Looking for semi or auto TT to replace my VPI.......

Jeff M · « **on:** 26 Feb 2009, 04:00 pm »

I think I am going to sell my VPI HW19 MKIII with SME 309 arm w/ barely used Blackbird cart. I am usually running around the house and I am tired of babysitting towards the end of an LP. I am looking for atleast a rig that lifts at the end and auto cueing would be nice. I need something that has some weight.....I have big Infinities and bass is abundant sometimes

. My budget is around $750 and want a more user friendly TT and an easier arm to dial in. BTW, what can I expect to get out of mine? I have alot invested. Maybe a Denon DP-100, Pioneer PL-90 Elite or Yamaha PS-2 or the likes?

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 04:58 pm »

Whatever you get, if it's Japanese and hollow bodied, fill it with as much modelling clay as it will hold. It will add (normally) 5-8 lbs in total...benefitting playback immensely.

I own both a JVC QL-F6 and QL-Y66F and they sound terrific (irregardless of money). The first cost me $100 and the second $400. Even after platter mats, new buoyant/feedback resistant feet (sounds like you'll need this), maple chopping block underneath and the clay itself...it adds less than $300 to the total of the deck itself.

Guess what? Unless I add the pricey VPI SDS to my VPI HW-19 Mk. III (a friend lent me his for a month)...the two above turntables sound better than the VPI

So, a $750 limit can be met...giving you good sonics and ease of semi-auto playback in return

Good luck on your quest. John

Jeff M · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 05:31 pm »

Thanks! That QL-Y66F sure looks like it might be a keeper. I do have a Kenwood KD-5100 that i use on a second system, when I am checking out alot of vinyl. I have owned it since '85, but not a great tt with my big system. I see a JVC on craigslist, but it is in Toronto

. As far as maple, no problem. I am a furniture maker and have plenty of thick figured maple platforms that I have made for amps, tt's etc. I might go with a wall mount this time. So, I guess I need to get some pics of my rig and hopefully sell(I will try here 1st). Any nice QL-Y66F's for sale?

WGH · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 05:44 pm »

There is Harman Kardon T60 available on ebay. The T60 is a nice table with a heavy platter and auto lift at the end of a record.

Put together a Van Alstine outboard power supply, add an affordable Grado or Goldring G1042 cartridge and you will be in vinyl heaven. I am using a Harman Kardon T55C table and couldn't be happier.

Both the T55C and T60 tables use a DC motor, it is a small quiet motor with high torque. Once the transformer is removed from the table and installed into the outboard power supply the micro vibrations are eliminated and the table images like a champ. The more expensive T65 table uses an AC motor so it is not as easily modified.

Jeff M · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 06:12 pm »

I almost forgot that I do have a pretty nice H/K Rabco ST-7. I need to have it adjusted. Never even used this table as I got it from a friend. How does it perform?

lazydays · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 06:47 pm »

Quote from: Jeff M on 26 Feb 2009, 04:00 pm

I think I am going to sell my VPI HW19 MKIII with SME 309 arm w/ barely used Blackbird cart. I am usually running around the house and I am tired of babysitting towards the end of an LP. I am looking for atleast a rig that lifts at the end and auto cueing would be nice. I need something that has some weight.....I have big Infinities and bass is abundant sometimes . My budget is around $750 and want a more user friendly TT and an easier arm to dial in. BTW, what can I expect to get out of mine? I have alot invested. Maybe a Denon DP-100, Pioneer PL-90 Elite or Yamaha PS-2 or the likes?

save some money and get a better sound by just buying a tonearm lift device for your table / arm combo. Freemer did an article about using them several years back.
gary

wilsynet · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 09:08 pm »

Not being very electrically handy, how might I get an outboard power supply for the JVC QL-Y66F? Can I ask an electronics repair shop to modify the turntable to take a DC input and then buy a power supply?

Or would it be just as good to take the existing transformer and have it moved out into its own enclosure?

Wilson

Wayner · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Feb 2009, 11:04 pm »

There is more to the motor than that. Most motors are servo controlled so there is some electronics to go with that. That makes it a little more complicated, but do-able. Some just remote the step-down transformer inside, to keep its magnetic field from interfering with the cartridge.

Wayner

doug s. · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Feb 2009, 01:33 am »

why not yust keep your eyes peeled for a used auto-lifter? there are a few different models out there, made by thorens, audio technica, and one yust called "the lifter". these will lift your tonearm off the record when it reaches the end... i have an a/t and a thorens, they are excellent. a bud of mine has a "lifter" that i helped him set up; it works great too...

here's one a guy on agon is selling, but for an exhorbitant amount - these usually sell for ~$100-$150 (which is plenty expensive in and of itself):

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accstwek&1240628240&/Audio-Technica-6006a-Safety-Ra

doug s.

Jeff M · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Feb 2009, 10:45 pm »

Thanks for the input! However, I would like to sell my current setup as my finances are hurting

. I found a super nice DENON DP-67L(same as the 72L), in pretty much mint condition. No box/manual, extra weights or no extra arm. He wants around $1000 for it! I thought that those went for alot less? Is the hight price merely because of the aestetics?

Wayner · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Feb 2009, 11:01 pm »

I just bought a ADC direct drive semi-automatic in as new condition for 46 dollars. It will be delivered tomorrow. It sure looks like a hell of a table.

Wayner

Listens2tubes · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Feb 2009, 08:06 pm »

Quote from: doug s. on 27 Feb 2009, 01:33 am

why not yust keep your eyes peeled for a used auto-lifter? there are a few different models out there, made by thorens, audio technica, and one yust called "the lifter". these will lift your tonearm off the record when it reaches the end... i have an a/t and a thorens, they are excellent. a bud of mine has a "lifter" that i helped him set up; it works great too...

here's one a guy on agon is selling, but for an exhorbitant amount - these usually sell for ~$100-$150 (which is plenty expensive in and of itself):

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accstwek&1240628240&/Audio-Technica-6006a-Safety-Ra

doug s.

Sal from Expressimo Audio sells his THE LIFT on eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/TURNTABLE-End-of-Record-Tonearm-LIFT_W0QQitemZ130290149879QQihZ003QQcategoryZ48648QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem for $105.95 shipped. KEEP THE VPI!!!!

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 Feb 2009, 08:25 pm »

Cool - Expressimo and The Lift is back. Time to consider manual tables again

Good link l2t!

ohn