Anyone own a Pioneer Exclusive P3 ??

Downunder,
The Kenwood is really understated and cool looking, IMO. If you see one in the flesh, you will know what I mean. The plinth is an integral part of the design and beautifully thought out with constrained layer damping, etc. IMO, each of the top line dd tables has a strong point that the others don't have; for the Kenwook, it is the plinth and the integration of the tonearm into the mix. Plus, the motor (coreless and slotless) and motor controller are unique.

Yes, I cut the TI Shield in the shape of an LP, punched a hole in the center and placed it between the platter and the platter "sheet" on the Kenwood, which is essentially a 5-lb platter mat made of stainless steel. On any table you could put it between the platter and whatever mat. I am not at all sure that other DD tables even need it. There was some scuttlebutt that it helps an SP10 MkII. Mk 3 should not need it because the platter is made of brass, essentially, with a high copper content. There is strong support for using a shield with the Kenwood on the L07D website. IME, the effect is at first subtle but then quite convincing in terms of improved clarity, wider soundstage, better inner detail. There is no "noise" per se with the Kenwood, even without the shield. The shield lowers the noise floor from low (no audible noise) to very low (wow factor).

Lewm et all,
I must appolagize for the apparent misleading nature of my prior post. My laundry list of tables wasn't a list of tables I own. It was merely a list of those that intrigue/tempt me. I currently own a mk2 and a mk3, both rebuilt and mounted in Albert Porter's new double arm panzerholtz based plinths. I appear to be in the process of obtaining another mk3 and will likely sell the mk2 and it's original wenge plinth(The combiantion that led to the sale of Albert's Walker).
I potentially have room for a third table and love DDs. The P3 or the Denon DP 100 top my list for that spot(my wife would die if she knew I were even contemplating that at this point). The L-07D looks like a real winner and would have to be considered one of the biggest bargains of the group along with the mk2 which is nearly impossible to beat at anywhere near the price it goes for.

No apologies necessary. My wife and son merely told me quietly that it was crazy to have 5 turntables (this was before I bought the latest L07D), and they've mercifully let it go at that. My SP10 Mk2A is running right next to my L07D. The Mk2A was given the soup to nuts restoration by Bill Thalmann (the same guy who probably worked on your tables, Sonofjim, via Albert's auspices). The L07D was done by Howard of the L07D Lovers. It's difficult to make a fair comparison of the tables alone, because of the integral plinth and tonearm on the L07D. The Mk2A is in a slate plinth, and I've used various tonearms. Anyway, the L07D has my vote without a doubt. For whatever reason, it's at a higher level.

I am going to mount my Triplanar in the secondary tonearm mount position on the L07D, to get a bead on the L07D tonearm, which some have criticized but which I think must be excellent. If there is anything to criticize with the L07D, I would point to the wiring between the cartridge and the phono stage; too many physical contacts. I plan to address that issue too. We'll see what the more than 2 times more costly MK3 can do next to the L07D.

I think a mk3 done right is hard to beat but also costly. What's intriguing about these TT systems such as the P3, DP 100 and L-07D is the level of refinement for the dollar. You get a top notch motor and control system, a plinth with isolation, and a tonearm system all in one package. This is what makes the P3(and L-07D) so remarkable IMHO.

Unfortanetly I cant comment on any of the other high-end turntables bespoken here above.. the P3 is the only one I have/heard.

Today I have been playing around with the setup of the P3: I fitted the Pioneer PC-1000II cartridge onto the straight tonearm, tracking force at 1,2grams and damping at two (on the lower end, manual advices from 2-4 with straight arm and PC-1000II cart) I was amazed by the sound quality: Listened to some records and was absolutely suprised that this old cart could give such a great soundquality: voices are very lively, piano sounds fluid.. that is always a good indicator for me..

This cart is unfortanetly very, very hard to find, but I is certainly worth the search!

Funny thing is; I have the original brochure for the P3, and on the pictures in the brochure, it's shown with the PC-1000II cart as well!