Best Decks for you/early 80's!

[Rare Bird]

Ok here's my best un's

Logic 'DM '101' late version
CJ Walker 'CJ55'
Pink Triangle 'PT1'
The Systemdek..

[wee tam]

logic dm early version , big al will be along soon , with pics etc , drop dead GORGEOUS , AND WEIGHT , AUTHORITY , dYNAMICS , AND JUST EVERYTHING , bloody awesome , sorry for shouting

[Rare Bird]

Not many. Nay to electronic version tho.. but the late manual one is the one i bought with syrinx ''PU2'. I bet this unit against any mega based offering these days...

[wee tam]

not the silly "pimped" electronic version , this was one of the very first ones designed , with a good arm , and it has , a grado , which it has , it is bloody awesome , jealous , you better believe it , a work of art , yes , all hand grafted loads of bits , handsome , oh yes , but sound per pound , ber luddy awesome , easily 20% in front of me , can dig out a link , but its wigwam , so long as its fine with marco , will do , if not , search for yourself , nowt hard about it , but well worth the looking

[Rare Bird]

God another 'DM101' fan i'm gobsmaked :eyebrows:

[wee tam]

:)well , i took him to a mutual friend in blackpool , last year , it was almost a basket , in bits case , search the ( erm link) i almost gave you , bloody awesome , and yes a fan , fan , fan ,

[Floyddroid]

Linn Sondek LP12
Thorens TD 160 BC
PT Anniversary
Technics SL 110
Trio (composite plinth jobbie)

A&R Cambridge P77 cartridge
Ortofon MC 15
Audio Technica OC5
Ortofon MC25/FL
Sure V15:)

[Rare Bird]

Sorry mate but there's one deck there that stands out as utter tripe!!

[chris@panteg]

Logic DM 101 for me too , I had a Tempo cus I couldn't afford the 101 but so wanted one ! Some felt it superior to the LP12 , but that was hushed up ? I wondered why at the time .

[Rare Bird]

Ive had 'Tempo' quite a good deck actually, had the two motor 'Gemini' too with 'Datum s'. very good.. I had the 'Clario' cartridge (think it was 'Black') which is as rare as hens teeth these days also great a fab company in whole..

[chris@panteg]

Mine had a Datum arm and P77 cart , they sorted out a problem with the arm FOC , brilliant company , sad they folded in 1987 I think it was ?

[UV101]

Just finally parted with my Revolver Rebel that I get back in the 80's

It did me a great turn partnered with my 1st DL103 (grey one) which also went to EsCo. Finally bit the dust when the head snapped off the linn arm due to poor packing during a house move about 7 years ago. Finally got round to letting it go last week as spares repairs on eBay.

Was an entry level deck, but it was great. Suited my budget perfectly at the time :)

[Rare Bird]

Mine had a Datum arm and P77 cart , they sorted out a problem with the arm FOC , brilliant company , sad they folded in 1987 I think it was ?

Aye they were great 'Datum S' was different..

Next Phase was a new Manticore 'Mantra'

[Batty]

PT1
Rock Reference
Gyrodek

in no order

[Rare Bird]

Rock Ref is a 90's deck innit?

[synsei]

DM101 for me too (would happily sell the Technics to get one)
Dunlop Systemdeck (original)
Michell Syncro
JBE Series 3

[Floyddroid]

It's all down to opinion Mr Bird. There are two on your list both of which i have owned and wouldn't give house room to. However tripe is not a word i would use for them. None of our likes and dislikes are to be taken seriously, they are just that. our own personal preference. Have a great day :ner:

[isuckedmandelsonslemons]

I've only owned three. A Thorens, Linn Sondek and an original biscuit tin Systemdek. If I was ever to get a turntable again it would be the Systemdek for the looks and good performance. For sheer musicality the Linn wins hands down.

[Rare Bird]

It's all down to opinion Mr Bird. There are two on your list both of which i have owned and wouldn't give house room to. However shite is not a word i would use for them. None of our likes and dislikes are to be taken seriously, they are just that. our own personal preference. Have a great day :ner:

I did say best Deck's for You

[chris@panteg]

I really should say the Voyd and Valdi , being two of my favorite decks of the 80's .

The Gyro wasn't bad either .

[Gromit]

Dais 'Heavy'
Dunlop Systemdek
STD 305 (M&S)

[Rare Bird]

Hi Rich
Do you hear much of a difference between the '305S' & '305M'?

[Gromit]

Hi Rich
Do you hear much of a difference between the '305S' & '305M'?

Never heard them back to back RB, and admittedly the S was a slightly cheaper version in a moulded plinth I believe (the M was in that rather funky brushed metal job). I did hear a 'D' against a same-era LP12 though and preferred the STD....as I did the PT of its day. The D had the electronic speed control.

STD were another great turntable manufacturer that went to the wall. :(

Always fancied the Systemdek myself, especially in the rather plush 'suede' finish. :)

[Rare Bird]

STD were superb, their was the rare STD valve amp on Auction only last week.

[julesd68]

I had an STD 305S with a Moth (Rega) tonearm and Nagaoka MP-10 for many years. This was my second "proper" deck. Very utilitarian looking (ugly some might say) but bombproof build-quality. Hailed as an LP-12 beater at the time but never broke into the big time. I'd have been interested to hear how good it would be in my current system ...

[DSJR]

At the time, KJ Wigmore St had the LP12, Logic 101, Systemdek, Oracle, Thorens 160 and some traded in Regas which never hung around long....

This was before specialist supports etc and I'm sorry to disappoint you chaps, but the LP12 made more sense of the LP's played in it at the time, even if an Ittok equipped sample of the period was all wrong - most of us didn't know any better..... The Logic was ok, but a bit characterless and adding a spring to keep the sub chassis centred always seemed a bit of a bodge in all honesty. The Systemdek was superb once understood and I feel now that it was a far better turntable than the LP12 pre Cirkus if the original source was to hand for comparison... The Oracle Delphi was magic for all of a fortnight after setup and then it went off big time, two weeks after every time it was re-tweaked!!!!!!

As for the Thorens Td160 with whatever arm, or the Rega 2 or 3 with R200, these were far better musically than a TD160 although I like to kid myself? that I could get better sounds from a Thorens today.

I know this "following a tune" bit is hard for many to take, let alone understand, but the best systems I've ever heard, yes - digital sourced as well - are just so easy to sing along to if the music allows it. Daft I know, but true for me at least...

[Rare Bird]

tbh Dave the big spring didni make much difference to my ears.

As soon as i first clamped eyes on a 'DM101' i wanted one, i got fed up with the usual suspensions on the other decks id had.. the Logic's triangular alloy plate sat in three spung cradles was a welcoming change, much easier to set up i thought.what can be more easier that three threaded studs adjustable ontop with a simple allen key!. I was a fool to sell mine & still kick myself now.

I've see two turn up on auction recently & both sellers wouldnt post out :(

[daytona600]

oracle delphi ,had mine for 30years old still going strong

[Beobloke]

Source with an Odyssey RP1, preferably gold plated, ta!

[Marco]

I had an STD...

Sorry to hear that, mate. Did it clear up?

Marco.

[julesd68]

Sorry to hear that, mate. Did it clear up?

Marco.

:rfl: Yes, but I was out of action for a while! :bonk: Cheeky sod.

[chris@panteg]

At the time, KJ Wigmore St had the LP12, Logic 101, Systemdek, Oracle, Thorens 160 and some traded in Regas which never hung around long....

This was before specialist supports etc and I'm sorry to disappoint you chaps, but the LP12 made more sense of the LP's played in it at the time, even if an Ittok equipped sample of the period was all wrong - most of us didn't know any better..... The Logic was ok, but a bit characterless and adding a spring to keep the sub chassis centred always seemed a bit of a bodge in all honesty. The Systemdek was superb once understood and I feel now that it was a far better turntable than the LP12 pre Cirkus if the original source was to hand for comparison... The Oracle Delphi was magic for all of a fortnight after setup and then it went off big time, two weeks after every time it was re-tweaked!!!!!!

As for the Thorens Td160 with whatever arm, or the Rega 2 or 3 with R200, these were far better musically than a TD160 although I like to kid myself? that I could get better sounds from a Thorens today.

I know this "following a tune" bit is hard for many to take, let alone understand, but the best systems I've ever heard, yes - digital sourced as well - are just so easy to sing along to if the music allows it. Daft I know, but true for me at least...

Dave , I always felt that using the arm cable to act as important and stabilising part of a suspension was a bit of a bodge ? And a nice feedback path into the arm :D

[Paul Hynes]

Dais with Zeta tone arm and Koetsu Black.

[hifi_dave]

Dave , I always felt that using the arm cable to act as important and stabilising part of a suspension was a bit of a bodge ? And a nice feedback path into the arm :D

It wasn't/isn't a "stabilising part" of the suspension of any sensibly designed turntable but it does have to be dressed so that it isn't a "stabilising part". A well dressed and anchored arm cable should not interfere with the suspension and should 'ground' that vibration feedback path.

[chris@panteg]

It wasn't/isn't a "stabilising part" of the suspension of any sensibly designed turntable but it does have to be dressed so that it isn't a "stabilising part". A well dressed and anchored arm cable should not interfere with the suspension and should 'ground' that vibration feedback path.

So my information is wrong Dave ? Richard Black , in his 1990 review of the LP12 , describes the arm cable as a fourth part of the suspension , preventing twisting in the subchassis ?

[pure sound]

I'd have liked (would still like) a Melco. I did hear one in Sweden many years ago. That was impressive. Given the price & rarity I'd be unlikely to have got one then or now.

A fore runner to the Micro Seikis that followed.

Some info here. This heavyweight version is in London somewhere.

http://www.reddiamondaudio.net/melco-turntable-systems.html

Melco are still going, having gone into industrial sewing machines after their brief foray into HiFi.

[hifi_dave]

So my information is wrong Dave ? Richard Black , in his 1990 review of the LP12 , describes the arm cable as a fourth part of the suspension , preventing twisting in the subchassis ?

Being charitable, it might depend on the turntable but with the LP12, PT, Thorens, Systemdek etc, etc, the suspension is set and then the cable tied/clamped in place and shouldn't disturb the suspension.

[hifi_dave]

I'd have liked (would still like) a Melco. I did hear one in Sweden many years ago. That was impressive. Given the price & rarity I'd be unlikely to have got one then or now.

A fore runner to the Micro Seikis that followed.

Some info here. This heavyweight version is in London somewhere.

http://www.reddiamondaudio.net/melco-turntable-systems.html

Melco are still going, having gone into industrial sewing machines after their brief foray into HiFi.

Heard the Melco, maybe that same one pictured, back in 1976/7. My old pal Be, introduced me to the heavyweight turntable concept, SE tube amp, silver wire and horn speakers, all in one night.

[Pete The Cat]

Roksan Xerxes (1985). Surely I'm not alone ?

Pete

[Z-A]

I'd have liked (would still like) a Melco. I did hear one in Sweden many years ago. That was impressive. Given the price & rarity I'd be unlikely to have got one then or now.

A fore runner to the Micro Seikis that followed.

Some info here. This heavyweight version is in London somewhere.

http://www.reddiamondaudio.net/melco-turntable-systems.html

Melco are still going, having gone into industrial sewing machines after their brief foray into HiFi.

Good call, the Melco in your link may be pressed into action at Whittlebury this year. It is very rare, maybe only 2 in Europe.. FR66 tone arm too. It resides in Surrey now.

[shane]

I'd have to say the Heybrook TT2 'cos no one else has, but then, I'm biased! :D

[topoxforddoc]

How about a Platine Verdier? Magnetically levitated platter - massive build and platter. I bought mine in about 2002. Eccentrically French, but wonderful. Sold my Logic DM101 and my TD124/II after that.

Charlie

[The Grand Wazoo]

I remember being impressed by the look of the Audiolabor Konstant - the first deck I'd seen with 3 arms on it, a monstrous belt drive. I just last week discovered that Audiolabor was a company formed in 1980 by a certain gent called Helmut Brinkmann. I wonder what he's doing now?

[trio leo]

back in the 80's we sold, LP12's, Systemdeck, Oracle, Townsend rock, Logic dm101,, Heybrook, Ariston, Thorens and Dais, all good t/ts with different presentations, but the one that showed them all how it was done, the Trio L07D. (IMO)

regards Al

[walpurgis]

Roksan Xerxes (1985). Surely I'm not alone ?

Pete

No, you're not alone. I thought the Xerxes was excellent, it totally outclassed the contemporary LP12 back then. I heard the comparison many times.

[Rare Bird]

I bought a new 'Xerexs' around 1986/87..