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Upper Level Vintage DD Strenghts and Weaknesses

All of these tables have been discussed in some form or another here over the years. I have read quite a few threads on them, but its a bit difficult to nail this point down.

Basically I am looking for a non-suspended table to install a Dynavector DV505 arm on, and these tables can fit the bill.

The most widely available is a Denon DP 75 or DP 80 in a Denon plinth, and they are perhaps the most affordable also. Are there any of their plinths that are desirable, or are they just a veneered stack of MDF or plywood?

While more expensive I can find a Sony TTS8000 in a Resinamic plinth although shipping from HK is expensive. There is one thread I came across here where a member who restores tables says two of the three TTS8000 he has done had play in the spindle assembly which looked to be wear in the brass bushings of the motor. That does make me pause in concern.

The JVC TT101 is not only difficult to find, its apparently a bit of a bear to get serviced, so its not high on the list.

The Technics SP 10 MK II I have owned, and its a nice table but to be honest I had a Denon DP75 that I felt actually sounded better. Also the models that are out there are either abused or have a premium price tag attached to them. Also I don’t need instant torque, and I think the bi-servo designs might offer better speed control.

As I write this the Denon and Sony seem to be at the top of the list, unless there is another I should be looking at.
neonknight
ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
@neonknight  
I have DP80 with DK100 and DA401 arm with DL303. I use it with HA1000. I like it very much, and I decided to have DK2300 and DP75 from Japan. I will use DA309 and DL103R. I still need to get another arm. Maybe I will get DA307. I will use LoMC Ortofon cartridge with DA307.  With all, it will cost me around $1200 without cartridges. 
dover
2,243 posts
 
@ihcho 
That Denon HA1000 head amp is pretty grainy and not particularly transparent, you should probably upgrade that before you spend more on another arm or cartridge, if you want best value upgrade.
ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
I got HA1000 from an original owner who had kept it in mint condition, and actually it sounds pretty good.
I have Allnic H1202 and Live! MC-10 SUT, and yes, indeed they sound better than HA1000, but not day and night difference on my system. Other cartridges I use are AT150mlx, Ortofon MC20 super, SPUs, and super low output Ortofon MC cartridges. 
Currently, H1202 is used with MC20 super and Live! MC-10 is used with SPU cartridges on Garrard 301 with two arms. I enjoy the difference of sounds from different cartridges/tonearms/turntables, and MC SUT and head amps.
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neonknight OP
392 posts
 
In the meantime I have installed the Ikeda 9 Kawami in the Dynavector with a 15 gram headshell. The Dynavector arm is an unusual design, and what I found interesting is that there is a counterweight at the end of the main arm that has to be set in regards to cartridge weight, and then on the shorter arm there is a secondary counterweight that sets tracking force. On the main arm pillar there is a bearing that has a short range of vertical movement, even though the primary arm purpose is to travel in the horizontal range. Why there is a vertical travel with a bearing there I am not sure, but I followed the set up instructions for the cartridge weight and positioned the counterweight appropriately. 

Actually the Ikeda cartridge performed pretty well even though I had read posts where others have said it would not. I am not 100% sure its perfectly dialed in yet, although it tracks darn near everything perfectly. However, on Fleetwood Mac Dreams AP 45 release I have one phrase where I have a touch of sibilance. With the Ortofon MC200 installed I do not have this issue. So I still may have a bit of work to do. I wish there was a published procedure or SOP for setting one of these cartridges up. I imagine set up should work along the lines of a London Decca, so perhaps I will see what I can find out in a search about setting one of those cartridges up. 

The Dynavecotr is an unusual arm, and I wonder about its complicated nature at times. But I cannot argue with the results. I am pleased with the table and arm though. In listening to the Scheu and Dynavector with the Ikeda cartridge installed I am not sure the SOTA with SME V and Transfiguration is really any better. There are slight differences, but all in all the tables basically perform at the same level and have similar presentation. The Ortofon MC200 sounds quite nice and makes for an excellent casual play cartridge. My plan is to pick up a couple of good and modestly priced cartridges and use them in this manner, and then save the ZYX/Ikeda/Transfiguration for more serious listening sessions. 
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