Vintage turntables: Sony TTS3000 and Garrard Zero 100

[Rosewind]

I am about to embark on a turntable journey that will be interesting and daunting. I already have a Thorens Td 147 Jubilee with a Thorens TP16 (Schopper TP63 arm wand). Despite this I am really tempted to buy both a Sony TTS3000 and a Garrard Zero 100. I intend to use an SME 3009R on the Sony TTS3000. I wonder which of the 3 I will want to hold on to after I have given the Sony and the Garrard some TLC?

[Barry]

I am about to embark on a turntable journey that will be interesting and daunting. I already have a Thorens Td 147 Jubilee with a Thorens TP16 (Schopper TP63 arm wand). Despite this I am really tempted to buy both a Sony TTS3000 and a Garrard Zero 100. I intend to use an SME 3009R on the Sony TTS3000. I wonder which of the 3 I will want to hold on to after I have given the Sony and the Garrard some TLC?

If it were me I wouldn't even consider the Zero 100. Good though it is, IMO it won't be as good (or as versatile) as the Sony + SME combination.

[hifi_dave]

Agreed. I wouldn't bother with the Zero 100, clunky and rough when new, can't be any better after all these years.

[Beobloke]

The Garrard Zero 100 is a fine deck - better than most people give it credit for. Find a good one with decent arm bearings (which can be the tricky bit!) and they can perform very well.

That said, the Sony should still wipe the floor with it...

[Rosewind]

There is a series of 7 videos about cleaning and setting up a Garrard Zero 100 on Youtube. Hence my interest in that turntable.

[Rosewind]

But as always I went in another direction as I just picked up a very clean Empire 698 in full working condition. That ends my turntable journey.

[Barry]

But as always I went in another direction as I just picked up a very clean Empire 698 in full working condition. That ends my turntable journey.


Nice!

http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/217499-empire_698_turntable.jpg

A considerable improvement on the Garrard Zero 100.