Not much talk about Yamaha turntables.

Thorens, Direct Drive, auto start, auto stop, switchable pre-amp, audio technica elliptical stylus, ....

a simple look, 

https://www.amazon.com/Thorens-Direct-Drive-Turntable-Cartridge-High-Gloss/dp/B07VRCJ8G8/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=direct+drive+turntable&qid=1588274994&sr=8-7&swrs=AF5B754DFF2FAA8BDA238ACC35626D8C

Call Underwood Hi Fi I'm sure he can give you a great turnable at or around your price.Check it out asap!!

@lewm : where in Tokyo, Disk Union? Why do I ask? Because I’ve been to several of their locations. 
 Thanks. 

@shtinkydog. The Nagaoka MP110 is a great cartridge, but if you can get the 150 or 200. 

Vac, If you are asking where I saw a nice used Yamaha GT 2000L most recently , it was at Audio Union in Ochanomizu. I buy LPs across the street at Disc Union. Our son lives in Tokyo as a permanent resident, and we visit him at least once a year. But sadly we canceled our trip in April, because of the coronavirus. For new stuff, I have been buying mostly at Yodibashi Camera in Akihabara, just because they have such a huge selection.

Speaking of GT-2000L, I've read somewhere that the Yamaha GT series of DD turntables were built by Micro Seiki. Can anyone confirm this is a true story?

That would suggest they were also responsible for the GT-2000X, which is generally considered one of the Japanese top turntables, on a par with Sony PS-X9, Technics SP-10mk3, Pioneer Exclusive P3, Kenwood L-07D and perhaps even Denon DP-100.

This begs the question why Micro never built DD turntables at this quality level under their own name. Apparently they were capable of doing such. The Micro DD series had a good reputation, but they were decidedly mid level. Anybody know why?

lewm

"4-30-2020 4:31amA nice GT2000X will be about double the cost of a GT2000 or 2000L. The X version is rare and very desireable, about $4k to $5K, last time I looked. Has bigger motor and heavier platter and better standard tonearm, compared to the GT2000, plus an outboard PS, but some or all of those upgrades were also optionally available on at least the GT2000L. It’s a bit confusing on Vintage Knob. I’d rate a fully equipped X version up with an SP10 Mk3 or Pioneer Exclusive P3."

Lew, please ignore the TVK entry on the GT 2000 series. Forever. Once again the TVK entry is leading you to propound "facts" which are (in fact) unfactual.

It would appear getting straight the information about the GT 2000X and the optional accessories is becoming a regular bete noir for you. So let me remind you, once again, of the fact that the GT 2000X came standard with the same platter as the GT 2000 and GT 2000L. They all came standard with the 6.3 Kg aluminium platter. Pleased consider this fact. Please cease repeating otherwise.
The optional power supply was just that. It did not come standard with any of the 3 2000 models. It was an additional order to getting any 2000. Please consider this fact. Please cease repeating otherwise.
The optional 18 Kg gunmetal platter was just that. It did not come standard with any of the 3 GT 2000 models. It was an additional order to getting any 2000. Please consider this fact. Please cease repeating otherwise.

There was NO option to upgrade ANY of the motors on ANY of the GT 2000 models. Please consider this fact. Please cease repeating otherwise.

Lew, I have outlined clearly these facts on this board more than once for your sake specifically due to your erroneously putting forth fantastic fiction, repeatedly. Please consider these facts. Please cease repeating otherwise.

@theophile I don't know what's your problem, but I sense a certain discomfort in your words. Repeating 'please cease repeating...' five times? 

Anyway, Hifido in Japan offers GT-2000 models for sale on a regular basis, usually priced around $2k. Recently they had the much rarer  2000X on sale at over $6k, which sold immediately. At 3x the price of the 'regular' 2000, one might assume there is a 'difference' to justify this, no?

BTW as you are so keen on having all the facts, can you confirm these tables were built by Micro? Or is TVK entry wrong here as well? Inquiring minds want to know....

but I sense a certain discomfort in your words.

With good reason @edgewear.....This has all been discussed multiple times over the years but obviously to no-one's benefit.
@theophile is frustrated and it's not only this Subject that keeps raising itself endlessly....
All your questions have been answered previously.
Please do a Search...🧐
Just to summarise a few points:-

• Micro Seiki did most of the build on the deck and tonearms
• Yamaha lured the designer of the Victor TT-81 motor from JVC
• Yamaha commissioned him to design the motor for the GT-2000 based on the Victor TT-81 with its Bi-Directional Servo Control
• The Yamaha GT-2000 motor is essentially a coreless version of the TT-81
• The motor is the same for all the GT-2000 variations

Thank you halcro.

The following is the first paragraph of the Wikipedia article about the Toyota 2000GT:

"The Toyota 2000GT is a limited-production, front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, two-seat, hardtop coupé grand tourer designed by Toyota in collaboration with Yamaha. First displayed to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1965, the 2000GT was manufactured under contract by Yamaha between 1967 and 1970. A halo car for the automaker, in Japan it was exclusive to Toyota's Japanese retail sales channel called Toyota Store."

The motor on the GT 2000X does differ to the motor in the 2000 and 2000L. In the 2000X motor motor/ spindle shaft is of a larger diameter plus the phosphor bronze well is commensurately larger. This increase in diameter has NOTHING to do with the heavier 18 Kg platter. It was just a refinement made to the motor in conjunction with the introduction of the premium X model. All GT 2000 series( GT 2000 and GT 2000L and GT 2000X) turntables were designed to be used with the optional 18 Kg gunmetal platter. All of them were standard with the 6.5 Kg aluminium platter (ie despite the uprated bearing in the motor of the 2000X, it came standard with a 6.5 Kg platter).
Since so little is known in English about the GT 2000 series turntables it is imperative that what is published is accurate. The Vintage Knob entries have and continue to cause a measure of confusion since many people reference them. People who repeat what they see on TVK add to the dilemma. Others then see the repeat referencing of the TVK mistakes and erroneously conclude that TVK has been corroborated by the 'additional' information.

I have seen these falsehoods innocently stated by lew over the years and have repeatedly politely set the story straight. I should not have to do this every time that lew contributes to a GT 2000 thread. I am exasperated that I need to do this again.
Enough is enough.

Okay, so I assume that the high priced 2000X on Hifido recently must have been equipped with the heavy platter and other ’extra’s’. My mistake.

@halcro my first question was to get confirmation that Micro built these tables. Apparently they did, which still leaves my second question: why didn’t Micro build DD tables of this quality level under their own name?

Apparently they did, which still leaves my second question: why didn’t Micro build DD tables of this quality level under their own name?

It is an interesting question.
Micro Seiki also built Luxman PD-444 Direct Drive 

why didn’t Micro build DD tables of this quality level under their own name?

I don't think Micro Seiki were big enough to invest vast sums in the DD Motor technology that Panasonic, Victor, Pioneer, Kenwood or other Japanese 'Giants' could.
Bear in mind that Yamaha used a Victor DD motor.....🤗

It is an interesting question.
Micro Seiki also built Luxman PD-444 Direct Drive

Well again.....Luxman got their motors from Mitsubishi whilst Micro-Seiki did the 'cosmetics'. A total 'sub-contract' package.....😝

I think that Micro's heart was really in its belt-drive technology which led the world IMHO.

@halcro If they used motors from outside sources to build DD turntables for other companies, they could have done the same thing for DD tables under their own name.....

They didn’t, so I guess you are correct to assume that their heart was with belt drive technology. Even if it didn’t rule the world back then, DD did. Apparently they still do, as the designer of the big Micro tables (can’t remember his name) started TechDas after the rebirth of vinyl. These are again belt drives with more then a hint of the ’old’ technology of tables like the SX-8000mk2. They now seem to have access to vast investment sums, with the AirForce Zero costing a grand or more......