Vintage DD turntables. Are we living dangerously?

Glad you like the UNI Lew...
That one was my third after I wore out the first one nine years ago.
At that stage I was a one-turntable/one-cartridge man and wanted to ensure I had continued listening-enjoyment for the years ahead....😎
With iover 40 cartridges now, I can't see me wearing ANY of them out....
I haven't heard the UNI II or Suoreme or whatever they call their latest and greatest....
From the reports I have read...they seem to be even better, but then again....if one is prepared to pay the prices for these....one would expect to hear an improvement 😝

Raul, I think JP already pointed out to you that it is folly to judge any two closely matched turntables in general by factory published specifications, because we don't know how the measurements were made. In particular, we do know that the P3a specs were determined after there was a revision in the methods for measuring S/N that made everything look better (quieter by I think about 3db) than it did before the change in methodology.  

On the other hand, I do agree with you; the P3 or P3a may well be superior to the Mk3, but not based on the differences in factory published specifications.  However, I would posit that the Mk3 offers more possibilities for upgrades that might bridge any gap between it and the P3, because of its more modular construction.  I don't deny that I would like to own a P3, in order to hear it for myself in my system and decide for myself where it stands in the pantheon of high end DD turntables.  I suspect its plinth is not up to modern standards, although everything else about it apparently is.

Of course, this is coming from an uninformed philistine who cannot tell music from distortions.

Hi Lew

The P3 plinth is isolated from the chassis. The motor and tonearm are on a separate spring/oil suspension.  If you do a search you will see a naked picture of the P3 sans plinth.  

Cheers

Shane, Yes, I am aware of its internal construction.  Just wondering whether the wood outer "box" that serves only as a cosmetic shroud might resonate a bit.  (Even if so, I imagine you could just remove it entirely.) Also, I gather from a person who lived in Tokyo and owned two P3s at one point that it is a good idea to get the suspension serviced by a Pioneer authorized technician.

War of the coreless motors: P3 vs GT2000X vs L07D.  My money is on Godzilla.

Dear @lewm : In those old times specs was everything for Japanese audiophiles.
All the great and top DD turntables were designed and builded in the same time ( earlier 80’s. ) and were manufactured in specific for the Japanese market not for Europe, USA, Asia or México.

In that market Denon ( Dp-100 ) , Kenwood, Onkyo, Yamaha, Technics, Pionner/Exclusive and even Sony competed with " ferocity " for the customers. Specs coming with the same standards, no differences on that.

The Exclusive Pioneer’s line was not on ly for TT or tonearms but for electronics and speakers too. As a fact in the Japanese market existed very top high end audio items that we just can’t imagine and unfortunatelly never seen out of Japan. Time latter TT’s were offered to the world.

Btw, yes I know that you can’t tell music fromsome distortions but I know you are improving about your self when not many gentlemans not even know how to do it.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC not DISTORTIONS,
R.

http://audio-database.com/PIONEER-EXCLUSIVE/player/p3a-e.html