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Well Tempered Labs TT feedback sought

B

Bruce X

Active Member
Hello, thinking of upgrading my Rega RP 3 I bought new to something a little more refined. Came across a used Well Tempered Labs Classic (USA version) with a Dyna Vector 10X5 cart that looks interesting and well built. The price is a little north of a grand.

I haven't had a lot of good luck with vintage tables I've bought this year for a back up, as most of the motors have died and they end up getting sold for parts. So, I'm a little concerned about spending this kind of coin on a 80's turntable with no one in my town who can repair turntable motors.

Not knowing much about the Well Tempered Classics, I'm wondering if I'm being overly concerned about the motor these decks dying and not able to replace/fix.

Another option I'm considering is to buy a new turntable in the $1500 range. Thanks.
 
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No! You can get a nice used Scout for around $1200-1400! You have the option in the future for upgrades on it too!
 
Ilikevinyl said:
No! You can get a nice used Scout for around $1200-1400! You have the option in the future for upgrades on it too!
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I know that VPI is an upper end TT company, but if the motor dies, wouldn't I be back to my same concern/question about the Well Tempered TT?

Maybe I don't understand that motors on upper end tables are built better or are repairable than the mid-level Japanese counter parts. Is that the case?
 
What lacks of refinement are you finding with your RP3? Is it primarily sonic or operational? Have you tried the TT-PSU to see if that makes a difference in your system? It's also possible that a change in cartridge from the Elys 2 could bring a sound you prefer (my local dealer installed an Ortofon MC-3 Turbo in his demo RP3). As for me, I'm still fully satisfied with my RP3 without the external power supply and running the lowly Shure M97xE (with no spacers for VTA adjustment) into the built-in phono stage of my Audio by Van Alstine preamp.

That said, I like the Well Tempered turntables (some of the best sound I've had in my home was using a Well Tempered Record Player with wood-bodied Grado cartridge and using Grado's own phono stage), though I wouldn't put money into something as old as the one you're looking at, especially since I believe Stanalog is out of business and I don't know that there is a supply for parts for this older series of turntables. It's a bit over your stated price point, but a new Well Tempered Simplex runs $2000 and might provide the refinement you're after. I also like the original VPI Scout that Ilikevinyl mentioned.
 
The VPI Scout would be a much newer turntable than your '80's Tempered. I certainly wouldn't worry about a motor going out on a Scout. I have 4 turntables from the 1970's that are still going strong!
 
And even if the motor on a Scout did go out, it would be surprising if VPI couldn't effect a repair.
 
jrtrent said:
What lacks of refinement are you finding with your RP3? Is it primarily sonic or operational? Have you tried the TT-PSU to see if that makes a difference in your system? It's also possible that a change in cartridge from the Elys 2 could bring a sound you prefer (my local dealer installed an Ortofon MC-3 Turbo in his demo RP3). As for me, I'm still fully satisfied with my RP3 without the external power supply and running the lowly Shure M97xE (with no spacers for VTA adjustment) into the built-in phono stage of my Audio by Van Alstine preamp.

That said, I like the Well Tempered turntables (some of the best sound I've had in my home was using a Well Tempered Record Player with wood-bodied Grado cartridge and using Grado's own phono stage), though I wouldn't put money into something as old as the one you're looking at, especially since I believe Stanalog is out of business and I don't know that there is a supply for parts for this older series of turntables. It's a bit over your stated price point, but a new Well Tempered Simplex runs $2000 and might provide the refinement you're after. I also like the original VPI Scout that Ilikevinyl mentioned.
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You kind of verified my concern spending that kind of cash on an older TT, especially with Stanalog out of biz, which I did not know.
Guess I'm looking for more detail on my Rega. Could upgrade the cart but there are some other interesting designs I wouldn't mind trying.
 
I have a Well Tempered Classic that is at least 21 years old (bought it used in 1996) and it runs faithfully day in and day out. The motor is built like a tank and weighs about 8 lbs. That having been said, there is no support for these old birds any longer. Great sounding table though. Pretty sure the VPI everyone is talking about is a good one too. I'm a bit partial to the WT since I have one, I love the damping and it is rock solid - even with one of my subwoofers only 2 feet away! If you get one be warned that the tonearms are a bit fussy to set-up. The flip side of that is that every possible parameter is pretty much infinitely adjustable. I've spent hours and hours tweaking mine, but the reward is worth the effort. Deep and Dark black backgrounds and a soundstage about as deep and wide as you can imagine :-)
 
soundmig said:
I have a Well Tempered Classic that is at least 21 years old (bought it used in 1996) and it runs faithfully day in and day out. The motor is built like a tank and weighs about 8 lbs. That having been said, there is no support for these old birds any longer. Great sounding table though. Pretty sure the VPI everyone is talking about is a good one too. I'm a bit partial to the WT since I have one, I love the damping and it is rock solid - even with one of my subwoofers only 2 feet away! If you get one be warned that the tonearms are a bit fussy to set-up. The flip side of that is that every possible parameter is pretty much infinitely adjustable. I've spent hours and hours tweaking mine, but the reward is worth the effort. Deep and Dark black backgrounds and a soundstage about as deep and wide as you can imagine :)
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Good to hear from a WT owner. Thanks for your insight. You make it sound very tempting, indeed. Any body know if these motors are repairable or are they designed to be replaced? Back in the 80's they may have been built to be truly serviced. That said, does anybody know if other motors would work with this table?
 
I bought my Well Tempered Reference about 20 years ago used (it was probably 5 years old when I bought it). It continues to serve me well--reliable day in/day out performer. I've run cartridges up to the Lyra Kleos on it and it handles them with aplomb. I've also upgraded phono stages a few times, and the WTT shines more brightly with every upgrade. Setting up the WTT is a bit weird, but amazingly forgiving and easy, not to mention reliable.

I've recently gotten the bug to have multiple tonearms, however, and the WTT is not well suited to that task. I am in the process of building a Lenco-based turntable with 2 arms with interchangeable wands/headshells so I can play around with different cartridges.
 
ACHiPo said:
I bought my Well Tempered Reference about 20 years ago used (it was probably 5 years old when I bought it). It continues to serve me well--reliable day in/day out performer. I've run cartridges up to the Lyra Kleos on it and it handles them with aplomb. I've also upgraded phono stages a few times, and the WTT shines more brightly with every upgrade. Setting up the WTT is a bit weird, but amazingly forgiving and easy, not to mention reliable.

I've recently gotten the bug to have multiple tonearms, however, and the WTT is not well suited to that task. I am in the process of building a Lenco-based turntable with 2 arms with interchangeable wands/headshells so I can play around with different cartridges.
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They seem very well built. Thanks for your feedback.
 
Reached out to the current Well Tempered company to ask by chance if they have any referrals for motor repair or motor replacement. It appears they are oversea, so we'll see how long it takes for them to respond.
 
Bruce X said:
Reached out to the current Well Tempered company to ask by chance if they have any referrals for motor repair or motor replacement. It appears they are oversea, so we'll see how long it takes for them to respond.
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They most likely won't respond, as the company that took over control of the original Well Tempered tables is no longer in business. The designer, William Firebaugh, started Well Tempered Labs, which makes the current Well Tempered Tables, the Simplex, Amadeus, Amadeus GTA, Versalex and the top of the line Royale 400.
 
Erocka2000 said:
They most likely won't respond, as the company that took over control of the original Well Tempered tables is no longer in business. The designer, William Firebaugh, started Well Tempered Labs, which makes the current Well Tempered Tables, the Simplex, Amadeus, Amadeus GTA, Versalex and the top of the line Royale 400.
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Not true. Heard back from Frank at WTL a few hours after sending an email:

"Sorry but we were not involved in the previous to Amadeus model turntables and I understand no spare parts are available You could try your local specialist audio dealer who may know of a competent tech.
regs WTL."

With my luck lately with burned out older tables, looks like I'm going to have to take a pass on this WTL Classic. It's less costly and risky recouping dollars on a $100-$200 TT versus a boutique $1,100 table if the motor dies.
 
Bruce X said:
Not true. Heard back from Frank at WTL a few hours after sending an email:

"Sorry but we were not involved in the previous to Amadeus model turntables and I understand no spare parts are available You could try your local specialist audio dealer who may know of a competent tech.
regs WTL."

With my luck lately with burned out older tables, looks like I'm going to have to take a pass on this WTL Classic. It's less costly and risky recouping dollars on a $100-$200 TT versus a boutique $1,100 table if the motor dies.
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Understandable decision. Probably the right one, but you're going to miss out on a very special machine. But, there are a lot of goods ones out there - especially with vinyl coming back like it is. Good luck and ENJOY whatever table you chose.
 
I once helped setup a WT and dear lord id rather thread a needle after getting off a roller coaster, in the dark. Go with something new within your price range, and never look back.
 
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