Hi, I wanted a recommendation for a turntable with the budget around $500. Do you think with this budget I can buy a very good vintage turntable? Or should I save up more money and increase my budget? I currently have a turntable that is not working properly and want to upgrade to a very good turntable but I do not know where to start. I wanted a recommendation for a very good turntable that has auto return on it. What should I look for, it to be heavy? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank You!
Turntable Recommendation Please?
- Thread starter westro
- Start date
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With a budget of $500 you should be able to find a vintage semi auto direct drive turntable in excellent condition. A number of Japanese companies mfg tables with this feature, Sony/Denon/Technics/Sansui/Kenwood to name a few. Technics SL-1700Mk2 for example. If you see something that interests you do a AK Google search for owners threads/posts that will give you insight. Also use Vinyl Engine for reference downloading the owners manual re specs/features. As with many vintage tables solid construction and substantial weight are a hall mark.
bob06
Addicted Member
If you can find one. (maybe):scratch2:
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You can get a fully refurbished Dual 1229 with a nice, new cartridge from AK member bohhey for your budget. Step up to $750 and get a 701 with a Shure V15 Type III. No eBay worries about what you are getting or the shipping problems (bohhey has new boxes, etc.). Almost forgot - this includes a new, heavy hardwood base.
Contact bohhey (Bill) at FixMyDual (google).
Contact bohhey (Bill) at FixMyDual (google).
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flavio81
Turntable technician
I just want to note that it's arguable to say that the 701 is a step up from the 1229. Some people think it's the other way around, the 1229 being a step up in sound quality.
(Me, i have them both but have not yet setup the 1229 so i can compare them)
Another recommendation for Bill aka bohhey and Fix My Dual. With a $500 budget, you could have several choices. I just took delivery of my second Dual this afternoon when FedEx delivered my 1219.
Bill is a wonderful person to do business with. Not only does he build his own walnut bases, but he makes his own smokey dustcovers. You can get a Shure or Grado cartridge, or you can buy your own. Check out his website and give him a call. You will not be disappointed.
flavio81
Turntable technician
Look for high quality materials and very good mechanical finish.
Look for absence of plastic parts or parts that could resonate too much.
Look for a platter of at least 2.0Kg weight
Look for a nice main bearing that is absent of any play (try rocking the bearing)
Look for a TT mounted on a plinth that is massive and free from resonances
Look for a tonearm that allows all adjustments needed:
- VTF
- antiskating force
- cartridge offset adjustment
- cartridge vertical adjustment
bonus points if it allows for lateral balance adjustment
Look for a tonearm whose bearings have no play
Don't reject idler wheel or direct drive turntables
For belt drive turntables, look for ones which allow belt tension adjustment
For belt drive turntables, prefer AC motors rather than DC motors
Stay away from linear tracking turntables in general (unless it's a very well regarded model)
For idler wheel turntables, the bigger the idler wheel, the better the TT
In general, look for a motor that does not look smaller than your fist
flavio81
Turntable technician
As an example -- let's evaluate the Dual 1229:
Look for high quality materials and very good mechanical finish.
--> yes for the motor and the platter
Look for absence of plastic parts or parts that could resonate too much.
--> yes save for the headshell and the top plate
Look for a platter of at least 2.0Kg weight
--> yes, 3.2 kilogram
Look for a nice main bearing that is absent of any play (try rocking the bearing)
--> (depends on the condition)
Look for a TT mounted on a plinth that is massive and free from resonances
--> NO (but you can mount them on better DIY plinths)
Look for a tonearm that allows all adjustments needed:
- VTF
--> yes
- antiskating force
--> yes
- cartridge offset adjustment
--> yes
- cartridge vertical adjustment
--> no
bonus points if it allows for lateral balance adjustment
--> yes
Look for a tonearm whose bearings have no play
--> yes, usually
Don't reject idler wheel or direct drive turntables
--> idler wheel
For idler wheel turntables, the bigger the idler wheel, the better the TT
--> it is rather big
In general, look for a motor that does not look smaller than your fist
--> it is big!
Final result: PASSED
Let's evaluate a Thorens TD145MKII, for example
Look for high quality materials and very good mechanical finish.
--> yes for the platter and tonearm
Look for absence of plastic parts or parts that could resonate too much.
--> yes except for the suspension mechanisms (but there are infinite amount of modifications possible for this model)
Look for a platter of at least 2.0Kg weight
--> yes, heavier than that
Look for a nice main bearing that is absent of any play (try rocking the bearing)
--> yes, excellent main bearing
Look for a TT mounted on a plinth that is massive and free from resonances
--> no, but can be mounted on a custom plinth
Look for a tonearm that allows all adjustments needed:
- VTF
--> yes
- antiskating force
--> yes
- cartridge offset adjustment
--> yes
- cartridge vertical adjustment
--> I think so (can't remember
)
bonus points if it allows for lateral balance adjustment
--> no
Look for a tonearm whose bearings have no play
--> they can be adjusted in this model
For belt drive turntables, look for ones which allow belt tension adjustment
--> no
For belt drive turntables, prefer AC motors rather than DC motors
--> yes, AC motor
In general, look for a motor that does not look smaller than your fist
--> tiny motor
Final result: PASSED
Let's evaluate the Technics SL-BD3:
Look for high quality materials and very good mechanical finish.
--> not so much
Look for absence of plastic parts or parts that could resonate too much.
--> plastic parts galore
Look for a platter of at least 2.0Kg weight
--> about 1.5 kg
Look for a nice main bearing that is absent of any play (try rocking the bearing)
--> (depends on the condition)
Look for a TT mounted on a plinth that is massive and free from resonances
--> no, and you can't mount them on a better plinth
Look for a tonearm that allows all adjustments needed:
- VTF
--> no, unless you're a technician
- antiskating force
--> no
- cartridge offset adjustment
--> no
- cartridge vertical adjustment
--> no
bonus points if it allows for lateral balance adjustment
--> no
Look for a tonearm whose bearings have no play
--> yes, usually ok
For belt drive turntables, look for ones which allow belt tension adjustment
--> no
For belt drive turntables, prefer AC motors rather than DC motors
--> DC motor
In general, look for a motor that does not look smaller than your fist
--> tiny motor
Final result: REJECTED
Look for high quality materials and very good mechanical finish.
--> yes for the motor and the platter
Look for absence of plastic parts or parts that could resonate too much.
--> yes save for the headshell and the top plate
Look for a platter of at least 2.0Kg weight
--> yes, 3.2 kilogram
Look for a nice main bearing that is absent of any play (try rocking the bearing)
--> (depends on the condition)
Look for a TT mounted on a plinth that is massive and free from resonances
--> NO (but you can mount them on better DIY plinths)
Look for a tonearm that allows all adjustments needed:
- VTF
--> yes
- antiskating force
--> yes
- cartridge offset adjustment
--> yes
- cartridge vertical adjustment
--> no
bonus points if it allows for lateral balance adjustment
--> yes
Look for a tonearm whose bearings have no play
--> yes, usually
Don't reject idler wheel or direct drive turntables
--> idler wheel
For idler wheel turntables, the bigger the idler wheel, the better the TT
--> it is rather big
In general, look for a motor that does not look smaller than your fist
--> it is big!
Final result: PASSED
Let's evaluate a Thorens TD145MKII, for example
Look for high quality materials and very good mechanical finish.
--> yes for the platter and tonearm
Look for absence of plastic parts or parts that could resonate too much.
--> yes except for the suspension mechanisms (but there are infinite amount of modifications possible for this model)
Look for a platter of at least 2.0Kg weight
--> yes, heavier than that
Look for a nice main bearing that is absent of any play (try rocking the bearing)
--> yes, excellent main bearing
Look for a TT mounted on a plinth that is massive and free from resonances
--> no, but can be mounted on a custom plinth
Look for a tonearm that allows all adjustments needed:
- VTF
--> yes
- antiskating force
--> yes
- cartridge offset adjustment
--> yes
- cartridge vertical adjustment
--> I think so (can't remember
) bonus points if it allows for lateral balance adjustment
--> no
Look for a tonearm whose bearings have no play
--> they can be adjusted in this model
For belt drive turntables, look for ones which allow belt tension adjustment
--> no
For belt drive turntables, prefer AC motors rather than DC motors
--> yes, AC motor
In general, look for a motor that does not look smaller than your fist
--> tiny motor
Final result: PASSED
Let's evaluate the Technics SL-BD3:
Look for high quality materials and very good mechanical finish.
--> not so much
Look for absence of plastic parts or parts that could resonate too much.
--> plastic parts galore
Look for a platter of at least 2.0Kg weight
--> about 1.5 kg
Look for a nice main bearing that is absent of any play (try rocking the bearing)
--> (depends on the condition)
Look for a TT mounted on a plinth that is massive and free from resonances
--> no, and you can't mount them on a better plinth
Look for a tonearm that allows all adjustments needed:
- VTF
--> no, unless you're a technician
- antiskating force
--> no
- cartridge offset adjustment
--> no
- cartridge vertical adjustment
--> no
bonus points if it allows for lateral balance adjustment
--> no
Look for a tonearm whose bearings have no play
--> yes, usually ok
For belt drive turntables, look for ones which allow belt tension adjustment
--> no
For belt drive turntables, prefer AC motors rather than DC motors
--> DC motor
In general, look for a motor that does not look smaller than your fist
--> tiny motor
Final result: REJECTED
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Well.......... if nothing else, the 701 is a 'step-up' money-wise.
I'm a DD fan, but will not argue the above as many are idler-wheel fans. The 701 is rated as quite a bit quieter by the mfgr. But, no doubt about the dampening effects of a good idler wheel drive like the 1229/1219. If you want the idler wheel, go for the 1229 with the Shure V15 Type III.
flavio81
Turntable technician
and to round it off, before they accuse me of anti-Technics bias (nothing further from the truth)
Let's evaluate the Technics SL-1100, an old goldie:
Look for high quality materials and very good mechanical finish.
--> top quality
Look for absence of plastic parts or parts that could resonate too much.
--> almost no plastic
Look for a platter of at least 2.0Kg weight
--> yes, 2Kg
Look for a nice main bearing that is absent of any play (try rocking the bearing)
--> nice main bearing
Look for a TT mounted on a plinth that is massive and free from resonances
--> massive plinth
Look for a tonearm that allows all adjustments needed:
--> TT allows any tonearm to be fitted
In general, look for a motor that does not look smaller than your fist
--> big DD motor
final result: PASSED with flying colors
Let's evaluate the Technics SL-1100, an old goldie:
Look for high quality materials and very good mechanical finish.
--> top quality
Look for absence of plastic parts or parts that could resonate too much.
--> almost no plastic
Look for a platter of at least 2.0Kg weight
--> yes, 2Kg
Look for a nice main bearing that is absent of any play (try rocking the bearing)
--> nice main bearing
Look for a TT mounted on a plinth that is massive and free from resonances
--> massive plinth
Look for a tonearm that allows all adjustments needed:
--> TT allows any tonearm to be fitted
In general, look for a motor that does not look smaller than your fist
--> big DD motor
final result: PASSED with flying colors
Skipped the evaluation but would you recommend the SL 1100, or one of the Dual Turntables? If the dual which ones? (I know you haven't tried the 701 but when you get the chance to please reply to this forum!) I have seen mostly Dual tables. I most likely will save up a little more and get the Dual 701 or 1229 with the Shure V15 type III. Seeing that, that is what people recommend over anything else.
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There are a couple of 'known good' TT refurbishers on eBay that, unlike member 'bohhey', work on all models. They are, oddly enough, both in northern NJ. On my way out the door for a busy weekend, but will get their info to you if you wish. May take a day or two for me to have the time to find them.Skipped the evaluation: but would you recommend the SL 1100, or one of the Dual Turntables? If the dual which ones? (I know you haven't tried the 701 but when you get the chance to please reply to this forum!) I have seen mostly Dual tables. I most likely will save up a little more and get the Dual 701 or 1229 with the Shure V15 type III. Seeing that, that is what people recommend over anything else.
I have a Technics SL-1700 listed in BT-Equipment if you are interested in looking at that.
I am in Columbus, OH area.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=577505&highlight=Technics+SL-1700
I am in Columbus, OH area.
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=577505&highlight=Technics+SL-1700