Without going into the gory details of which drive system is best or whether vintage turntables or cartridges are worse than, equal to, or better than modern ones, my opinion is that the biggest gains in vinyl reproduction over the last 45 years (roughly my tenure as a vinylphile) are with respect to the electronics. Modern well designed phono stages are just eons better than anything that was available back in the 70s or early 80s. With respect to solid state options, this is not even worth debating. Modern SS designs are in another universe from vintage, if only because modern transistors and ICs are faster and lower in distortion. With respect to tube phono stages, I would say the same is true. One, but only one, reason for this is the availability of much better parts with which to build these stages. Another reason is the evolution of design philosophy. I think the same is true of cables and power cords. These devices enable us to appreciate the virtues of vintage turntables and cartridges to an extent we did not dream of, back when they were current products. The same reasoning applies to linestages and amplifiers, of course. The very best speakers of yore still hold their own against modern efforts, provided the drivers are in good shape, in my opinion. But I do think there are more great speakers available these days than was the case 45 years ago. This is all without considering cost, which is slave to inflation over time.
Sell Me Your Women, Your Children, Your Vintage Turntable...
Ok I’m trying to understand the appeal of buying something like an old Garrard 301 or an elderly Technics all trussed up in a shiny new plinth, versus something manufactured in the 21st century by people not wearing clogs.
Surely modern gear has to perform better, dollar for dollar? It isn’t like these restored Garrards are exactly cheap, i was looking at one for almost $11k yesterday on Reverb. The internals looked like something out of a Meccano set.
I ought to be more in tune with the past, I’m almost 60 and wear bell bottoms, but the style of the older TTs just doesn’t do it for me. Now then, my Dr. Feickert Volare had a look that was hardly futuristic, but that’s about as retro as I’d prefer to go.
All that said... I will buy one of these old buggers if it genuinely elevates performance.
With $10k available for table and arm, on the new or used market, how would you splash the cash?
Rooze
Surely modern gear has to perform better, dollar for dollar? It isn’t like these restored Garrards are exactly cheap, i was looking at one for almost $11k yesterday on Reverb. The internals looked like something out of a Meccano set.
I ought to be more in tune with the past, I’m almost 60 and wear bell bottoms, but the style of the older TTs just doesn’t do it for me. Now then, my Dr. Feickert Volare had a look that was hardly futuristic, but that’s about as retro as I’d prefer to go.
All that said... I will buy one of these old buggers if it genuinely elevates performance.
With $10k available for table and arm, on the new or used market, how would you splash the cash?
Rooze
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- 95 posts total
Billwojo, you forgot the motor which is directly connected to the plater in an idler drive. It does not have a bearing? Actually, it has two, one on either side of the stator. I’m sure it is a cool device. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Billwojo is a machinist, I’m a retired HD master mechanic. WE can make anything quiet. If you’re nice WE might teach you a thing or two.. If not WE’LL leave the 100 years between us to someone that DOES. The only TT I can’t get quiet are the old mechanical automatics. Like a Zero 100. (sure nice looking for being such a pile SQ wise) A TD224 I can get to work perfect and be quiet. No matter what anyone builds, the platter can’t ride on a ball. Once you accept that, you will understand what QUIET is.. Air ride or mag lift is QUIET.. Everything else has rumble The 33.3 BS being spouted is hogwash.. I know for a fact no one could tell the difference if I set it at 32.3 or 33.3 rpms, much less being or staying accurate. You might notice wow, BUT I haven’t heard that in 35 years, and even then more so on RtR tapes needing to be re-tensioned. Startup on a rim drive is 1/4 to 1/2 turn to full speed.. The real way to Que is to TURN OFF the motor on a Russco and flip the switch to start the qued record.. Mine are full speed in 1/4-1/2 turn.. Summer/Winter (temperature change) They have GEAR SHIFTERS for Gods sakes, how cool is that... Remind me of Cylons, just need a JBL diffuser for a helmet.. So many goodies but only so much time. :-) Regards |
OP I go with the SME, Never heard a Woodpecker. Buddy is a BIG SME fan, that and Colt. LOL He says they are close in build quality.. They are.. Serious QC there. Soundsmith and SME, peas and carrots... NEVER heard a Garrard rule the roost.. The closest is a 401.. there is a BIG difference between the two 301 vs 401. I’ve hear quite a few Triangle Art units too.. The guy use to use the same speakers I use. RMx Elixirs.. https://www.google.com/search?q=vmps+rmx+elixir&sxsrf=ALeKk00-tDINoxmfm5IDNg9b7b5GC4xoTg:1623265... |
- 95 posts total