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Which TT to keep? SP10, 124, 301, L75, B12H

I've collected these vintage turnatbles over the past year or two: Technics SP10 MKII, Thorens TD124 (MKI), Garrard 301 (oil bearing), ROK B12H, and Bogen/Lenco L75. Among them, TD124 and L75 are in nice original form, rest need rehab. My original plan was to restore, put them in high quality plinth with nice arms, etc. Apparently, like most of us, I probably have been too greedy and possessive. So, I am now forcing myself to keep just one of these. In the not-so-long-term, I will use only modest tonearms that are in my possesstion (Audio Technica ATP12, Micro Seiki MA505, Ortofon AS212, etc). So, what's your take if you were in my situation? Since the choice shall be very much taste dependent, it would be nice to refer to your own music inclination. Thanks.
zipcrack
hiho
451 posts
 

With the exception of 301, I have owned all the turntables mentioned and I personally think the stock silver version of Empire 208 is the most visually appealing design in vintage turntables. I believe the VPI Classic is inspired by that. Simple and elegant, with a superb Papst motor that provides high torque and stable speed. My friend bought one, modified and changed the arm, and decided to sell his Linn LP-12. When I was taking a break from direct-drive, the only belt-drive I decided to use was the Empire 208. It was that good.
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mavare's avatar
mavare
4 posts
 
When are you going to sell those TTs? I want the SP10
lewm
12,876 posts
 
Dear Zipcrack, You should have no fear about using your SP10 Mk2. But before you do use it, get a competent person to replace all the electrolytic capacitors in both the power supply and the on-board electronics. (If memory serves, there are 8 in the PS and about 20 on-board.) Buy new Panasonic FC (for low voltage) and TS-ED (for the very few high voltages needed in the PS) caps from Digikey at less than a buck apiece. You can get the parts list from the service manual available on Vinyl Engine. If you live on the East coast, email me and I can give you a reference to someone who will do it for you and calibrate the table as well as replacing any other marginal parts. But in general transistors don't break unless they are presented with too much voltage or AC vs DC. This can usually only happen if an electrolytic that is now more than 30 years old get leaky. Odds are that at least some of those caps in your unit are already bad. But this is nothing to be afraid of and you should be using your SP10.

The iron block approach to dampening vibration of the bearing assembly in the SP10 is purely the idea of Albert Porter. His plinths (or the plinths he sells) have that set-up. It works, but it is hardly essential to the enjoyment of an SP10. If you cannot afford his plinth at this time, buy a Technics plinth until you can; the obsidian plinth will not lose value, as it is also collectable. Or buy any of the other excellent after-market wooden plinths that can be seen on Audiogon.
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