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New Turntable- help

L

Lori

New Member
Hi all,

I am new here as a post-er (though I often come here for audio advice) so hope this is the correct forum. I've acquired lots of vintage audio equipment (a Kenwood KA-405, Yamaha receiver/tuner, Hitachi tape deck) and I am looking for a turntable and speakers to complete my set-up. I am a novice but have heaps of vinyl which I have been spinning on an 90s Technics stereo set unit. Right now, I have two options of turntables right now: a Hitachi HT-20s (for about $110) or a Technics SL-3310 (in excellent condition $325). Thoughts over these two? If they seem expensive, keep in mind I'm in New Zealand where electronics are always about double US prices. Also, any thoughts as to what kind of speakers to look for? I want a good set-up, but I'm learning and on a budget. Thank you for any help or advice.
 
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Hello, and welcome to AK, Lori.

Here's my advice - join AK as a subscriber (25 bucks) and then go to Bartertown. You'll find something that will best the both of those, and probably much cheaper. I've had superb luck on Bartertown and acquired so much amazing gear. Good bunch of folks.

I'd say for the amount those tables are asking, you'd find a KILLER tt.

Best of luck.
 
I inherited a Technics from my dad (which I sold a few years ago) and liked it's build quality. It seemed like a solid TT to me. I would be more biased towards the Technics than the Hitachi. The Technics seems more substantial and is direct drive, where the Hitachi seems very minimal, no frills and is a belt drive. You would want to know what cartridges come on each one and the condition of the stylus on each cartridge. Being able to demo them would go a long way to determine how far apart they are in quality and sound, but I am betting the Technics is the better of the two. Dual made really good, solid TT's in the 70's and that is what I have now; another one of my dad's old TT's.

Speakers: some speakers that I have come across that were cheap (Goodwill, 20.00 bucks) were a nice pair of Old Large Advents. I sold these few years ago but really liked the sound. They were 2 way, and just had this great look and feel to them. Other speakers that are similar are Dynaco's and I had an old pair of Sansui speakers that were real nice. They don't have to be classic to satisfy your needs. Just find a decent pair that can serve as a starting point and provide enough clarity that if you make changes to the amp/receiver that you can hear the subtle differences through the speakers.

Have fun with your quest and enjoy those records.
 
After checking them both out on the web, I think the Technics would be much the nicer record player. Not knocking the Hitachi, but the Technics has better specs and a better build quality. I don't think the difference in drive systems is a relevant factor - both direct and belt drives have their fans and both have their strong and weak points but, overall, I certainly wouldn't worry over it.

As for speaker selection, this depends on many factors. What kind of receiver or amplifier are you using, and what is its output rating? (I think your Kenwood is about 55 watts max output) How loud do you anticipate listening on average? How big is the space you want to fill with sound? What is the budget you have for experimenting? All of these questions and more will factor into speaker selection. My way of doing it is to look around locally, buy the nicest looking thing I can afford that doesn't need any functional refurbishing, see what happens.
When I've had to start over from scratch (read: lost everything in divorce) I look for a three-way cabinet with a ten inch bass speaker in a finish that pleases. I find it's a nice starting point. If you hang around the forums much you'll run into the concept of 'system synergy'. This vague but important idea is why it is so difficult to just say "go buy this and it'll sound great". However, it seems like you have a very good start and are well on your way to vintage sonic satisfaction.
 
onwardjames said:
Hello, and welcome to AK, Lori.

Here's my advice - join AK as a subscriber (25 bucks) and then go to Bartertown. You'll find something that will best the both of those, and probably much cheaper. I've had superb luck on Bartertown and acquired so much amazing gear. Good bunch of folks.

I'd say for the amount those tables are asking, you'd find a KILLER tt.

Best of luck.
Click to expand...

Um Lori is in New Zealand. Don't think the shipping costs and electrical conversion will pan out.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Hi Lori,

The Hitachi is not too bad at that price and the 3310 is probably not worth 3 times as much. Assuming both have decent cartridges on them and don't need new styli of course.

Are they private sales or from shops and potentially with some sort of warranty or at least exchange privileges? Also, what do you have for a "90s Technics stereo set"? Maybe that turntable is ok but just needs a little TLC.
 
Lori said:
Hi all,

I am new here as a post-er (though I often come here for audio advice) so hope this is the correct forum. I've acquired lots of vintage audio equipment (a Kenwood KA-405, Yamaha receiver/tuner, Hitachi tape deck) and I am looking for a turntable and speakers to complete my set-up. I am a novice but have heaps of vinyl which I have been spinning on an 90s Technics stereo set unit. Right now, I have two options of turntables right now: a Hitachi HT-20s (for about $110) or a Technics SL-3310 (in excellent condition $325). Thoughts over these two? If they seem expensive, keep in mind I'm in New Zealand where electronics are always about double US prices. Also, any thoughts as to what kind of speakers to look for? I want a good set-up, but I'm learning and on a budget. Thank you for any help or advice.
Click to expand...

Being in that part of the world, I suggest bypass local sales and import things directly from Japan. Their local market of vintage gear is much more vibrant. Yahoo Japan and Hifido are good on-line markets. You will need step down transformers for most domestic Japanese gear, but that you can source locally.
 
Hey everyone, thanks so much for the help so far. Everyone is right re: shipping prices to NZ (incredibly expensive). I'm an immigrant and just for my family to send a tiny weight package to me here is $50+ USD. Most of the vintage electronics are sold through Trade Me which is similar to Ebay. My Technics is fully auto SL-J110 as part of a composite system. I can't do anything with it as far as I can tell (other than change the stylus)? No counterweight or any settings. The Technics SL 3310 is in excellent shape with a new stylus. The Hitachi is in good shape but with a very damaged/scratched dust cover. I keep finding conflicting reviews of both of those players- not that there's much out there on either.
 
That's all good additional information. Yes I think I would retire the Technics you have now. It's nothing special, though the characteristic of not being able to adjust anything is pretty normal for T4P or P-Mount turntables and not always a bad thing. However one indicator that you could use to compare it with the other Technics is the fact the 3310 if nearly 3 times the weight at 7.1 kg vs 2.5. That's a huge increment.

The 3xxx series (and 2xxx, and 5xxx) from Technics are not their best but are pretty good generally. It has decent specs and adjustability and takes universal headshells plus other parts that are relatively easy to source. Yes $325 is kind of pricey but it might take you a while to do much better. And $325 will buy you a much inferior table in the new market.

How long have you been looking and how anxious are you to get this done? I might just grab it, especially if you have a good feeling from the seller. Is it a store and are they any possibilities of return or exchange if you get it home and it has issues? What is the cartridge/stylus on it?
 
Thanks again! I am unsure about the cartridge and stylus (only that the stylus is new). I will ask. I've been looking for awhile now. They go pretty quickly in auctions here. To give you some idea a SL-D2, SL-23 both went for $300 and a SL 10 I was looking at went for $455! I could wait, but it seems to be what they go for. I suppose that's why I was wondering if there was a huge difference in the Hitachi (for $110) and the Technics.
 
Actually an SL-10 at that price is pretty good! And the others about "right". Relative to those prices it actually makes the 3310 perhaps a bit high IMO.

I would rank the 3310 ahead of the Hitachi, BUT not as far ahead as the Hitachi is against your current Technics. With respect to the Hitachi how important are the cosmetics? Is the lid cracked badly or just scratched and hazy? You can polish much of that out if you are willing to do a bit of work.
 
Here's the listing if you can see
It simply says Perspex top is "OK" few marks here and there. How would I clean it? I like the look of the Technics, but yea, $110 compared to $325 . . .
 
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The lid can be polished with different compounds, or even wet-sanded with progressive grades of sandpaper (400, 600, 1000, 1500 etc). Or pick up a headlight polishing kit at an auto parts place.

BTW, the link will likely get this moved to the Dollars & Sense area. No biggy though.

A big caveat though should be stated. Shipping turntables very often results them getting destroyed as most people will not pack them properly and the carriers will toss them around. Can you pick up locally?
 
Nope. Have to have it shipped. And it's almost impossible to find one in my city (NZ is like the size of one US state- or smaller). I've given up hope of finding one in my city after looking for over a year. (I removed the link so as to not get it moved.) I wonder in this case then if I am better to take a $110 chance.
 
for_p1 said:
Being in that part of the world, I suggest bypass local sales and import things directly from Japan. Their local market of vintage gear is much more vibrant. Yahoo Japan and Hifido are good on-line markets. You will need step down transformers for most domestic Japanese gear, but that you can source locally.
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I think you mean step up, as NZ is on 230/240v. Also, depending upon where you buy from, the frequency in Japan is either 50hz, fine for NZ, or 60hz, meaning turntables with synchronous motors won't run at the correct speed. So, overall, I'd not recommend buying turntables from Japan.


As to speakers, you should be able to find British speakers such as Celestion, Kef , Tannoy or Mission at reasonable prices. There's always the option of importing from Oz, too.
 
grottyash said:
I think you mean step up, as NZ is on 230/240v. Also, depending upon where you buy from, the frequency in Japan is either 50hz, fine for NZ, or 60hz, meaning turntables with synchronous motors won't run at the correct speed. So, overall, I'd not recommend buying turntables from Japan.
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He will need step DOWN transformer: from 240 to 100 volts.

Most of well made tables do not depend on line frequency and are locked to quartz source. Synchronous motors are mostly a feature of US market. Power line frequency limits in US are much stricter than in other places of the world and that allows use of power line fed motors. In most other markets if synchronous motor is used it is fed from dedicated frequency generator which is part of TT power supply circuit. That frequency is again locked to quartz stabilized source.

Japan domestic market is the only good source of high quality vintage tables with reasonable prices. As soon as the table gets into US or Europe - price increases from 50 to 100% over what you will spend in Japan. Another consideration is that absolute majority of high quality tables from their prime time (late 1970s - early 1980s) were manufactured in Japan.
 
Yes, you're right, step up, my error.

Your next comments leave me dumbfounded.

I'm sorry you have such a low opinion of German, Swiss, British, American, Canadian, in fact any other country but Japan's turntables. Most of is on the wrong side of the pond have a rather different viewpoint. Synchronous motors are widely used, by the way, but again on the wrong side of the pond, such dolts are we :)
 
grottyash said:
Yes, you're right, step up, my error.

Your next comments leave me dumbfounded.

I'm sorry you have such a low opinion of German, Swiss, British, American, Canadian, in fact any other country but Japan's turntables. Most of is on the wrong side of the pond have a rather different viewpoint. Synchronous motors are widely used, by the way, but again on the wrong side of the pond, such dolts are we :)
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There were much less makers of tables in US and Europe than in Japan. Now TT making is a boutique industry. They use what they can source without putting large development effort into custom motors and complex electronics, simply because production volume is too low to spread the cost of development work. But even then most makers of today's tables offer power supply that generates perfect 50/60 Hz sine wave to power off the shelf motor they use (though this is usually an add-on option).
 
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