DD turntable recommendations?

[HackneyRF]

Afternoon all.

I'm pondering a change for a while from the TD160 and switching to a direct drive turntable. Budget will be in the region of £500. Current other bits are Firebottle + mc/mm, Audiolab 8000A and Kef Reference 103. I have had a couple of 1210s before but wouldn't discount one of them again. Which ones are the good, the bad and the ugly?

Cheers

Loz

[Jac Hawk]

I've always had a soft spot for the Micro Seiki DD-7, rare as hens teeth

https://live.staticflickr.com/8239/8563999313_c46e94b815_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/e3LJCz)Micro seiki DD7 (5) (https://flic.kr/p/e3LJCz) by Chinh Vu Van (https://www.flickr.com/photos/66519826@N04/), on Flickr

[walpurgis]

Toshiba SR-370 with original Mission 774. It's a magic combo for the money!

Here's mine.

https://i.imgur.com/Xq77gZG.jpg

[HackneyRF]

I've always had a soft spot for the Micro Seiki DD-7, rare as hens teeth

https://live.staticflickr.com/8239/8563999313_c46e94b815_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/e3LJCz)Micro seiki DD7 (5) (https://flic.kr/p/e3LJCz) by Chinh Vu Van (https://www.flickr.com/photos/66519826@N04/), on Flickr

A few for sale on line, non in the UK however. A bit pricey too

[HackneyRF]

Toshiba SR-370 with original Mission 774. It's a magic combo for the money!

Here's mine.

https://i.imgur.com/Xq77gZG.jpg

Rather like that Geoff. Didn't another AoS member have that very same set up for sale a year or two ago? What cartridge do you have fitted?

[Made in 1968]

Anything other than a 1210 :)

Pioneer 'PL71'

[HackneyRF]

Anything other than a 1210 :)

Pioneer 'PL71'

What don't you like about the 1210s Andre?

[Made in 1968]

Cant stand em. Everything

[PeteT]

Micro Seiki DD40 (aka DD7) gets my vote.
Had mine from new - 1978 - £360 new back then.

[HackneyRF]

Cant stand em. Everything

:lol:
OK what do you like about the PL71?

[Made in 1968]

Not Overrated. Sounds great, Looks great. You do not have to throw tons of money at it.

:D

[HackneyRF]

Not Overrated. Sounds great, Looks great. You do not have to throw tons of money at it.

:D

Sounds good. Thanks

[struth]

a jbe:D cool decks, but getting rarer

[Made in 1968]

Sounds good. Thanks

I recon £250-300 is a good price to pay. A high quality cartridge & Phono stage your cooking big time. Someone on AOS has one but i forgotten who.

[walpurgis]

Rather like that Geoff. Didn't another AoS member have that very same set up for sale a year or two ago? What cartridge do you have fitted?

That setup was used by at least two others. Oliver had one and somebody else I can't recall. It's a lot heftier than you'd expect weighing about ten pounds more than a standard Techie. Sounds big and solid too! :)

Selling mine soon, as I hardly play records now. It'd be collect though.

The cartridge is a ZYX R100 by the way.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Sansui 525. Not many kicking about, rare, and you'd certainly have some originality.

[HackneyRF]

a jbe:D cool decks, but getting rarer

Aesthetically, I'm not certain I could live with that Grant!

[Made in 1968]

Sansui 525. Not many kicking about, rare, and you'd certainly have some originality.

Not as nice as the Sansui '717' though. That was pure SEX

[struth]

Aesthetically, I'm not certain I could live with that Grant!

yup i guess its love or hate style...:lol: love mine

[HackneyRF]

Sansui 525. Not many kicking about, rare, and you'd certainly have some originality.

Not dissimilar looking to the Toshiba. On the list

[HackneyRF]

Not as nice as the Sansui '717' though. That was pure SEX

Yep. Fine looking table.

[HackneyRF]

yup i guess its love or hate style...:lol: love mine

My wife says it's cool!

[HackneyRF]

That setup was used by at least two others. Oliver had one and somebody else I can't recall. It's a lot heftier than you'd expect weighing about ten pounds more than a standard Techie. Sounds big and solid too! :)

Selling mine soon, as I hardly play records now. It'd be collect though.

The cartridge is a ZYX R100 by the way.

Oh aye. Keep me in the loop then.

[struth]

My wife says it's cool!

lady of taste :D

[martinswimmer]

I've recently sold a Luxman PD131 for £500 and also recently bought a Technics SP10 for £500. Both of these do a great job.

[RobbieGong]

I've recently sold a Luxman PD131 for £500 and also recently bought a Technics SP10 for £500. Both of these do a great job.

An SP-10 that isnt tatty, working 'properly' with tonearm and plinth, for £500 is dirt cheap - a lot of 'pro' / reference deck

[Jac Hawk]

The problem with a great number of these vintage DD decks is that you can't get spare parts for them anymore, so if something goes wrong it's not a case of an expensive fix it simply can't be fixed, it's something to keep in mind

[RobbieGong]

The problem with a great number of these vintage DD decks is that you can't get spare parts for them anymore, so if something goes wrong it's not a case of an expensive fix it simply can't be fixed, it's something to keep in mind

Exactly, and why if you want a solid, reliable dd, where parts are available and contrary to popular belief, does not need loads spent on it to sound good, then you just can't right off the idea of a 12XX.
My previous 1210 sounded fab with an Ortofon 2M Black dialled in :thumbsup:

[HackneyRF]

Pretty much all of those Luxman TT's are very pretty

[HackneyRF]

Exactly, and why if you want a solid, reliable dd, where parts are available and contrary to popular belief, does not need loads spent on it to sound good, then you just can't right off the idea of a 12XX.
My previous 1210 sounded fab with an Ortofon 2M Black dialled in :thumbsup:

Indeed Mike, something I've thought about and why Rob I would not rule out a 1210. My experience with 1210s are only from a DJ perspective however they clearly cut it in a home set up and spares/repairs being less of an issue. I guess this is why I've stuck with my TD160. Easy to work on/fettle, plenty of spares going and sounds very good to boot

[martinswimmer]

The problem with a great number of these vintage DD decks is that you can't get spare parts for them anymore, so if something goes wrong it's not a case of an expensive fix it simply can't be fixed, it's something to keep in mind

This is a good point but how often really do these vintage exoticas go wrong? After a lifetime of making risky purchases, my conclusion is not often.
Whether they operate within their original specs is another matter. I know it's not as simple as but as long as the stroboscope is showing the perfect pitch and the turntable making right sounds...

[Made in 1968]

The problem with a great number of these vintage DD decks is that you can't get spare parts for them anymore, so if something goes wrong it's not a case of an expensive fix it simply can't be fixed, it's something to keep in mind

Precisely why i stick with Belt drives. Less to go wrong.

[martinswimmer]

An SP-10 that isnt tatty, working 'properly' with tonearm and plinth, for £500 is dirt cheap - a lot of 'pro' / reference deck

Well, that would be dirt cheap... Mine is without a plinth and the finish not perfect.

[Beobloke]

Sony PS-6750
Hitachi PS-58
Kenwood KD550/650
Pioneer PL-630
Pioneer PL-707
Technics SL-M1/2

and not forgetting the less obvious - Technics SL-10!

[RobbieGong]

Well, that would be dirt cheap... Mine is without a plinth and the finish not perfect.

Thought so.....

[Jac Hawk]

This is a good point but how often really do these vintage exoticas go wrong? After a lifetime of making risky purchases, my conclusion is not often.
Whether they operate within their original specs is another matter. I know it's not as simple as but as long as the stroboscope is showing the perfect pitch and the turntable making right sounds...

It would be sods law though, you spend over £500 on a 30+ year old turntable with no guarantee, warranty or anywhere you can get spares and part of the quarts lock or a control board chip goes wrong, absolutely no way of getting it repaired, instant scrap and a very bitter taste left in the mouth. You say these don't often go wrong but there are plenty of people that post on this forum that have had issues with old DD decks, my advice is play it safe, it might not be the coolest deck but a 12xx will last and can be fixed if it goes wrong.

[martinswimmer]

It would be sods law though, you spend over £500 on a 30+ year old turntable with no guarantee, warranty or anywhere you can get spares and part of the quarts lock or a control board chip goes wrong, absolutely no way of getting it repaired, instant scrap and a very bitter taste left in the mouth. You say these don't often go wrong but there are plenty of people that post on this forum that have had issues with old DD decks, my advice is play it safe, it might not be the coolest deck but a 12xx will last and can be fixed if it goes wrong.

Probably a good advice. I wouldn't think there's a massive difference in the sound quality. I thought that SP10 can be fixed - Phonomac has been mentioned in several threads.

[RobbieGong]

Probably a good advice. I wouldn't think there's a massive difference in the sound quality. I thought that SP10 can be fixed - Phonomac has been mentioned in several threads.

SP-10 can be fixed but OPs budget is £500. Even if he finds a tired and cosmetically worn deck/motor and power supply unit for that, there's still the plinth, tonearm etc and a good service/overhaul by someone like AngusPhonomac, to bring it to its proper operational SP-10 standard - probs equates to 3 or 4 times £500 I'd imagine......

[ianlenco]

I bought this a few years ago:

http://i.imgur.com/SqqQKgbh.jpg#gWPQG

Then had a bit of fun replinthing it.

http://i.imgur.com/uNPunt8h.jpg#gWPQG

It's a JVC QL7 and has been totally reliable.

[paulf-2007]

I paid around £500 for my Denon DP80, it's worked faultlessly ever since and if it was to go tits up, what's £500 in the scheme of things, many of you swap boxes and spend more than that on a regular basis. Oh and should it go wrong I would search for another one as it's the dogs dangly bits.

[paulf-2007]

I bought this a few years ago:

http://i.imgur.com/SqqQKgbh.jpg#gWPQG

Then had a bit of fun replinthing it.

http://i.imgur.com/uNPunt8h.jpg#gWPQG

It's a JVC QL7 and has been totally reliable.
Nice Ian.

[Shovel_Knight]

It would be sods law though, you spend over £500 on a 30+ year old turntable with no guarantee, warranty or anywhere you can get spares and part of the quarts lock or a control board chip goes wrong, absolutely no way of getting it repaired, instant scrap and a very bitter taste left in the mouth. You say these don't often go wrong but there are plenty of people that post on this forum that have had issues with old DD decks, my advice is play it safe, it might not be the coolest deck but a 12xx will last and can be fixed if it goes wrong.

And even if an old DD deck works, it doesn't mean it's working correctly.

I bought an SP10 mk2 which was advertised as fully working - well it was not, the electronic brake circuit was broken. I was able to find and fix the fault myself thanks to Phonomac's advice, but it took me several months. It also needed full recap and adjustment of the PLL circuit for good measure. Now at least I can be sure that it works as intended (and that it will likely outlast me, given our family history of male longevity).

[Made in 1968]

One of my fav decks was the Monitor Audio 'ET-500' DD But the Platter was quite poor and very slightly waved at 45rpm..

[Beobloke]

The ET-500 was nice but was limited by its motor, whch was the standard Matsushita OEM item that found is way into dozens of 1970s designs, including the ADC Accutrac 4000, the JBE models, Garrard DD-75 and Toshiba SR-370.

It was a 'good' performer, but much better is out there!

[RobbieGong]

And even if an old DD deck works, it doesn't mean it's working correctly.

I bought an SP10 mk2 which was advertised as fully working - well it was not, the electronic brake circuit was broken. I was able to find and fix the fault myself thanks to Phonomac's advice, but it took me several months. It also needed full recap and adjustment of the PLL circuit for good measure. Now at least I can be sure that it works as intended (and that it will likely outlast me, given our family history of male longevity).

Exactly! Again and to re-iterate. One has to factor in the servicing and having the vintage looked over properly by a competent tech otherwise you've no guarantee you are hearing the thing at it's right performance level / optimum, also you cant give any proper evaluation.

Cant be said enough, to get the point across, which is to save others unnecessary pain. There's a lot of romance connected with the vintage which can get in the way and block/hinder the all important common sense approach.

[steve-z]

Save yourself some money and get an ATLP5X for under £400, it’s got everything you need, a decent cartridge a VM95E, a built in MM and MC phono stage and it even plays 78s. I have the original ATLP5 and find it to punch well above it’s weight, mine only has a MM stage on it but it sounds great with my Goldring E3.

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/audio-technica-at-lp5x

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[ianlenco]

Nice Ian.

Well it was you Paul that set me on the road to a DD with your lovely Denon. Couldn't find a Denon at a sensible price but I'm more than happy with the Victor.

[Floyddroid]

Sony PS-6750
Hitachi PS-58
Kenwood KD550/650
Pioneer PL-630
Pioneer PL-707
Technics SL-M1/2

and not forgetting the less obvious - Technics SL-10!

+1 for the Sony. I have one in my headphone system it both sounds and looks great. I use it with a Jico A&R P77 though I've had an AT Art 9 bolted to it and it sounded great. Worth a look at and Well within your budget if you can get hold of one.

[HackneyRF]

+1 for the Sony. I have one in my headphone system it both sounds and looks great. I use it with a Jico A&R P77 though I've had an AT Art 9 bolted to it and it sounded great. Worth a look at and Well within your budget if you can get hold of one.

Yes Steve. Those Sony's have been on my list for a while now. They look fab.

[Made in 1968]

Save yourself some money and get an ATLP5X for under £400, it’s got everything you need, a decent cartridge a VM95E, a built in MM and MC phono stage and it even plays 78s. I have the original ATLP5 and find it to punch well above it’s weight, mine only has a MM stage on it but it sounds great
with my Goldring E3.



Great cartridge that 'E3' steve. I was gonna sell the one i just bought but was surprised how nice it sounds, Looks great too. Audio Bargain if you ask me. Replacement Styli can be had for about £50. which i must buy one in for future swap.. Much prefer the 'E3' to the '1042'

[steve-z]

Great cartridge that 'E3' steve. I was gonna sell the one i just bought but was surprised how nice it sounds, Looks great too. Audio Bargain if you ask me. Replacement Styli can be had for about £50. which i must buy one in for future swap.. Much prefer the 'E3' to the '1042'

Yes the E3 certainly is a bargain, over the last 5 or 6 years I’ve had a fair selection of MMs, a couple of 2M Reds, an AT95E and AT95EX, an AT120EB and a Nagaoka MP110, the E3 though is the pick of the bunch although the AT95EX runs it close, the Nag is bland, the 2M Red coarse, the 120EB a little bright but a fabulous tracker, when you consider all but the AT95s are quite a bit dearer than the E3, the Nag almost twice the price. As you say replacement styli at around £50 you can’t go wrong.


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[steve-z]

Its built on an AT 95 Generator.

It manages to produce a bit of extra magic, more than likely due to the totally different body. A change of body can do wonders, back in the late 1980’s I had my ATOC7 MC rebodied by Stilton Audio and it transformed it from very good to top flight, cost me £100, a lot of money back then.


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[hermit]

Kenwood KD-990 would be my choice. Lovely cast alloy chassis and a very decent medium mass arm.

https://i.imgur.com/sACyoTeh.jpg

[HackneyRF]

Kenwood KD-990 would be my choice. Lovely cast alloy chassis and a very decent medium mass arm.

https://i.imgur.com/sACyoTeh.jpg

Yes very nice too Paul.