Buying Advice - Vintage Turntable

[Brawling Attorney]

I'm putting my setup together as decor, in addition to great for listening, and I'd like to get a vintage turntable that keeps with the look of my other components (wood cases/silver faces and knobs). But, I'm really already having to troubleshoot and try to fix the Pioneer SX-535 amp I bought, so is there anywhere that you can buy professionaly serviced vintage turntables (for a reasonable price, lol)? Does anyone have any recommendations or experiences searching to share?

Along the same lines, does anyone have any particular models of vintage turntables that have wood bodies, that are reliable and perform?

http://i.imgur.com/HXrh9yu.jpg

[walpurgis]

Lenco (Goldring) L75, Thorens TD160, Pioneer PL-51a. There are many others.

[Virtual-Symmetry]

Sansui 'SR-717' [Direct Drive] or cheaper 'SR-313' [Belt Drive]

Ur5F-9lHGmw

[Ammonite Audio]

The straightforward answer is the Pioneer PL-71. Lovely period looks to match the existing gear, combined with a naturally musical performance that will still see off most competitors, old and new. The tonearm is very decent by any standard.

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc494/pabs911/pl71_04.jpg

[jandl100]

Yup, my choice would be the above PL-71.
Great sounding and looking deck. You can put surprisingly costly MC carts in them as well, the arm is good enough for that.

[RobbieGong]

The straightforward answer is the Pioneer PL-71. Lovely period looks to match the existing gear, combined with a naturally musical performance that will still see off most competitors, old and new. The tonearm is very decent by any standard.

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc494/pabs911/pl71_04.jpg

+1 Lovely thing !

[helma]

Pretty much anything with the desired look from the 70s big Japanese mfgs would probably do the job just fine - at least I'm reading between the lines the ultimate audiophile performance isn't a criteria here :) As with anything old, condition becomes everything. Most of those old tables do the job just fine, but obviously some better than others ... By all accounts the Pioneer PL-71 is an excellent table, but might be difficult to find, the little brother PL-51 would probably be another good canditate. But really, in my experience anything by Pioneer, Sony, Kenwood, Yamaha etc. that looks the part would be fine, if in good condition. Also what about the original Rega Planar 2 with the S-shaped arm? It does look kind of modern in comparison, though has a wood trim. I've never heard one if you're in the UK I'd expect them to be pretty common over there and could be had for cheap?

All that said, it still makes sense to shoot for the top when getting vintage equipment, especially turntables - the difference in market price between a rather entry level effort and the top of the line from it's day is often less than the performance gap. If looking for serviced units from reputable dealers, that of course pretty much takes away the chance of finding a 'bargain' though.

[walpurgis]

The Rega Planar 2 uses the R200 arm. It has reliablity problems due to the bias/anti skating mechanism being belt operated and many of these belts have failed or will do so due to perishing. Spare belts can occasionally be found, but changing them is a fiddle (I've done one) and not everybody would want to do this.

To be honest, I'd sooner have a simple, reliable, basic turntable like the good old Pioneer PL-12D. With a decent headshell and better mat they work just fine and sound fair enough.

[Canetoad]

I must get my pl71 out and get it working. It's been in storage for a couple of years.

[NRG]

KD 550 is also a good alternative to the PL71 and probably betters it as standard.

[daytona600]

http://snvinyl.co.uk/WebRoot/Daily/Shops/eshop943300/573C/A941/9977/F9C1/53B4/5BD8/5ABE/36AB/PJ-Phono-TheClassic-Walnut-Silver-Cover.png

Classic but made in 2016

[skimminstones]

Thorens 150 or 160

[Kvaal]

Sansui SR 222 mk 1 - 4

[Brawling Attorney]

+1 Lovely thing !

Okay, I'm in love. Done. That. I want that! :-)

[Brawling Attorney]

The straightforward answer is the Pioneer PL-71. Lovely period looks to match the existing gear, combined with a naturally musical performance that will still see off most competitors, old and new. The tonearm is very decent by any standard.

http://i1214.photobucket.com/albums/cc494/pabs911/pl71_04.jpg

Okay, I'm in love. Done. That. I want that! :-)

http://i.giphy.com/cMV9akgudJiRW.gif

[danilo]

IMO This AR is more in keeping with your gear collection aesthetic.
17005
First of the decent belt driven TT's, a definite classic
Should be a few about in your part of the world, as these were Big sellers and Many have survived due to happy owners

[Virtual-Symmetry]

No anti Skate on that AR arm.

[struth]

manticore mantra?

[Virtual-Symmetry]

I think what some people are forgetting is that the o/p wants a Turntable in keeping with the Aesthetics of the gear he already has..

[symon]

I have no idea why what I wrote ended up in this thread and not the one I thought I posted it in! Apologies. Ignore me.

[Virtual-Symmetry]

Wrong thread Peter

:D

[symon]

:ner:

[Brawling Attorney]

Interesting design on that, with no next to buttons or whatnot. Unique for sure :-)

[shane]

Aesthetically you'd have a hard job beating Luxman. Beautifully built too. Sonically adequate if not outstanding. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/12008897845_136e4990e1_b.jpg

[hermit]

HandsomeYamaha (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/YAMAHA-YP-D6-Direct-Drive-Super-/282035042687?hash=item41aa99397f:g:XuYAAOSwQYZWuie 2) dd deck on ebay in timewarp condition.

http://img2.aukcjoner.pl/gallery/022314532/5_f.jpg?1455038708

[Virtual-Symmetry]

http://www.analogrecordshop.com/products/sony-ps-3000-turntable

[danilo]

Interesting design on that, with no next to buttons or whatnot. Unique for sure :-)

Certainly seems a simple stoopid machine. Yet arguably a better TT than even a Thorens.
Depends on whether it's bling or sounds one is primarily interested in?
A V popular choice in the Pacific Northwest at least. Which was (remains?) an Audio centre of activity.. in late 60's early 70's

[Brawling Attorney]

http://www.fluance.com/turntables/rt81-high-fidelity-vinyl-turntable-record-player-with-premium-cartridge-diamond-needle

http://i.imgur.com/OhD7Jb5.jpg