What is the best all around Vintage Turntable?

[guest102]

Not top of the line, but a sentimental favorite nonetheless, my Technics SL-B303. Back then I chose a belt drive, bowing to the hi-fi magazine advice that belt drives will sound better. That may or may not be true, but this turntable, originally equipped with an ADC Integra XLM-III cartridge, has out lived every other piece of my original system. It's year of manufacture (1981) was the last for "S" tonearms and removable headshells in the entry level lines which kept it open to a wide selection of cartridge options. It was a huge step up from the ceramic cartridge rim drive changers it replaced. Except for drive belts, it still has all it's original parts and paint, and it refuses to die (knock on wood!).

 

[libertycaps]

Rosebud.......erm, i mean ROSEWOOD!

 

[silver7t1]

I'd love to find/acquire a Kyocera PL-901 that was made by Micro Seiki. They're very scarce and not really within my budget so, I guess I'll stick with Pioneers and a Thorens TD-145.

 

[iLUVanalog]

Any 1980's caliber AR turntable

And I have to give a nod to Nailer re. the VPI-HW19

 

[jblnut]

With flamesuit on (Linnies can be rabid! ), I'll suggest that this TT gives the famed LP-12 a close run for its money, sonically. I was able to hear them in the same room, at the same session, with mostly the same gear (unfortunately not a fully-blind perfect A/B, but close), and the differences mostly matters of taste/preference, more than of quality. Given the difference in price, I think the Yammie is greater value-for-money these days.

I'll risk the flames myself here to suggest Yamaha's own linears are even better than the PF's. I have both PX-2 and PF-800 and in the same room on the same system, the PX fairly easily bests the PF, especially in the area of isolation and feedback resistance.

Funny how both PF and PX are still selling for very near their original asking prices 25-30 years later. Keep in mind that the PX-2 was almost double the cost of the PF-800 and the reason for victory becomes clear.

jblnut

 

[charles 1973]

There are many fine vintage player's from at least a dozen companies out there, and some that aren't so fine from the same companies.

I was going to just go out and buy one from the guy that sells them out of his garauge to get a feel for vinyl, after a 20 year absence, I'm so glad I didn't. Meaning no disrespect to AK member's, I do value you're input and enjoy our discusions, but I learned more about turntable's in the 1/2 hour I spent there buying an entry level package than spending hour's scoring the internet for it. I have no problem paying a reasonable price for equipment that I feel comforable with. If you have an Audio dealer you trust, I suggest you go there. If you don,t, ask a friend who might know one.

My dealer set me up with this: A 1975 Pioneer Rondo 2000? Belt Drive/Semi-Auto Table (Don't laugh, it's not as bad as it sound's...they were so embarased by the Name they didn't even mark it on the player!)... In a 7/10 condition with a new properly aliegned Nagaoka MP11 Cartridge and a Tonar Vinyline MM/MC Phono Stage for $350. Could'nt be happier. I'm pleased to say that with a clean album it sound's very good. I don't hear any rumble from the Table, or noise from the Phono Stage. That's about all you can ask for $350.

 

[linesetter]

Technics SLB 27U turntable

Got it for $30 still in box aunt may never used it went to Cd's what do you think?

 

[scubaguy10]

Well, if reliability and consistantly excellent performance are the measures, I will cast a vote for my Rotel RP3000. A non quartz locked DD table with a really excellent arm, it has been in continuous service since September 1977 with esentially no service and no problems. It tracks as well as any turntable I have ever seen, and produces a very detailed sound. The only downside is a tendency to pick up vibration, which I have improved somewhat by dampening the platter.

 

[flavio81]

Easy!! Lenco L75, L78 and similar variants.

 

[flavio81]

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.

Nice! What mods did you do to your L75?

 

[maxhifi]

I vote for my 1967 vintage Thorens TD-124/II and SME 3012. I'm not sure if it's the Thorens or the SME but it just seems to get more music off the records than anything else in my (albeit limited) experience.

 

[63pontiacgp]

I've got a thing for Kenwoods, don't know why. I think the 4 I have is enough though. I have a KD-550, KD-3055, KD-5070, and a KD-5077. My favorite is the 550.

Mike

 

[Skylab]

Beautiful Kennies. My first real TT back in the late 70's was a Kennie with a Grado cartridge. Loved that deck. I almost bought one of those marble -based ones that had been custom done into a dark red mahogany bottom and was drop dead gorgeous. Still regret not buying that.

 

[Mortsnets]

Aiwa AP-2600
Akai AP-002
AR
AR ETL-1 or ES-1 modified by Sound of the Wood
AR turntable 1980's
AR XA (3)
AR XA/XB
AR XB
Ariston (2)
Ariston Q-Deck
Ariston RD11s
B&O
Beogram 4002/4004
Denon DP80
Denon TOTL broadcast table
Dual 1019 (6)
Dual 1219 (4)
Dual 701 (2)
Dual 721
Empire
Empire 398
Empire 598 II
Empire Troubadour
Garrard 301 (3)
Garrard 401 (4)
Harman Kardon Rabco ST-7
JVC QL-A5
JVC QL-A75
JVC QL-Y5
Kenwood KD-500
Kenwood KD-550
Kenwood L-07D (2)
Kyocera PL-901
Lafayette PK-245
Lenco (2)
Lenco GL75 (3)
Lenco L75 modified by Jean Nantais
Lenco L78
Lenco tweaked heavy-platter
Linn LP12 (7)
Logic DM 101
Luxman PD-264
Marantz 6300
Micro Seiki Japanese market only 1980s
Oracle Delphi MK II
Pioneer P3a
Pioneer PL 12D
Pioneer PL-1000
Pioneer PL-518 (2)
Pioneer PL-570
Pioneer PL-630 (3)
Pioneer PL-71
Pioneer PL-90 Elite
Realistic Lab-400 (CEC)
Rega P1
Rega P2
Rega P3
Revox B790
Revox B795
Rockport Sirius III
Rotel RP3000
Sansui 3050
Sansui SR 838 (2)
Sansui X-Q7
Sanyo TP-825D
Sony PS-2251
Sony PS-X70
Sony PS-X75
Systemdek
TEAC TN-400
Technics 1200 series (4)
Technics sl-1100
Technics SL1200MK2
Technics SL1600 MK2
Technics SL-BL3
Technics SP 10 Mk II, and Mk III
Technics SP-10
Technics SP-1350
Technics SP15 (5)
Technics SP-25
Thorens 125 series
Thorens 125MKII
Thorens 160 series
Thorens Prestige
Thorens Reference
Thorens TD-124 (5)
Thorens TD-124/II
Thorens TD-125 (2)
Thorens TD-126
Thorens TD-126
Thorens TD-145
Thorens TD150
Thorens TD-160
VPI HW-19
VPI Scout
Yamaha GT-2000
Yamaha GT-2000X
Yamaha PF-800
Yamaha PX-2 (2)
Yamaha PX3

 

[voltcontrol]

Aiwa AP-2600
Akai AP-002
AR
AR ETL-1 or ES-1 modified by Sound of the Wood
AR turntable 1980's
AR XA (3)
AR XA/XB
AR XB
Ariston (2)
Ariston Q-Deck
Ariston RD11s
B&O
Beogram 4002/4004
Denon DP80
Denon TOTL broadcast table
Dual 1019 (6)
Dual 1219 (4)
Dual 701 (2)
Dual 721
Empire
Empire 398
Empire 598 II
Empire Troubadour
Garrard 301 (3)
Garrard 401 (4)
Harman Kardon Rabco ST-7
JVC QL-A5
JVC QL-A75
JVC QL-Y5
Kenwood KD-500
Kenwood KD-550
Kenwood L-07D (2)
Kyocera PL-901
Lafayette PK-245
Lenco (2)
Lenco GL75 (3)
Lenco L75 modified by Jean Nantais
Lenco L78
Lenco tweaked heavy-platter
Linn LP12 (7)
Logic DM 101
Luxman PD-264
Marantz 6300
Micro Seiki Japanese market only 1980s
Oracle Delphi MK II
Pioneer P3a
Pioneer PL 12D
Pioneer PL-1000
Pioneer PL-518 (2)
Pioneer PL-570
Pioneer PL-630 (3)
Pioneer PL-71
Pioneer PL-90 Elite
Realistic Lab-400 (CEC)
Rega P1
Rega P2
Rega P3
Revox B790
Revox B795
Rockport Sirius III
Rotel RP3000
Sansui 3050
Sansui SR 838 (2)
Sansui X-Q7
Sanyo TP-825D
Sony PS-2251
Sony PS-X70
Sony PS-X75
Systemdek
TEAC TN-400
Technics 1200 series (4)
Technics sl-1100
Technics SL1200MK2
Technics SL1600 MK2
Technics SL-BL3
Technics SP 10 Mk II, and Mk III
Technics SP-10
Technics SP-1350
Technics SP15 (5)
Technics SP-25
Thorens 125 series
Thorens 125MKII
Thorens 160 series
Thorens Prestige
Thorens Reference
Thorens TD-124 (5)
Thorens TD-124/II
Thorens TD-125 (2)
Thorens TD-126
Thorens TD-126
Thorens TD-145
Thorens TD150
Thorens TD-160
VPI HW-19
VPI Scout
Yamaha GT-2000
Yamaha GT-2000X
Yamaha PF-800
Yamaha PX-2 (2)
Yamaha PX3

showing off your collection or saying that all of these are the best allround vintage tables?

 

[ssmith3046]

The ones that work.

 

[BrocLuno]

Yamaha GT2000X - until I see something better and I been looking since 1967.

The Oracles are in the hunt and I wouldn't kick a SR929 out of the basement

The KDXXX's with Black Widow arms are amazing but the arm won't do some cartridges. That aside, they are in the hunt too

 

[Satch]

I'd say the Goldmund Reference (the original from 1982, not the II from 2007) is the best vintage TT I layed my ears on. The II might be better, but being from '07, I don't consider it to be vintage.

 

[nu2toobs]

Td 124

There I said it, thread closed

 

[rush2112guy]

Simply put.....

Mine is the best for my $20 ears