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Upper Level Vintage DD Strenghts and Weaknesses

All of these tables have been discussed in some form or another here over the years. I have read quite a few threads on them, but its a bit difficult to nail this point down.

Basically I am looking for a non-suspended table to install a Dynavector DV505 arm on, and these tables can fit the bill.

The most widely available is a Denon DP 75 or DP 80 in a Denon plinth, and they are perhaps the most affordable also. Are there any of their plinths that are desirable, or are they just a veneered stack of MDF or plywood?

While more expensive I can find a Sony TTS8000 in a Resinamic plinth although shipping from HK is expensive. There is one thread I came across here where a member who restores tables says two of the three TTS8000 he has done had play in the spindle assembly which looked to be wear in the brass bushings of the motor. That does make me pause in concern.

The JVC TT101 is not only difficult to find, its apparently a bit of a bear to get serviced, so its not high on the list.

The Technics SP 10 MK II I have owned, and its a nice table but to be honest I had a Denon DP75 that I felt actually sounded better. Also the models that are out there are either abused or have a premium price tag attached to them. Also I don’t need instant torque, and I think the bi-servo designs might offer better speed control.

As I write this the Denon and Sony seem to be at the top of the list, unless there is another I should be looking at.
neonknight
neonknight OP
392 posts
 
@lewm
I currently use a Transfiguration Audio Proteus and ZYX 4D. Also have an Ikeda Kawami which counts as a classic MC but sounds nothing like one. The Proteus and 4D meet my needs for modern MC and I am content with them. Anything I do now is just for fun, to explore, but for my best sound reproduction I got what I can afford, I dont't have the resources to climb higher. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
My point is that I think you would have more fun investigating vintage moving magnet and moving iron cartridges and stick with later production moving coil types, say from the 1990s onwards to the present.

Definitely, my recent discovery is Azden Piezo Ym-320X (IM) 
Azden and Accutex is the same thing. 

lewm
13,045 posts
 
The Acutex 300 series are IM, as you say, but where does the “piezo” come in? Acutex 400 series are conventional MM. The Azden line was discussed in Raul’s original MM thread, but I don’t recall too much about them.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I know, but you know Azden as Acutex because you're in America. 

In Japan the brand is Azden and Piezo is the name of the model with index 320X, it's IM cartridge. 

It's the same story as Vicor = JVC, Jeweltone = Nagaoka, Edison = Miyajima ... Azden = Acutex. 

  
neonknight OP
392 posts
 
I worked for an audio shop during my college years. Late 1980s, in Washington State. We carried the Azden YM series of cartridges. So they were available in the US too. 
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