So many great golden era DD tables out there, what do you recommend for $1000?
Dear @uberwaltz : You don't have to go " vintage " when you have the new Technics line with coreless motors and very good tonearms: https://www.technics.com/us/products/grand-class/sl-1200-series.html Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
I've never had the opportunity to compare PL-70 and PL-70L II, so best-groove may have a point. But it's difficult enough to get either of these tables where I live. I know that newer isn't always better. But I do wonder why Pioneer gave up on that MU-70 motor for the PL-70L II, apparently for an inferior alternative. Cost reduction is usually the reason for such alterations. But if so, why go through the trouble of also redesigning the tonearm? Not cost reduction it seems, as the newer design has interchangeable carbon fiber arm pipes similar to the P3/P10 tonearm. Unfortunately they also included an automatic arm lift, which is a feature I don't like. Of course the P3 or P10 is the perfect solution. Their best motor and best manual tonearm combined in a much more substantial chassis. By all accounts they still compete with anything out there, both new and vintage. But alas, not for $1000...... |
best-groove, I beg to differ with your claim that the SP10 Mk2 does not rely upon a now discontinued chip. It does, in fact. Up until a year or two ago, that chip was unobtainable. (I think the part number is MN6042, but right or wrong as to part number, there IS a critical chip.) Many users of the Mk2 and the Mk3 purchase the one or two of the SL1200 variants that also use that particular chip, just to have a spare. However, in the last two years, JP Jones succeeded in producing a PCB that does the job of the MN6042 with even more resulting speed accuracy. And the PCB is not physically larger than the original chip. He sells it for a very reasonable price at Fidelis Analog. He'll also install it for extra cost. As to the Pioneer Exclusive turntables, these are the P10 (not "PL10") and P3. The P3 is the ne plus ultra of vintage Japanese DD. The Pioneer PL70II is also very highly regarded and may or may not be competitive with the Exclusive P10. (See write-ups on Vintage Knob.) But the P3 is in another league, and another price range. I agree with Raul; coreless motors are the way to go. |
Vintage DD for $1000 with plinth and tonearm? I think it’s pretty tough, but much more realistic without plinth and tonearm if you want something special. Technics SP-20 from the mid 70’s was a budget version of SP-10mkII, exactly the same size and shape, but without external power supply. Simplified DD motor. But look at the finishing, simply amazing. I like this black finishing. This is a rare model. My previous two samples now in use in the hood and friends are happy. Custom plinth and some nice vintage arm will make this model so cool and still not expensive. And if you want all in one under $1k then only SL-10 comes to my mind. The SL-15 most likely will be over $1k. I’m pretty sure refurbished samples must be great, there is a phonostage inside. I can’t ignore a budget version of PD-444 made by Luxman, this PD-441 is much smaller, but it has the same decent DD motor! I’m a fan of big and heavy (metal) PD-444 (not 441), but 441 is much cheaper and you can find it without arm under $1k |
