EMT direct drive and Technics SP-10 opinions?

Whatever its other flaws may be, if your SP10 mk2 cannot hold pitch with piano music, it's not working properly. Have you had it serviced since you bought it, or do you know whether it was serviced prior to your purchase? Proper service should include replacing all electrolytic capacitors that have not already been replaced. Same goes for your EMT or any other vintage direct-drive.

You are probably not going to find too many responders who have actually owned a 938, or even a 948 or 950 and also owned the other TT's you want to compare to the 938. I'd suggest that you have a competent technician service both the SP10 and the 938 (if you have not already done so), and then go by what your own ears tell you to do.

As an aside, I have to wonder why you sold the Redpoint if you liked it so much. Budgetary concerns would not seem to be a factor in that equation.

I guess I should be more clear. The Sp-10 is a project and I have never used it.

To answer your question about why I no longer own the Redpoint, "Budgetary concerns" are always a factor for many. I was offered a perfect 1962 Fender Stratocaster for it. No regrets.

If the SP10 is a "project", then you really cannot know whether it holds pitch on piano music (which any good one will do), unless or until you fully repair or rehab it.

Still, you can probably parlay your TT holdings into another new Redpoint/Teres/Galibier, if that's your real preference at heart. EMTs generally sell for ridiculous prices. Then you would have a Stratocaster and a Redpoint or its equivalent, too. Better than cake.

Lewm, Thanks for your interest in the thread. I never included the SP-10 in the list. My other tables that I have had experience with were all belt drive. I just have an SP-10 mk.2 that I have never used which I may or may not go forward with. Lets just forget about the Redpoint, it's gone. I don't know if your know this, but the entry level Redpoint Model D now retails for $29k. I'm interested now to hear some insight into EMT direct drives and how they compare to others. I see you appreciate different tables. Do you have a favourite?

Like I said, I would guess it's rare to find an audiophile who has experience with EMT of any sort, let alone the EMT direct-drive turntables. But you do seem to know such a one, Mike Lavigne. Mike probably has a wider experience, especially with state of the art direct-drive turntables in his own home, than any person in the US (or Canada). I currently own the following: SP10 Mk3, Kenwood L07D, Victor TT101, Denon DP80. These all have great potential which must be further squeezed out of them by proper maintenance, and in the case of three of them, proper plinths. (The L07D is unique in that it has a factory plinth that would be hard if not impossible to improve upon.) I used to own an SP10 Mk2A. After re-capping and after mounting it in a slate plinth, it was very good indeed, but not as good as my Mk3; it's not a close call. The L07D is in my opinion a sleeper. I love that TT and would never part with mine. I cannot evaluate the TT101, because I have not yet been able to get mine to work reliably. DP80 is not up with these others (but it may have had slight edge on my Mk2). However, PBN is making gorgeous wood plinths for DP80s and other Denons, that look like they may transform the performance up several notches, besides the beautifulness.

That's it for me.