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
@knollbrent,

If you have max. $5k to spend - not including a cartridge - you might be able to put your mind on the Exclusive P3. HifiDo generally offers it for a little under $5k. But you have to add shipping cost, which will not be cheap. And you will need to move fast.

The Exclusive P10 is reportedly very close sonically to the P3 and should give you more leeway financially. But for some reason it is much rarer on the used market than the P3. The P10 has been on my radar for several years as a possible upgrade to the PL-70L II, but it almost never comes on offer.

Oeps, I just realize I’m creating my own competition here for acquiring a P10, but I reckon this honest recommendation will be good for karma....... ;-).

edgeware made a good point, and so did Chakster:  The PL70 has an edge on its competition at its price point, by virtue of its included tonearm, which seems to be the same as the one on the P3.  I've seen that tonearm for sale separately at prices in excess of $4,000.

My research also indicates that the lesser Yamaha's, below the GT2000, are not to be taken as seriously as the GT2000.  (We are talking about ultimate products here.  Surely the GT1000 and 750 will "work" and play LPs ok.) Moreover, keep in mind that the GT2000X is really the one to die for.
@rcronk   
ironically the OP's Technics Sl1200GR beats the Rega P6 based on my listening experiences.  
sound quality may not be the goal here...