Skylabs Vintage Turntable Tier Ranking
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- čas přidán 11. 03. 2023
- Another tier list, this time for vintage turntables. Let us know what you think in the comments! Better yet, make your own and post a screenshot of your results on our FaceBook page. Here is the link: / skylabsiowa
Link to the tier list- tiermaker.com/create/skylabs-...
#vintageaudio #vintageturntables #vinylcommunity - Věda a technologie
Appreciate those pointing out that Soundsmith is making replacement cartridges for B&O turntables. To say, I learn something new everyday about vintage electronics, would be a gross understatement. Thanks for watching everyone! Kevin
Peter Ledermann of SoundSmith besides being a great guy makes a lot more than B&O cartridges (although he DOES make better than original B&O cartridges that are perfection) and his Fixed Coil, Moving Iron builds and now cactus spine cantilevers are astounding. And if you have about $13 grand for one of his "Strain Gauge" systems - yum.
B&0 should be number one ☝️ nothing sounds better than moving iron. I agree with SoundSmith. I own smmc1 and it’s stunning. ❤
Yes, Number one and recently own a mmc1 on my original Beogram 3000 and sounds amazing@@jeffmerklinger9067
Brooo!!! how tf did you do a TT tier w/o even mentioning Audio Technica.!? …And putting Seiki Micro BELOW Garrard.??
Okay, yeah Garrard changed the game a little bit , but they also had some mass-produced trash as well. This list was definitely not quite as informed as the receiver tier list was. And i am not half as knowledgeable as you are , Kevin, but to overlook Audio Technica in the TT discussion? C’mon bruh.
Edit: i didn’t include this in my OP because i’m on an iphone and i cant edit accordingly. Regardless i have to apologize for not realizing this discussion was for VINTAGE TT’s. So, egg on my face. Ha ha. Proceed Kevin and ignore my ignorance.
I like these lists because it allows you to see some turntables you have never seen, or heard of before!
My Sony PS-X75 with the biotracer tonearm is about 43 years old and still works like new. I had it recapped and completely serviced and adjusted about 5 years ago by an electronics engineer who specialized in them. Fantastic build quality and sound quality.
Awesome! Really fun way to wind down on a Sunday evening and remember gear that I hadn’t even thought about in 40 years!
That Mitsubishi was Wild! The Garrards look Awesome! Your logo on them looks waaaay cool!
Interesting video. Wouldn’t argue with most with the exception of Rega. They make some fantastic turntables and fully deserve to be in tier 1. Just my opinion.
I would put Rega at tier 1. Not everyone will be happy with a suspension-less TT--and a lightweight one especially--but if you have a stable environment Rega is great--and their tonearms are world-class. I replaced my Rega in the early 80's with a Micro Seiki BL-51--a much heavier 'brick' TT that served me well until I got rid of them all (including 2 AR-XAs) 10 years ago. BIG mistake!
Dual needs to be demoted one tier--as does BIC.
It may have not been high end, but I got my first "good" stereo system for Christmas in about 1978. It was the featured system on the back of the JC Penny catalog. MCS recovery (15 WPC), speakers, cassette deck and turntable. It was my entry point and I absolutely loved it.
Great list. I found it very interesting to hear your experience with repairing many of the brands. Gives me something more to consider when I'm shopping vintage TT's. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
BIC stood for British Industries Corp. when they distributed Garrard in U.S. When they lost or surrendered the line they then made their own tables in U.S. and company name changed to BIC but letters then stood for nothing. Elac was name of Miracord's U.S. distributor. @@skylabsaudio
This was fun! I was happy to see two of my turntables made #1 my Dual 1226 and technics SL-B92 although entry levels the technics has been with me since high school (‘85).
My Pioneer PL 560 fully automatic family heirloom from 1985 as well works like a charm did ok at #3
And to my surprise my pride and joy vintage Luxman PD264 ended at #3😱🤣
I expected it at least at #2 but I respect when you say you haven’t worked or experienced many Luxman turntables!
Let me please brag that with direct drive brushless servo motor and an Ortofon blue there’s complete silence when the needle touches the record!
Auto lift is completely silent as well ! It’s an amazing machine!
Overall I really enjoyed this turntable ranking video, what a fun way to end my day...thank you so much!
Absolutely love Dual turntables. They are cheap here in europe, built to last forever, incredible quality and precision. Golden age of german engineering. I have now six of them, all idler drives, over 50 year old, all original parts. W&F 0.08 at worst, 0,01 best. Looking to get a 701 direct drive next.
I also love Dual turntables. I currently have 4. Also looking out for a reasonably priced 701
Saved up to buy my first turntable in my late teens, 1972, a Garrard Zero-100 with walnut base. Loved that machine. Currently using an eighties vintage Micro Seiki semi-automatic. Happy using that one.
Highly anticipated video!
I have a Garrard GT-55 that I bought in the mid 70s that I still have in operation today. Back then, they compared well with Dual. The unique feature that appealed to me was that it had what they called a true tangent tracking tone arm. It allowed the cartridge head to pivot and stay parallel to the groove of the record as it moved across the record. It didn't seem stoutly constructed, but about 20 years later I received a letter from Garrard extending my warranty. Although I don't listen to vinyl a whole lot, I still have this turntable in operation in my system almost 50 years later.
I really enjoyed this video. When I worked for Franklin Music, we carried Dual, JVC, and BIC. We sold Pioneer, but only would order a table -- did not stock, which I always thought was weird. Wanted a Dual, but could afford a JVC. Have been happy with it. Still have it. Been through a couple of cartridges over the years. BTW: I did snag a Pioneer 780 from a guy in Florence, SC. Awaiting its arrival on Thursday. I will plan to bring it with me this Summer. We'll see what you have as far as tables go, when we visit as well. Once again, did enjoy the list. Garrard and Technics are both legendary.
I'm pleased to see Sansui rated as high as it was. I've had my FR-5080 since 1977 and its been fantastic. It currently sports a Sumiko Moonstone cartridge that really sings.
Lots of fun. Thanks. I regret letting go of my JVC VL-5 table, purchased in 1974. Excellent build quality with a unique cueing mechanism. I replaced it with a Dual 506-1 that I still have, and swap in to use every so often, installed with a Micro-Acoustics 3002 cartridge.
Your assessment comes very close to the going rate these tables command.
Additionally, your disclaimer is helpful as audiophiles on occasion become animated.
Was definitely a fun video to watch.
BTW: I'm running a Dual 1219 with V15 III cartridge and aftermarket dust cover.
Thanks so much.
great match up, I love my V15 III
Love Dual. Dad bought one in 1971 and I bought one used in 1980. Both still working today. I did have Bill service them in the last 12 years. I now own 10 Duals and all serviced.
Very entertaining, thank you! I love Duals, Thorens and h/k tables. In main use at the moment are the Dual CS 7000, the Thorens 318 Mk III, and the h/k T-60. Ortofon or Shure V15 Type V XMR cartridges. Analog is sweet.!
That was fun, thanks for the Gerrard repair lead.
Number one is my modified Goldring Lenco GL75 with Syrinx PU3 arm, I also have a Denon DP55K with Grace 707 arm looks good and sounds good. A bugger to work on with too much electronics in the control section. I think Rega might have deserved a no: 1 spot for everything above the model 3. Otherwise a good list.thx for the list and video.
First of all, you look great without a hat! Yes, Dual makes great turntables!
I would move the luxman to number two. I’ve used one for thirty years - beautiful to use and look at.
BIC has a great logo!
Thanks for the good talk on vintage tables.
Luxman before Marantz for me. Really nice styling with Micro Seiki engineering is a killer combination.
I have had a Dual 1009SK, an AR-XA, and currently a Thorens TD-125 with a Rabco SL-8E linier tracking arm.
I own a Woodsong Audio plinth and had Chris rebuild my 301. Was able to meet him as well. Very highly recommend his craftsmanship truly world class.
Agree
Just before I moved I sold a B&O Beogram RX-2 turntable and a Nakamichi TA-3A Receiver to a tinkerer who was really excited to get them for a just-about-to-move price. I was equally relieved to not have to find someone to work on them. It was a good day.
BTW: You can purchase a full replacement cartridge from Soundsmith, but they get very expensive very fast.
Thanks for the review on turntables- I've been looking into getting one since I lost my Technics SL-1300 back in a flood in Rockaway, Queens NYC., in December, 1992. I had owned it for a number of years, and loved it. A friend later gave me a Quanta 400(?) Belt driven, OK, BUT picks up vibration. Do you know anything of these Quanta's, and what should I expect to pay for an SL-1300 in good working condition? Thanks, and very good quick video overview on more brands than I new made turntables!
Entertaining video, keep up the good work. I managed an upper mid-fi to almost the brink of insanity high end audio store for 27 years, just a couple of thoughts on turntables. Yamaha made two of the greatest fully automatic direct drive linear tracking turntables of all time, the PX 2 and the PX 3 could not keep them in stock. Revox also had a great linear tracking direct drive turntable with a fully floating suspension. I do not think any list that includes Linn is not complete without VPI and SOTA, they were far easier to set up correctly and required far less tweaking than the Linn.
After military service and broke in 1975, my first "component" turntable purchase was a budget model BIC-920. Pre mounted with Shure M70 pickup. It packed way more value than the $60 that I paid for it. Only familiar with twenty five of your brands listed here. I've used a Pioneer PL-518 since purchase in 1979 and find it satisfactory. Ain't no need to change it. Swell video.
I have had more than 75 turntables in the last 6 years. Many Pioneers. With the exception of one, they have all worked well with little to repair. My favorite is the PL-707. Super quiet. Their biggest weakness are the feet. Yamaha turntables are also quite reliable. I agree with the issue of the hinges. Several Sony turntables use the same hinges. I love Technics turntable, but I have a SL-1600 MKII and two SL-1400 MKII sidelined due to over engineering (The MK I turntables seem more bullet proof.). Same for a Sansui XR-Q9. The Duals have great quality of materials, but are very finicky. I have three that are forever just short of fully functional. I agree with your comments on the Philips. You always need to replace the power button. They look great with old H/K receivers! JVC turntables sound and look great, but some plastic parts are their downfall. All my Kenwood turntables have gremlins. Marantz is overrated. No better than the other Japanese turntables. My AR XB is just super cool and simple. Thank you for your channel!
I have a Yamaha YP-D8 that I purchased in 1981 and it's still going great . I believe it's tonearm was made by Micro Seiki. Looking at other forums it seems to get great reviews.
The YP-D8 is very nice and Micro Seiki helped with the GT2000, so probably that one too. MS also helped with the high end Kenwoods.
Micro Seiki made many of the other Japanese brands turntables. It's why they are good.The High end models of Yamaha, Luxman and Micro Seiki should be at the top of the list. 😉
Nice list, was a fun watch. Any thoughts on Lenco decks? I know there is a popular community around those in the used market.
Also, I hope you get to see some Lux and Yamaha (GT-2000 types, for example). Some of the better vintage Japanese TTs made, although the current ones seem to be priced a bit ... funny.
I had every turntable in Tier1 starting with Dual 1215 then Dual 1218 then Technics then Empire then Sony 2251 LA with an SME Arm and finally LinnSondek with SME and Vestigal Arm.
Far and away my favorite table was the
SONY 2251. I believe the only ac direct drive ever. It was very stable and extremely well made.
Fun list! I would probably bump up Micro Seiki and Yamaha due to their high end models from the late 70's and 80's though. The Yamaha PX and GT series were top of the line and outstanding. The PF series were very nice as well.
Agreed. Look at the Pioneer Exclusive P3. Lauded as being one of the best of all time too.
Love my elac mines from the 60's and it's a tank and sounds amazing
I agree with your tier, I own several models of Dual and a Kenwood as well as a Yamaha linear-tracking table. All of them have been great turntables without any mechanical issues.
I have a Thorens TD 203. It's currently at a repair shop here in my area. It needs a tone are center that goes onto the needle pivot at the tonearm base. We are having trouble finding the part. I was wondering if you have any suggestions on where to find the part. Even if it meaning to buy a complete tone for the turntable.. Thanks and love the channel!
By watching this, I discovered the first TT we owned, was a C 1960± Garrard 301. Haven't thought about it in years. Until I gave it away to a friend in the late 1980s it had always been in the house. I remember it had a strange smell which come to think of it was grease-like. So it may have been a grease bearing model. I wonder if it is still around today.
Nice run down. Proud to say I own 2 from the #1 list, a Dual 1219 & a Thoren's TD-160 and 1 from the #2 list, a Sansui SR-838 which is my favorite & main TT.
And with many of the tables (Rega for example) the tonearm and cartridge is an addition with custom options making a huge difference.
Yay! My Marantz 6300 got a mention. Do you have spares for them? The lifter mechanism is faulty.
I never had many turntables but now have a mix of vintage entry-level level and mid-level turntables all with decent cartridges . I found an Italian made Panta on the side of the road with a decent dust cover no cracks . It never got wet from the elements and the cartridge and turntable works fine. I bought a 1960s dual for ten bucks a few years back and works . I have Sansui , Denon Sony had Rotel and another Dual .
Good list, but count me among those looking for more love for Denon TTs. I had a direct drive model (SL-7D) back in the 70s and 80s that I loved. Great sound, good looks. Could give them some extra credit for making some excellent cartridges as well.
Great job. IMO, Rega should be a #1. I own at least one of every table I the #1 spot. Of my setups, my modded Rega P3 beats out all my other tables. Fun list, love the channel, thanks for putting it out there.
Completely agree. Rega is tier 1.
I'm using a disc jockey type Made by Stanton with a Stanton cartridge , works for me.Did they ever make consumer ones?
March madness 🤣 Excellent vid!
Well I've had AR, Garrard and Dual. But I'm getting ready to buy a new one and I'm considering a brand not on your list: TEAC. The TN-5BB may be a bit more complex than necessary, but it has the features I want. Also maybe a phono pre-amp, either the TEAC PE-505 or the Pro-Ject DS3B. That was a fun video.
Any info on free standing super tweeters? The kind you can sit on top of your exciting speaker cabinet
MCS was a brand exclusively sold through JCPennys in the 80's and probably the 90's too. Definitely wasn't expecting them to place any higher... that being said they were decent sounding for what they were. Nice to see we're eye to eye on Thorens.
Ah, so THAT'S where that's from! I'd never heard of them before! There might be a pretty big difference between North America, Europe and Asia here...
@@erwindewit4073 yeah forgot to add that they had either Hitachi or Technics guts.
Yes I remember the MCS brand at JCPenney, they were very inexpensive.. I bought an MCS 8-track player for my home HiFi system.. and it became problematic after...
@@airsickgrove Well, that should help a lot! I've never come across a bad Technics. I used to have a 3310 that by parents bought in probably the late 70s. It died after 33 years of intensive service. And knowing what I know now, it could have probably be repaired. But I didn't know, and threw it away.. Still, that was at best a reasonably priced player...
I learn something everytime I watch
Great video
Very happy with my Technics SL-1200 with some tasteful KAB massaging. I still have the Technics SL-j2 linear tracker I bought new in the early 80s. Still have the Stanton cartridge, too.
Really can't go wrong with a working Technics. I am curious as to what you are doing about replacement stylus for the Stanton. My 680 EL II is just about done. That is the next best sounding one and seems to be the only one close to the Steriohedron . I was thinking of giving one of those DJ stylus from KAB a try. I prefere the 4 x 7 ellipticals to the 2 x 7 .
@@stevengagnon4777 I still have one NIB stylus, and I believe Vivid Line (possibly another company in Japan) is making replacements. Ebay was an option a few years ago. Remember, Pickering and Stanton were sister companies and Pickering styli will fit Stanton carts. I listen to the SL-1200 with an AT-440MLB as my daily driver. 4 turntables, all Technics, but only one in service.
Would have loved to have seen Lenco in the mix. Probably should be a tier 2 or maybe 3. Very nice manual idler driven machines. There are the ones with heavy platters and some more entry level ones with lighter platters that still have quite some heft to them. The heavy platter ones are frequently lauded for being great, but also the light platters are great. Unfortunately the arms are not great on the light platters, and the do suffer from the knife pivots dying with age. I fixed one by making my own Teflon bearings and it worked great, but it did suffer from being extremely tricky to adjust (and that had nothing to do with the modifications/replacements). I always loved how it had extremely low rumble despite the idler design.
Glad to see that my only vintage turntable Dual is in tier #1 :)
Still have a Dual 1209 from 1967. Keep it as a backup. Always liked the Dual line from Germany.
Definitely gonna be a fun one
Interesting I have two in your #1 category: Dual and Thorens, yet the one I use the most is a Pioneer PL560, which is in the third group. Back in the late 1970s, I had a Technics table with an Ortofon cartridge. I miss that turntable!
I had the vertical Mitsubishi you mentioned. It is an LT5V (Linear Tracking-Vertical), I equipped it with an Empire 600LAC cartridge and it was very good in my opinion. A few years ago, I went looking for a stylus and all I got was a blank stare when I mentioned the Empire 600. Times change, I guess.
I drove down to West Des Moines with my Dual 1229 about 4 years ago and hung out at the Fix My Dual shop while Bill fixed it. Drove back the same day. REALLY glad Bill's still around and that you mentioned him. Ask him what he thinks about Rega Turntables if you visit. 😮
The spare turntable behind my Dual is an Onkyo R-1 that my mom had bought for her cheap stereo. The dust cover looks like crap but the turntable and all it's bells and whistles are working fine. I bought a couple extra removable housings so I can try a variety of cartridges.
Agree on B & O. Rube Goldberg machines. Great when they work but if taken apart, they don't easily go back together.
I have a Sansui SR-2050c. Bought it in Thailand in 1970. Still have it. Still works perfectly. On its third belt. It will be in my will.
Not sure where this would fit on the list but i have a couple Toshiba's. One full and the other not. I love them and they both sound great!
I see you didn't rate Yamaha very high because of their hinges. I purchased my YP-D10 back in 1979 and got the Micro Acoustics 2002e cartridge for and it's still in mint condition. The YP-D10 was their top of the line turntable, and it's as beautiful and modern today as it was in 1979 and I paid just under $500 at that time. What's your opinion on the YP-D10? Thanks!
I have a Garrard DD75 which is a nice turntable. No where near a 301 or a 401, but still better than some other Garrard's I stumble across. I also have a Kenwood KD-2055. I really want to find a Pioneer PL-516 or a 518. I had the 516 growing up but threw it away many years ago because of speed issues. What was I thinking?
My first turntable was a semi-automatic, belt drive Sansui, from the early 1970s, whose model number I can't recall. It was simple, looked good, sounded good with a Stanton 681EEE cartridge and never gave me a problem. I traded-up to a Harman-Kardon Rabco ST-7, which was quite finicky but to H-K's credit they included a comprehensive service manual that allowed me to keep it in good service until the transverse travel wheel started to disintegrate. They're both remembered fondly and I'd also place them in the 2nd tier.
A few years back I almost bought a first generation Oracle. Unfortunately, I couldn't justify the expense at the time and later regretted not buying it. I'd buy an irreparable Oracle if the price was decent, just so I could sit and admire its design. I've always considered Oracle to be the brand that kickstarted the the wave of esoteric turntables. Based on their historical significance and reputation, I'd place them in the top tier, even though I have no first hand experience with an Oracle..
Good review overall. Interesting.
I have a Garrard Type A Laboratory and a BIC 920 and a Sanyo TP-1020. What is your opinion of the Type A and the TP-1020? Love your videos.
Sanyo TP-1010UM here, build date around 1978.
Replaced the belt, it works flawlessly, can’t complain for a 45 year old machine.
Hey, and I wonder why there is no Rotel TT,any comments on them? where they go in this table?
YES! Both of mine ended up on top LOL. Garrard 401 and Linn LP12.
In the early 80's, I bought a Technics straight line tracking. Maybe SL 3. Something like that. Think I paid about $5 or 600. Ever experience it? Worked really great. Had to use a special kind of cartridge; integrated plug in head shell.
Happy to see Empire in the top list. I've had an Empire Troubadour II since roughly 1974. With a Shure V15Type III, I could track at 3/4 of a gram as long as the record didn't have any crazy warps. Otherwise, I ran it at 7/8 of a gram. Tracked really well. Still have it but it needs a little work to get the Hydraulic lift to work again.😅
Been running a 1967 Dual 1019 for many years, inherited from Dad. Can't see myself replacing it anytime soon.
I have a Bang and Olufsen Model 3000 turntable with the original cartridge that is in fine condition. I must confess, I bought this thing because I thought it was the most beautiful turntable ever built. When I bought it, it had broken hinges on the dust cover. I found a replacement. The table will not spin when you press the button. Does this table have an internal fuse or do the motors go bad? I just discovered your videos and really enjoy your work. I never had much money to afford quality vintage stereo equipment but I did pop for this B & O and a pair of Klipsch Heresy speakers. You mentioned in the video that these things are difficult to repair. I understand that but I would rather fix this table rather than throw it away.
I just took my acoustic research out of the box this week. I plan to use it again with my AR16 speakers. All were purchased new in the 70's. My wife doesn't like the walnut finish and she wants me to change the speakers black.
Just thought I would add not sure it's already been stated but Micro Seiki designed the yp series for Yamaha according to what I've read. And I'm pretty sure you pointed out that realistic lab series TT were the same as the marantz 6300 series. Just my thoughts great list!!!
Of course I had to watch this since I'm the proud owner of a Thornes TD-125 MKII that I've re-built (over the last three years). All new electronics , including updated Op-amps, transistors and ALL capacitors, new suspension, new belt and spindle washer and recently a new "Panzerholz" arm-board. Tonearm is an original (so is the plinth and the motor) SME 3009 series II w/ removable head-shell. I had a Pioneer PL55D in college and a "Dual 1219" was my first hi-fi turntable table. My only gripe with a legacy Thornes table is that you need to clean and re-lube it about twice a year...using a various mix of lubricants, on the other hand just about every part is available and/or up-gradable.
Nice! I've been looking at a (fully restored version by Hanze Hifi in the Netherlands) Thorens TD-125 as well! With an upgraded arm though.. But there was something wrong with it, so I upgraded (well, I guess) to a TD-124. Never looked back! They are great, those Thorens players!
I've always wanted to know what lamp that is in the background
Promise I'm not taking this too seriously. For the UK, Swiss engineering, number one on my tier list, a major quality and readily available vintage turntable, is the Lenco L75. Much modified and loved. I guess Lenco didn't make it across the pond?
Great list, thanks for the post. Denon is tough for me, too. If only they performed as good as they look! Technics has the opposite problem---they all have that sterile, industrial design to the point that just by looking you can't tell their top of the line models from their entry level, but they perform like a champ. Tough to have everything.
That’s a really good point with the techniques. I’m a big fan of techniques turntable’s, but you brought up a really good point. You can’t tell the 1200 from an SL 3300 for example. Yeah that’s a great point. But damn, I do love my Techniques turntable’s. not to mention most radio stations did use Techniques at least in the 80s and 90s for professional commercial use.
I would have moved Pioneer and Yamaha up. They both have some really good models that could rival the top list tables.
Another brand I didn't see was Lenco. They made some decent tables.
Love the look of the Marantz. My favorite
Think I missed that one. Best Turntable I ever had was a 1979 Kenwood with a synthetic base and commercial foot pads/feet. Can't remember the model bit it retailed for $325.00 and I installed a Sure cartridge - retail $169.00 I had ESS 3B Studio Monitor Towers with a shipping weight of 103 lbs ea. If course the Hiel Air Motion Transformer and two 12 inch woofers - one active and one passive and they were flat down to 30 HZ. With appropriate music they would literally shake one's insides, pot a 6 foot crack in a picture window and move a solid Oak coffee table across the living room carper visually. Zero record rumble ever. I would love to have this again. 🤣 First I should check the current prices via the Bank of Canada's inflation calculator 😱🤣 Egad - $1,994. I think not
Thank you!
I'm so glad you put Technics at the top which I totally agree with because I've always loved mine and never gave me a problem.. they may not look as nice or fancy as some of those other ones, but it does what it's supposed to do.. play records..
Some of those that you showed I never seen or heard of before.. I never knew marantz even made a turntable...lol
Thanks Karen. They made so many economically reliable turntables- hard to deny.
I am fortunate to use an SP10 Mk 2 with an EPA 100 arm. This will do great until I manage to get an EMT 927!
So much depends on the era, and their flagships vs budget entries.
Awesome vid....my 1972 L90 Lenco or my Dual 662 do it for me😁
I want a Sansui SR929
Pity Lenco was not recognized
I inherited a Mitsubishi LT-10V but I have not tried to play it. Dad's fraternity brother had it hooked up to an ADCOM 5555 Pre Amp and 5555ii amp running to Magnepan MG-1s(?). I talked to one audio shop that was not a fan of vertical turntables. I'd like to get it up and running just for the memory of his system even if it isn't a regular use turntable but I am bit shy as some of the forums were making them out to be complex.
I have owned an LT-5V since new, some 42 years; belt drive, linear tracking, vertical position, fully automatic. Change belts every 5 years, works perfect. Have my eye on their top of the line LT-30; direct drive, linear tracking, Horizontal/traditional position, fully automatic, height adjustable arm and arm rest and 33 lbs. total weight! Built like a tank. They are under loved and under appreciated. Repair your vertical....if nothing else its a great conversation piece. Pro-ject makes one today as well.
strange that you can't find the Bang Olufsen cartridge. When I can find those on different web pages. among other things on the Sound Smith website. They claim to manufacture such
I'm a 70s and 80s Denon fan because of their insane specs: wow and flutter at .012 and -78 db rumble in my DP-45F. It's direct drive, and fully automatic including record size and speed and electronically controlled stylus pressure and anti-skating and Q-damping (something to do with warped record tracking). It was built in the mid 80s and I bought it in 2006 for 180 bucks and it's still my main turntable. I've never had it serviced but it's speed and everything else are dead on. But if an IC goes bad it's a paperweight. A pretty paperweight tho. I would have put it in tier 2 but from a repair standpoint your rating makes sense.
A revealing list, and enlightening lecture. Wonderful demonstration. However, from the experience that a friend who has a Denon Direct Drive Turntable , a DP-1200 of 1980 it is a very good turntable; works very well, sounds great, with excellent specifications. Therefore, despite repair, and adjustment challenges that you have experienced, Denon turntables could have squeaked to that number 2 spot.🔉🎵🎶
One missing from your list is the UK's Systemdek by Dunlop. Not too common which is probably why it didn't make the list. They are higher end if I understand correctly. They have just a few models. The most common, I believe, is the IIX. Thanks for the list. Lots of fun
Where would you place Rotel?
I'm surprised that you didn't mention the Yamaha PX-2 linear-tracking arm turntable. Amazing sound, built like (and weighed like) a tank. I bought one in the '80s, put it on a 50-lb VPI spring-loaded bass to control vibrations. It produced wonderful sound with Grado, Grace and Shure cartridges over many years. Alas, the auto play mechanism stopped working, although, I could still position the arm over the record using the arm movement button, and then press Play. I've never found anyone who could repair my PX-2, and Yamaha told me that they didn't have parts for it. So, it sits in its original box in a closet. Have you ever worked one of these?
No we do not work on linear tracking turntables for the same reasons no one else does. Sorry
Just for your info in case you need …The Sound Smith in ny state Totally Rebuilds and manufacturers all 5 level of carts for the B&O as well restore the entire decks ….
if i had to choose one brand it would be technics, i have some that are working today since 76 and only the stylus was substituted this at a level of a pro-ject that costs 14.000€´s but working without any noise using original direct drive engine and still better than most of the new turntables i could refer the forst SL-1200 that were bought for my radio-station to substitute the thorens professional line of late 60´s and they all work perfect today without any repair so more than 50 years working like the garrard you´ve showed part of it
Fun. I went from ARxa (around 1964), to PL-41 (1968), to the first Techics SL1200 (with the early arm) (1974 I think), to the HK T-60 (1985), then no turntable until 2017 when I picked up an HK T-60 and then a T-40. I tuned up and modifed both by outboarding the DC transformers and lining the plinths and platters with Noico. I have always liked and leaned to 'clean' and 'simple'. Today I would rank the T-60 and SL1200 at the top of my list of those I've had - they were different, and I would not want to have to pick one over the other - unless I was a DJ, of course. I loved the PL-41 for its looks and simplicity, and still do. :)
Yep my first was the ARXA also in 1966. NOTHING TO GOBAD!!!!
I love to see youre Tier rangkings ! youre mostly close to the truth .... Tank you verry much for posting this tier of turntableI have in total 7 turntables of end seventies , non of them had anny kind of restoration and only 2 still working perfectly . Dont know this is a coincidence or not ??? the LAB -420 and the LAB 500 both full automatic and both from realistic.... So you where verry wrong about realistic !! Realistic is verry underrated and you have proven it again 😉..... Realistic turntables are extreme descent in my expiriance my friend. Annyway nice vid .
I found it interesting you mentioned MCS and Realistic turntables were built by Matsushita, but gave them a 4 rating, but Technics a 1 rating!
Technics only cloned their entry level tables like their SL23 for Realistic and MCS. If the Technics SL 23 was the only turntable Technics made it would be down at the same level as MCS and Realistic...
@@skylabsaudio Thanks for the reply. I am not familiar with MCS, but I figured Radio Shack would have offered everything from entry-level turntables to some mid range better models in the 1970s and 1980s. No longer have any of my 1980s Radio Shack catalogs, but surely they would have had a few pages of record players at the time.
@@LakeNipissing MCS was a big seller at JCPenney..
@@karenfyhr2363 Ah. That would explain it. Being in Canada, we did not have JCP, but we had Sears - _LXI_ and Eaton's - _Viking_ all entry-level stuff.
If you go way back to the 60,s VM or voice of music turn table was the most common Turntable on the market, used in many brands of stereo equipment. As a service technician for 25 years the most common turn tables were BSR Garrard Dual and Technics BIC . Best in my opinion was Dual . Great Quality operation .
Flagship Yamaha PF-1000 Belt Drive with "Twin Pipe" tonearm. I'm the original owner, bought new in 1984 for $350.00... never had any problems, hinges are fine. Near mint condition despite its age. Low mass tonearm, Soundsmith cartridge. Heirloom for my daughter & son in law.