Yamaha TT-400U

[ethan_tedw]

Hello everyone! I've been using audiokarma for a while now, and it's been a great resource as I've built my budget friendly system. You all have been a great help to me as I've researched used receivers, turntables, speakers, and subwoofers that I've found on Craigslist and FB Martketplace.

My primary turntable is an AT LP-160 that I run through a Yamaha AX-596 amp with Yamaha NS-6490 bookshelf speakers and Yamaha YST-SW005 subwoofer. I recently purchased a package deal that included a Yamaha TT-400U turntable and Onkyo receiver for $30. I didn't need either, but I thought I'd take a chance and see if having an all Yamaha system was possible!

I haven't been able to find much information on the TT-400U, so I've emailed Yamaha support and I'm awaiting their response (will share here when they get back with me). My understanding is that this is a beginner turntable, but I'm still wanting to get more information if possible. I don't mind posting pics if there's any interest.

What year was this turntable released? How much did it cost brand new? Was it the worst turntable Yamaha sold, or is it midrange?

Also any information about the P-mount cartridge would be appreciated. Any recs on a replacement stylus/cart? Is it worth investing in?

Thank you all in advance for any help. I'm excited to post my first thread!

 

[stratokaster]

The turntable is definitely a rebranded low-end Technics, something like SL-BD20.

 

[ethan_tedw]

The turntable is definitely a rebranded low-end Technics, something like SL-BD20.

I believe you cannot adjust the VTF on the SL-BD20, but you can on the TT-400U. But I may be wrong? They do look very similar though. Thank you for replying, but I'd still love to get my questions answered if anyone has that information!

 

[aero_eng]

Yamaha sold these re-badged Technics turntables 1990-1995 or so. The TT-300U (belt drive auto-return tonearm), -400U (belt-drive full automatic), and -500U (direct drive full automatic) were available with either a P-mount or a standard cartridge headshell. The -400 and -500 have a 45-adaptor that also doubled as a record clamp. Like the Technics, they are very basic turntables (tracking force and anti-skating are the only adjustments possible), but when placed on a solid surface and paired with a good MM cartridge, they sound much, much better than their price would suggest. In 1994 I paid $225 for my TT-300; the -500 was $550 if I remember correctly.
I still have mine, though it hasn't seen much use since I bought and restored a Rek-O-Kut N-33H and an Empire 498...

 

[aero_eng]

Remember, at that time, CDs were going to take over the world, and Yamaha just wanted a decent but inexpensive turntable that was remote-controllable from their (then) current line of receivers and amplifiers. Turned out to be the last turntables to bear the Yamaha badge...

 

[ethan_tedw]

Yamaha sold these re-badged Technics turntables 1990-1995 or so. The TT-300U (belt drive auto-return tonearm), -400U (belt-drive full automatic), and -500U (direct drive full automatic) were available with either a P-mount or a standard cartridge headshell. The -400 and -500 have a 45-adaptor that also doubled as a record clamp. Like the Technics, they are very basic turntables (tracking force and anti-skating are the only adjustments possible), but when placed on a solid surface and paired with a good MM cartridge, they sound much, much better than their price would suggest. In 1994 I paid $225 for my TT-300; the -500 was $550 if I remember correctly.
I still have mine, though it hasn't seen much use since I bought and restored a Rek-O-Kut N-33H and an Empire 498...

Thank you so much for replying and for the information! I've been pretty happy with the purchase, and it doesn't see to deserve the reputation it seems to have. My table included the dust cover and 45 adapter / record clamp. It's in pretty pristine condition, and I feel a little guilty liking it more than my AT LP-120, considering what I paid for both! Now onto finding the best/correct replacement stylus.

 

[Delmarva]

Thank you so much for replying and for the information! I've been pretty happy with the purchase, and it doesn't see to deserve the reputation it seems to have. My table included the dust cover and 45 adapter / record clamp. It's in pretty pristine condition, and I feel a little guilty liking it more than my AT LP-120, considering what I paid for both! Now onto finding the best/correct replacement stylus.

Did you ever come up with a replacement cartridge?
I currently have my TT-300U in operation. I bought it new around 1987 if I recall correctly. I don't recall the original cartridge. Replaced it with an Audio Technica AT-91E some years ago. It's a decent and capable performer. I've toyed with the idea of upgrading from the p-mount to a standard cartridge, but then I think "why bother?" and I just stick with what I've got. It's been a good table over these 35 years. Opened it up and replaced the grease a few years ago when it started getting a bit wonky. Checked the speed with the wow and flutter app on my phone this week when I hooked it up and it was a perfect 33.3 / 45.0 so I guess the belt I put on it a decade or so ago is doing fine.

 

[ethan_tedw]

Did you ever come up with a replacement cartridge?
I currently have my TT-300U in operation. I bought it new around 1987 if I recall correctly. I don't recall the original cartridge. Replaced it with an Audio Technica AT-91E some years ago. It's a decent and capable performer. I've toyed with the idea of upgrading from the p-mount to a standard cartridge, but then I think "why bother?" and I just stick with what I've got. It's been a good table over these 35 years. Opened it up and replaced the grease a few years ago when it started getting a bit wonky. Checked the speed with the wow and flutter app on my phone this week when I hooked it up and it was a perfect 33.3 / 45.0 so I guess the belt I put on it a decade or so ago is doing fine.

I ended up going with the Audio Technica AT85EP off Amazon that included the anti-static brush. Easy installation, works perfect, and upgraded the sound. I ended up just sticking with my LP120 turntable after upgrading to an Ortofon 2M red, and gifted the Yamaha turntable to a good friend. I miss it simply because I’m a fan of Yamaha gear, but I still get to enjoy it on a regular basis!

 

[Delmarva]

Well there ya go. A win-win for all. Gotta love those p-mount cartridges for simplicity and ease of use. I know a lot of folks look down on them, but I think my various AT p-mounts sound great.

 

[Nutopian]

I ended up going with the Audio Technica AT85EP off Amazon that included the anti-static brush. Easy installation, works perfect, and upgraded the sound. I ended up just sticking with my LP120 turntable after upgrading to an Ortofon 2M red, and gifted the Yamaha turntable to a good friend. I miss it simply because I’m a fan of Yamaha gear, but I still get to enjoy it on a regular basis!

I just came across my Yamaha turntable TT-400u just today (23 June 2024). I had it stored away. I didn't even remember I still had it. I bought it in the 1980s, I remember the house I was in back then, I moved out of it in June of '86 and to my best recollection I had it before then. I'm pretty sure that it sold in the $100 dollar range. I couldn't have afforded much more. It was the least expensive turntable that the Shirokiya Department Store, in the Ala Moana Shopping Mall, had for sale. I've never replaced the P-Mount cartridge so it's the original and is marked with the Audo-Technica logo and says AT33LP on it, also it's red and says Made in Japan on it too. There is also a number 043 etched in the black plastic part of the cartridge. Cleaned it up, plugged it in, and it still works! I would be interested in swapping out the P-Mount for a standard cartridge. How hard is that to do?

 

[lini]

(...) I've never replaced the P-Mount cartridge so it's the original and is marked with the Audo-Technica logo and says AT33LP on it, also it's red and says Made in Japan on it too. There is also a number 043 etched in the black plastic part of the cartridge. Cleaned it up, plugged it in, and it still works! I would be interested in swapping out the P-Mount for a standard cartridge. How hard is that to do?

Should rather be an AT331LP, which was a pretty good model. Anyway: Which headshell variant does your exemplar sport? Because if your AT331LP isn't mounted via T4P adaptor to the halfinch-mount headshell variant, as depicted in post #7 above, but rather in the native T4P headshell variant instead, you'd first need to get a compatible halfinch-mount headshell (like for example this one: https://www.turntableneedles.com/PB062370_Side_Thumbscrew_Turntable_Headshell).

There still are two fairly decent original replacement needles for the AT3xxP/AT34x2P cartridges - as well as quite a few 3rd party upgrade needles. So swapping the cartridge wouldn't really be necessary, unless it would happen to be broken.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[Nutopian]

Should rather be an AT331LP, which was a pretty good model. Anyway: Which headshell variant does your exemplar sport? Because if your AT331LP isn't mounted via T4P adaptor to the halfinch-mount headshell variant, as depicted in post #7 above, but rather in the native T4P headshell variant instead, you'd first need to get a compatible halfinch-mount headshell (like for example this one: https://www.turntableneedles.com/PB062370_Side_Thumbscrew_Turntable_Headshell).

There still are two fairly decent original replacement needles for the AT3xxP/AT34x2P cartridges - as well as quite a few 3rd party upgrade needles. So swapping the cartridge wouldn't really be necessary, unless it would happen to be broken.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

You are absolutely correct about the number AT331LP. Without my reading glasses on the #1 must have blurred into the "LP". And thanks to you I noticed the side thumbscrew was missing. But I found it, it was still in the box that I had stored the turntable in. Also it looks like there is some crazy glue residue on the headshell. I probably glued a coin there to prevent skipping like we did in the 1960s. Did I lose the manual book and not remember how to adjust the main weight balance knob? That's a real possibility because I knew very little about turntables back then. Do you know if this turntable was available in the mid 1980s (as my memory is telling me?)

 

[Nutopian]

Did you ever come up with a replacement cartridge?
I currently have my TT-300U in operation. I bought it new around 1987 if I recall correctly. I don't recall the original cartridge. Replaced it with an Audio Technica AT-91E some years ago. It's a decent and capable performer. I've toyed with the idea of upgrading from the p-mount to a standard cartridge, but then I think "why bother?" and I just stick with what I've got. It's been a good table over these 35 years. Opened it up and replaced the grease a few years ago when it started getting a bit wonky. Checked the speed with the wow and flutter app on my phone this week when I hooked it up and it was a perfect 33.3 / 45.0 so I guess the belt I put on it a decade or so ago is doing fine.

Thanks for that date of "around 1987". I think you are correct. I remember having bought my TT-400u in early 1986 or even a little before that date.

 

[lini]

Do you know if this turntable was available in the mid 1980s (as my memory is telling me?

Well, from what I could dig up, it would appear, that the TT-400 over here first appeared in what would seem the second catalogue edition for 1987 - but as actual availability sometimes would depend on the market region and also didn't necessarily have to exactly coincide with catalogue appearance, I'd deem it possible, that you might have already got your TT-400U in 1986.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[QHCS]

Hello, Regarding the Yamaha TT-400U turntable, I have one that I bought paired Yamaha tuner and speakers back in 1982 or 83. Would the year of manufacture be found in the serial number?

 

[Nutopian]

Should rather be an AT331LP, which was a pretty good model. Anyway: Which headshell variant does your exemplar sport? Because if your AT331LP isn't mounted via T4P adaptor to the halfinch-mount headshell variant, as depicted in post #7 above, but rather in the native T4P headshell variant instead, you'd first need to get a compatible halfinch-mount headshell (like for example this one: https://www.turntableneedles.com/PB062370_Side_Thumbscrew_Turntable_Headshell).

There still are two fairly decent original replacement needles for the AT3xxP/AT34x2P cartridges - as well as quite a few 3rd party upgrade needles. So swapping the cartridge wouldn't really be necessary, unless it would happen to be broken.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

Thanks for that link, I like it! And for anyone else considering converting be sure to check one of the options.