View Full Version : vintage Turntable
Hi All.
Looking to get back into vinyl again. Can anyone suggest a good vintage turntable other than Garrard. That can be picked up for a sensible price.
Looking for a good project that can be restored and upgraded as I go.
Thanks
Thing Fish
17-08-2011, 18:47
I can almost hear the Techie boys warming up...:lol:
Lenco?
The G88 and 99 are almost 401 money now sadly, and many GL75's and 78's are suffering corrosion of their top plates etc. At least bits are readily available, even "better" parts.
I still like and respect the original Lenco tone-arms, once they've been restored, but many on the Lenco Heaven forum tend to butcher them beyond all hope, fitting Rega and knackered old Linn Basik arms as well - IMO obviously. Sometimes, a "transformed" Lenco comes up on ebay, so might be worth a look.
Many other idler decks are rumbly old beasts and would need re-manufacturing I think, to bring them up to snuff these days - Connoisseur Craftsman, Collaro etc..
Thorens TD150's and 160's can be made to sing very well indeed if you can find one at a good price. Tonearms can be re-wired and fettled in general and of you get a Linn LP12 setup manual, the general rules apply (the Rd11/LP12 started off as a "blue-printed" TD150 anyway in my book.
spendorman
17-08-2011, 18:58
Technics SL-110
Got to make a proper base for it I think, as it's cr@p sounding in stock form due to feedback - as is the original SL120 and the 150/1500 series is little better I've found. Plinthed up though, and, well, yeah :lol:
Dingdong
17-08-2011, 19:14
Depends what you mean by sensible. Would a Thorens TD124 be considered sensible.
I'm sure stuff like gyrodeks can be upgraded as you go if you get one for a good price.
I got myself a Thorens TD160 and have been upgrading it as I go and it now produces quite a decent sound.
Or if you want something butt ugly you could get a techy:ner:
spendorman
17-08-2011, 19:19
Depends what you mean by sensible. Would a Thorens TD124 be considered sensible.
I'm sure stuff like gyrodeks can be upgraded as you go if you get one for a good price.
I got myself a Thorens TD160 and have been upgrading it as I go and it now produces quite a decent sound.
Or if you want something butt ugly you could get a techy:ner:
My view is that the TD124 is not that sensible, it is rather finicky if one is to get the best out of it. In fact, they more often than not are quite noisy. I have owned a Mk II for many years. Far more practical (in my view) is the Technics SL-110. It just works. I have one of these as well.
TD160's are pretty good too.
My Technics SL-1200 MKII has been delivering great sound for many years. A solid TT like this ends up to be a good friend.
Wow! your fast on here,Just did a quick search on ebay here in canada.
No technics 110's available. looks like a good deck. Like the arm board. makes for easy changes.
Keep em comin!
camtwister
17-08-2011, 19:31
At least bits are readily available, even "better" parts.
...but many on the Lenco Heaven forum tend to butcher them beyond all hope, fitting Rega and knackered old Linn Basik arms as well - IMO obviously. Sometimes, a "transformed" Lenco comes up on ebay, so might be worth a look.
Disputation of the most controversial nature!
Just picked up a pioneers pl71/
Put a shure m75 cart on and very pleased with it.
The Grand Wazoo
22-08-2011, 11:06
As well as all of the above (most of which, I reckon is sound advice) don't disregard the old AR turntables - they can be fiddled with and spiffed up beyond all recognition.
Canetoad
22-08-2011, 11:44
Just picked up a pioneers pl71/
Put a shure m75 cart on and very pleased with it.
Where did you find it? :)
As well as all of the above (most of which, I reckon is sound advice) don't disregard the old AR turntables - they can be fiddled with and spiffed up beyond all recognition.
The XA is probably the one in the UK. The arm will also take any vintage 1.25g tracker and the cable dressing/friction/drag will make up for lack of bias correction. Now that M75 series Shures can have SAS tips fitted, an excellent combination I reckon.
The 77-XB version went off the boil IMO, bearing slop was very much in evidence and the flimsy headshell was horrid. The early AR "The Turntable" was afflicted with a similar sloppy main bearing and sounded awful. HOWEVER, the later "legend?" with revised bearing (and fitted today with a modern mat?) was shedloads better and will take on the best springy belt drives out there on their terms IMO.
Thanks Chris & Dave for your replies.
The AR tables are ones I have been looking at. I have sent an email to Dave
@ vinylnirvana. He is the AR specialist in the states. He offers many upgrades etc for AR tables.
A second Range of tables I really like are the older LUXMAN. Be interested in your thoughts on these tables .
Steve.
Where did you find it? :)
Local shop.
ursus262
22-08-2011, 18:43
I'd be interested to hear opinions on the Shure M75. We've got this cartridge, and wonder if it's worth an upgrade.
Canetoad
22-08-2011, 20:01
Local shop.
I'll find a good one some day... :rolleyes:
I'll find a good one some day... :rolleyes:
Was just lucky.
Was looking for a cheap dd for 45's and not so good condition albums when it turned up.
alfie2902
22-08-2011, 22:18
Was just lucky.
Was looking for a cheap dd for 45's and not so good condition albums when it turned up.
You do seem to have a lot of luck finding TT's Stu! :eyebrows:
Now you've got the PL71 I'll give you double what you paid for that old Voyd :lol:
How do they compare mate?
You do seem to have a lot of luck finding TT's Stu! :eyebrows:
Now you've got the PL71 I'll give you double what you paid for that old Voyd :lol:
How do they compare mate?
Hard to say as using mm on the pl71.
Have a few to try and it's nice having a removble headshell to play with.
The pl71 gives very deep bass and through the m75 cart is much more how i remember vinyl 30 years ago.Where the ortofon mc20 on the voyd has more detail but is more forward and more cd sounding.
I do have an mc15,sl15,m3,g800,m75ed,mc10 to try on it so will be interesting experimenting.
Tried the m3 on it briefly at the weekend and it sounded very good.
The mc15 will give a clearer picture of how it fares against the voyd.
Been well lucky in the last 6 months with tt's.
alfie2902
22-08-2011, 23:04
Hard to say as using mm on the pl71.
Have a few to try and it's nice having a removble headshell to play with.
The pl71 gives very deep bass and through the m75 cart is much more how i remember vinyl 30 years ago.Where the ortofon mc20 on the voyd has more detail but is more forward and more cd sounding.
I do have an mc15,sl15,m3,g800,m75ed,mc10 to try on it so will be interesting experimenting.
Tried the m3 on it briefly at the weekend and it sounded very good.
The mc15 will give a clearer picture of how it fares against the voyd.
Been well lucky in the last 6 months with tt's.
Nice one! Everyone needs a bit of luck mate!
I've heard a couple of PL71's & both sounded very nice, haven't had one here in my system though.
A nice collection of carts to work yourself through, too mate. Perhaps you should do a mini review of the carts on the PL71. At least pop something up after you've tried the MC15 :)
So that's a very nice belt drive & a very nice direct drive you own now! You need to have your eyes open for a nice idler now :)
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