DD turntable recommendations?

[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:



Then had a bit of fun replinthing it.



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.