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Vintage Japanese DD Consult and Suggestions Please

A little over five years ago, I worked with Chris Harban at Woodsong Audio to craft a bespoke Garrard 301 for me and my my vinyl collection. I had previously had a Dual of some model followed by a Thorens TD 160 with a nice Ortofon Black MM cart. The 301 was completely restored featuring a heavy mahogany plinth, Ortofon AS 309S tonearm, and Ortofon SPU head. I have completely blown away with how this table has sounded and looked. The sound was huge, rich, and detailed...everything that I heard that idle drives from this era should sound.

Unfortunately, some family health matters have forced me to liquidate some much revered audio gear, and recently placed my Garrard 301 up for sale. I do not wish to be without a way to continue to enjoy my collection and would somehow like to come as close to the performance of the 301 for around $2500 or so. 

My considerations (thus far)for this change are as follows,

Denon DP80

Technics SP10 Mk 2 or 3

Technics SL 1000 Mk 2

Luxman PD 444

As you can see, I am curious about the more vintage looks and sound of the direct drives coming out of Japan, and am hoping to glean from this audience which of these units may provide me with the same (or as close to)level of enjoyment that my 301 has done. Thoughts on tonearm and MC cartridges pairings with each would be helpful.

I am not really considering anything belt driven at this time for whatever reason, or a deck that veers away from a traditional turntable aesthetic.

If it helps, the rest of the signal chain is as follows.

Aric Audio Motherlode preamp

Manley Steelhead phono pre

Aric Audio Transcend EL 34 push/pull amp

Klipsch Forte iv speakers.

 

I am grateful in advance for your thoughts on this matter.

 

 

laaudionut
elliottbnewcombjr
5,651 posts
 

I helped my friend find/buy/install a Luxman PD-444, I became so impressed with it, I recently added info about it on this site. Option for a second arm, (one can be long), makes it a terrific choice if you have the extra width it needs. Dust cover down/up/easy to remove

Luxman PD-444, high tech within elegant simplicity

 

We put long and normal length Micro Seiki 505 arms on his, I may buy one for myself I like it so much, it’s headshell fitting is adjustable for azimuth. The Micro Seiki arm height is easy, hand tightened lever similar to my Acos Lustre GST-801, the wonderful SME arms in the photo are not, allen head set screws are used like my other two arms, Blackbird from NewArtVinyl in Russia and a very compact Mission branded Jelco.

 

To fit my very long effective 12.5" arm, I chose JVC Victor TT81 QLDD Quartz Locked Direct Drive in a seven layer CL-P2 Plinth which needs more depth, heavy acrylic dust cover lifts off

I highly recommend at least one arm with removable headshell, my rear Acos Lustre GST-801 9" arm has that and unique magnetics, the easiest/smoothest height adjust while playing. Headshell with azimuth adjustment is helpful.

You mentioned SP-10, Yesterday I checked all alignments of the Technics SP-15 I gave my friend years ago, with the EPA-BP500 Base that enables optional arm wands. One option, his, is the S arm with removable headshell, like this:

It has a clear dust cover that can be played up/dn/lifted off

ps, luckily as it turns out, my SUT has inputs for 3 arms; one advantage of the Luxman PD444 is it incorporates a switch for either arm, so only one ’phono in’ is needed for 2 arms.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,651 posts
 

A very nice QLDD option is Mitsubishi Linear Tracking, with auto start/stop or hands free manual features. LT-22, (other versions exist). Solidly built, I have the Vertical Version LT-5V in my office, it is belt drive, auto start/stop is a treat.

Mitsubishi LT-22 needs repair, just to see it

 

I helped another friend find/buy one. I had it shipped here, refined all the adjustments, and gave him the option to buy it or I would keep it, he loves it. It sounds darn good. We put a new AT540ml MM cartridge on it. A solid and easy TT, worthy of cartridge upgrade when ready, he went to 15 IPS Reel to Reel, OMG, they blow my pre-recorded 7-1/2 IPS R2R away. You hear what the musicians were hearing in the Studio while making decisions.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,651 posts
 

Denon DP80 in a DK-300 Plinth is a simple solid option, there is enough availability/competition, a few people have chosen different arms, or you change to ......... I have only read about them.

 

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