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Sorry, another "Which should I sell?" thread

KeithD

KeithD

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I have accumulated five turntables, but feel I could let at least one go. I would appreciate any opinions/thoughts on which would be the least desirable to keep in this group. I will say, they all sound good to me, though some have more features than others. These are more or less in the order I bought them.

Technics SL-D5, AT 120Eb cart/stylus
Technics SL-1350, Shure V15 Type III cart/stylus
Technics SL-L3, Technics EPC-P33 cart/LPGear eliptical replacement stylus
JVC QL-A5, Ortofon VMS cart/Ortofon D10E MKII stylus
Phillips GA-212, Ortofon M-15E Super cart/stylus

Thanks!
 
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How a turntable feels and looks is a significant part of its appeal, and such judgements are highly subjective and personal. Which do you like the least? That is the one to get rid of.
You can hem and haw about sound quality, but it depends on the cartridge and arm, and the record, and the temperature and whether the moon is in the seventh house. Whereas you probably think one of the tables is less fun to use, uglier, plasticier, or whatever - color, shape, it doesn't matter. If you don't like it much, send it along to someone who will love it.
 
Out they go, one by one until you have the funds for a really nice one. There is a pick up only KP-990 in BT that would be my choice of your 5 and that one. And if you get good money for the nails, decent as they are, your vinyl rig could step up nicely.
 
Easy peasy, you have three Technics so sell the one you like least, or, if needing the money the one that will bring the most.
 
Hmmmm, well, I was hoping for some opinions on the quality of the tables and the cart/stylus each has. Maybe one is better than the other, or one worse? I don't think I'll be giving up my Technics SL-1350, but any of the other four could be let go if it is the "dog" of the group. I just don't have enough experience with a lot of turntables/cartridges/styli to know if there are some inherent quality differences.

As far as selling all and buying something more expensive, that's not an option as I do actively use two or three of the turntables in different systems.
 
KeithD said:
Hmmmm, well, I was hoping for some opinions on the quality of the tables and the cart/stylus each has. Maybe one is better than the other, or one worse? I don't think I'll be giving up my Technics SL-1350, but any of the other four could be let go if it is the "dog" of the group. I just don't have enough experience with a lot of turntables/cartridges/styli to know if there are some inherent quality differences.

As far as selling all and buying something more expensive, that's not an option as I do actively use two or three of the turntables in different systems.
Click to expand...

Ok, so you need three tables, sell all of the Technics and get one better table and you still have a total of three all better than those you sold.
 
Unless I'm mistaken all of those tables have interchangeable headshells. In which case the cart shouldn't drive your decision on the table. Keep the carts you like or keep all of them or none of them and let the turntable alone drive your decsision.
 
What nolasally said! Also keep any of the carts you really like and replace them with an entry level 30 buck cart.

BillWojo
 
Honestly, I would keep the SL-1350. The rest are decent-average tables. The SL-1350 is the "better" one, imo.
 
Agree with what Nat said... it's subjective and the ones you enjoy using the most that matters. And you didn't mention condition on appearance, because when you do sell that's going to drive the price.

If it were me I'd keep the Technics (since I like Technics turntables). The L3 am not familiar with but like other linear trackers Technics made. And as others said keep the cartridges you like, you can load up 3 decks for about $45 with new cartridges AT 3600 variety these days and say all new.
 
Hi, Just a suggestion. Why don't sell them all off & buy a descent T/T & separate arm. Then you will know what LP's should really sound like.

Cheers
 
Nat said:
How a turntable feels and looks is a significant part of its appeal, and such judgements are highly subjective and personal. Which do you like the least? That is the one to get rid of.
You can hem and haw about sound quality, but it depends on the cartridge and arm, and the record, and the temperature and whether the moon is in the seventh house. Whereas you probably think one of the tables is less fun to use, uglier, plasticier, or whatever - color, shape, it doesn't matter. If you don't like it much, send it along to someone who will love it.
Click to expand...

The Moon being in the seventh house is definitely the most important.
 
All 5 TT are in very good to excellent shape. I've had the SL-D5 the longest. Got it when I got back into vinyl about 20 years ago. That's when you could pick up good records at thrift stores for $0.50 to $1 each. :) The AT cart/stylus on there is very good. I'm pretty sure the next one I picked up was the SL-1350 about 5 years ago when I started down the journey of vintage HiFi. Won't be selling that one. In excellent shape, fully automatic, works flawlessly, have all the accessories, and I think the Shure V14 III is the best cart/stylus of them all. It's basically my "reference" TT. Those are the two I had for some time. Had to fix a problem with the SL-D5, but otherwise no complaints on either. The other three kind of just "came my way" over time. The JVC was $20 at a record shop with no cart. With quartz lock, figured I could not go wrong. Bought a NOS cart/needle. No complaints on that one. I picked up the SL-L3 because I wanted to try a linear tracking TT. It had the original P-mount cart, so I had to search for a compatible needle. Like the automatic features, and it's in VG condition. However, not thrilled with the "smoked" color cover. Can't see much action through that. While convenient, turns out it's kind of boring to just push a button to play a record/song. Last is the Phillips. That one came to me in a group of equipment someone at work was "getting rid of" (= dirt cheap). Has some interesting, unique features. My only belt drive TT. The Ortofon cart/needle on there is supposed to be good, but was not looking for another TT. Sound is good. Might play records better than the SL-L3?

So, that's the situation. Thinking about it, I'd say the Phillips or the SL-L3 are most likely to be sold. As the SL-L3 is a P-mount system, I don't think the cart/stylus is interchangeable with my other TT, correct?
 
It's clear some who have posted have the opinion none of the TT I own are "decent" or "good" TT. So, wondering what qualifies as a "decent" or "good" TT? Any suggestions? Just want to know the level of $$ and/or brand/model we are talking here.
 
The Philips is a solid table and used to be referred to a “ a poor man’s Thorens”. The SL-1350 looks to be the one that may bring the most money. I’d listen to it vs. the rest with the same cartridge and see which you enjoy listening, using and looking at the least and sell that one. I’m not a fan of linear trackers, so it would be my first choice, but the 1350 might be a close second based on money received if it didn’t stand out from the others.

As to getting a “good” table; your’s are all good, decent tables, that to the bulk of the planet probably sound too close to each other to discern. But folks in this forum usually are very focused on their tables and vinyl and have much more refined tastes.

As always, keep what YOU enjoy the most and the others be damned, as all that really matters is what you hear and like, not anyone else
 
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