Can anyone recommend a good vintage turntable for under $1k

geowak · « **on:** 17 Dec 2015, 05:25 pm »

Would anyone be willing to share thoughts on their vintage turntable? Which brand are you happy with? Idler drive, belt drive or direct drive? Manufacturers or models that stand out? VPI, Garrard, Thorens, Dual, Empire
etc? Also tonearm or cartridge choices too. Had my mind set on an older VPI but the buyer wanted to keep it. It had an old Audio Technica arm and cartridge. Please share your thoughts....

dminches · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 05:49 pm »

I have Denon DP-xxL turntables and enjoy both of them.

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 05:52 pm »

Idler drive: are you serious? it had a hi noise floor by running the plate by contact.

woodsyi · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 06:10 pm »

I have a Toshiba 510 TT that I fitted with a Origin Encounter MK1 and over 10 lbs of electrical conduit seal (plasticlay equivalent) inside to add stability. The late Chair Guy was all into adding damping on these vintage DD tables. Table works just fine. Original footers were messed up and I replace them -- much more stable now.

I will let it go for 999. The reason: I have 4 other tables.

glynnw · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 06:24 pm »

Quite a few people are now saying idler drive is better - I think Art Dudley is using such a table. I have no opinion - I am 100% digital.

Wayner · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 06:48 pm »

VPI HW-19(jr) is a nice table fitted with an AQ tonearm (Jelco). Or, the usual Technics SL1200MKII. Something like that. I also love the AT440mla cart.

'ner

neobop · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 09:32 pm »

Tough question. Much depends on what you like, your music, your system, what kind of cart you want, etc. For example, I listen to a lot of acoustic piano and for popularly priced, I tend to favor direct drive for speed stability, but there are exceptions. It's easier if you ask about specific tables or carts.

Service is a consideration with vintage and direct drive has more parts and some could be hard to source. Belt drive is usually simpler with electronics.
Many old idlers were rumble boxes, but some were great. These days you can buy improved idle wheels and drive parts. Refurbished Garrard 301, or Thorens 124 are out of this price range. You could find a Lenco. There's an entire forum devoted to those. It could take a lot of time and money to refurbish.

This is a nice table with 2 arm tubes:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Denon-DP-60L-Direct-Drive-Turntable-/161918534794?hash=item25b318c48a:g:7hkAAOSwYaFWb32s

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/denon/dp-60l.shtml

This table isn't well known, but it's a good performer:
http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649241634-kyocera-pl601/

Bet you could get that for $400 + shipping.
Look for a cart that matches your arm and gives a complimentary sound. If you're using on a second system with small speakers you might want something mellow with big bass. That sort of thing is important. There are a lot of additional items so you might want to budget accordingly.
neo

randytsuch · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 09:58 pm »

In the past, I've lusted for these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MICRO-SEIKI-DDX-1000-Turntable-with-MA-505-Tonearm-and-isolation-base-/151914086874?hash=item235ec901da:g:ZpIAAOSwf-VWbJb~

But it's out of your budget.

In my vinyl phase, I bought an old empire 208 (I think that's the right number), and made a new plinth for it. It has a nice bearing and motor.

Randy

simoon · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 10:02 pm »

There is a great looking Kenwood KP-07 (built by Micro Seiki) on Ebay right now with 4 days left on the auction!

It has a "Buy it Now" price of $795! Which I think is a steal.

I wish I had the spare $$ right now, or I'd buy it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-turntable-KENWOOD-KP-07-vs-Micro-Seiki-Japanese-version-of-KD-07-/252209595099?hash=item3ab8dd02db:g:NG0AAOSw8-tWa4sC

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 10:03 pm »

This Kenwood are 100V Japanese.
Maybe Technics 1200:

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 10:15 pm »

This other KENWOOD KD-2100 are $549 and 120V.
A very beautiful look.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Platinum-turntable-Vintage-automatic-KENWOOD-KD-2100/252205669691?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D34492%26meid%3D7faba49f357c42aba605f71ebd76c4b2%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D252209595099

neobop · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Dec 2015, 11:02 pm »

Quote from: simoon on 17 Dec 2015, 10:02 pm

There is a great looking Kenwood KP-07 (built by Micro Seiki) on Ebay right now with 4 days left on the auction!

It has a "Buy it Now" price of $795! Which I think is a steal.

I wish I had the spare $$ right now, or I'd buy it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-turntable-KENWOOD-KP-07-vs-Micro-Seiki-Japanese-version-of-KD-07-/252209595099?hash=item3ab8dd02db:g:NG0AAOSw8-tWa4sC

NICE!! I'd buy that in a heartbeat. I just bought a Victor TT81 so I'm a little stretched out at the moment. I got a 120V to 100V step down on Amazon for around $30.
neo

dB Cooper · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Dec 2015, 01:06 am »

I wonder if a lower end Pro-Ject, VPI, or Orbit might not make better sense than a TT from a company that's out of business and whose replacement parts are made of unobtainium?

If you do buy a vintage or any used TT make sure the seller packs it properly, the original packaging being strongly preferable if possible.

rif · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Dec 2015, 01:59 am »

A Systemdek IIX should be in your budget. When I owned one 10 years ago, they were well regarded.

jarcher · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Dec 2015, 02:27 am »

My vote would be for a late Clearaudio Emotion - not exactly "vintage" at less then 5 years old, but a damn fine table. At one point there was a package with the Satisfy carbon fibre arm and Maestro MM cart (and the table had the ceramic magnetic bearing) all for $2K new. These tables come up from time to time for about $700 - $1K - if you can get one of the later ones with the ceramic magnetic bearing and that Satisfy carbon fibre arm - and better yet the Maestro, that's a slam dunk. That arm + cart alone retail for $2500 new.......anyone wise would just place the arm / cart on a better clear audio table if they want to upgrade.

Otherwise I'd say go for a VPI HW19 - whatever the best / newest one you can afford. Early one will possibly have creaky springs.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 Dec 2015, 05:21 am »

Here is a very nice Thorens TD-160 that has been refurbished similar to my Thorens TD-145 which I bought locally from a friend that refurbishes TT's. I made a new wood box out of Cocobolo similar to that 160. It sounds great with a Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge. It was like the TT and cartridge were made for each other. The tone arm will need a low compliance cartridge like a Nagaoka. You can pick up an MP 110 for about $100. I bought my MP-200 direct from Japan for $230. The TD-160 is basically the 145 without the auto off I believe.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thorens-TD160-MkI-TP16-Tonearm-Shure-M75ED-Type-2-Cartridge-many-improvements/321934948957?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D777000%26algo%3DABA.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D34882%26meid%3D05b9422579e1456f9ada9d85b1226911%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D151914086874

If I did not have mine I would snatch this one up at this price.

geowak · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 Dec 2015, 10:42 pm »

Quote from: I.Greyhound Fan on 18 Dec 2015, 05:21 am

Here is a very nice Thorens TD-160 that has been refurbished similar to my Thorens TD-145 which I bought locally from a friend that refurbishes TT's. I made a new wood box out of Cocobolo similar to that 160. It sounds great with a Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge. It was like the TT and cartridge were made for each other. The tone arm will need a low compliance cartridge like a Nagaoka. You can pick up an MP 110 for about $100. I bought my MP-200 direct from Japan for $230. The TD-160 is basically the 145 without the auto off I believe. If I did not have mine I would snatch this one up at this price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Thorens-TD160-MkI-TP16-Tonearm-Shure-M75ED-Type-2-Cartridge-many-improvements/321934948957?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D777000%26algo%3DABA.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D34882%26meid%3D05b9422579e1456f9ada9d85b1226911%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D151914086874.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I have narrowed it down to a belt driven TT. I like both the Thorens and the VPI, maybe a Dual if I can change the tonearm or get parts. This one on Ebay is from Romania. I don't think I want one with 220 volt, since I am in the States. But it looks nice...

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Dec 2015, 12:24 am »

If you go with the Thorens, Vinyl Engine has a Thorens Protractor to align the cartridge. It works well. Besides a Nagaoka cartridge, another one to look at is the Shelter 201 MM. It is a medium compliance cartridge with a warmer sound.

Happy Hunting!

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Dec 2015, 01:03 am »

I would actually advise against the Thorens TD160 if it has the stock arm. Maybe it was an anomaly, but the example I tried had the most obvious microphonics I've ever experienced in a tonearm—at least in combination with the Decca London Gold I had mounted in it. You could actually hear your voice coming from the speakers if you spoke loudly near the cartridge. Immediately prior to this I had the cartridge mounted in a Keith Monks unipivot arm and it sounded extremely good. Up to this point I never would have believed an arm could make that much difference. I sold the TD 160 immediately.

I.Greyhound Fan · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Dec 2015, 01:12 am »

Quote from: Russell Dawkins on 19 Dec 2015, 01:03 am

I would actually advise against the Thorens TD160 if it has the stock arm. Maybe it was an anomaly, but the example I tried had the most obvious microphonics I've ever experienced in a tonearm—at least in combination with the Decca London Gold I had mounted in it. You could actually hear your voice coming from the speakers if you spoke loudly near the cartridge. Immediately prior to this I had the cartridge mounted in a Keith Monks unipivot arm and it sounded extremely good. Up to this point I never would have believed an arm could make that much difference. I sold the TD 160 immediately.

I have no such issue with my TD-145 which uses the same arm. The TD-145, 125 and 160 were highly regarded TT's back in the day. Mine is detailed with a bit of warmth thanks to the nagaoka cartridge. The Thorens is a little bit of a pain to set up properly but once dialed in it sounds airy, detailed and dynamic. Adding the heavy Cocobolo cabinet and GTMAT sound insulation along with Sorbothane feet made it dead quiet. You need a Thoren's protracter and a stylus gauge. I use a digital gauge. You also need a medium to low compliance cartridge.