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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
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.
best-groove's avatar
best-groove
844 posts
 
@lewm    in your personal list don't forget the Nakamichi TX1000, Nakamichi Dragon CT, Denon DP100M
Emt 950, 948 and 938 for example.
totem395
390 posts
 
It’s a little more complicated than simply Micro made some of this brand or that brand’s tables/drives.
In fact some Micro drives were made by Victor albeit not the very
top models simply a matter of convience.

Its also known in the case of the GT-2000 that Victor’s speed control
engineer was brought in on the project don’t recall if the rest of
the drive was all Victor. There was the post by J. Carr way back and on a Japanese site.

So plenty of overlap all over the place more than we will ever
find documented.





chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I'm sure that is what we were told by the Luxman rep; that Teac manufactured the motors to Luxman's specifications. Having said that, I am not sure that it is true. For some reason the owners frowned upon sales folks disassembling expensive gear.

But it does make sense. The PD-441/444 motor does bear more than a passing resemblance to that used in the original Teac TN-400.

Serviced PD-441 this guy claimed the motor is made by Mitsubishi , here is the video. 
Before that several member of this forum claimed it could be made by Victor, Micro, or even by Teac. 



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