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Vintage TT in the $1,000 range ?

If you have the Pioneer PL-518 with the wood plinth, that's a pretty nice TT. The AT440MLb cart is one of the best in that price range.

If your set of spending money. The SR-838 is my favorite Sansui. My favorite Technics is oddly the SL-1350 with changer. It sound awesome with the AT440MLa. I don't actually use the changer, just for the photo. The PLC-590 is my favorite Pioneer. The best sounding out of the three is the Technics with the AT440MLa. The Sansui has an AT-15Sa (Shibata) cart. The Pioneer with the Black Widow tonearm is real picky with carts.

If you're listening to loud classic rock, I don't think you'll notice that much of a difference. Anyways find that synergy and remember this stuff is 40+ years old.

Good luck.

Sansui_SR-838-2.jpg

Technics_SL1350.jpg

Pioneer_PLC-590-12.jpg
 
Thorens Td125 with sme 3009 and have plenty left toward a nice cartridge. And if you dont like it you should have no problem reselling a classic.
 
onepixel said:
If you have the Pioneer PL-518 with the wood plinth, that's a pretty nice TT. The AT440MLb cart is one of the best in that price range.

If your set of spending money. The SR-838 is my favorite Sansui. My favorite Technics is oddly the SL-1350 with changer. It sound awesome with the AT440MLa. I don't actually use the changer, just for the photo. The PLC-590 is my favorite Pioneer. The best sounding out of the three is the Technics with the AT440MLa. The Sansui has an AT-15Sa (Shibata) cart. The Pioneer with the Black Widow tonearm is real picky with carts.

If you're listening to loud classic rock, I don't think you'll notice that much of a difference. Anyways find that synergy and remember this stuff is 40+ years old.

Good luck.

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I gave my son in law a Technics SL-1300 with an AT440mla. Gave him a Sansui 5000a (fixed boards) and recapped SP3500 speakers. The Technics sounds good and he plays it all the time. I have 3 PL-518's, all in fantastic shape. The one I use has a 440mlb , and one my daughter listens too has a 440mla. The other has an older Shure (not sure what model it is). I picked up an older Dual with a new belt and cartridge that sits in the corner (paid $30). Figured on of my other kids or gkids might need one at some point. I do like the Pioneer you show.
 
Ken Boyd said:
I can't be the only one that thinks your speakers could be holding you back.
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I have Polk Monitor 10's too and I love them. But once I hooked up my Sanui's SP5000's (Minty), OMG. They are loud and proud !!! 4-2-7 can attest to that. Crazy SPL with no distortion. Im talking you cant hear yourself think. And even at lower levels they are nice. Very efficient speakers.
 
ehoove said:
Thorens TD125 MKII, or a Kenwood KD 500 for less money.
Regards,
Jim
I have experience with both.
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Im looking at Thorens too. I came across a Kenwood KD-500 Direct-Drive Turntable w/ SME III Tonearm & Grado Gold Cartridge on ebay but its pickup only in Chicago.
 
ctjetta said:
Don't forget to take into account the cost of a voltage converter- need to drop down U.S. 120V to Japan 100V. Not saying it's a deal breaker, just another expense.
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See they are in the 20 to 70 dollar range. So US 60hz shouldnt be an issue with any of these TT suggestions including the Thorens ?
 
I've had a couple SR-838s bought mostly to put into the ak community since they were never going to replace the TD-125 or KD-600 I have as my manual tables with separate arms. They look great but the others were better for playing records.

Jim's recommendation of the 125 or KD-500 (earlier model, speed adjustable compared to the 600) is a good one
 
I thought maybe speakers too. But my first real speakers were the Sansui SP-5500X that I got 44 years ago. As far as I can remember they sounded pretty good. But my music was geared towards loud rock in those days. Had the Polk 10s and SDA-2s. Pretty good sounding speakers, but the bass wasn't tight enough with the passive subs.

Try listening to some pre-80s jazz, vocals and or acoustic music on vinyl for reference. Stuff is really detailed. If you can hear the upright string bass notes and the other instruments, it'll be pretty good. It's hard to gauge with amplified music.
 
I have a DP 75 from Japan, it has a 50 or 60 hz selector switch.

Amazing machine, love the brake, and as stated, most have exceptionally nice plinths.

In your price range I’d certainly would purchase a vintage, you’d have to spend huge to equal their capabilities....

Enjoy the hunt,
Andy
 
onepixel said:
I thought maybe speakers too. But my first real speakers were the Sansui SP-5500X that I got 44 years ago. As far as I can remember they sounded pretty good. But my music was geared towards loud rock in those days. Had the Polk 10s and SDA-2s. Pretty good sounding speakers, but the bass wasn't tight enough with the passive subs.

Try listening to some pre-80s jazz, vocals and or acoustic music on vinyl for reference. Stuff is really detailed. If you can hear the upright string bass notes and the other instruments, it'll be pretty good. It's hard to gauge with amplified music.
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Ahead of you. I do listen to all types of music, ranging from Mozart to Chet Adkins to UFO. I actually own a recording studio and record everything from metal to acoustic instruments only music. So I can easily pick up string noise, fretting sounds, and vocal breaths on recordings. I agree the Polk 10's, while nice, do lack a tight bass. The SP5000's bass signature is really nice and I can pick out subtle nuances with them. But my main listening pleasure is classic rock.
 
adnick said:
I have a DP 75 from Japan, it has a 50 or 60 hz selector switch.

Amazing machine, love the brake, and as stated, most have exceptionally nice plinths.

In your price range I’d certainly would purchase a vintage, you’d have to spend huge to equal their capabilities....

Enjoy the hunt,
Andy
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Good to know on the switch. Looking at my current TT manual it says it operates at 60/50. Guess that explains the four different hash marks on the platter.
 
You may do well to add another superb sansui product. The Sr-636, sr-838, or sr-929 would be an excellent addition. I've had many highy regarded turntables and tonearms in my system and the 636 is still here. The most musical, very easy to set up correctly, and cartridge choice is almost limitless. There was an 838 in BT not long ago that was a steal. The earlier comment on speakers holds a lot of truth.
 
Others have recommended the Thorens TD-125 in this thread, and I'll add that to my recommended list and my voice to their suggestions. I have the TD-125 MkII. It's fantastic. Looks great, too. The TD-160 Super would probably be an excellent option as well, but I'm going purely by reputation there as I've not heard one.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I have a list of TT's to start watching for. I am in no hurry so I can wait for the right one at the right price. But keep posting replies and recommendations. And I know I will have alot of questions. My wife saw a Kenwood KD (granite) ones and like them. Then she said you have all those other TT's , why another. I said why do you need so many purses and shoes.
 
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