vintage turntables?

"Consider this, that KAB power supply is a $250 upgrade. I think more engineering effort goes into designing a power supply than a motor mount." As a small scale manufacturer I can tell you $900. doesnt go too far so that may not be a good comparison. However your point is taken, the KAB modded technics gives enormous value. In Sotas case getting that last little bit of performance in anything consumes an exponential expenditure of resource compared to return look at performance cars for example. We find that last little bit of refinement can be 50% or more of the final cost and some customers cant justify that. But if you want to take anything to the extent of its potential that last bit is gonna be expensive.

as it seems you guys are saying, it just seems to me that its more cost-effective to go with something vintage, and also, they have sort of a different vibe to them (might be just me) but its much like a guitar. if your buying an old, well used guitar (or turntable) it seems like it has its own stories, its lived a life already. it has a "soul" so to speak. and i like that about buying the older stuff.

Never disregard the Maplenolle Turntable (Record Player) Line. These tables are reaching 30+ years ; are air driven and offer great value and sota sound reproduction to those that understand and take a hands-on approach. More about Maplenolls's can be found on exsisting threads, should you want a good read.

Vintage Thorens units were always the best as I recall.

Some of the Duals were OK but not in the same league as Thorens. I still have a nice Dual 1264 in my second system...sounds good with a good phono stage.

There were some vintage Micro Seikis that were very nice also.

I had a Philips TT (model anyone??) that had a very cool and clean Scandinavian design with wood veneer and chrome base and led touch sensitive controls that I really liked. I still have some cassettes recorded off that unit + they sound pretty good still. The Philips were prone to breaking down though I was lucky with mine, I suppose. Don't know if any of these are still around in good working order.

I've been sold on my Linn table now for over 20 years and still going strong.

Chuckalator,
Check out the Lencos in my system.
The L75 is a superb vintage table with incredible stability. Stability translates musical dynamics, rhythm and punch.
Beware: A table of this caliber will only lead to vinyl obsession.