Chakster, Rega and pro-ject are not junk! I really wish you would stop!
You wish they are not, but they are junk (all entry models really are).
Just because you seemingly favor a direct drive, in particular "technics" (which by the way was developed for dj- ing) does not mean a belt drive is junk.
You know nothing about history of the brand and keep posting this BS, read wikipedia at least before you post something like that. I want to remind you that best Technics cartridges and Technics turntables are made for critical listening (and still desired by audiophiles). Only ONE particular model was adopted by DJs in the 70’s (mk2 version of the 1200 series), but originally NEVER made for DJs. All the DJing in the early disco era was on THORENS TD125 BELT DRIVE, google images from the Studio 54 (NYC world famous disco club), and try to find any Technics in the DJ booth. What you will see is Belt Drive Thorens, but no one today calling those Thorens a “DJ turntables” !? Technics DD motor was better and it was super powerful, there was a pitch control fader and this is the reason why it was quickly adopted by DJs and became a club standard since the 80’s! Another reason is durability, those decks can work forever 24/7.
BTW I want to tell you that DJs prior to 70’s are just people who put the record on the platter and push start button just like you at home with the only difference - they used a mic to say something between the tracks.
Broadcast standard for radio DJs in UK (for example) was GARRARD 301 !!! Would you call this idler drive a “DJ turntable” today? Probably not....
but look at this vintage broadcast dj setup with two Garrard 301! The best Technics broadcast turntable was SP-10 mk2 (special version with preamp and rack) with professional version of EPA-100 tonearm. This DD drive and this tonearm are reference class audiophile gear today. In the 80’s Technics made SP-10 mk3 and EPA-100 mk 2 ... and you will hardly find anything better even if you will pay 10 times more.
You seem hell bent at every turn to call them junk. Some of the highest priced turntable in the world are of a belt driven design, not direct drive.
This world if full of people who know nothing about turntables and same king of dealers! I don’t care what is the most expensive, price is NOT a guide to the highest quality today.
Pro-ject in particular produces turntables any where from 299 to well over 6, 7, or 8 grand!
this is why it’s junk, because SP-10R cost only $8000 for the drive alone (and it’s coreless high-end DD), in Japan the price is a few grands lower!
All belt driven....my pro-ject the classic sb with hana el will give your technics a good run for the money.
I don’t use Technics turntables in my main system, my point is NOT to advocate what am I using myself. My point is to share truth and knowledge when I read some nonsense about Technics.
My turntables
are Luxman PD-444 (two of them),
Victor TT-101 and Denon DP-80. Those are some of the best vintage DDs you can get. Been using SP-10 mk2 for a long time, have nothing against it, just tired of it, if I will ever buy Technics again in must be SP-10 mk3 or new SP-10R.
So would my mmf-7.3 music hall. I’ve owned direct drives in the 80’s. One was a denon dp37f, little brother to the dp47f, as well as an older direct drive technics. Neither were as good as what I currently own.
You owned some mediocre stuff, and it’s very common mistake on audiogon when older people talking about something they never owned, comparing some mediocre direct drive cheapies from their past to reference direct drive turntables (old or new).
Heck, even my fully automatic Thorens td-240-2 belt drive with floating sub chassis and beautiful walnut wood bass is better than any dj looking technics.
If you like wood
check this teak plinth for my ex SP-10 mkII with Reed 3p "12
You don’t like DJs - right?
But did you know that Thorens TD-125 was exactly what ALL NEW YORK DJs have been using at the disco booth?
Thorens is a “classic DJ looking turntable”, funny but it was you who lived in the 70’s and you don’t even know!?
Now for evidences
Check this link, look at the images and make sure there are ONLY Thorest TD-125 at the DJ BOOTH, how do you like it @audioguy85 :))
