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Sell or beautify current AT LP-120?

mprince said:
I am also in the Charlotte area and the CL listings are OK from a turntable perspective. One other source is record stores. Underdog Records in Winston-Salem (a bit of a drive for you, but not too far) often has good gear for sale, and a few weeks back had a Pioneer PL-630 in mint condition for something like $350, which is a steal. Also, Lunchbox Records in uptown Charlotte advertises some good turntables from time to time, the last one I remember seeing was a Technics SL-1200 MK2 for a decent price (both shops have Facebook pages which is where I saw both of these advertised). Seems like most of the decent turntables I see on Charlotte CL tend to be in the Greenville or Lexington areas. So, you have options near you. If I had a turntable to sell at the moment I'd try to hook you up, but I've just completed "thinning the herd" so I don't currently have one available. Good luck with your search.
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Thanks, if you see something think of me.
 
Rococo said:
Agreed, chubs withheld. I've been on lookout and haven't seen anything that strikes me. Really really like the Thorens 126 or 160 and Marantz 6350q.. Not sure how much of a step up they are...
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Some of the turn tables on your present list may be some what sensitive to "footfall"

Do some research on the matter before you decide. :music:
 
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I'm a big fan of vintage Thorens turntables. As Balifly noted, they can be sensitive to footfall. A relatively easy way to deal with that is to place one on a wall shelf so it is isolated from floor vibrations.

They are not cheap but Vinyl Nirvana offers some very nice rebuilt Thorens turntables (no affiliation). Most Thorens are fairly simple machines and bringing a vintage unit up to speed is not all that difficult. The exception being ones like the 125 MKII that have speed controls. The units like the TD-150,160, etc are about as basic as they come.
 
Are you looking to stay vintage, or are you looking for something modern? A good choice for vintage would be a restored Dual turntable. Bill Neumann from Fix My Dual is a wonderful man to do business with. Contact him and tell him what you're looking for... belt, direct drive, or idler, whatever your heart desires. He has the largest parts inventory for Dual tables in the US. He makes his own plinths out of wood, and he has smoke colored dust covers made to his specification. I highly recommend anyone looking for a vintage table to contact Fix My Dual. These are mine.

Dual 721 Direct Drive With FMD Walnut Plinth

Dual 1219 Idler Drive With Custom Black Walnut Plinth and Custom Dustcover
1219%20With%20Cover%2001_zpsxxvmfc9v.jpg
 
Bubbalouie said:
Are you looking to stay vintage, or are you looking for something modern? A good choice for vintage would be a restored Dual turntable. Bill Neumann from Fix My Dual is a wonderful man to do business with. Contact him and tell him what you're looking for... belt, direct drive, or idler, whatever your heart desires. He has the largest parts inventory for Dual tables in the US. He makes his own plinths out of wood, and he has smoke colored dust covers made to his specification. I highly recommend anyone looking for a vintage table to contact Fix My Dual. These are mine.

Dual 721 Direct Drive With FMD Walnut Plinth

Dual 1219 Idler Drive With Custom Black Walnut Plinth and Custom Dustcover
1219%20With%20Cover%2001_zpsxxvmfc9v.jpg
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Thanks, Duals are also on my list. Have been eyeing a 1229. Was not clear if this was truly a marked step-up from my current config.

I'd like to stay vintage if possible as I have an affinity to the look and like to keep old gadgets going and out of the landfill. I'm never going to be a 6k TT kinda guy and have heard that these old guys can kick it with the best of them. But...this is coming from someone with (prior) aspirations to have the slickest Ford Focus this side of the Mississippi :)

Thanks to all for the feedback and help. Definitely steered me in the right direction.
 
I would say if you could do an XA that has been updated by Marc Morin or Steve Frosten that would be the best bang for your buck. I kind of like the one I am using.
IMAG0295.jpg

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Rococo said:
If given choice between an AR XA and Dual 1019 in equally great condition which would you go with? Never heard either but have read rave reviews.
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I have both.

I have a Marc Morin AR XB with all the fixin' s, including a custom plinth by Av Fan.

IMG_4411.JPG

I also have a sweet Dual 1019 with a custom walnut plinth from somewhere in Europe. The Dual will be getting a trip to Bill's for its 45 year checkup and restoration. It sounds great, very dynamic with great pace, characteristic of an idler. Once Bill works its magic it should get quieter too.

IMG_4904.JPG

My AR sounds better by several steps. Marc can make an XA/XB sound like something special.

In stock form they will both sound very good but different. Both stock, both running properly, it is pretty close. My preference is the AR but the Dual is fun and a great automatic with a changer option.
 
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What might one expect to pay for a restored ar xa?

bobins08 said:
I have both.

I have a Marc Morin AR XB with all the fixin' s, including a custom plinth by Av Fan.

View attachment 887608

I also have a sweet Dual 1019 with as custom walnut plinth from somewhere in Europe. The Dual will be getting a trip to Bill's for its 45 year checkup and restoration. It sounds great, very dynamic with great pace, characteristic of an idler. Once Bill works its magic it should get quieter too.

View attachment 887610


My AR sounds better by several steps. Marc can make an XA/XB sounds like something special.

In stock form they will both sound very good but different. Both stock, both running properly, it is pretty close. My preference is the AR but the Dual is fun and a great automatic with changer option.
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Rococo said:
What might one expect to pay for a restored ar xa?
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Well we can't talk price in this thread but in general a stick AR XA sells for somewhere between $150 and $250 depending on condition, your location, if it has a cartridge, etc. $200 is about the going rate for a working stock AR.

For upgrade costs you need to talk to Marc directly. I used mine stock for awhile, then with the arm upgrade, then I did the whole thing as you see it.

Get one with a walnut base and refinish it to match your marantz case and your cabinet. Unfortunately the XB base is vinyl contact paper on particle board. The XB has the advantage of a cueing system.
 
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AR XA it is! Thanks all
bobins08 said:
Well we can't talk price in this thread but in general a stick AR XA seeks for somewhere between $150 and $250 depending on condition, your location, of it has a cartridge, etc. $200 is about the going rate for a working stock AR.

For upgrade costs you need to talk to Marc directly. I used mine stock for awhile, then with the arm upgrade, then I did the whole thing as you see it.

Get one with a walnut base and refinish it to match your marantz case and your cabinet. Unfortunately the XB base is vinyl contact paper on particle board. The XB has the advantage of a cueing system.
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Angry Possum said:
Wow i second that plinth. Is it Birds Eye maple? And PS how good are the AR XA TT? Im looking at some now on flea bay. All different prices. Depending on condition etc.
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It's lacewood, built by our Aker AVFan. The XA is a nice table in stock form, but the updates by Marc Morin or Steve Frosten really bring this table into its own. It becomes a very fine table capable of superb sound quality. Yes it appears simple in nature, and has some quirks, but all in all you get a great return on your money spent. Will it be cheap when its done? No. But it is money well spent IMHO.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
Yep, sell it if you can and move on to something better. I have a AT-LP120 that I've modded to the max since I now can't afford to buy a much better turntable. It sounds great now, but it's still a POS made in China!
 
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