Vintage turntable Suggestions please

[JerryS]

I haven't been on or visited the forum for a few months as I moved house and then went down a sonos multi room route and sold most of my separates.

That has all changed as I sold all the Sonos gear and am now looking to put together a couple of systems again using used gear.

I didn't sell my vinyl or CD's thankfully!

I have just bought a pair of Castle Richmond speakers (not arrived yet!) and an A&R Cambridge amp (just arrived) and am looking for a turntable to go with them in a listening room.

I also recently bought a Cambridge 340se amp and some KEF 902 speakers for a TV/Film room with a google chromecast and a projector and screen. For netflix etc.

I am working to a budget of a few hundred pounds as I won't be working until the new year and would welcome any ideas or suggestions please.

I have been looking on ebay at used turntables but am not familiar with many of them so don't want to gamble on something without advice.

Thank you

[Ali Tait]

Garrard 401 would be a good choice imo.

[Lurch]

An Ariston RD80 or RD80SL would fit the bill, they rugularly come up on fleabay for £200 - £300 and are very good with great SQ. In the same vein there is the Systemdeck 900/900iix.
If your just looking for a very good but cheap deck then a Pioneer PL12D takes a lot of beating in the £100 - £150 range, far better than a Rega, P2/Revolver or lower end Pro-Ject.
Cartridge wise (if one not already fitted) look at the Goldring E3 or AT VM95 range

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[JerryS]

This is just the info I wanted.
Thanks both.
I know the Gerrard 401 as I had a 301 a few years ago.
The Arsitons and Systemdek I hadn't heard of so will check those out.
The Pioneer PL12D takes me back to my youth as my parents had one of those.

[guy]

Thirty odd years ago I listened to quite a few turntables; if I hadn't bought an LP12 I would have bought one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SYSTEMDEK-IIX-900-2-Speed-Belt-Drive-Suspended-Turntable-In-Black-Finish/324408141672?hash=item4b883b6768:g:zoEAAOSwV~lfzkZ C

There are some others with "buy it now", but I wouldn't go for the one with the Akito (I have heard that they are not too reliable)

[camtwister]

If you want direct drive, and what right-minded person would not, then you'll find a Trio/Kenwood KD-3070 for less than £200. Spend the remainder of your budget on an AT cartridge and you'll be rockin' until you can stretch to the 401.

[Blackdog]

I have to disagree on the Garrard. Every one I've seen has either needed an inordinate amount work, or was priced well out of budget.
I've seen some beautiful examples, and your budget wouldn't come close, and I've worked on a few that needed some serious TLC and the work alone wouldn't be covered by your budget.
The Ariston, or Systemdek tables mentioned would be good choices. You might also be able to score a Linn Axis in your price range.

[JerryS]

Thank you for the further suggestions everyone.

Much appreciated.

I have no idea about going direct drive or belt drive at the moment and will investigate all the options.

I am now watching a few systemdeks online.

Collecting the turntable may be an issue as i am not sure they would post well.

[shane]

Time for my usual TT2 plug!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154243126944

Not sure if the acrylic arm board on this one brings anything to the party, although a few people have tried it and liked it. Looks pretty enough. You’ll need an arm with Rega geometry to go with it.

[Jac Hawk]

I'm a bit biased but you can't look much further than a Rega, simple bomb proof deck with great SQ

[graham67]

Having owned one for many years, I agree a 401 project will cost a lot more than the budget. The end result is worthwhile but a sorted Garrard is not a trivial undertaking.
The big choice will be direct drive or belt. Having owned belt decks such as Dual 510, Pioneer PL12D, Thorens 166, I would instead recommend a direct drive Technics. I have just finished restoring a Technics SL-1300 and it sounds lovely. There are other similar models (1600/1700/1800) from this period with manual, semi auto and full auto operation.
I haven't worked on the later range but the Mk1 1300/1400/1500 are very well built, though the main PCB is likely to need recapping if they are original.
And of course there is the old favourite 1200/1210 which still appear now and again for reasonable money on forums such as this.

[JerryS]

Thanks for the continued ideas and suggestions.

I think i need to research the difference between direct drive and belt drive.

Over the years i have had many rega decks and would fancy something different and the only different deck i had was a Garrard 301 with a lovely SME arm which was rebuilt for me by Hayden Boardman many years ago and ran through a leak stereo 20 which he also rebuilt.

I don’t why, many of us do it, but i got an offer for both and sold them. Wish i hadn’t but hey.

I will look at the TT as i have never heard of it before.

Keep the ideas coming please and if anyone has anything they want to move on let me know.


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[Nickfna]

If you can find one a Toshiba SR-370 would be my shout, and should be well within budget.

[jostber]

I bought the Technics SL-7 linear tracking TT this summer for a second room setup. This works beautifully for me with a new cartridge as the only upgrade needed.

[shahsy]

I can recommend a Garrard 401 and/or a Technics SP10 but most of all just get a record deck and enjoy your vinyl!

Get back in to the music that you have bought and play with sonics after!

[JerryS]

Speaking to my brother yesterday evening about turntables we had in the house when we were younger and he recalled a Rotel with a strobe and a wooden plinth?
I think looking on Ebay that was a Rotel DC1500 and he agrees. What are/were they like?.
The most commonly available within budget turntable on the various sites at the moment seems to be a Pioneer PL12 so I am currently watching a few of those.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far and yes Syed the main thing is to get playing the vinyl.

[JerryS]

Speaking to my brother yesterday evening about turntables we had in the house when we were younger and he recalled a Rotel with a strobe and a wooden plinth?
I think looking on Ebay that was a Rotel DC1500 and he agrees. What are/were they like?.
The most commonly available within budget turntable on the various sites at the moment seems to be a Pioneer PL12 so I am currently watching a few of those.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far and yes Syed the main thing is to get playing the vinyl.

[bob4333]

Careful of the Linn Axis.

Great when they're new and working - they really are. Speed control on the PCB starts to go as they age and I didn't find too many interested in providing a fix. Linn certainly weren't.

[hifi_dave]

Careful of the Linn Axis.

Great when they're new and working - they really are. Speed control on the PCB starts to go as they age and I didn't find too many interested in providing a fix. Linn certainly weren't.
Sold a couple of those back in the day but the Rega Planar-3 of the time was considerably better when demonstrating. The Axis also had a tendency to run backwards.

[hifi_dave]

Speaking to my brother yesterday evening about turntables we had in the house when we were younger and he recalled a Rotel with a strobe and a wooden plinth?
I think looking on Ebay that was a Rotel DC1500 and he agrees. What are/were they like?.
The most commonly available within budget turntable on the various sites at the moment seems to be a Pioneer PL12 so I am currently watching a few of those.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far and yes Syed the main thing is to get playing the vinyl.
The Rotel 1500 was pretty naff.

The Pioneer PL12D was OK as a rock bottom priced turntable. Are you able to afford a vintage Rega ?

[JerryS]

I can afford a vintage Rega but fancy something different as I have had a few Rega's over the years from versions 1 to 3. I will keep looking on the bay.
Thanks for the further suggestions.

[hifi_dave]

If it ain't broke etc.

[peterdh]

I have a Linn Axis with Basik Plus arm and Denon DL110 which I would sell for £400. Owned since new. In good condition - doesn't (and never has gone backwards!). Audi Origami oil in the bearing. New hinges. In Manchester and could meet part way?