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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
edgewear
543 posts
 
@chakster While I agree with you, I've always wondered why Micro Seiki built direct drives on this exalted level as OEM for other companies - like this Onkyo, the Kyocera, some Luxman models and allegedly also the Yamaha 'gigantic and tremendous' tables  - but never under their own name. The market for DD's - even the more ambitious and  expensive ones - was much bigger than for belt drives in those days. 

BTW Audioscope is notorious for their absurd prices, so €20k should not be regarded as any sort of realistic market value. But then again it never appears on the open market, so they can charge whatever they feel like. I'd love to hear this table, but not at any price!

chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
His prices are high, but where else you can buy a MINT condition unit from 1981 if only 100 made.

Even if his prices are too high the units on his site are still better than most of the new turntables at the same price. And his vintage turntables are minty fresh like they are made yesterday. Great opportunity for rich people to buy amazing stuff :) 
knollbrent's avatar
knollbrent OP
526 posts
 
Onkyo is nice!
best-groove's avatar
best-groove
844 posts
 
His prices are high, but where else you can buy a MINT condition unit from 1981 if only 100 made.

In my country!
An enthusiast owns it and even put it up for sale recently but it is assumed that it received ridiculous offers and stayed at the owner’s home.
lewm
13,263 posts
 
What is the evidence that Micro-Seiki built the Onkyo, Yamaha, Kyocera, and "some" Luxman DD turntables? I don’t doubt it, but I am wondering about the source of the information. Does Vintage Knob, for example, endorse the idea? While we are at it, does the Kyocera DD, with which I am totally unfamiliar, play in this highest end league?

Based on my reading, personal experience, and many visits to Japan, my list of the best would include, in no particular order: Sony PSX9, Yamaha GT2000X, Technics SP10 Mk3, Kenwood L07D, Luxman PD441, Pioneer Exclusive P3, Denon DP100M and DN308, and I’d be willing to add the Onkyo PX100M on faith. What have I missed? Victor TT101/801, I guess. Honorable mention to Denon DP80/75 and a few Pioneer models below the P3. Anyone want to add to this "ultimate" list, without compromising too much?

Just checked Vintage Knob.  According to that authority, M-S did indeed build two turntables for Kyocera, and those are the only two Kyocera turntables deemed worthy of mention on VK.  However, they are both belt-driven and sport ceramic platters which some of us don't like.  Anyway, because they are belt-driven, Kyocera cannot make the list.
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