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Reason for buying old/classic turntables

Could you please clarify why many people buy old/classic turntable from the 1960's or 1970's? Are those turntables better than the contemporary ones? Is it just emotion and nostalgia? I'm also asking because these classic turntables are often quite expensive (like vintage automobiles and wine). Recently I saw an advertisement for the Technics SP-10 Mk II for $3,000 and a Micro Seiki SX-111 for $6,000. You can also buy a modern turntable like an Avid, a Clearaudio or Raven for that kind of money. Or are these classic turntables still superior to the modern ones?

Chris
dazzdax

Showing 8 responses by audiofeil

audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>I can think that if " price/money is no object " then my choice will be for today TT's.<<

Agree with Raul.

Much like classic cars, they are cool to look at; some but very few are high performers. However, today's tables thanks to the use of computers, superior materials, better manufacturing equipment, and modern engineering outperform most tables of yesteryear.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
It's a great analogy i.e. old versus new.

You're overthinking, or at least trying to, a very simple concept.

Good effort though.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Some of the 60's/early 70's era cars are among the fastest automobiles ever built.

They oversteered, didn't handle worth a sh**, cornered terribly, and often needed repair.

But using massive amounts of torque, horsepower, and gasoline they went straight ahead very quickly.

From a technical perspective, they are dinosaurs.

My 1969 muscle car gets 6mpg (on a good day).
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
1969 1/2 Roadrunner 440+6
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>There is no reason a TT from forty years ago shouldn't sound as good as a table built today.<<

Wrong.

Computers and sophisticated manufacturing techniques enable components to be built to far tighter tolerances.

Not to mention that some of the new materials such as acrylic, rare woods, and titanium that weren't used years ago.

Your assertion "of draging a needle through a groove is essentially the same as it was when Edison did it" is far too simplistic.

Contemporary tables, tonearms, and cartridges are superior with the exception of a very small handful of examples.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Sorry Normansize.

That's just plain incorrect.

With all due respect to your dad, you don't have a clue.

Yes, some of the vintage tables were built well but today's best tables are simply superior.

Using your words I say to you " HA, ha, ha, ha, ha ha ha ha ... can't stop laughing".

Learn a little and then start making some noise here.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
For the record I own 2 vintage tables, which doesn't change the fact that todays's best i.e. Walker Proscenium, TW Acustic Raven, Basis Work of Art, Rockport, etc. are simply better than their older counterparts. Better materials, better engineering, tighter tolerances et.al. Old can be very good but hardly SOTA. Calipers are no match for computers and CNC equipment. That's wishful thinking.

Also, whether you agree with my views, they are devoid of financial interest and/or bias.

Any fool would know that.

Even Jack.

Who doesn't have a clue btw.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
You're correct.

I misused computer numerical control in my post in which the basic thrust was meant to indicate that current manufacturing processes due to computers/software allow better, more consistent, and tighter tolerances.

I am familiar with much of the equipment, undoubtedly not as much as you, so please excuse the error.
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