2. analog
  3. 1111514610

Idler wheel drive vs Belt

I noticed in the last day a frenzied bidding on an EMT 930 (plus arm/cartridge, etc) that went for $6.5Gs. Lots of money for a vintage kit. I also read some laudatory comments on the venerable Garrard 301 with boutique plinths. Anybody out there have experience with such, and can comment on whether I should abandon my purchase of a Teres and go for a 'transcription' turntable like Garrard 501 (with Schroeder DPM). Those vintage designs have lots of torque as they were used in radio stations, but don't seem to have close tolerance bearings or heavy platters. Yet some have thrown some serious positive comments on these vintage solutions. Is the magic real, and what contributes to it?
(I am not going to blow $6G on an EMT930 any day soon).
divo
flyingred
139 posts
 
I checked SP10 MkII prices with Stirling recently (March 2nd). A reconditioned deck is GBP498, with 6 month warranty. They produce a corian plinth for GBP398 plus GBP28 for either Rega or SME cut out.

They have one new deck available with 12 months warranty at GBP2248.

Stirling offer either the ex-BBC tonearms which, by repute, are not good enough for serious home use or the Rega/Audionote silver wired arm for GBP298.

HTH

Red
c123666
871 posts
 
Sounds like a great deal for a warrantied sp 10 mk ii with plinth and a decent arm. Pity the plinth will not accept a 12" arm and only 9" arms.
rwwear
2,883 posts
 
I have a MK-III and it is an entirely different beast than the MK-II. It has a 22lb bronze platter that is part of the motor. It requires lifting handles to remove it. The outboard power supply has a digital readout and speed control and a start switch. Mine has an SME 3012 but I have a 312 on order that I will probably try on it. But it sounds so good now that the 312 will probably go on my Micro.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
I cannot imagine that there is this enamorment with the SP10. When I had one, the Linn LP12 killed it. It was pretty and big.
rwwear
2,883 posts
 
Well, I have a Linn LP-12 sitting in a corner.
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