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Would like to get a better turntable need advice.

phildoc

phildoc

Well-Known Member
I would love to get a better turntable, but have no idea what would be best to get and don't know much about them. The TT Ihave now is the first I've had in over a decade. What I have now is in my sig. A Luxman PD-375 with Denon DL-301 cart. I love the way it looks and it sounds pretty good to me, but has issues. The DD motor was jammed together. I was able to fix it and the speed is fine, but the platter has a slight wabble. It probably needs a new dust cover and one of the feet has issues. I do like the VDS, which works well.

The turntables I've been looking at are the:

Yamaha PF-800, Sansui 939, Sansui 838, and Sansui 717.
Technics SL-1200, Technics SL-10

The Sansui would go nicely with my other Sansui gear. I love the looks of the Yamaha and have read very nice things about how it sounds. From what I've read the Technics would be good choices as well. I could try to fix up the Luxman, but finding a DD motor would be difficult. I have no idea about the cart, but have read good things about it. It sounds good to me, but what do I know. One thing I dont want to do is get a table that is worse.

Any ideas, advice would be great. Other tables I should think about. I need all the help I can get.

Thanks,
Phil
 
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The best turntable on your list is the Yamaha PF-800. If you want a Sansui turntable, the best ones they made were the XR-Q7 and the XP-99, which were similar in performance to the Yamaha, but are quite rare. The Yamaha PF-1000, which is similar to the PF-800 but with refinements such as genuine veneer rather than vinyl finish, is also excellent. The Yamaha models have the advantage of spring suspension chassis, which should make them more resistant to feedback than any of the other models. Denon MC’s are excellent, and extremely hard to beat without paying many times more money, so your cartridge is a good choice.

The Technics SL-1200 is also excellent, and may still be able to be bought new, but unless you’re quick, they will all be snapped up, as Panasonic have announced the end for them. The SL-10 is also a good choice, but bear in mind that it will only take P-mount cartridges, and getting one as good as the DL-301 will be near impossible – the choice of cartridge is quite limited compared to the other turntables you mentioned, which all take half-inch mount cartridges.
 
I have nothing to add to ETI's advice, but just looked at the specifications of the PF800/1000 on vinylengine because I didn't know these turntables. Impressive!
 
The Luxman PD-375 seems like a very fine table, have you had the "wobble" looked into. Unless your heart is set on change my advice would be to have it fixed first then decide.
 
The Thorens is gone.
HToad has a point. Fix the Luxman, then decide.
 
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I have two TT's on your list: SL-1210 MK and SL-10. The 12xx is the perfect TT for me. It has a removal headshell, which makes changing cartridges super easy. Technics made millions and parts are everywhere and it's pretty easy to tweak. The SL-10 is Plug and Play. Changing out the P-Mount cartridge is fast and easy. The down side is it's a complicated machine and if something goes wrong I am hosed.
 
I just purchased a PF-1000 from another AKer and I have to say I am completely delighted. Sitting on my console next to my PD-264 it is much more of a substantial machine. Higher quality and better design. I threw a GAS Sleeping Beauty on it and it sounds wonderful.

That being said the PD-264 always sounded excellent as well and is a great table in spite of my comparison. I would think if fixable the Luxman you have should be an excellent place to spin your vinyl. If you give up on it though the Yamaha is PF-800 is quite an improvement both in sound and quality of manufacture. (it's the same table as the 1000 except for the platter and the clamp)

Good luck in your search.

Eric
 
All great choices you have selected.

but again- the Luxman- perhaps a second one may be in order? That way, you now also have spare parts.

Just a thought...
 
I'm a former PD-264 owner myself. I could never cure its feedback issues when playing classic rock at appropriate (but not insane) volume levels. Its meager arm and quirky auto-return mechanism also helped motivate me to look up the turntable ladder. I scored a nice Yamaha PX-2 and the Luxman was gone about 5minutes into my first listening session with the PX. It wasn't even close. I also have PF-800 now in another room and its a fine table as well. Don't let everyone tell you that a spring suspension is the be-all, end-all for isolation and feedback resistance though. The PX scores higher in both areas due to a properly engineered anti-resonant chassis. You also don't have to tip-toe across the room (I have regular wood floors) when a record is playing to avoid making the player skip (something my wife hates with the PF-800).

I'd add a PX-2/3 to your shopping list....

jblnut
 
I'd move into the current century and get a used VPI or Clearaudio deck. Wait, that's exactly what I did! Maybe a bit more of a dent in the wallet but there is no going to vintage tables for me (except the 6 or so I have left..).
 
I second the modern deck suggestion. Not necessarily the Clearaudio though. I'd do a serious audition before laying that kind of money down. I went with the Performance SE without auditioning and I was very disappointed in it.
 
It is going to be hard to beat the performance of the Lux table. I doubt the 1200, 838 and 929 can accomplish this.

The Lux has the vacuum system that eliminated the need for weights which I know make a big difference, the ring weight being the most important.

I'm in the camp of repairing the Lux and then deciding, but maybe one of those Yamaha tables will be up to the task of sounding as good at the Lux.

A nice step up would be to a great table with a separate arm. This will open up new opportunities but take away the automatic functions.
 
First, I just want to thank everyone for the great info and the excellent advice. It's what makes AK the place that it is. Tough choice esp considering the only table I've heard in a long time is the PD-375. I did manage to cross the SR-717 and 838 off my list as well as the PL-10. Here's what I have left.

Keeping the PD-375: I love the way it sounds and love the VDS. If I could get it fixed I would be happy with it. I don't think that getting a new dust cover or feet would be much of a problem. I think that fixing the wabble would require a new DD motor. Whoever had the deck before must have dropped it on the spindle. The two halves of the DD motor were jammed together and the motor was frozen. Like I said I was able to pry it apart and get it running, but with the wabble. The wabble has to be in the motor inself. I'm not sure that can be repaired and finding another DD motor would be hard. I could look for a parts deck, but I haven't seen a PD-375 for sale in some time. One thing I don't know is how much the wabble effects the sound quality. Can anyone tell me how that would effect the sound. If I went with another Luxman, I would probably have to look at at least a PD-441, which I probably cant afford.

My budget is about $500: I would love one of the newer VPI or ClearAudio TT, but I just can't afford one. Of the TT left on my list my top choice from what I've read and everyone has said here is the Yamaha PF-800. I can't see myself affording a PF-1000, but would love to have one so if someone wants to sell me one cheap :). I'll take a closer look at the PX-2 and PX-3. I love the looks of the SR-939, but if it wont sound any better than the Luxman I probably should hold out. Same with the SL-1200.

All I really know is that I'm still at a loss with what to do. My main questions right now are? Can the DD motor of the PD-375 be fixed? Does anyone have a source for a replacement? What effect does the wabble have on my sound quality? How much improvement will I see with the PF-800, PX-2, PX-3, SR-939, or SL1200? Are there any other tables in my price range I should look into?

BTW, someone does have a Ariston RD 40 for trade, but I'm not sure I could get him to sell it.

Thanks again for all the help,

Phil
 
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AK member dr audio helped me with my Luxman PD375, perhaps he can guide you through fixing your problems. The turntable may have been damaged if too much force was used trying to move the frozen platter. I hope dr audio will chime in! IMO, the PD375 is at least as good as an SL1210 soundwise.
 
Marantz 500 said:
AK member dr audio helped me with my Luxman PD375, perhaps he can guide you through fixing your problems. The turntable may have been damaged if too much force was used trying to move the frozen platter. I hope dr audio will chime in! IMO, the PD375 is at least as good as an SL1210 soundwise.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I've read some of your posts on the PD-375. Hopefully, he will add his expertese. One thing though the dammage was to the DD motor. The turntable wasn't locked because the VDS was not engaged. The VDS functioned fine. It was the DD motor that was frozen. I suppose the spindle could have been bent. I hope i'm able to explain this ok. If not I can take some pics to show what happened.


Phil
 
The wobble creates small pitch shift modulations; the larger the wobble the greater the pitch shift modulation.

You should be able to find many superb quality 80's decks for $500; the Yamaha is not the only one that is worth getting.

As for new decks like the VPI Scout, etc.; I have seen used Scouts rarely sale for around $800. Same goes for Clearaudio made Marantz TT-15S1(one on Audigon now for around 900); a comparable table to the VPI.. but with a bit better tonearm IMO. If you were a patient man and willing to up the budget a little, perhaps you could hold out for a modern high performance deck.

-Chris

phildoc said:
First, I just want to thank everyone for the great info and the excellent advice. It's what makes AK the place that it is. Tough choice esp considering the only table I've heard in a long time is the PD-375. I did manage to cross the SR-717 and 838 off my list as well as the PL-10. Here's what I have left.

Keeping the PD-375: I love the way it sounds and love the VDS. If I could get it fixed I would be happy with it. I don't think that getting a new dust cover or feet would be much of a problem. I think that fixing the wabble would require a new DD motor. Whoever had the deck before must have dropped it on the spindle. The two halves of the DD motor were jammed together and the motor was frozen. Like I said I was able to pry it apart and get it running, but with the wabble. The wabble has to be in the motor inself. I'm not sure that can be repaired and finding another DD motor would be hard. I could look for a parts deck, but I haven't seen a PD-375 for sale in some time. One thing I don't know is how much the wabble effects the sound quality. Can anyone tell me how that would effect the sound. If I went with another Luxman, I would probably have to look at at least a PD-441, which I probably cant afford.

My budget is about $500: I would love one of the newer VPI or ClearAudio TT, but I just can't afford one. Of the TT left on my list my top choice from what I've read and everyone has said here is the Yamaha PF-800. I can't see myself affording a PF-1000, but would love to have one so if someone wants to sell me one cheap :). I'll take a closer look at the PX-2 and PX-3. I love the looks of the SR-939, but if it wont sound any better than the Luxman I probably should hold out. Same with the SL-1200.

All I really know is that I'm still at a loss with what to do. My main questions right now are? Can the DD motor of the PD-375 be fixed? Does anyone have a source for a replacement? What effect does the wabble have on my sound quality? How much improvement will I see with the PF-800, PX-2, PX-3, SR-939, or SL1200? Are there any other tables in my price range I should look into?

BTW, someone does have a Ariston RD 40 for trade, but I'm not sure I could get him to sell it.

Thanks again for all the help,

Phil
Click to expand...
 
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WmAx said:
The wobble creates small pitch shift modulations; the larger the wobble the greater the pitch shift modulation.

You should be able to find many superb quality 80's decks for $500; the Yamaha is not the only one that is worth getting.

As for new decks like the VPI Scout, etc.; I have seen used Scouts rarely sale for around $800. Same goes for Clearaudio made Marantz TT-15S1(one on Audigon now for around 900); a comparable table to the VPI.. but with a bit better tonearm IMO. If you were a patient man and willing to up the budget a little, perhaps you could hold out for a modern high performance deck.

-Chris
Click to expand...


Thanks Chris,

That's deffinately a problem that needs fixed. I'll keep taking a look at the newer tables. Maybe I'll see one I can afford. In the meantime I'll look for parts for the PD-375 or pick up one of the Yamahas. Thanks for everyones help.

Phil
 
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