Top ten DD turntables of all time?

Luxman PD444!

Reviving this old thread.
I am looking for a direct drive turntable for my system. I already have a TJN Reference Lenco. The DD will be to add some variety. Morever I want to test the potential of a good DD. Between a Technics SP-10 MK2 with Obsidian plinth and Yamaha GT-2000X, which one is better (purely going by sonics) ?

GrooveMaster Vintage Direct

The Technics SP10 MK2 is an excellent table as well, the MK3 is even better, however most of the ones offered on eBay for an example are in need of an overhaul, which is certainly doable. Have just finished with a MK2, yet to design /build the plinth and so far I'm very impressed with the machine.

Bought a Yamaha PX3 a while back to explore the possibilities - but passed on that one - simply too flimsy a drive mechanism. Do not have any experience with the GT-2000X.

Best of Luck

Peter

Hi Peter,
Your designs are interesting. In the world of direct drives there are few of these usual suspects which include the SP10, DP80, Yamaha GT-2000x, Kenwood L-07d and JVC TT101 to name a few. Since you have been working on DD models, whats your take ? Are any of these models equally good ? Should I be looking for any particular model, e.g SP-10 MK3 if I want top shelf performance ?

Finally do you work on restoring any good DDs or are you dedicated to the Denon camp? :-)

Pani

I chose the Denon's, firstly because they are excellent machines and secondly because they are plentiful, theres literarily thousands of them available, and since I do this for a living (making audio equipment) I have to have a supply. Most I get from Japan, I have a scout there helping me secure them.

Once they get here they are completely disassembled, all the capacitors replaced and most of the semi conductors as well. Then installed int the wooden plinths, which we make in house, with a completely new power supply etc. Readjusted and calibrated ready for another 40 years of service :-), I only have experience with Denons, and I only do the 3000, 2000, 6000 and 80 as they have "real" motors. I have a few DP75's also, which is a lot like the 80 but with a smaller motor

As mention above I just redid a Technics SP10MK2, still need to figure out how to do a good looking plinth for it, which is a lot harder to do because of the plugged together circuit cards that take up almost all the space in the square metal chassis they are built on, also the mechanical brake is an obstacle to "loosing " the metal chassis (The Denon's, 2000, 6000 and 80 have electrical brakes BTW). This is probably the reason that most of the reissue Technics plinths are rectangular, which in my mind is way too "ordinary" I do think the Technics SP10MK2 is a wonderful machine, I'm certain that the MK3 is even better.

I redid a Micro Seiki DDX1500 a while back as well that turned out nicely as well, however the drive system, in my opinion, is not on par with the above Denon's or the Technics SP10 MK2, 3

I would state that all the ones you mention are probably equally good at maintaining correct speed if updated and adjusted properly, but there's a lot more to than that to making the "sound" of a turntable, plinth material, platter, record mat etc.

Choose just one, thats difficult, my own super biased opinion : a GrooveMaster Vintage Direct DP6 or DP8 :-) with a Graham Phantom, SME 4 or 5, or a Kuzma 4Point (Currently building DP6, with a 4Point for the Ralston Listening Library at the University of the South in Seawanee TN), the choices are endless.

Good Listening

Peter