![Quote](/images/misc/q.gif)
Originally Posted by
spendorman
Yes, I have a 1019, at first look, one might think of SP25's, but the 1019 is of super quality. It is a very quiet idler drive, in my view quieter that 301, 401 and Thorens TD124 II (which I still have).
My 1019 came with a B&O cartridge, is great.
Shhh, they'll all want one...
The last Garrard to have anywhere near this level of high quakity engineering IMO was the Lab 80. I've one coming next week and it will be interesting to see just how good (or bad) it really is. Forget my ravings about the AT6/60 etc - I'm quite well aware of their noise and crudeness (although they're still huge fun
). I'm hoping the Lab 80 will be fairly quiet and well behaved arm-wise.
The 1019 (don't know the lesser 10** series) is a stunner. Still a touch of "idler whine" in the background, but as long as the stylus isn't a fine-line type requiring absolute precision in VTA, the arm is pretty rigid (think Ittok here) and with excellent bearings and auto-trip. A Linn K9 was quite at home for example, so an AT130E should also be, as they're related in most characteristics (I believe the K9 had a "Vital" tip though). It's the slickness of the controls I love so much about it - the 12** series didn't quite have this I felt, although they never put a foot wrong.
I love those old B&O cartridges as well and have an SP6 awaiting new stylus, an SP14 and a new old SP12, which is a bit microphonic in the 701 but wonderful in the Beogram 3000 I have, which is its natural home. Just a touch sucked-out in the lower treble, that's all. I have two MMC20CL's as well, one with a channel down, but they're a bit too "distant" sounding in our cool rooms to really rock, although tracking/tracing is perfect.
Shane, if you're still reading this, PLEASE bear in mind that any old deck will need some TLC (Lencos especially) and the Dual 12** series have issues with their "steurpimpel" (ooh err missus
), which can easily be sorted with some care and a short length of ball-point refill....
Tear down these walls; Cut the ties that held me
Crying out at the top of my voice; Tell me now if you can hear me