What is the best all around Vintage Turntable?

[ZappaLenco]

I dumped everything(you said vintage, ok, i'll try to focus), i got rid of the beograms, dumped all(all of the technics(tired), i had decco's that sound better than that garbage,

geeze, a cheap sony does better than that even(am ol bench tech, sound stages, etc..).

I just been foolin with the ol Lenco's and been satisfied mostly.
Plinth's are a challenge(n idle wheel), am gettin old, don't like foolin to much anymore(simple).

Couldn't imagine a "Best" turntable, not ever(what kinda music?, big difference?? maybe),

the one that works good for you(N yer 33 1/3 sweetheart) is the one?..
Perhaps, besides tryin ta get a sound turntable(whatever it is, an old merry-go-round), maybe more thoughts on tone arm/s?(n carts?),

Only Goodtimes.

 

[PB_Audio]

Linn Sondek LP-12
Technics SP-10
Technics SP-1350 a very good choice as well.

 

[goldwax]

Finicky suspension and doesn't seem to track as well as some of my others. The XA will track the most roller coaster record that I can throw at it.

Agreed on the suspension, but I've found my TD 160 tracks really well. It'll easily play records that my two former budget p-mounts (Technics SL-BD20D and Denon DP-7F) wouldn't. That said, I'd love to try an AR-XA.

 

[ZappaLenco]

say, is this thread still about "vintage" turntables?, like VM?, Perpetuum Ebner?, CobraMatic? , Dual??? so forth?,

How vintage?, Wha Era??

 

[ZappaLenco]

Victrola?(pre 50), 60's?(tables), 70's(some of the best?), 80's?(Partial quality?), 90's?(thro it away after it fry's), now?(hope it works for awhile)

 

[avole]

It's also not about best. There's a big difference between 'best' and 'best all-rounder'.

For example, you might think the best car is a Porsche but the best all-rounder is a Toyota Rav 4.

 

[ZappaLenco]

cheap best?, expensive best?, there is the Porsche, N thrs th Karman-Gia(poor mans porsch), i like Baja's(all VW),

we all like what rings the ear?, toyota?, nice.
(i hav the fj40 1964 landcruiser, W/muntz eight track still, bikini top),

Cheapness(Zappa) with Quality

 

[ZappaLenco]

well, op mentioned "vintage", if recall

 

[JohnMac]

I think I could safely call the one in my avitar vintage. 1950s Voice Of Music with a small tube amp and speaker. Completely rehabbed. Certainly not in the "best" catagory but fun to stack '78s on.

 

[voltcontrol]

I would say the Garrard 401 of idler era classics. When well maintained and replinthed correctly, with a suitable modern tonearm, competitive or superior to any current table at any price. Thorens TD-124 and Garrard 301 also at the head of that vintage class. Lencos competitive or better when highly tweaked and heavy platter models.

Love this category, since it's the only option I can afford I'll vote (modded) heavy platter Lenco. :thmbsp:

P.s. A stock Lenco L70 + Denon DL103 is said to be a pretty nice vintage combination as is.

 

[bluesky]

1980 Sansui SR-838 with an Ortofon cart.

 

[chicks]

Some Brits held a "Bake-off" where the Pioneer PL-71 bested the Linn LP12. Looks like the poster was ultimately banned for heresy.

http://www.pinkfishmedia.net/forum/showthread.php?t=53692&page=8

 

[jn229]

Linn LP-12, hands down. IMHO, up till the LP-12, a lot of products were sold on specs. Linn, said listen!

Opinions are based on your history, 30 years ago my local dealer's TOTL table was the LP-12, who's performance he demonstrated, and seeded my opinion:scratch2:

 

[sancho22]

The best ones I believe were all mentioned (LP-12, Thorens/Garrard usual suspects, some high end Kenny etc.), but I am curious how would say a Kenwood KD 750 or 650, Pioneer PL-630 or PL-C590 or Sansui SR 929 rank?

 

[fiddlefye]

I have three vintage tables currently in rotation, each has its own character:

Thorens TD-125
Ariston RD11s
Technics SP-15

I'd dearly love to add a TD-124 or Garrard 301/401 to the stable, but all that I have now do a fine job of making vinyl come alive for me. If push came to shove I'd have to say the RD11s is my fave these days....

 

[CohibaJoe]

The best ones I believe were all mentioned (LP-12, Thorens/Garrard usual suspects, some high end Kenny etc.), but I am curious how would say a Kenwood KD 750 or 650, Pioneer PL-630 or PL-C590 or Sansui SR 929 rank?

Your Right..PL-630 should be there....Here you go...

Also using Dual 1019, 1229, Pioneer PL-518x and Thorens TD-145

 

[Balifly]

1980 Sansui SR-838 with an Ortofon cart.

The classic elegance of the Sansui SR 838 ...........:thmbsp:

 

[Rybeam]

Dual 1019.

 

[ejkorvette]

I have had the Empire 398 & 698, a Denon DP 62L, A Planar 3, and a Dual 1209. IMO the best pure vintage table out of the box was the Empire 398 with the 980 arm. My current tables are the Dual 1209 for 78 and 45rpm listening, and a highly moded AR XA (springs gone sorbothane in, huge plinth) with the Empire 980 arm for LP.

 

[scottyh777]

Over the last several years I have bought and sold many TT's perhaps 40-50.Here is what I ended up keeping when the dust settled.Although, I have heard many there are thousands more I have not heard.This was just the best of the best that I decided were keepers.And I have little doubt there are much better than listed below.

Pioneer PL-630
Sony PS-X75
Sony PS-X70
Aiwa AP-2600
Sansui X-Q7