Toshiba SR-F430 Turntable - any info?

[jetter]

Hi there,

I am considering buying a Toshiba SR-F430 direct drive turntable, but I can't seem to find any info on the net (picture below).

Does anyone have any info on these, or similar vintage models of Toshiba turntables? Any good? Any idea how this would compare to a Pioneer PL-518?

Any info at all would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[BrocLuno]

Have you looked in the library at VinylEngine.com? PM Hakaplan, maybe he's had one run through his hands? Looks like run of the mill Japaese DD TT. That is not meant as a disparaging remark. I mean it looks like a good basic TT.

So before we can say any more, we need to know what your needs are and what you'll do with it? I probably would not feed a high end tube system with it, but it should do fine for a mid-fi living room system? Tell us how you listen, what you listen to, does it have a dedicated job like being your used & thrift store vinyl preview table, etc?

 

[jetter]

Thanks for the info... I'll take a look over at VinylEngine.com.

I am actually just getting back into vinyl, but on a budget... so I'm not looking for a super high-end system. I just bought a vintage Pioneer SX-780 receiver, and am now looking for a decent vintage TT to pair with it.

I grew up with a Pioneer PL-518 TT in the house, and so am looking for something in that same ballpark, since I always liked that unit. I'm basically looking for a TT to play rock n roll LPs in a smallish-sized living room.

 

[hakaplan]

Toshiba has always been a well respected manufacturer of audio and electronics. I would see no reason this turntable wouldn't be at least as decent as a Pioneer. Looks to be from the late 70s and was most likely competition to the PL-518, or the next series PL-255. Hard to tell if it's auto or semi-auto. I can't make out whether there's a switch for record size, but there's definitely a "cut" switch meaning auto-return at the very least.

 

[jetter]

Thanks guys. I ended up picking up a Pioneer PL-530 today instead. Looking forward to the receiver I bought on Ebay to arrive so I can hear it! Cheers.

 

[Joey1127]

Eeeeeeeeee, the Toshiba may have been a better choice on the reliability scale. Back in the 70's, Toshiba made some VERY nice gear. However, in North America, it was tough for companies like Toshiba or Hitachi to BREAK OUT as the market was saturated with PIONEER, SANSUI, MARANTZ, and Panasonic/Technics.

I have yet to get a PL-530 that did not end up having CO$TLY issues with it's automation....but you may be lucky!!!

All that maters is that you enjoy your music!

Joey

 

[jetter]

Innaresting Joey. When I heard the Toshiba and Pioneer played one after the other there was no comparison... the Pioneer sounded wayyy better. Now maybe the cartridges were the factor, but it was a no-brainer in that regard. Growing up with a 518, I was also nostalgic for a Pioneer.

I can see how the 'bells n whistles' of the automated 530 could have more issues compared with a simpler, more streamlined design like the 518.

So far so good, anyway. I've opened it up to spray cleaner in the pots (the speed now maintains perfectly), and all looks in great shape. I also solved a problem with the tone arm not fully returning to its cradle by replacing the rotted foam pad with some new foam (a solution I discovered on these boards). It's in amazing shape, so I figure for $70 I got a good deal. Let's hope it lasts (knocking on wood)!

 

[hakaplan]

Joey's the only person I've heard of who's had major problems with the PL-530. The difference in sound quality doesn't surprise me as I think this series (PL-510/530/550/570) were some of the best Pioneer made. They were the series just prior to the PL-518.

EDIT: Well now I guess I have to tip my hat to Joey. Seems more and more PL-530s are appearing with problems, the main one being the plastic tonearm base cracking. I'd have to limit my recommendation to the 550 (manual) and 570 (auto).

 

[Joey1127]

Hmmmmmmm,

You folks must have found the magical land of hidden PL-530's cause every PL-530 I've meet out here in Northern California that worked as it should had either had MAJOR restoration, or was NEW IN BOX.

Now the PL-518 was a GREAT sounding deck but nowhere near as techy as the PL-530 was including it's papered simulated wood finish. The 518 has Mechanical Auto Return, no extra motors and such to go bad or fail. 2 of the 530's I had ended up having bad phase motors. Joel Thorner at the TT Factory went through them both for me and basicaly told me after my 2nd one, "It's just not ment to be".

Anyway, glad this one is working for you...enjoy you music, that's the best part!

Joey

 

[mont3552]

I just picked up a Toshiba SR-F770, and i know little about it, is it comparable to the pioneer 518's?

 

[Whitehall]

Since I've just joined the Toshiba family with my change of jobs, I really should see if there's a Toshiba turntable in my future.

Does anyone have some sense of the product line development, specifically, which were the TOTL components? Looking on VinylEngine I see some tables that look like Denons or other brands.

 

[Insidegroove]

This old thread seems as good a place as any to ask about working on the auto functions. I removed the bottom of mine and don’t see much sign of old grease, nor where new grease would go. (Anywhere two arms move past each other, I guess; and I’m thinking the motor may need to be removed to thoroughly clean/regrease?)

The auto return works. The cut function works. The auto start only lifts the arm and then sets it down on the arm rest; no arm movement to the start of the record.