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Best vintage turntable/ record player?

vintagelover229

vintagelover229

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
3,554
Hello everyone!
I hope everyone is adjusting to the PS 2.0, although I am sure it will take a while! I know it's strange for me! Although, I am LOVING the emotions on the side :love:

Anyways, I am hoping that someone on this board can help me! My boyfriend and his father spin vinyl at his parents house whenever we are there. His father collects vintage things, and has a beautiful vintage record player (I don't know the brand). My boyfriend has an extensive electronics background, and because of that, I can't just pick up any old record player. I was wondering if anyone on here knows what a good record player to buy? There are a few things that it needs to have. It needs to be old (not a new player), and it has to be top quality. And by top quality, it doesn't mean it has to be a designer name brand if there is one that has the best sound, etc. that isn't a top name brand. I have done some research myself, but I'm not coming up with a whole lot. I would include him more in the search, but I'd really like it to be a surprise. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! :bigsmile:
 
The Technics 1200 turntables were released in the 1970s and were so good the pro DJs quickly adopted them.
Many original ones are still going strong, so maybe you could find one on Craigslist if you don't want to pay around $600 for a new one.
They are so iconic there is even a Wiki entry on them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_SL-1200 , which even tells you how to learn the date of manufacture from the serial number.
Some have nice enclosures for home use.

BTW don't scrimp on the cartridge and needles.
They are very very important to the sound quality and the best ones do the least damage to the vinyl.

technics1210xl.jpg
 
Ditto Kenny on the Technics brand and also the cartridge and the needle are very important to the sound quality, no matter what brand you choose.

Some other "big name brands" of the 1970s were Pioneer, Harman Kardon, and Marantz.

Here's a link to a site that sells some nice quality vintage stereo equipment http://www.oaktreeent.com/Stereo_Turntables.htm
 
Wow, Panasonic still makes them today.
What electronics product do you know of that's still for sale 38 years later, virtually unchanged?
That's what I call nailing the first time! :appl:

Panasonics's website says today's retail price is $850. http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-...J/Technics-Analog-Turntables/model.SL-1200MK2

The cheapest price on Amazon is $535 for a new one.

Wiki says there are rumors they will discontinue it, which makes me want to buy a new one while I still can.
Used ones may have gotten daily professional DJ use for decades. :nono:
 
Wow!
Thanks for the info guys! I have a few that I am looking at. Here is the list.


Technics SLD202 direct drive turntable with Grado FT cartridge excellent condition overall-$130

SONY PS-LX510 FULLY AUTOMATIC LINEAR TRACKING JAPAN TURNTABLE - $120

Dual 505-2 with Shure M95 ED cartridge-classic, metal sub chassic-heavy, belt-drive table. German engineering, and this particular model offer cartridge compatibility for more than just \he Ortofon models. Wood veneer cover-base, upgraded platter pad-very clean. Condition is excellent $130

Thorens TD165 turntable, no dustcover, upgraded phono cables, Nagoaka MP11 cartridge $150

Technics SL-BD20 Turntable - $75Features a user-adjustable tonearm return function. It comes with a p-mount (side mount) cartridge already installed, and will play both 33 & 45 RPM records• includes pre-mounted P-mount cartridge• DC servo belt-drive• 33/45 rpm• semi-automatic operation• P-mount cartridge• dust cover• platter mat

pioneer turntable direct drive pl-200, good working condition, $75

Vintage Pioneer Turntable / Record Player ES-2000 model.- $95

Considering what I'm looking at and the prices, what is the best option with the little information that is provided? I love the sound of vinyl compared to mps and cd's. Thanks again for all your help so far! I posted on some vinyl forum and you guys replied first, lol.
I know someone who works for Panasonic and so I might be able to get a deal on that, although most of the time I can find it cheaper some where else!
 
The older a mechanical thing is, the more condition/wear/use becomes a factor.
The turntable that was best quality when new may be worn out now.
The turntable that was worst quality may be in like new condition now.

I'd be sure to get a direct drive (DD) as oppose to a belt driven turntable.
Belts wear out, may no longer be made, and the belt design is inferior to DD, which has no belts.

Make sure you can buy a new needle for whatever cartridge you get.
Again even the best one is worthless if they don't make needles any more.
 
Kenny,
Thanks for that bit of info. From the looks of it (without going further into research at this exact moment). Here are the ones that directly say they are DD.

Technics SLD202 direct drive turntable with Grado FT cartridge excellent condition overall-$130


pioneer turntable direct drive pl-200, good working condition, $75


Then there are a couple that I need to research to find out if they are belt driven or DD. They are:


SONY PS-LX510 FULLY AUTOMATIC LINEAR TRACKING JAPAN TURNTABLE - $120

Thorens TD165 turntable, no dustcover, upgraded phono cables, Nagoaka MP11 cartridge $150

Vintage Pioneer Turntable / Record Player ES-2000 model.- $95
 
The ES 2000 pioneer is a belt driven turntable. Onto the next one!
 
Careful tho. My old (1981 vintage) DD Kenwood, doesn't hold the speed anymore I found, when I drug it out a few years back. I haven't taken it in anywhere to be looked at though.

Remember those cool strobes that showed the speed it was going? God I loved that turntable. And I'm still using the speakers from that system, if you can believe it. No, they aren't the best anymore, and are a mere backup to the main ones, but they aren't blown and still put out.

And I MISS the old silver-front equipment. And the nice backlit controls. If I have to look at pale print on black on black controls, I think I'll scream. What IS it with the black stuff???
 
YAY the topic isn't closed even though it's super old!

I just wanted to update bc I FINALLY found a turntable. It only took forever and a million emails to figure out just what type of unit would be best for my bf. Last year I got him the Bulova accutron spaceview watch circa 1964 and this year it's a Duel 701 direct drive turntable. I don't have photos of it but I'll link you to the listing. I paid 375.00 and got 4 records with it, cleaning supplies and a really nice mat. Is that a fair price? He just had it fully restored (he's the original owner so I also have to manual) a couple of months ago (to the tune of 150.00 + a new 50.00 cartridge) and so I don't feel to bad about the price. It was more than I'd hoped to spend but in order to get a good quality (non-belt driven) TT I noticed I would have to spend a bit more. What do you think?

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-electronics-Vintage-Dual-701-Turntable-W0QQAdIdZ285795902

PS. If anyone is interested in that style of watch I bought it from this gentlemen (link below). I thought about doing the ebay route but most of them are "Frankenstein" watches (meaning bits and pieces taken and put together from not the correct watches). He loved the watch and I know he'll like the turntable. Now just to get enough records to have a nice collection going :appl:

http://accutronspaceview.com/spaceviewsales.html
 
i remember Duel turntables...they were made in Germany,right?
 
Yes they ere :) I've read good things about this particular model. It's supposed to be the quietest one ever made but that's just what I've read. I searched for a pioneer but he expressed a desire for a duel (which I hadn't been searching for bc it wasn't mentioned on here) but after my bf told me that this is another good brand this popped up a few weeks later :)
 
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