Cogsinister
Super Member
Link dont work...........
The Sad Fate of Direct Drive Turntables...
- Thread starter Arkay
- Start date
Link dont work...........
Stanton681EEES
Addicted Member
Yes The Sp15 seems to have the problem the OP posted about, BUT there are those out thee that can and do fix these and can find ways around the problem of obsolete IC's
jwrosenthal
Super Member
I like my Victrola....I don't even need electricity.....just good upper arm muscles.
James R.
James R.
If my JVC QL-Y5F loses a chip it'll be hard to work around. Not only does it have speed stability for the motor, but since it has a magneto levitated arm with feedback controlled downforce, the arm would not be controllable 
That said, if it died, I have three tables to take it's place including the trusty old DUAL. But I wouldn't want to. So I'd go looking for another table. As I'm getting up there a bit, my hearing is not as crisp as it was so maybe I could do with a little less sophistication?
I would likely be looking for an Oracle Paris or something along those lines and that may get completely around the failed high end Japanese DD table. Once in while you just need to bite the bullet and do something different
That said, if it died, I have three tables to take it's place including the trusty old DUAL. But I wouldn't want to. So I'd go looking for another table. As I'm getting up there a bit, my hearing is not as crisp as it was so maybe I could do with a little less sophistication?
I would likely be looking for an Oracle Paris or something along those lines and that may get completely around the failed high end Japanese DD table. Once in while you just need to bite the bullet and do something different
vinylengine
Retired from AK. No longer posting.
He may be talking about the mk2A (1983-) with simplified circuit or the ultra rare mk3, but AFAIK neither the original SP10 or the more common SP10mk2/mk2p have any unobtainable electronic components/special chips? The things are so reliable you may never find out :thmbsp:
Arkay
Lunatic Member
No, he sells ultra-high end vintage gear, of any type. He DOES have some vintage belt-drive TTs, like the Micro Seiki RX-1500 (actually a "thread" drive), but ALSO has idler-wheel TTs like the Garrard 301 and 401 (usually in large, Shindo-type plinths), AND still some DD tables, like the last (in his shop) Victor I mentioned in the OP.
What he isn't doing is taking in any more of those models that he can no longer get serviced. He still takes in and sells ALL the DD models that he can still get serviced, even if they have to be sent back to Japan (which is the case with many of those beautiful models that were domestic-market-only). If you have one, he says that's great, because the high-end DD tables are great tables with the ultimate in speed stability and great sound, and he encourages you (if you have one) to use it regularly, to keep it in good shape.
HE DID ALSO SAY that in many places, these TTs may well last a lifetime, anyway, because they are so well made. But in Hong Kong, that is unlikely, because of the humidity. And for the models he mentioned, if they go bad because of either of those two no-longer-available chips, then it's bye-bye to that turntable. Anything else is wishful thinking, at least according to him.
He had no commercial motive in this conversation whatsoever; in fact, he is losing potential revenue because he can/will no longer sell those TTs.
Actually, this guy ONLY sells VERY high-end stuff. Want a Dynavector tonearm in mint-condition original box? Want a matching cart to go on it? He's got a couple of them. Want a beautiful SME 3012 or one of the best SAEC tonearms, or some spare original tonearms for your Pioneer Exclusive P3a? He's got them, along with multiple armboards for your Micro Seiki DDX-1000 or whatever else you are looking for at that level. I noticed a Benz Ruby and some other nice cartridges there, too. Need one of those gold-plated Clearaudio headshells? I saw two of those. How about some cool old Klangfilm-type horn speakers? Three sets of mint AR-3a speakers were about the most ordinary thing I've seen in his shop.
So he wouldn't have been talking about the cheap, lo-fi and mid-fi mass-market tables. They are off his radar.
Understandably so, too, since he has been in the field for a long time. It's easy to move up the quality ladder in audio, but once you have, no one wants to move back down again.
Do you really leave it spinning 24/7? Is it supposed to be better off that way? I turn mine off when I go to sleep, or go out for a while, basically turning it on only for listening sessions, although I'll leave it on sometimes when I go do something else, if I know I'll be back soon for some more listening.
As I indicated, I don't remember for sure which models he was talking about. Probably the rarest ones, knowing the shop! At least one was a Mk III and one a Mk II.
24 hours per day.Seven days per week.The only time the platter is stationary,is when I am changing records,or turning a record over to access the second side.
Otherwise,always revolving.
Is it better,is it worse?I couldn't say categorically.I like to keep things spinning.Others may do things differently. :scratch2:
Otherwise,always revolving.
Is it better,is it worse?I couldn't say categorically.I like to keep things spinning.Others may do things differently. :scratch2:
Cogsinister
Super Member
I have just turned both my turntables on for a spin.......i dont think i could keep them on 24/7 my wife would think i was mad !!!!
Or madder than she already thinks i am............
If I had one dollard for everytime someone has said over the decades:"Your turntable is spinning!".......
The obvious answer is "That's what it was designed to do...." :yes: :thmbsp:
Cogsinister
Super Member
If I had one dollard for everytime someone has said over the decades:"Your turntable is spinning!".......
The obvious answer is "That's what it was designed to do...." :yes: :thmbsp:
My daughter was eating her toast.....and looking at the TT's.....and she said "Do you know your turntables are spinning ?"
LOL
I was recently in a vintage LP (and select modern CD) store in Delft Holland. The owner had 2 Technics 1200's behind the counter to sample LPs that customers might want to purchase. Both were spinning w/o a record when I came in. I asked, he said they spin 24/7.
Old_Tech
Yer-isn't!
Thorens 24x7 almost
I am leaving my Thorens on now all day and night when I am home. The motor needs to be run from years of setting.
Its almost impossible to get to the top bearing under the pulley so I have to use a spray like WD-40 to lube then I follow with a cleaner. I am keeping her on to fix that tiny WOW she has from time to time. Its been a hard problem but this might fix it.
I have to admit, I have never seen anyone run a table all the time in my life. Its interesting though. :yes:
I am leaving my Thorens on now all day and night when I am home. The motor needs to be run from years of setting.
Its almost impossible to get to the top bearing under the pulley so I have to use a spray like WD-40 to lube then I follow with a cleaner. I am keeping her on to fix that tiny WOW she has from time to time. Its been a hard problem but this might fix it.
I have to admit, I have never seen anyone run a table all the time in my life. Its interesting though. :yes:
just bought a dual DD 604 model with original (first gen) stanton 681EEE cart. I'll be re-reading this thread to make sure I find out anything useful.
no quartz lock on this (was late 70s model) but strobe and pitch control show very little drift so far (only had it a few hours) when I let it warm up for a bit.
no quartz lock on this (was late 70s model) but strobe and pitch control show very little drift so far (only had it a few hours) when I let it warm up for a bit.
danj
modern primitive
I'd hate to lose my vintage PL-570 but have two turntables, a Dual 1019 and Thorens TD-160C, that are almost 40 years old and which, if given proper care, will probably still be working fine in 2049.
In the meantime I'll give the 570 plenty exercise and hope it will live longer because of it.
In the meantime I'll give the 570 plenty exercise and hope it will live longer because of it.
interalian
Super Member
It's a tossup: spin it 24/7 and wear out the bearings, or run it as required and risk the electronics.
My Hitachi HT860 (cost to me $0) is turned on each evening and left on as long as I'm listening then goes off again. If it craps out I have an Ariston RD40 I can press into service.
The Hitachi is DD, the Ariston belt. I like the DD - rock steady and no skipping with footfalls whilst playing.
My Hitachi HT860 (cost to me $0) is turned on each evening and left on as long as I'm listening then goes off again. If it craps out I have an Ariston RD40 I can press into service.
The Hitachi is DD, the Ariston belt. I like the DD - rock steady and no skipping with footfalls whilst playing.
jwrosenthal
Super Member
I left my Thorens 124 spinning for 5 days once (played it on Sun. night, left Mon. for business trip, home on Thurs. night, and saw the strobe glowing in the dark). It was dead on speed and the motor was cool as a cucumber....no chips, no electronics (other than a DC motor) and lots of metal....now that's a table that will outlive all of us!
I don't think the OP needs to get bashed for bringing up this point, nor do I fault the store owner in HK for not selling tables that can no longer get support...in fact I applaud him. He isn't in the market to sell vintage gear and forget about it. He is clearly selling products that can be serviced and maintained either by their shop, or the manufacturer as he wants to stand behind the products he is selling. If it were a mechanical problem (like a worn bearing), that could be fixed by a competent machinist, but a PSB or microchip that goes bad without replacement parts available becomes an obvious problem for a dealer who wishes to charge premium dollars for a premium vintage product, but can't offer any kind of warranty due to lack of parts.
I agree, if you have one of the aforementioned rare DD tables that have NLA parts, then enjoy your tables for as long as you can and start the hunt for spare parts now (as a vintage car guy, this is part of the hobby...always hoarding spare parts). Among the many tables I own, one is a Technics SL1200MkII....even if the electrical parts become NLA for my table in the future (not likely), these tables are so ubiquitous, that spare parts won't be an issue.
If you want rock solid speed stability, exceptional pacing and dynamic sound....get a Thorens or Garrard idler...spinning for 52 years and still going strong!
James R.
James R.
I don't think the OP needs to get bashed for bringing up this point, nor do I fault the store owner in HK for not selling tables that can no longer get support...in fact I applaud him. He isn't in the market to sell vintage gear and forget about it. He is clearly selling products that can be serviced and maintained either by their shop, or the manufacturer as he wants to stand behind the products he is selling. If it were a mechanical problem (like a worn bearing), that could be fixed by a competent machinist, but a PSB or microchip that goes bad without replacement parts available becomes an obvious problem for a dealer who wishes to charge premium dollars for a premium vintage product, but can't offer any kind of warranty due to lack of parts.
I agree, if you have one of the aforementioned rare DD tables that have NLA parts, then enjoy your tables for as long as you can and start the hunt for spare parts now (as a vintage car guy, this is part of the hobby...always hoarding spare parts). Among the many tables I own, one is a Technics SL1200MkII....even if the electrical parts become NLA for my table in the future (not likely), these tables are so ubiquitous, that spare parts won't be an issue.
If you want rock solid speed stability, exceptional pacing and dynamic sound....get a Thorens or Garrard idler...spinning for 52 years and still going strong!
James R.
James R.
Hmm, perhaps they were on to something way back when the argument of belt drive vs direct drive started.:scratch2:
Seriously though, worry over something that MAY happen is a waste of time. Enjoyment of music is supposed to be about relaxation, not worrying about your equipment. If it dies...and can't be fixed..so be it...find another deck. Looks like Technics is still making some fine direct drive units. While I now prefer belt drives (mainly due to the simplicity, not some idea of superior sound-as I have a a few DD tables that sounded great), if I had the cash I would like one of those new Techincs DD units.
My H/K T-45 and Dual CS 505-2 are still going strong, but if they both died today, I would have fun shopping for a new deck, and wouldn't shed more than a tear or two.
After all, the music is whats important, equipment is merly a means to a end.
Seriously though, worry over something that MAY happen is a waste of time. Enjoyment of music is supposed to be about relaxation, not worrying about your equipment. If it dies...and can't be fixed..so be it...find another deck. Looks like Technics is still making some fine direct drive units. While I now prefer belt drives (mainly due to the simplicity, not some idea of superior sound-as I have a a few DD tables that sounded great), if I had the cash I would like one of those new Techincs DD units.
My H/K T-45 and Dual CS 505-2 are still going strong, but if they both died today, I would have fun shopping for a new deck, and wouldn't shed more than a tear or two.
After all, the music is whats important, equipment is merly a means to a end.
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