Classic Turntables

[MylesBAstor]

Not going to find many arguments here about the old classic turntable designs.

Here we go with something I know near and dear to David's heart!

Not only has then been a renaissance in vinyl but in the restoration and reappreciation of classic turntable designs like Technics, Garrard, EMT, Lenco, Micro Seiki etc. Belt, idler and direct drive all have their proponents and now these table come in beautifully designed packages. People like Steve Dobbins in the US got audiophiles talking with his The Beat rework of the Technics table while some people in Italy are making beautiful Garrard tables.(see this link for more on some of these restored classic tables: http://www.theanalogdept.com/stefano_bertoncello.htm) And if you've heard them, there is clearly some magic in those tables!

What old tables float your boat?

[JackD201]

Micro-Seikis always floated my boat. Look where that got me. LOL. Other than M-S I would have to say EMTs. The looks alone are so Studer like. That I am using an EMT phonostage is proof

A neighbor just scored a friggin NIB Nakamichi self-centering table. I should visit him soon. That's a rare bird right there. No shortage of classic tables here. Another neighbor literally a par 4 away has got a bunch of Garrards, a TD124 and a Goldmund Studio. While nice, none really float my boat too much. I think I'm one of the few that prefer a TD124 to a 301. A buddy has a Thorens Ref but it isn't operational. Sad that.

[MylesBAstor]

Some mighty purty pictures of Chris' Artisan tables!

[Johnny Vinyl]

I liked the look of those Pioneer Exclusive TT's as well. I have no experience with them though....how were they?

[MylesBAstor]

[MylesBAstor]

I liked the look of those Pioneer Exclusive TT's as well. I have no experience with them though....how were they?

Good question, I have no experience with them. But know some love them. Too bad Shane isn't here because he swears by his Pioneer.

[Ki Choi]

We need to add Thorens TD-124s and Lenco as well. I'll see about digging out a TD-124. I only have four all resting in the garage...

[mep]

The old table that floats my boat is my Technics SP-10 MKII. It's hard to find one that doesn't look like it was used for third base, but they might still be one of the best buys and best sounding tables if you can find one in good condition and get a decent plinth made for it.

[1morerecord2clean]

Myles those artisan Fidelity tables are flat out mouthwatering to the eye.

[MylesBAstor]

Myles those artisan Fidelity tables are flat out mouthwatering to the eye.

Yeah they are even better looking in person! Work of art!

Love the look of the Ikeda arm too! Wish when I was reviewing the 9TT, could have also mounted the Ikeda arm on my table to hear the combo. That should be addressed in the near future.

[mep]

Myles those artisan Fidelity tables are flat out mouthwatering to the eye.

[Ki Choi]

The old table that floats my boat is my Technics SP-10 MKII. It's hard to find one that doesn't look like it was used for third base, but they might still be one of the best buys and best sounding tables if you can find one in good condition and get a decent plinth made for it.

Although I am partial to SP-10Mk3s, I've seen and heard Pass Labs' SP-10MkII in their custom plinth in shows and it was an impressive setup. I ask Jam who's at Pass Labs for their source for the plinth but the person who had them made retired...or moved on.

[MylesBAstor]

Although I am partial to SP-10Mk3s, I've seen and heard Pass Labs' SP-10MkII in their custom plinth in shows and it was an impressive setup. I ask Jam who's at Pass Labs for their source for the plinth but the person who had them made retired...or moved on.

I have a picture somewhere of the PASS table, Micro Seiki 505 arm and power supply but IIRC the plinth looked like the picture above with Triplanar arm.

[mep]

Although I am partial to SP-10Mk3s, I've seen and heard Pass Labs' SP-10MkII in their custom plinth in shows and it was an impressive setup. I ask Jam who's at Pass Labs for their source for the plinth but the person who had them made retired...or moved on.

I would be partial to a MKIII as well if I could find one I could afford. In the meantime, MKII tables remain somewhat plentiful and a bargain while MKIIIs are as rare as an honest man at a pickpocket convention.

[Ki Choi]

I have a picture somewhere of the PASS table, Micro Seiki 505 arm and power supply but IIRC the plinth looked like the picture above with Triplanar arm.

I too have the photos of the Pass Labs SP-10Mk2 in my old iPhone with dead battery and corroded connector...keeping me from extracting the pictures and videos.