A couple of the TT's I've owned

[bubba45]

Ariston RD40:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00050_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00049_edited.jpg

Thorens Td165:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00060_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00061_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00062_edited.jpg

Heybrook TT2:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00043_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00073_edited.jpg

My 1st PT1:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00055_edited-1.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00056_edited.jpg

Ariston RD11:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00078_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00080.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/P200810_0953_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/P200810_100401_edited.jpg

My 2nd PT1:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00098.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00090_edited.jpg

TD 160B MKII:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00115_edited.jpg

Systemdek Transcription:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00200_edited.jpg


Technics SL1210 MK5:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00280.jpg

Technics SL1210 MK2:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00283_edited.jpg
A couple of tonearms I've owned:

Syrinx LE1 (full DIY rewire):

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00290.jpg

Jelco / LAD (DIY external cable):

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00315_edited.jpg

Mission 774 Original (DIY external cable):

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00297_edited.jpg

Helius Scorpio MK2:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00130_edited.jpg

Mission 774 SM(J7 rewire):

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/TT2%20and%20774SM%20vol2/DSC00002_edited.jpg

Rega RB250 w/ full DIY rewire & Isokinetik counterweight:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00216_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00222_edited.jpg

Rega RB250 w/ full DIY cardas rewire & RB300 counterweight:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00241_edited.jpg

Alphason Opal full DIY rewire:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00120_edited.jpg

All the turntables apart from the 2 Technics have needed some degree of restoration from plinth repair, rewiring, replacing electronic parts.etc. All bought as spares or repairs and all in perfect working if not cosmetic condition by the time I have finished with them.

[Rare Bird]

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/Pink%20Triangle/DSC00297_edited.jpg



Yum Yum.. one of my fav arms & TT's.

[Spectral Morn]

Hi Jason


Thank you for that :) That was very interesting indeed.


Regards D S D L

[Alex_UK]

Nice - interesting interpretation of "couple" though! :lol: ;)

[bubba45]

Cheers gents
Other TT's I've also owned but have no pictures of:

Systemdek IIX, Ariston RD80SL(X2), Rega Planar 3 (1 with R200 & 1 with RB300), Rega Planar 2 w/ RB250, Revolver Rebel, Luxmn PD264, Technics SL1500 MK1, Garrard 4hf, Thorens TD160, Dual CS5000, Ariston RD50, Ariston RD11e, Pro-Ject Xpression 1, Pro-ject Xperience, Pro-ject Debut, Ariston Q Deck, another Ariston RD40 I bgave to a friend as a present, another Heybrook TT2, 1 stock Linn LP12 / Valhalla '86 model, 1 LP12 with Cirkus bearing / Hercules-Mose / Cetech Subchassis and a surprisingly good vintage Hitachi DD.

Tonearms:
Linn Akito MK1; Linn Ittok LVII (J7 fettled & rewired); Linn Basik LVV, LVX, LVX+; Origin Live Modded RB300

I think the only vintage TT's I'm still really tempted to try are a Logic DM101 or a STD 305. Although a couple of the vintage JVC, Kenwood/Trio, Denon's have aroused my curiosity too.

Armwise I've never owned a unipivot like a NA or a Hadcock but they no longer really tempt me for some reason.

Anyway just thought I'd share. I'll post pics of my current set ups at the weekend.

[Rare Bird]

Please don't make me list the decks/arms i've had :lolsign:

[MCRU]

Nice to see a SERIOUS vinyl forum, some real classics here. I have owned AR EB101 first, various SL1200/1210, Systemdek for a while, Rega P2 and lately P3, CBA and did not have time to up-grade the P3 so getting rid as I bought 5 x Lencos, just got the GL78 back today refurbed and cannot wait to give it a spin, just waiting for a new delrin record weight that I am getting made to arrive to compare against the aluminium one Marco recommended, need to give my Vinyl a serious clean as well. Will post pic of new TT when assembled.

http://i622.photobucket.com/albums/tt309/themainsman/DSC01141.jpg

[DSJR]

And I thought i had it bad :lol:

Some great old vintage decks there and the GL78, auto or not, is a classic once the arm bearings are sorted, the auto trip having no effect on performance and the multi-ribbed mat adding to it IMO :)

The STD was ok, but the sub-chassis was a bit frail as I recall. not sure what one would sound like now tbh. The DM101 was outside its time IMO and I suspect that great things could be done with the design with todays materials, supplies, mats etc..

[Rare Bird]

The DM101 was outside its time IMO and I suspect that great things could be done with the design with todays materials, supplies, mats etc..

The latter 'DM101' were the best British deck at the time imho, buy a manual version if you can.

I once remade but ever so slightly altered plinth for a friend for one..

[MCRU]

Well I have the new Lenco now and the motor is totally silent, just proves how well they were made, need to do a few minor mods and we should be cooking on gas. Need to decide what to do with the other 4 then!!!

[DSJR]

I bought my Dad a Dynatron all-in-one deck/receiver unit with some heybrook HB2 speakers. This Dynatron (wood veneered carcass, sliders for volume etc and presets for FM as well as a manual scale) came with several different turntables throughout its life, but this one had a GL78, to which I fitted an AT95E. Lovely sound and Dad used it for some years until his death. Along with most of my "childhood," it was disposed of.

[bubba45]

Never tried a Lenco and the 4hf was the only Idler I've ever owned. I've never truly been tempted by them.
How did your dad's sound Dave?

These are the ones I have set up and working right now:

Technics SL1210 Mk5/Mission 774SM/DL160 set up on a wall shelf in the lounge:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00325_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00326_edited.jpg

A 2nd 1210 MK2 also set up in the lounge with a Jelco/LAD tonearm/Nagaoka MP20. The TT itself is a spare parts number only being used to run in the LAD tonearm:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00328_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00334_edited.jpg

The LAD looks and sounds right at home on the 1210:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00329_edited.jpg

Shuggie's arm collar is perfect on the LAD:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00332_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00333_edited.jpg

Lounge set up:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00338_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00347_edited.jpg

Bedroom set up:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00343_edited.jpg

Stock 1210 Mk2/Ortofon VMS20e MK2:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00340_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00342_edited.jpg

The Systemdek in the photos isn't set up to work yet. I may sell it anyway.:scratch:

[DSJR]

As you have and know the techies well, you're going to have a hard job bettering them, if at all, with idler or belt driven decks, especially if you take care with isolation, which was their weakness at the time (and still can be to a degree).

The Systemdek was a great turntable for the time and in absolute terms it was far less coloured than an LP12 of the 80's. because we set our systems up around the fruitbox, the Systemdek of the time didn't stand a chance on the UK market and the swimmy suspension was hugely endearing either tbh.

The 4HF and GL78 are rather different animals and it's amazing how far turntable design improved in the 60's and early 70's. These days, a 4HF will only work with a Stanton 500, Shure M44-7, SC35 or similar, tracking at 3 grammes minimum, but what it would sound like today when playing LP's is anyone's guess. I was given one which had spent too long in an uncle's loft and the speed pot crumbled to iron filings as soon as I touched it and this was before being plugged in - long before there was any interest in vintage disc spinners and it ended up in the Garrard graveyard.

The GL78 tonearm loves 2 gramme trackers and my Dad's one sounded lovely with the AT95e and as quiet as a mouse. I've set up and rebuilt countless GL75's and a well fettled and new exit cabled one with Linn K9 (yes, it worked well in the L75 arm) absolutely pished all over a Linn Axis in a side-by-side comparison.

I know you've had loads of turntables through your hands, judging by the pics and my advice to you now is to upgrade the "best" Techie with all the goodies, as this will give you the best sonic achievements I think.

[bubba45]

Hi Dave
I only owned the 4HF in working order with a M44 for a very short time and I only had it out of curiosity. I wasn't impressed and sold it on quickly.
I know that Lenco's have a die hard following but they just never appealed.
As for the Technics I bought my 1st only a few weeks ago after being a confirmed belt-drive suspended deck fan. In terms of sound alone my favourite deck has been or is a Pink Triangle PT1 with a Mission 774 Original but I just cannot stand the fact that they are so unreliable and delicate.
I decided to buy a 1210 after reading so many posts either praising or lambasting them on many different forums, so I wanted to try one and make my mind up for myself. After using them when DJing I was dubious, but boy was I surprised.
As you know they are excellent. The stock arm in no way deserves its reputation and is a great arm for MM carts. But the deck itself is a truly brilliant platform for decent arms like the Mission 774SM or the LAD / Jelco arms.
My plan is to settle for the SP10 I have and just slowly upgrade the arm and plinth as funds allows. Vantage Audio are giving it a service, providing a new PSU and will clean up the chassis / top plate.
Can't wait to get it back to be honest.

[DSJR]

Glad you've settled on a decent deck, but I'd still look out for any used Timestep supplies (the Paul Hynes one won't be on the used market any time soon I suspect ;)). the Achromat will take the sonics nearer to your favourite PT (I know where you are with these, but the Anniversary was better inside I found).

By the way, the stock technics arm only has a bad reputation with the Denon 103 brigade (:ner:). If, as you suggest, you use a suitable cartridge, the standard arm is fine, especially with a Sumiko headshell and a custom counterweight if necessary (Speedy-Steve does custom weights I understand).

Keep us posted :)

[Marco]

Hi Jason,

Superb stuff - just the sort of system we love to see in The Gallery! :cool:

Incidentally, the only people who lambast a well-sorted Techie are those who hate the look of it and the fact that it's Japanese, blinkered flat-earth fanboys with an axe to grind, or some belt-drive T/T selling dealers with an obvious commercial agenda.

Very few people, once they've heard a good one, will lambast it for it's audio performance, as to do so would be to say that you don't like hearing what's actually on your records. In my experience, when suitably modified, it's one of the most sonically neutral T/Ts on the market at any price.

If you want to create your own tailored brand of euphony - look elsewhere!

Smart move on the SP10. Richard at Vantage really knows his stuff, so I'm sure that your SP10 will come back sounding better than ever. What plinth, tonearm and cartridge are you thinking of using on it? :)

Marco.

[bubba45]

Hi Marco
For the foreseeable future the arm will be the LAD / Jelco arm I'm running in on one of my 1210's. It's a NOS arm and just sounds superb.
At the moment the cartridge I'm using is a Nagaoka MP20 which sounds fabulous on the LAD arm/1210 and so should sound just fine on the SP10 too.
The plinth is the one that came with it - plywood core with a real wood veneer.
Its in solid condition but a few minor dinks and blemishes so I've had to do a bit of superficial restoration (re-oiling and re-varnishing) + adapting it so it can take DIY armboards for differing 9" & 10" arms.
Medium term I will most likely go for one of Russ Collisons beautiful plinths but that won't be until the start of next financial year.
I'm looking around at carts but not in a hurry with that either so in the next 6 months or so I'll probably get something thats an upgrade but not sure what yet. i'll start asking or opinions sometime in spring I guess.
Long term for an arm I would like to have an SME 310 but thats a long term ambition - next 2 years maybe.
This is probably the most long term thinking I've had for a TT and I can be patient.
I wasn't actually looking to buy an SP10 when I saw it on eBay but it was in my favourite state for a TT - abused, abandoned and neglected - and it was at a price I could afford. After selling a couple of my other TT's I've been able to get it serviced by VA and will gradually upgrade it from there.
Jason

[MCRU]

Which Mk of SL1210 is the best for modding then if I was to get one? thx

[Marco]

Hi David,

Any of the current models are fine, MK2 or MK5 - there ain't no difference :)

Marco.

[Devilscucumber]

Hi, just wondering if you needed to use a spacer to get the Ortofon VMS 20E to be at the correct height to work on the Technics (I had issues with the lift mechanism not going down far enough to make contact with the record)

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hi David.
Welcome to the Art of Sound. There are plenty of folks here, I'm sure who could be of hlp to you. But in the meantime, perhaps you wouldn't mind nipping over to the Welcome section to introduce yourself to the natives?
Tell us a bit about yourself, your system & your music. Later on, if you feel like it, you can get some photos of your kit into the Gallery!

Welcome once again.
Cheers

[bubba45]

Just a couple of pics to update my gallery since I got my SP10 back from Richard:

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00385_edited.jpg

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt320/bubba45_01/DSC00383_edited.jpg

Sounds great at the moment even though its only a temporary set up in the lounge whilst I get round to redecorating.

[Fulci]

Hi!

What's your thoughts regarding the Jelco/LAD SA-370D vs the Jelco/Mission 774 on the SL-1210?

[YNWaN]

Well the Jelco/Mission is nothing special

[Audio Al]

Hi Jason

Nice selection of deck's :D

Could I ask where you obtained the record cleaning arm and post from ?

trying to find something like this myself :)

[YNWaN]

I think eBay is the only likely place you will get one - the one Michell made is the nicest; I wouldn't use one though.

[Marco]

Very nice, Jason. I bet that sounds fab! :)

Marco.

[Fulci]

But is the 774 better than the original Technics? How different is it from the SA-250ST?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Wow what a great thread, nice to see so many tt and tone arms. It's a nice change to talk about other things rather than 1210s all the time.

[Fulci]

What other things are there in life besides 1210s to talk about?