How Much Would You Pay...???

[Haselsh1]

of course you could put the turntable idea to one side and buy your self a nikon d700 )

I've just bought a Hasselblad 500 ELM from 1978 with an A12 film back from 1977 and a Carl Zeiss 50mm wide angle from the eighties. All in all, very happy and millions of miles better than digital. I guess that's also why you lot insist on Garrards and the like.

[Alex_UK]

I know what I am expecting as a response, I'd just like to see how many people agree with me...!

So Shaun, were the responses what you expected, or do you need to get a few more before you put us out of our misery...?

[shane]

That Papst motor was very good. (Goldmund also used to use it in their 'Studio' model.) Did you stick with the original platter & psu? Any pics of the project?

I'm intending putting a write-up with pictures on Audio-Talk, but it means taking it to bits to show the innards, and it's sounding so good at the moment I'm loath to disturb it. There are still a few little tidy-up jobs to do, so next time I've got a day spare I'll have a go at it.

I used all the original electronics and the platter from the Dual. I tried the TT2 platter, which is about half the weight, but it lost all the drive and integrity the the Dual does so well. What it doesn't inherit from the Dual is the cramped and blurred soundstage or the total lack of depth and height.

[Haselsh1]

So Shaun, were the responses what you expected, or do you need to get a few more before you put us out of our misery...?

Thanks for the input everyone. The responses were varied but as I expected in that, whatever your price point, I doubt that there is any new turntable/arm/cart combination that is actually worth investing in. For sensible money it would appear that it is definitely best to get involved in a classic with some renovation.

My prejudice is for Nottingham Analogue but that's mainly because I used to sell them through my own business back in the nineties, however, I do consider them to be a stout investment, long term.

[DSJR]

I'm intending putting a write-up with pictures on Audio-Talk, but it means taking it to bits to show the innards, and it's sounding so good at the moment I'm loath to disturb it. There are still a few little tidy-up jobs to do, so next time I've got a day spare I'll have a go at it.

I used all the original electronics and the platter from the Dual. I tried the TT2 platter, which is about half the weight, but it lost all the drive and integrity the the Dual does so well. What it doesn't inherit from the Dual is the cramped and blurred soundstage or the total lack of depth and height.

Now Shane - have you listened to the 701 fully intact with proper counterweight? I'm *very* grateful indeed for the plinth and remains of the donor, but I understand that this sample had a damaged arm - the tuned counterweight and re-set bearings, together with freed-off suspension, does help a lot, even if it's no good for a DL103. The "glimmlampe" has no audible effect IMO, any "difference" being imaginary IMO..

I get great depth on my 701, easy to hear reverse absolute phase and the only main criticism is that better turntables have a "bigger" sound, the Dual keeping proportion but making everything a little "smaller." It's tons better than a Planar 3, which seems unbalanced and somehow "flat" by comparison.

So there

[Marco]

Hi Shane,

I'm intending putting a write-up with pictures on Audio-Talk...

Go right ahead, but don't forget about us here, too!

It would be an excellent article for our D.I.Y section, so when the time comes please copy and paste it there for our delectation.

Marco.

[DSJR]

Yes please, i'd like to see what I'm missing

[shane]

Sorry Dave, you're quite right. The arm on the Dual was extremely tired, with both the bearings and the counterweight best described as knackered, so it's probably unfair of me to criticize it. Fortunately the motor is in VGC, and a beautiful piece of engineering it is too.

Marco, will do. Might be a week or two though.

[Johnboy]

As much as I could afford
£1500-2000 would probably be what I would spend - I would find it hard to justify much more - but in reality I will be building around my Garrard 401 - which will hopefully beat anything in that price range!

But 3 "Best Buys" in this month's Hi Fi Choice... always loved the look of Michells - Gyro SE with RB250 £1565, Funk V2 £1390 or Townshend Rock 7 £1720 - any of those look ok on paper.

Hi Alex

Build your Garrard 401 and It will rock , the RB300 sound good on it also
I use it for rock and heavy music , if not the SME3012 for Jazz and Blues
top deck, below is mine with both arms,
thanks for looking,

John

[Clive]

I'm getting one of these in a few days:



It'll be interesting to hear what it's like vs my 301 on slate. I have high hopes....

http://www.trans-fi.com/turntables.htm