I looked at your system photos…. wow… sublime… I have the smaller TAD ME and a JL sub on the way. With the care / thought you have put in… a measured pursuit is a good idea.
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.
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Lenco made belt drives at one point in its existence, just to say the Bogen may be a re-badged Lenco belt drive, or not. (I just cannot recall for sure.) Mea culpa. See here. |
I have a Technics SP10Mk II, completely rebuild, custom plinth, etc. etc, took far more than $2500 to get it to the point I considered it to be a finished product. I could never go back to a belt drive, went through the VPI belt drives, modified Thorens and others. The drive, slam, dynamics, transients far better with my Technics vs the belts with it's 100lb mass loaded plinth, Stillpoints, and 100lb mass loaded stand. |
Cost is one reason why I recommended a Denon DP75 or 80 instead of an SP10 Mk2 or other, and in this case I would additionally recommend to this OP that he purchase from a reliable source who is willing to guarantee operating condition and shows a history of prior service or restoration. In fact, I would check out PBN Audio, although the cost of one of their DP80s may be out of reach for the budget. |
If it were me and I had to get a DD with that budget I would make it a Denon DP80 and get the most cosmetically perfect one I could. You can always get the table serviced, you can never repair the cosmetics on these vintage tables. Some of the Japanese sellers do a recap on them before listing. Then find one of the Denon bases and be willing to sand and refinish. I could see these two pieces coating $1000 to $1200. Now you have 1200 or so for a tonearm. You might be in the range for an Audiomods Series Six. You can see what the used market holds for something like a Groovemaster, maybe you find a Schick, perhaps a Clearaudio. You should get a serviceable table that way. |
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