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Too many turntables - which ones do I keep?

Marantz 500

Marantz 500

Active Member
This isn't working, I've bought so many turntables, but I haven't really got rid of any. I’m going to be using three turntables, so I can only keep three from the list. Which ones would you keep? I kind of like most of them, and I'm lousy at parting with gear. Any thoughts?

Turntable Cartridge
Ariston RD-11S (Goldring G1020)
Linn Basik (Linn K5)
Luxman PD-277 (Pickering XSV3000)
Luxman PD-375 (Empire?)
Pioneer PL-505 (Ortofon OM30)
Rega Planar 2 (Rega Super Elys)
Sony PS-X555ES (Sony XL-MC1)
Sony PS-5100 (Ortofon OM5)
Sony PS-20FB (Sony VC-20)
Sony TTS-3000 (ADC XLM MkIII)
Technics SL1210 MkII (Ortofon OM30)
Thorens TD320 (Ortofon OM5)
Thorens TD166 MkII (Ortofon OM5)

All the best,
Jake
 
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Best Direct Drive of the bunch: Luxman PD-375
Best Belt Drive of the bunch : Ariston RD-11S ( Assuming the arm is probably an Alphason-100 )
Then, because I´m a Thorens fan, the TD-320 ( which is a very underrated unit IMO).

Of course that´s only me, for you have gathered a great collection there, and it would rip my heart out to have to get rid of any of those.
 
Agreed on the Ariston and the Thorens TD-320, but I'd keep the Sony Sony PS-X555ES instead of the Luxman.

Nice collection by the way.
 
Thanks for your suggestions, Satch and hifi_nut! I am really fond of the Ariston, and I probably will keep that one. Never heard so much detail from my records, I think. It has a Grace 707 tonearm, which seems to be very well made and suit the turntable well.

The Thorens TD320 really feels right, maybe I should keep it and give it a better cartridge, which it probably deserves. A solid and dependable turntable.

The PS-X555ES is a very cool model, I haven't tried it with any other cartridges than the Sony it came with, but I'm reluctant to let that one go as well. Difficult to choose between the Sony and the Luxman... The Luxman did have problems at first, which I've managed to cure, but the Sony has never failed me, so maybe the Sony is the one to keep out of those two. The Luxman vacuum system is cool, but not strictly essential (to me).

Wish I had the space for a little turntable museum, but I don't. Thanks a lot for your answers!
 
I'm kind of partial to the Linn Basik as I own a Linn Axis.

I wish I had your decision to make though! :)

Scott
 
For me, I would keep,

The Ariston RD-11. Excellent belt drive deck. The Linn Basik isn't upgradeable and is inferior to the Ariston (a design relative to the Linn LP-12)
Technics SL-1210. Uber reliable and tweakable direct drive turntable. Superb sounding stock with the cartridge you have. Easily obtained parts and service. May be what you use if one of your others has issues/parts needs. Also useful for easy cartridge changes for rougher thrift finds.
Rega P3 or Thorens TD 320. Both nice performers and which to keep is a crapshoot. I prefer the Thorens but still love a good Rega P3.
 
Thanks, Scott and KentTeffeteller! I do like the Linn Basik, it's got a very good Akito tonearm, but I don't feel the turntable as a whole is any better than a Rega really. The Ariston has way better resolution in the bass register, despite being an older design. The Ariston and the Thorens TD320 will probably be keepers.

The Technics is great, it works perfectly and sounds excellent with the OM30 cartridge. The only thing is, it's so common compared to other more exotic DD turntables. Not as exciting... But if one is going to downsize, it's probably a good idea to focus on good sound and enjoying music. The Technics is a great tool for that. Thanks for your answers, I'll have to think about which DD turntable to keep. I think I need at least one of those!
 
SPL db said:
I'm kind of partial to the Linn Basik as I own a Linn Axis.

I wish I had your decision to make though! :)

Scott
Click to expand...

I see your point, Scott, but not all Linns were created equal. In a similar vein, I´m probably the hugest Thorens fan on earth, but I would advise against anyone investing whatever sum of money in a few of their TT´s, namely the TD.104 / 105 / 115 range. Real POC.

Not to mean the Basik is a POC, but it can in no way be compared to the Axis, let alone the allmighty LP-12.
 
You may want to consider sticking with common cartridges. You seem to have a preference for Ortofon. Just one of many opinions.

Pioneer
Technics
Thorens
 
Marantz 500 said:
This isn't working, I've bought so many turntables, but I haven't really got rid of any. I’m going to be using three turntables, so I can only keep three from the list. Which ones would you keep? I kind of like most of them, and I'm lousy at parting with gear. Any thoughts?

Turntable Cartridge
Ariston RD-11S (Goldring G1020)
Linn Basik (Linn K5)
Luxman PD-277 (Pickering XSV3000)
Luxman PD-375 (Empire?)
Pioneer PL-505 (Ortofon OM30)
Rega Planar 2 (Rega Super Elys)
Sony PS-X555ES (Sony XL-MC1)
Sony PS-5100 (Ortofon OM5)
Sony PS-20FB (Sony VC-20)
Sony TTS-3000 (ADC XLM MkIII)
Technics SL1210 MkII (Ortofon OM30)
Thorens TD320 (Ortofon OM5)
Thorens TD166 MkII (Ortofon OM5)

All the best,
Jake
Click to expand...

Wish I had this problem! :yes:

If you MUST lose some of them...
Keep the Ariston, the best Sony X555ES, the Linn, a Luxman, the Rega and the Thorens (both especially the TD320) Send me the rest. :D
 
Marantz 500 said:
This isn't working, I've bought so many turntables, but I haven't really got rid of any. I’m going to be using three turntables, so I can only keep three from the list. Which ones would you keep? I kind of like most of them, and I'm lousy at parting with gear. Any thoughts?

Turntable Cartridge
Ariston RD-11S (Goldring G1020)
Linn Basik (Linn K5)
Luxman PD-277 (Pickering XSV3000)
Luxman PD-375 (Empire?)
Pioneer PL-505 (Ortofon OM30)
Rega Planar 2 (Rega Super Elys)
Sony PS-X555ES (Sony XL-MC1)
Sony PS-5100 (Ortofon OM5)
Sony PS-20FB (Sony VC-20)
Sony TTS-3000 (ADC XLM MkIII)
Technics SL1210 MkII (Ortofon OM30)
Thorens TD320 (Ortofon OM5)
Thorens TD166 MkII (Ortofon OM5)

All the best,
Jake
Click to expand...

I wouldnt limit myself to just 3...I couldnt do it.

my short list from that would be:
Ariston RD-11S
Luxman PD-375
Sony PS-X555ES
Technics SL1210 MkII
Thorens TD320

out of thirteen good decks, I couldn't get rid of them all.
8, maybe...but I would still be sad to see the PD-277, and the TD-166 go.
 
I'd keep the following
Ariston RD-11S (Goldring G1020)
Luxman PD-277 (Pickering XSV3000)
Luxman PD-375 (Empire?)
Technics SL1210 MkII
 
hifi_nut said:
Not to mean the Basik is a POC, but it can in no way be compared to the Axis, let alone the allmighty LP-12.
Click to expand...

I was under the assumption that the Basik and the Axis were very similar tables.

Looks like I stand corrected.

Scott
 
Since no one else has picked it, I'd like to speak up for the Pioneer PL-505. It is a fine turntable which really suprised me when I first heard it. With the Ortofon cartridge, I would suspect it can hold it's own with any of the rest. Honestly tho, I doubt you could go wrong with any of them with the right setup and cartridge. Keep them all and make the rest of us jealous.:D
 
Keep the Sony TTS-3000. Many thought it was the best TT during the late 60s and early 70s and still the best when production stopped due to high cost and low sales. My next keeper would be the Ariston RD-11S since with the 707 it's probably the best sounding of the group. For variety I'd keep the Sony PS-X555ES for the LT TA.
 
Thanks, everyone, for some great suggestions! It's very interesting to get feedback on what turntables to keep. I'm leaning towards the Ariston RD-11S, Thorens TD320 and then the Sony PS-X555ES for variety. The pioneer PL 505 is also very nice and if I can find the room for it, I may keep this one as well. While the Technics is great, I can always get another one. Luxman turntables are harder to find where I live, but I can't keep everything...

Funny that you should mention the Sony TTS-3000, Nailer. It's a very interesting turntable, oversized and with a 12-inch tonearm. It actually sounds fantastic to my ears, with an ADC XLM MkIII cartridge. Not sure if it's just me being fascinated with this ancient piece of machinery or if it's actually that good. Fun to use, anyway! The only problem is the size of the turntable, really. It makes many other turntables look like tiny toys...

Again, thanks for all the great replies!
 
Another vote for the Luxman PD-375. I really love mine, even more than my Thorens TD-126MKII.
 
OK, I'll have to bring the PD-375 out and listen to it alongside my other DD turntables. Perhaps I should try it with the same OM30 cartridge as the Technics and the Pioneer. By the way, the Thorens TD-126 has long been a dream turntable for me!
 
i'd keep the ariston,thorens td320 and technics..and the best of the luxman..i'm not familair with the sony but if its good then keep that too..

just put the ones you least use in temporary storage..and remove the belts from any belt drive decks and keep them in an airtight plastic bag.

in time you'll meet someone you personally know who really needs a good turntable ...and they will appreciate buying from someone who has good taste in turntables and has cherished and maintained them in good working order..

furthermore you will be familair with the idiosyncracies of each turntable and they will appreciate your advice on how to get the best from them...

newbies or returning veterans to vinyl often appreciate buying from a diehard analog fan than from some make-a-quick buck seller on that auction site...

i'd also keep all the cartridges that are no longer available..
 
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