[mca]

I know much has been said about the Technics tables, but I have always liked the looks of a wood body table. I came across this this morning on the Gon:

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?anlgtabl&1218240756

Any thoughts on this table? What would be a good cartridge to go with it?

[WGH]

Check with Wayner, he had a similar AR for sale for $350.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=54231.0

[Norman Tracy]

mca,

When the AR revival turntable was in production it was very well reviewed. In person the sound, fit, and finish was top shelf. Unlike many of the current circa $500 tables this is a fully suspended subchassis table with the resultant isolation from footfalls and other external vibrations.

Cartridge? that's easy a Denon 103.

[Wayner]

mca,

That is a very nice table. It is called the AR Turntable built in the late 70's, early 80's if memory serves me right. It is a suspension turntable like the original AR-XA (like mine), but has a more refined arm with all the extra's like anti-skate and I believe this one had adjustable VTA. $550 is not a bad price as I have seen similiar go on ebay for about the same, maybe more. I think it would be a great starter table. Ask how the motor is if you are going to buy it and you may want to consider replacing the starter cap, as it is getting old. This is a belt drive table so you may need to invest in a new belt as well. Jelco arms were suppose to be very good. I think they made the AudioQuest PT series of arms, too.

Of course, if your interested in mine, let me know. Thanks for the reference WGH (Wayne)

[bpape]

A bit of a step up IMO and all the wood you could ever want

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?anlgtabl&1217967985

Something more retro but built like a tank

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?anlgtabl&1217797452

[TONEPUB]

Im with BPAPE. 

The sota is an excellent choice, because if/as your interest in vinyl grows,
you can update that baby all the way to a Nova if you want to.

And, SOTA is still in business so any replacement stuff you need is
readily available and reasonably priced.

[bpape]

Any of those listed are good starter tables.  I've personally owned all of them except the Luxman which I used to sell.

In order of preference from purely a sound standpoint (and not paying attention to the arms...)

Sota
Old AR that Wayner has
New AR/Luxman

Now, the arm can make or break a table and also somewhat dictates what cartridges you can use with it based on it's mass and the compliance of the cartridge.  I don't know much about the Jelco arms so I can't say from that standpoint.  It looks like a moderate mass so it's likely pretty flexible with cartridge mating.

Bryan

[mca]

Now why can't that SOTA table be cherry wood? Oak (and walnut) have to be my least faves.

I have an email in on the AR with a couple of questions, but have yet to hear back.

[Miney]

In case you're still interested in a Technics sl1200...  KABUSA sells a hardwood cabinet in Cherry... not as woody as the SOTA or AR, but ...

[Wayner]

As long as you're looking for a "woody", here is another consideration, the Empire 598, 598 II or 598 III:



Wayner  aa