Vestax PDX 3000 MKll

[krisjay]

I was curious if anyone is familiar with this table? What are some thoughts on it for home audio use? The specs are very good, the arm looks interesting, what do you know about this turntable people?

 

[Dan ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ]

Straight arm version sucks for serious listening...S arm version might be passable. Strikes me as just another "DJ" table.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

I know enough about it not to want to own one. Even the S tonearm has bearings on the clumsy side. Basically aimed at Hip Hop/Scratch DJ types.

 

[illini]

I know enough about it not to want to own one.

I briefly researched Vestax because KAB blessed one particular model, but realised the brand was a waste of time based on the specs and build quality.

Technics broadcast (SP) and broadcast worthy tables forever.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Agreed. And also worthy of any audiophile home.

 

[LazySounds]

I was curious if anyone is familiar with this table? What are some thoughts on it for home audio use? The specs are very good, the arm looks interesting, what do you know about this turntable people?

I own one, I often put in $10 bids on stuff that I'm curious about, with no real hope of winning. But I won this one.

It has some things going for it.
1 Will track just about any record regardless of how warped it is or scratched.
2 Speed stability is very good.
3 Rejects feedback and vibration very well without being massively heavy.
4 DOES NOT look like something from Leisure Suit Larry's 1970's love nest.
5 Seems to be invulnerable to drunk people

It has some significant down sides.
1 Straight underhung tonearm will not allow proper alignment so you are restricted to spherical styluses only.
2 The platter on my one has a slight wobble to it, I pulled it apart and the wobble is caused by sloppyness in the motor spindle, it moves about 1mm up and down and fractionally from side to side. Some internet searches have led me to believe that this is a common problem on many versions of the PDX turntable.
3 No lid, massive dust magnet
4 No cue lever
5 LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING FLASH GORDON USES TO SPIN TUNES IN SPACE!!

What I use it for
1 I have an Ortofon Pro S mounted on it and I play beat up 45's on it, sounds good
2 I let my 19 month old son play beat up 45's on it, he can't break it
3 I use it for cleaning records, I spray cleaning fluid on it and I can really get in to it with a cleaning cloth and the motor keeps spinning the record like a freight train.

Is it a worthwhile purchase for listening to your LPs
NO NO NO!!!!!!
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!

JUST TO BE CLEAR, IF ARE NOT PLANNING ON USING IT FOR TURNTABLEISM AND VIGOROUS BACK CUEING SHENANNIGANS, DO NOT BUY ONE

 

[krisjay]

I guess that answers that. While we are on the subject of different tables, any thoughts on the Rek O Kut Rondine 3, another table to forget about?

 

[KentTeffeteller]

The ROK Rondine III is a decent turntable. Vestax turntables I am not a fan of.

 

[Beobloke]

I must admit I'm falling out of love with the latest Vestax models - it seems since they moved production to China, quality control has gone downhill and I'm not a fan of the plastic plinth that has featured since the PDX-2000. Their motors, however, are very good and I have a badly bashed but working PDX-2000 that I intend to use as the basis of a DIY direct drive one day.

That said, though, find yourself a nice Mk2 version of the PDX-A1, PDX-A2 or PDX-D3 with the s-shaped arm and they are very capable indeed. I have a PDX-D3 Mk2 with S-arm and it wipes the floor sonically with a standard Technics SL-1200!

It also says 'Hello' across the LED display when you switch it on, which is nice....

 

[illini]

4 DOES NOT look like something from Leisure Suit Larry's 1970's love nest.

You know, that's actually pretty freakin' funny. :tresbon: