made chrome plate made to replace the black plastic one that is on my Realistic Lab 400. I bought this thing for $100 at a garage sale and put another $200 or so in it with the upgrades. It's not a 1200 but it still sounds pretty good.
 
Not sure what your budget is but the Marantz 6100 is similar is appearance and considerably less money.
 
Please post a picture of the 6300 so we know what you are looking for! A picture is worth a thousand words! The Marantz name commands a premium in the used market, but most of their turntables are not that unusual.
 
The asking prices for the 6300 is in the ballpark of the brand new Marantz TT 15S1
You could get a Lenco 75 which will likely sound better for much less
There are some solid Pioneer, Dual etc tables as well to look into
Btw I love Marantz but in general it is overpriced
 
Here are a few options to consider. You can narrow it down further by mentioning if Direct Drive, Idler Drive, or Belt Drive matters to you. My favourites were the Hitachi Direct Drive and the Dual Idler Drive. I loved the looks of the Garrard though minimal chrome.

IMG_1253.jpg Marantz 6100 IMG_2354.JPG IMG_2803.JPG IMG_1238.jpg IMG_1081.jpg
 
Marantz tax may be at least partially justified on amps/receivers...not so much on their turntables.

Pioneer PL71, 61, 41, 50, 55 have the look, and prices seem to be normalizing a bit lately.
 
The photo helps a lot! There are a lot of Dual 1019 turntables floating around, but they are old enough to need restoration. It is an idler-drive rather than belt-drive.
 
The marantz and the Fisher that you mentioned are both made by CEC. I owned that fisher for a long time, and several times I bought turntables that were supposed to be upgrades from it but weren't. It wasn't until I got to my JVC QL-A7 that I found a unit that was substantially better than the Fisher. I think marantz receivers are outstanding but I think that that particular table goes for about twice what it should and again the Fisher table is very much in the same league.
 
As far as buying a 6225 goes, part of the direct drive motor is a magnet strip on the platter. Sometimes that magnet cracks or flakes away. If that happens, that turntable will not function correctly. Before you buy it, carefully lift the platter off the spindle and examine that magnetic strip to make sure it is fully intact.
 
Thanks for all the input. I'm still looking around. That Hitachi looks nice. Spark1 mentioned the Pioneer series and I saw the PL-510A which looks really nice, but I have to reference the sound quality. I don't want to seem like an idiot, but the appearance does play a big part in what I am looking for. I mean I'm going to have to be looking at the thing for years to come. The performance though of course is going to be a big part of the decision also. Here is a pic of the Pioneer PL 510A which is on eBay, but it doesn't even say if it works $200 bucks.
 

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sancho22 said:
The asking prices for the 6300 is in the ballpark of the brand new Marantz TT 15S1
You could get a Lenco 75 which will likely sound better for much less
There are some solid Pioneer, Dual etc tables as well to look into
Btw I love Marantz but in general it is overpriced
Click to expand...

Comments like that are allowed in the D&S forum? :eek:
 
Someone else just posted the same question a few days ago; Marantz Mid-Line Turntables are nice but the only reason I have them is to match the equipment, there's nothing really special about them and there's much better alternatives if you look. Personally for me if I want nuts-on accuracy after sitting a few years, most Technics seem to be bullet-proof. If I want something more beefy looking, Pioneer is also a go-to for me, even the entry-level plastic Pioneer's from the 70's need little maintanance. I used to see Duals all of the time 12 years ago when the pickings were good, they might be a good bargain but mine never come off the shelf, one of these days I'll pull one down and be more objective.

If you want beefy with wood and metal something like the Sansui FR-4060 fits the bill, that's what's on my stereo cabinet right now, beautiful and still accurate, I think they are still a little under the radar but not for long.

I'm all for building a new base, a lot of European Models were shipped over here and the US Distributor built bases locally. I probably wouldn't waste time building a plate for an existing table; too much money unless you own the equipment. You could do it yourself; you can cut aluminum with wood-working tools.
 
Checked on eBay just to see what the Sansui FR-4060 looked like. Only one available and was trashed. I don't get it as to why people trash the things that they own. I've had toys for longer than the age of many of the people on this forum and they still look new. I played with them as a kid, but I didn't destroy them because once you do then guess what no more toy. Same goes with my adult toys. I see 40, 50, 60-thousand-dollar trucks around town that are relatively new, and they are rust buckets. I've got a hint, take care of your truck and it will take care of you if need be. The same goes with everything that you own including your body. You've got just one and once it's gone so are you...
 
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