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Best vintage DD turntables from the 70's and 80's?

Howdy folks-

We’ll I’ve got the vinyl bug for sure. 6 months ago, I bought my first TT, a nice Technics 1200 GR along with some killer vintage MM carts like Audio-Technica, Stanton and a few Grace. I love my GR! I love that little silver bastard A LOT as a matter of fact. A couple weeks ago, my second table arrived, a minty fresh Luxman PD-444 from Japan. This is a Micro Seiki built TT and was the "tits" in the mid 70’s. I can mount 2 arms on the Luxman. I’ve got a nice Victor 7045 arm coming soon along with a Victor X-1IIe MM cart which work quite well together.

I’d like to add another Vintage TT from the 70’s or 80’s and probably phase out the GR. I like the look of the old Pioneer, Denon and Victor tables. I’d like to get a vintage table that can be serviced if needed, something I can add a sweet vintage arm too. 3 arms are better than two!

I’d like to hear suggestions and comments on some fantastic, cool as crap, vintage turntables that you think should sit next to the Luxman.

Thanks again for your help!

Brent




128x128knollbrent
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@sleepwalker65 

Have you seen this AT Safety Raiser ? Brand new device from Audio-Technica for lazy guys: "Designed to mount on a manual turntable, the AT6006R Safety Raiser automatically lifts the tonearm at the end of a record, protecting the stylus from damage."

I think it's nice option for manual turntables. 
glupson
7,842 posts
 
I wonder how it works. It does seem like something useful.

sleepwalker65,

You mentioned that semi-automatic mechanism uses belts. Was that what Technics used to do? You got me worried, I have SL-Q2, low-fi by standards of serious listeners and have never replaced anything. I was, obviously stupidly, imagining there were some cogwheels doing the work.

When it comes to reliability, some thirty+ years ago, the stop mechanism ceased to work and arm would not return. I had to start and stop it with on/off button. It lasted for 6 months, maybe even a little more, and then it started working again for no apparent reason. It worked this afternoon, too. The turntable is close to 40 years old so I figure if I do need to replace some belt now and then it goes for another 40, I am set for life. Literally.
lewm
12,997 posts
 
Unless your LP is in terrible condition, I don't see how letting the stylus ride in the run-out grooves for a half a minute or so, while you overcome your intertia and get up to change the LP, is going to hurt it.  So, I agree with Chakster.  I do like having a remote volume control, so I can turn down the gain whilst I prepare to rise from my listening seat for that chore.  That way, the speakers are protected from any transients.
harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
I have never been excited about automatic things near my records and cartridges, actually I can´t trust computers either : )
sleepwalker65's avatar
sleepwalker65
832 posts
 
@glupson, the SL-Q2 has a different mechanism than the SL-1700mk2 to raise and return the tonearm at end of play. I have the factory service manuals for both, and I’ll look it up for you. Yours might just need some cleaning and new grease on those moving parts. 
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