Fully automatic DD TT for parents

[graham67]

I am looking for a reasonable Japanese 70/80s direct drive fully automatic turntable to replace my parents old non descript but incredibly reliable Akai which they gave away in their last move.

Ease of use, speed stability and reliability is paramount as well as an arm with half inch mounting that could accept a half decent medium compliance cart. It must have auto cue and auto return. Ideally it would also have features like auto disc size detection too. Basically i want one touch operation for my mum.

It must be in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition, and preferably in dark colour not shiny silver.

Budget is upto £250.

Many thanks,

Graham

[dantheman91]

Hi Graham

I have a Yamaha P 300 if of interested £50 fully working ex condition

Screw missing to hold cart in but slots in fine comes with an AT cartridge or an Ortofon F15 MKII

Let me know ahh nuts its silver....:(

[graham67]

hi Dan,

Thanks for the offer, it puts me in mind of my first student amp, an Yamaha AX-300 which still works perfectly!!! I went straight to tape to CD so didn't purchase a TT in the 80s, but I imagine this is the kind of TT which would have been sold with amp.

When you have some time, please send me some pics. I will pm you my email. As for the colour, well for the asking price one cant be too fussy!!! :-)

kind regards,

Graham

[dantheman91]

Hi Graham

Email on the way with piccies...

[graham67]

Hi dan,

Thanks for the pics, unfortunately i need full auto functions for my technophobe parents! But thanks again for responding so quickly ☺

All the best,

Graham

[graham67]

Still looking ��

[Audio Al]

I may have one , Im going to work now , will post some photos tomorrow

[twotone]

Hi Graham, I've a completely refurbed Dual 1219 which ticks a lot of your requirements but it's a bit more expensive than your budget however these are excellent turntables so if mine isn't suitable I'd look out for one of them or the 1212 (I think).

Mine comes complete with all accessories and is fully automatic however there's no cover but you can buy one to order from an ebay seller for about £80 or so.

Changing carts is incredibly easy and I had a spare sled too so you can mount a cart for different types of music and just swap. them over in minutes.

Tony

https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?48869-FS-Dual-1219-TT-Fully-Refurbished&highlight=Dual+1219

[graham67]

hi tony,

thanks for the offer but it is well above budget.

Funnily enough, I have a 510 in very good nick I did think of giving them but really need full automatic operation and springy decks are a real faff! Which is why I think a fit and forget jap direct drive should fit the bill.

thanks again,

Graham.

[Macca]

Something like this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KENWOOD-P-7X-Turntable-linear-tracking/312266743015?hash=item48b48c5ce7:g:C-oAAOSwQ-1bxLBE:rk:2:pf:0

I used to have one years ago. Black, scans the record, Just open the lid, put the record on, close the lid and press play. Chassis is aluminium with the honeycomb base, front panel is metal. Sound is tidy and controlled, won't set the world on fire but I'm guessing that's not required. Obviously bin whatever stylus comes with it and get a new one. Well under budget.


A Technics SL6 would be better but they are only in silver.

[graham67]

Hi,

I did think about a linear tracker however would prefer a simple straight or J arm. They also look a lot nicer!
Some decks of the late 70s early 80s have automatic disc detection which would be handy.

After three cancelled ebay purchases a while back (deck not as described and/or operational problems), I am looking for a deck from a more reliable source than ebay!!!

[Macca]

I hear you about eBay although I did get a mint Technics SL6 off there a couple of years back, just seventy quid! Forums are the best place to buy and sell though. I just think you might be looking for a long time if you want to tick all your boxes.

[twotone]

hi tony,

thanks for the offer but it is well above budget.

Funnily enough, I have a 510 in very good nick I did think of giving them but really need full automatic operation and springy decks are a real faff! Which is why I think a fit and forget jap direct drive should fit the bill.

thanks again,

Graham.

No problem Graham:cool:

BTW as an aside my deck is in a solid MDF plinth and doesn't move and certainly isn't 'springy'.

[graham67]

Oops, my comment about full automatic and springy was reserved for my semi automatic 510 but it didn't come out that way om the page... Sorry for any misunderstanding. I can see that your dual is much.closer to my 401 in no nonsense engineering stakes.

[graham67]

Yes I agree I could be looking for a while..... Best dust off the Dual 510 in the meantime �� .

[montesquieu]

Yes I agree I could be looking for a while..... Best dust off the Dual 510 in the meantime �� .

Dual would be a great bet, foolproof and nice sounding as well.

[graham67]

Still looking :-)

[ReggieB]

I think some of the Technics SL series are fully automatic. For example the SL-1610 (https://ebay.us/9c60Dw) and SL-1410 (https://ebay.us/OSK5gk).

[graham67]

Yes you are right Reggie. The 1300/1310 and 1600/1610 in both Mk 1 & 2 guises are fully auto. The uber cool 1610 is unfortunately afflicted with a arm.lifter mech that will fail at some point. A replacement part is now available from the US but its a bu**er to replace.

The seller must be kidding, thats crazy money for a faulty tt....