[audiogoober]

I have an option to purchase a 20+ year old Well Tempered Labs Turntable configured with a Wheaton Tri-Planar II Precision Tonearm. The  asking price is $1,100 and condition is supposedly excellent. A VPI PLC (Turntable Power Line Conditioner) is included. Manuals and original boxes are included from original owner.

Is this a good value/good deal?

Thanks!

[roscoeiii]

Triplanars are supposed to be good arms, but the major appeal of any Well Tempered table is also the arm. With a Triplanar arm, you could get great sound, but you wouldn't be getting the benefits that most people discuss when raving about Well Tempered tables, since that involves the silicon tonearm damping of  Well Tempered's own arms.

[audiogoober]

Thanks. I'm probably going to pass....just caught my eye.

[roscoeiii]

Though, it may still be a good deal. If the construction of the table is solid. Might be worth seeing what those Triplanar arms are going for.

[xsb7244]

audiogoober,
What happened to the Technics  SP10 mk2 turntable you were going to buy and fix ?

[audiogoober]

audiogoober,
What happened to the Technics  SP10 mk2 turntable you were going to buy and fix ?

I decided the sp10 mk2 project was too overwhelming for my first turntable.

[neobop]

I have an option to purchase a 20+ year old Well Tempered Labs Turntable configured with a Wheaton Tri-Planar II Precision Tonearm. The  asking price is $1,100 and condition is supposedly excellent. A VPI PLC (Turntable Power Line Conditioner) is included. Manuals and original boxes are included from original owner.

Is this a good value/good deal?

Thanks!

Could be a killer deal if everything's as advertised.   I don't know what a Triplaner II went for 20+ years ago, but a new one costs serious money.  Very well thought of arm.  This is a II:



Here's a comparison from 1988:
http://www.stereophile.com/tonearms/the_tri-planar_tonearm/index.html

The original WT table has a stand alone motor and no obvious quirks in SQ.  While the PLC won't correct speed (it's a line conditioner), I don't think you'll hear the speed problems that plague some older $1K belt tables.  If you're looking for a direct drive I can understand your skeptical, but generally preferring DD myself, I think a properly functioning WT/Triplaner would be GREAT place to start.
neo   

[jtsnead]

seems like a good deal, the VPI PLC if it is the newer one goes for 500 - 600 used,
All versions of the Tri planar are supposed to be good arms

[audiogoober]

Could be a killer deal if everything's as advertised.   I don't know what a Triplaner II went for 20+ years ago, but a new one costs serious money.  Very well thought of arm.  This is a II:



Here's a comparison from 1988:
http://www.stereophile.com/tonearms/the_tri-planar_tonearm/index.html

The original WT table has a stand alone motor and no obvious quirks in SQ.  While the PLC won't correct speed (it's a line conditioner), I don't think you'll hear the speed problems that plague some older $1K belt tables.  If you're looking for a direct drive I can understand your skeptical, but generally preferring DD myself, I think a properly functioning WT/Triplaner would be GREAT place to start.
neo

Thanks Everyone. I'm gonna take a ride on Thursday and check it out.

[roscoeiii]

Thanks Everyone. I'm gonna take a ride on Thursday and check it out.

Do you know anyone with turntable experience or a local shop that could take a look at it?

[audiogoober]

Do you know anyone with turntable experience or a local shop that could take a look at it?

I'm in NH and could take it to Dave at Vinyl Nirvana after purchased. I don't have anyone that could look at it with me before committing ...

Excellent idea but unfortunately not possible.

[roscoeiii]

Good that you have Dave nearby. Maybe worth making a condition of the purchase that it checks out with Dave. If there are any concerns when you take a look or if you aren't comfortable checking it out by yourself.

[audiogoober]

Good that you have Dave nearby. Maybe worth making a condition of the purchase that it checks out with Dave. If there are any concerns when you take a look or if you aren't comfortable checking it out by yourself.

Excellent idea. Thank You. I'll post updates later this week.

[neobop]

I believe the price of a new Triplanar VII is $5700.

I skimmed over the first part of the Stereophile article.  It said the price of the arm was equal to two Genesis 1000 carts.  So in 1988 the price was $2000.
Sounds about right.
neo