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Turntable Upgrade Help

M

Mdizzle

New Member
Hey guys,
I'm currently in the market for a new turntable for home audio use. Here is my current setup:

JVC - 5550 Recevier
JVC - A158 turntable

It works but am wanting to upgrade my turntable, preferrably a vintage model at a decent price. I've been scouring ebay and Craigs List and forums to find the "perfect" one and thought I'd join this forum. Here are a couple that I've looked at and wanted to get your thoughts...pull trigger, overpriced, whats a good price on any or wait wait wait...

Thanks
Matt


AR-XA
https://nashville.craigslist.org/ele/4738894048.html

PL 115D
https://nashville.craigslist.org/ele/4772561394.html

SL-1500
http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/ele/4748085320.html
 
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Welcome to the Forum. You have come to the right place.

When I was starting out, I did not realize that light weight, direct drive tables placed closely to loud speakers with heavy bass produce wild feedback.

I use suspended, belt driven tables personally, though there are other designs that work very well also. Try to get a table with a little "beef" in the construction.
 
Between the 3, the Technics is the better choice, price and ease of serviceability is better than the other two. I am taking into account that probably all 3 will need some sort of work. The AR being the hardest if you haven't have any experience working on them before.
 
The Technics is probably the best of the 3 but I think it could be had for less money. Make him a offer, tell him it will need a stylus which it will.
 
Without getting into the merits of belt vs direct drive which if either is well designed/built will be fine. Most problems with feedback/howling can be contributed to poor installation on unstable surfaces, either a solid/heavy/level cabinet/stand or wall shelf will isolate the turntable from vibration and feedback be it suspended or solid plinth. If looking for a vintage table try to find one that was well cared for from an original owner or one that has been recently serviced by a second owner. Many of the well cared for vintage tables won't require much more than a new belt if belt drive and if direct drive a couple drops of bearing oil for maintenance that even a child could do. I'd also favor the Technics SL-1500 if in good shape of the three tables listed.
 
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