What is the best all around Vintage Turntable?

[Tedrick]

Haven't see one mentioned in this thread so far, but I'm partial to the Kenwood faux-marble 'tables. I really enjoy my KD-500 with an Infinity Black Widow 'arm.

 

[cgutz]

Tedrick, beautiful. I've been pondering upgrading the tone arm on my KD550. I got a near mint 550 about 2 years ago to replace an aging NAD that was beginning to have some motor flutter.

The 550 is so very quiet.

 

[olddrum1]

Lab 420 and a couple of Marantz 6110's

 

[Pio1980]

Haven't see one mentioned in this thread so far, but I'm partial to the Kenwood faux-marble 'tables. I really enjoy my KD-500 with an Infinity Black Widow 'arm.

I had that set-up with both versions of the Widow.

 

[dynastax]

Based on my limited experience which encompasses a Thorens 321, Linn LP12, Technics 1200, some Marantz belt drive (cant remember the model as it was fairly ordinary) and a Lenco GL75 the winner is the Lenco by a large margin.

 

[LLB9977]

in alot of ways this is like asking who your fave kid is. The answer will be limited to what ones owned and used. My personal fave was my old ADC 1600.

 

[Arkay]

It depends partly on what you define as vintage... but sticking with the practical division into three categories (idler, belt and DD)...

1. Idler wheel: Probably the Garrard 301 and 401. If you allow for extensive tweaking, you can add the Lenco heavy-platter TTs to that list. Special mention goes to the Thorens TD124, a hybrid belt+idler design.

2. Belt drive: Two groups stand out here: A. Thorens Prestige and Thorens Reference. B. The best (Japanese market only) 1980s ones from Micro Seiki.

3. Direct Drive: Two groups emerge here: A. The Rockport Sirius III, in a class of its own. B. The TOTL/best (Mostly Japanese market only) 1980s ones like the Pioneer Exclusive P3a, the Kenwood L-07D, Yamaha GT-2000X, etc...



Half of the ones mentioned are near-unobtanium for most of us, due to rarity and price. A more useful question might be, what is the best all-around vintage table that I can actually find and afford? For me, so far, that has been the GT-2000, with a few add-ons/upgrades (external power supply, auto arm-lift, original record weight). That doesn't stop me from dreaming, however, about getting a Prestige or Reference, a P3a, or ultimately a Rockport...

 

[jleon92f]

Give your opinion of what you think is the best all around vintage TT! This should be interesting!!!

AR-XA...:thmbsp:

Thanks,
John.

 

[ghazzer]

For "best all around" I'll vote for the DUAL 1019.

Simple: Hard to screw it up. Ignore failures in the changer spindles and it is quite reliable.

Available: Easy to find one and usually at a reasonable price.

Sweet: They sound good and it is easy to find a compatible cart.

Popular: How many of us have NOT owned a 1019 at some point?

Recognition Factor: Is there anyone out there who does not know what a 1019 is? You don't even have to say DUAL.

And yes, I'll admit to being prejudiced.
.

 

[marcmorin]

AR-XA...:thmbsp:

Thanks,
John.

Yep, for the record............name another TT that was auditioned by the manufacturer where a hammer was used as a selling feature

The XA was the box all other suspended tables came in. :yes:

 

[poppachubby]

Linn LP-12, hands down.

 

[marcmorin]

Linn LP-12, hands down.

That's just a fancy AR-XA :butt1:

 

[js1138]

That's just a fancy AR-XA :butt1:

But does it have the AR suspension?

 

[marcmorin]

But does it have the AR suspension?

yes it does........three point, taper coil. Higher spring rate due to higher platter mass. I use the Linn springs when upgrading AR tables.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

For direct drive classics, I pick,

Technics SP 10 Mk II, and Mk III
Technics SP-15
Technics SP-25
Denon TOTL broadcast table
Kenwood L-07D

For belt drive,

AR XA
Thorens TD-125 through the TD 320
Linn LP-12
Empire Troubadour and any other Empire table
Aristons

 

[Treshold]

Some years back I had a Yamaha PF-800. Last quality TT Yahmaha made. Sold it when my current 1985 Linn Sondek LP 12 became availabe. The Yammie was a very good player. Don't see many out in the market.

 

[Frank Sol]

The one that gets your groove thang on...

 

[68custom]

technics sl-1100 is no slouch!

 

[Rome]

The one that gets your groove thang on...

+1

I can speak only on the two TT's I know about. I once owned a JVC QL-A5 & presently own a Harman/Kardon T-55C.

The JVC is my favorite. It was a smooth piece of equipment. The H/K is very nice as well, but there was something special about the JVC for me.

Rome

 

[uxwbill]

I am kind of surprised that nobody has mentioned the Pioneer PL-518. (At least I didn't see it, if anyone did.)

As far as linear tracking tables go, I'm becoming more and more enamored with a Technics SL-BL3.