They have this "evolution" thread for Amplifiers and for Speakers, I think it would be interesting to find out what Turntables everyone has owned in their audio journey.
For me, its: 1. Dual 1225 2. Bang & Olufsen RX w/MMC5 cartridge 3. Denon DP59L 4. Rega Planar 3 with Accutex MM cartridge 5. Kenwood KD-5070 w/Audio Technica cartridge 6. Harman Kardon T45 w/Ortofon OA-30 cartridge
I tend to keep TT's for a long time compared to amps and speakers and currently own both 5 & 6. I had my Rega for over 20 years and don't see ever going back to a fully manual turntable - just too lazy. Look forward to seeing your comments. Thanks
Dual 1229 as second table to stack records. Didn’t last long, too many issues with the automatic features.
Technics 1200 mk2, probably the 80s or 90s version. Intended to get it modded for 78 and never got around to it. It was kind of beat up by the previous owner and ended up selling it for about what I paid. Kind of wish I’d held onto it with how prices for these skyrocketed, but this one was a little too far gone to really be an ’investment piece’.
Rek-O-Kut Rondine 3. Good features for 78 collectors such as a wide-ranging pitch control and long transcription tonearm. Sold because I was staring to hear the limitations of what’s basically a homebrew turntable with cheaper parts and mild speed stability issues. Wish I got rid of it sooner.
Technics SP-10R. Done, hoping it lasts the rest of my life. Perfection. Went through a variety of arms; sticking with the Dynavector DV505 (great for tracking 78s with irregular surfaces) and a Fidelity Research FR66S as a backup. Using Shure V15Vx, Soundsmith Strain Gauge, and maybe some Stanton 681s. 99% of what I play are 78s, so I haven’t really gotten into higher-end LP cartridges. My existing cartridges work well enough for the handful of times I play LPs.
Technics (model ??)....Micro Acoustics 2002e Micro Seiki MB-12ST Ariston RD-40....Shure V-15 Type V Ariston ICON Rega P3....Sumiko Blue Point Special Michell Gyrodec (Gold/Bronze)....Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III
Rega P25.... Thorens TD160....Empire 681 EEE Rega P5....Dynavector 17D3 Same P5 but now Substantially modded...ZYX AIRY 3
Thorens TD165 (1976-1982) Denon DP30L (1982-1984) Denon DP45F(1984-1995) Denon DP51( purchased used, died within weeks of purchase) Rotel RP900(1995-2001) Rega Planar P3-2000 ( with Origin Live RB250 arm)(2001-2018) Technics SL1200 GR ( purchased last week)
My first table was some forgettable BSR belt drive table (1977) My second table was a Kenwood KD1033 (1977 - ?, gave it to a relative) Next- some Onkyo nonsense (1980 - ?, gave it to a friend, still in use!) Next- Thorens TD166 MK 4 (1985-1990) Next- Rega Planar 3 (1990-1998) Next- Linn LP12 which I've owned since 1998
Since about 1969: Dual 1019 AR XA Transcriptors Reference w Vestigial tonearm (a real trip) Thorens TD125 Sota Star Sapphire Series III Nottingham Hyperspace Lenco SP10 Mk2A Lenco + Technics SP10 Mk3 + Kenwood L07D + Denon DP80 + Victor TT101 (These were acquired sequentially over 3-4 years, each one without selling the previous, except for selling the SP10 Mk2A, so I have a "collection".)
Garrard SL95 w/ various Shure V15's Connoisseur BD1 w/ JH Formula 4, ADC XLM Technics SL-110 w/ SME 3009 series III, Shure V15-mkIII,IV Sota Sapphire w/ Sumiko MMT, several Grado signatures, Reference and Sonata Technics SL-1200 mkII w/ all the KAB upgrades and AT150ANV keeping an eye out for an SP-10 mk3 or a Rockport Sirius3
1. Original AR Shure cart 2. BSR(?) Shure cart 3. Modified original AR with Grace 707 Shure cart 4. Last version of the AR Shure cart 5. Home built with Linn Basik arm Audioquest HOMC cart 6. VPI HW-19 III Premeir FT-3 (Sumiko arm wrap) AQ HOMC AT OC9/ML 7. VPI TNT modified, Jelco 750D Lyra Clacis DC AT OC9/ML 8. VPI Aries Extended (original) JMW-12 AT OC9/ML AT OC9/II current
Pioneer PL-15D 1972-1987 Pro-Ject Debut II 6 weeks 2008 Technics SL-1700 2008-09 Technics SL-10 my Son is currently using it. Technics SL-1300 2009-2011 Technics SL-1210MKII current w/Jelco 750 arm. Denon DP-500m current.
I prefer Direct Drive TT's and removable Head shells for quick cartridge change out.
My experience goes over 40 years having "acquired my first table from my father. It was a Zenith "cobra" arm HiFi with two massive 15" speakers. I used it for about 2 years before it died and then went on to my modern list 1. BSR-- Belt driven and do not remember exact model 2. Dual 701--My first lusting over a component-- Lots of bucks for a college kid 3.Dual 721--My reference with Ortofon cartridge and Shure cartridges for almost 20 years 4. Denon 47p--A sweet replacement with ortofon cartridge 5. Michell Gyrodec--My first real manual table. started with Ortofon MM, but went on to Sumiko pearl, VDH frog, and ZYX airy3 6. Maplenoll Ariadne --The white one-- It was a beast and came busted so i rebuilt it and refurbished the platter to finally understand what a neat machine maplenoll built. I was hooked on them 7. Maplenoll Ariadne Signature--90lb platter and massive sound. I built a on the fly VTA and carbon fiber tonearm and thought it could not get better--Discovered the original ZXY Universe cartridge and Artisan--it was very nice 8. Maplenoll Apollo--Heavily modified by Lloyd Walker with an external motor and on the fly vta. I since have modified to my own carbon fiber tonearm and headshell to make tonearm lighter. Other tables may look prettier, but the sound from this beast has to be experienced. Moved up to UNIverse II aND rcm PHONO STAGE.
Only issue is keeping the platter lubed as it only weighs 80 lbs. I am refurbishing the two other maplenolls and will eventually sell them
this is a manual table and at 60 years yound, its a little trouble but when the stylus hits, wow
You must have a verified phone number and physical address in order to post in the Audiogon Forums. Please return to Audiogon.com and complete this step. If you have any questions please contact Support.
