Yamaha PF-800 and YP-D71 TTs

[gvalent]

I'm looking at TTs and was wondering about the sonic, mechanical or limitations of Yamaha PF-800 and YP-D71.
I realize the 71 is DD and the 800 is belt, but other than that I'm clueless.
I have Yammy gear so this is they way I want to go.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[BrocLuno]

Both are good. At this level, you don't need to sweat the slight differences. Either, paired with a good cartridge will do fine. Were it me, I'd opt for the YP as a proven durable design with little maintenance required

 

[gvalent]

Thanks for the advice Broc.

 

[Spectrum77]

The D-71 is a humble-looking TT with excellent performance. It has the GT series tonearm (although not exactly the same as the GT-750,1000 or 2000), and runs with very satisfactory stability and quietness. Of course, no auto features. Highly recommended.
Vinylengine has more info and a manual.
Have a YP-700 which (to me) does not have the same level of performance as the D-71.

 

[hakaplan]

The D-71 is a humble-looking TT with excellent performance. It has the GT series tonearm (although not exactly the same as the GT-750,1000 or 2000), and runs with very satisfactory stability and quietness. Of course, no auto features.

It has auto-lift.

 

[phatster]

I use the PF-800 and really like it.The suspension set-up is very good,only downside I've found is the cableing{the wires are permanently attached to the TT}.The 800 also looks very cool!

 

[Spectrum77]

It has auto-lift.

Oops- mine's a D-51, not 71.
OP- please let us know what you decided.

 

[ETI_5000]

Provided you have a new belt on the PF-800, it should be sonically better than the YP-D71. It was a (roughly) ten year newer design, and Yamaha’s specifications for them put them fairly close – wow and flutter 0.028% PF-800, 0.025% YP-D71; signal to noise ratio -80dB PF-800, -77dB YP-D71. The main reason why the PF-800 should sound better, even if both are performing like new, is the suspension system on the PF-800, which will reduce feedback dramatically: the main cause of differences in sound between good turntables and great ones is usually due to different feedback levels. You may not notice the difference in sound between them with the suspension locked (not working), given identical cartridges, but you’ll definitely hear a difference with the suspension floating. Feedback, and how to cure it, is one of the most common questions on this forum, and a good suspension setup like that on the PF-800 is a great way to reduce it, leading to much clearer sound.

The main mechanical differences between them are that suspension system, and the belt drive. If someone offered me a YP-D71 I’d be interested if they were giving it away, but I’d be prepared to pay money for the PF-800!:thmbsp:

-Don

 

[Arkay]

I had a chance to examine a PF-800 closely, recently. It was among a group of high-end TTs that I posted about, which had been sold shortly before I saw them. I went back a couple days later and they were still there, so I got to look at it closely. It really is a nice TT. The suspension appeared well-thought out and balanced, and quite 'mobile', at least as much as the Linns or Thorens with similar suspensions, but with some real mass to the suspended part. Build quality and finish overall was excellent, as one would expect from the Yammies of that era, and I thought it was an unusually handsome-looking TT. Definitely a good one to get! :yes:

I was a wee bit disappointed not to have gotten it; it is definitely a TT I would have paid some $$ for and been delighted to have. Still would be delighted to have one, but am not disappointed any more, since I subsequently found a GT-2000. Heeheehee!

 

[edd9000]

the pf-800 is usualy around $600 and the the 71 is often less than $200.

I bought the 71, very pleased with it.

 

[the-real-mandak]

yep the YP-D71 is kind of a sleeper, not exatly a YP-D8 but a good taste of it and properly close to the PF-800 in class. Depending on how deep the pocket is, I would get a YP-D71 and spend the $400 on a really good cart.