JPete9 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I am getting ready to spend a bit more money and buy some speakers, closely followed by a turn table. I doubt i will ever have a 10k system. Drooling through this thread and i can see that what is an expensive table to me, is probably low end to most of you. http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/77945-what-does-your-turntable-sit-on/page-2 What is the entry level of the decent tables in terms of dollars and tables? I think i prefer vintage, i think i will spend 500ish on my next table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Equaliser Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Thorens Prestige. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPete9 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Thorens Prestige. ok is that the nicest looking machine ever made? looks pretty freaking expensive, and maybe a shade beyond entry level? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundfan Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Well beyond budget, arguably Thorens best turntable. For budget Thorens I would look for a TD160, and even better, a TD160 Super. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eman Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 $500 should get you quite a respectable vintage table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hensa Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) There are plenty of options around the $500 mark for second hand 'vintage' turntables. Thorens, TD160 is a solid turntable as are its siblings, the TD145, 146 and 150. The TD320 is another (some say even better) Thorens option. You then have your Rega and Project options and $500 would get you a Rega Planar 3 or a decent Project deck. Apart from those (and several other belt drives such as Systemdek, Ariston and AR), there are then a stack of Japanese vintage direct drives. Technics, Luxman, Denon, Pioneer, Yamaha, Sony, Kenwood and JVC all built turntables ranging from lightweight plastic rubbish to heavyweight technological marvels. In between these extremes, there will be plenty around your budget which if in good condition will do a great job and in many cases, look superb! There are also some nice, good quality Dual decks that could come into contention. An excellent site is linked here: http://audio-heritage.jp/, It's a Japanese site but with auto-translate you can get a feel for the quality of the turntable (mainly Japanese models) and see the original price in Japan - that's usually a pretty good indicator of the quality of build and technology. There is also the English version but it seems to cover fewer brands: http://audio-database.com/. The Vintage Knob website is also excellent. An option is always to start a 'want to buy' thread and see what gems other members might be hiding in their cupboard. Finally, don't forget to budget for a cartridge (minimum $50 to $100) and a phono stage if your amp doesn't accomodate a low-level phono signal. Edited March 24, 2015 by Hensa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saad Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Technics 1200/1210. Far from entry level, and upgradeable to boot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPete9 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Thanks. I was looking at the technics 1200 and to be honest, i dont like the look of it. Aesthetics do play a part i guess. In my range i have seen a Luxman a522 and Thorens td320. Love the vintage look of both and review of them are great. Is it going to be a huge step up in performance from my pioneer pl117d? Would it be noticed on Yamaha Cr1040/Jamo Convert 7, or Yamaha AX496/Cerwin Vega setups? I will slowly build up, add phono stage, and try various amps and speakers. But i am keen to get as much as i can from what i already have where possible.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masliko Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 (edited) @@JPete9 I always suggest the AT-120 USB.I know alot of people who own them,they are very good. Edited March 26, 2015 by masliko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pops110 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I would think a Project Debut Carbon would be worth a look. Really happy with mine, sounds great, easy to set up and it's new so shouldn't have any issues unlike some vintage TT. Cheers Dave. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manchu Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 (edited) Lenco L75. nice vintage look in stock form, and performs well as is.....but is a good base for modifying. such as the stunning example below....from this thread http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/54543-pimped-lenco-l75/?hl=lenco the stock pic is mine. Edited March 27, 2015 by manchu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPete9 Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 (edited) So i bought a new table. A Yamaha PF800 - i just picked it up tonight, so other than ogling it i have just done a lot of reading and by all account its a fine table. Will fit in nicely with my Yamaha CR1040 and my soon to be acquired Yamaha 690ii i am on the hunt for. Edited April 17, 2015 by JPete9 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 @@JPete9 Cool I was after one of those for a while but never found one in budget. I like the arm, and how it separates the channel wires Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPete9 Posted April 18, 2015 Author Share Posted April 18, 2015 (edited) Well i spent the arvo cleaning it - it will need another go. Something quite satisfying cleaning away the grime and finding unmarked original condition under neath. Found 3 imperfections. 1. there is a little piece of plastic broken that holds a little ball under the arm - fixable. But need a good night sleep and steady hand...only affects where you park the arm manually, so it snot a big deal. 2. Cover has a few light scratches - i will polish these out. 3. the cuing arm slamm down and bounces - needs re oiling, but the procedure looks complex i will wait until i have more time 4. Everything else I own compared to it! Even with my cerwin vegas (i still cant understand why these are considered low end - i think they are fantastic!) and using my old Yamaha AX596 i can really hear the difference - its not that i am listening, its actually blatantly obviously better (clearer, more forward?, detailed). I feel like i need to rebuy all of the cheapo records i have in brand new mint having said i have double fantasy (i'm losing you) playing now on a $6 used record and sounds amazing! I cant believe how silent it is with the platter spinning and the arm queued - to my ears its actually silent - up close and from the speakers. Bottom line, my listening pleasure has been increased a LOT! and i really dont regret spending the money on it. So i must gotton a great deal. All this on a cheapo cart...cant wait to see how it goes with a nice one. Once i have my new speakers and my old amp going i will buy the beatles mono box set, wait for the family to head off for the weekend and open a 20yo bottle of scotch i have stashed and ease my way through the weekend... Here's a pic. Edited April 18, 2015 by JPete9 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyboyrm Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 that is one fine TT! reminds me of the zero 100 I had back in the 70s. It unfortunately had corrosion in the arms and had to be retired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPete9 Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share Posted April 19, 2015 Whats a zero 100? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Garrard table? http://www.vinylengine.com/library/garrard/zero-100.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eman Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Good one. Looks good and matches the other gear and sounds good ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billyboyrm Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 I still miss it! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPete9 Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) ... Edited April 30, 2015 by JPete9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThirdDrawerDown Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 @@billyboyrm - my first turntable! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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