Two Turntables? Why

Why, only two?

One for sunny weather, one for rainy weather
One for Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday, one for Tuesday, Thursday...
One for Jazz, one for orchestral church music
One for the Show, one for the Money
One for ...

Hi,
you can have one tt and 2 tonearms also. Many reasons, like many mono Lp's in collection, many used Lp's not in excellent condition, sentimental ones , sound variety ones, and so on.

chicks dig turntables......multiple.:-)

i've had as many as 5 at once, had one for a long time, now i have three.

if you asked me 2 years ago i would have said i would only have one turntable forever.

what changed?

i realized (1) how much i enjoyed vinyl, (2) how different drive approaches had different musical characters, (3) i enjoyed each of those characters in a different way, and (4) i just think turntables are cool things to mess around with.

so i found 2 more turntables i liked enough to own and bought them. and i'm really enjoying having these three.

check back in 2-3 years and we will see if i still have three, or maybe by then 4.

I have six turntables.  I have four systems.  Each has a turntable, my main system has two.  I need to get rid of one and am about to put one up for sale as soon as I have time.

The reason I have two turntables is that I buy a lot of used records.  In general, I play new or NM records on my best table, which also has a more expensive cartridge.  The used records that are VG+ (or sometimes worse) generally get played on the other turntable which has a less expensive cartridge.  Sound quality is pretty close, but I'd rather have the cartridge that cost twice as much last longer and not wear it out playing records that are less than perfect. 

My second turntable is a Technics SL1200 MK2 which also gives me the option of easily switching out different cartridges.  I have three different cartridges that all sound different that I can swap out.

That all probably still sounds crazy, and perhaps it is.

How many watches, shoes, guns, rifles, rods/reels, cars,.....etc. They all have a purpose and useful features that the others may lack. Why do you ask?

Nothing beats and old and inexpensive 1200 mk2 (or 5) for switching headshells and cartridges

Why not?

I have three totally different systems divided over two rooms. One is what could be called mainstream modern high end, with big dipole panels and solid state amplification. The other system in the room is vintage Japanese (a personal 1970's nostalgia 'thing') and the third system in an upstairs room is high efficiency dynamic speakers with single ended tube amplification.

These systems are worlds apart with very different strenghts and weaknesses. This is why I simply fail to understand these endless and boring 'which is better' debates about tubes versus solid state, or dynamic versus panel speakers for that matter. They're different approaches to the real thing and neither of them will ever fully reach their objective.

Having the possibility to enjoy these different takes on reality is one of the great joys of being an audiophile. Some people will say it's bullsh*t, but we love it, don't we kids?

But there's one 'which is better' debate that does have a right to exist. So let's hear it again: analog really is better than digital. So as a vinyl enthousiast and record collector it is the most natural thing to have a turntable in each of these three systems (and one of these tables holds three different tonearms). I don't understand why anyone would have it any other way.

You can arrange a constant play using two of them.
You can compare different tonearm and cartridges. 
You can separate them in two different systems if needed.
You can have one for backup if it's rare one.  
And it's a lot of fun. 

Here is what i use, but how can i ignore some others like this or that, they are so nice. 

It's like being in the studio surrounded by audio gear. Constant learning process also. I prefer vintage turntables from the golden era, it's a bit like your own museum too. This is an interesting hobby, not just one turntable to play records. 

chicks dig turntables......multiple.:-)

i've had as many as 5 at once

Dang. You win again. I've never had the stamina for more than three, even with Viagra.

I did have 6 at one time, spread around the house on varying systems.
Now down to just 3.
2 in my main system where one is stereo and the other is pure mono.
1 in my daughters system.

So to cut to why two?
As you can see i can switch from stereo to mono in seconds on the phono pre.
Thats about all I got for a serious reason.

Any other good reason is because I can.....

I've got three in my system. Two TT's have pretty much stationary cartridges while one TT gets what ever I'm in the mood for. 

I thought it was for stereo sound.

Why, only two?  I think the real question is how many arms are on each one...

I have 2 systems and 2 turntables. 

I have six tables in my main system. Two of them are configured for rapid headshell changes. One for MCs - I have about 10 and the other for mostly vintage MMs - about 12 of those.

Some spend time with women some with men some with beer.
Some with records some with cartridges some with tonearms.
And some with turntables and that´s cool.

- for the microphone.  

Two systems. Two tables. One with two tonearms. 

Like my hero Art Dudley, I wanted the two most iconic vintage tt's of all time, the TD124 and the 301. Both of mine are maxed out in terms of both restoration and performance upgrades. It just so happens that my TD124 was purchased the year I was born by my dad and has therefore always been in my family. I grew up with it. And my 301 is one of the most desirable by collectors-an early grease bearing rimless that was found in nearly NOS condition. Granted, the performance upgrades I chose meant the original grease bearing was replaced by a modern all-brass bearing but just the same, the deck is gorgeous to those that know what they are looking at. And unlike modern decks, vintage decks allow for custom plinths that add to the beauty and satisfaction of having something that only a true artisan can craft. 
So that is why I have two decks, each on either side of my equipment rack sitting on their own Symposium Foundations. As Greg Metz told me-and he is right-there are some records that sound best on one and others that sound best on the other. That phenomenon adds to the fun. 

Thanks for all the contributions.  

@tom6897 Why do I ask?  I have what I consider a good moving coil turntable & cartridge.  Together they are over &10K.  I know, I know, price isn't everything, but it sounds sweet to me.  But I am going through playing my all LPs (A-Z), that I have been collecting for 40+ years and some are not in great shape.  I like many here I cringe at using my $5K cartridge on an LP that saw weekly use in High School.  I have not dared to play any of my 78s on it either.  So, I have been contemplating a new 2nd turntable.  One that plays my 78's and other less audiophile quality stuff.  The thought of two tone arms interests me.

So, many questions floating around in my head.  Should I get good MM turntable to play the less pristine LPs?  If so, which one?  Should I get a turntable with two arms so that I can play 78's on a well paired cartridge?  I dunno.  Should I just stick with what I have because I am happy with what I am listening to now?  

But, thanks again. 

@millercarbon If turntables are like women, I'll stick with one.  Was married for 30 years, until death did us part.  That was plenty for me. But maybe old age, wisdom and a 2nd turntable may change my way of thinking. 

My idea of second turntable was always use of mono cartridge.

If records are washed well it doesn't matter what happened with them before. 

I like many here I cringe at using my $5K cartridge on an LP that saw weekly use in High School. I have not dared to play any of my 78s on it either. So, I have been contemplating a new 2nd turntable. One that plays my 78’s and other less audiophile quality stuff. The thought of two tone arms interests me.

Simply look for SP10R or earlier SP-10mk III or cheaper SP-10 mkII they are all designed for use with 33/45/78 records.

The SL1200G also play 78rpm.

Should I get good MM turntable to play the less pristine LPs? If so, which one? Should I get a turntable with two arms so that I can play 78’s on a well paired cartridge?

Definitely, and with really good MM under $1k from the golden era you will be surprised comparing it to your $5k MC :)) Read this.

Without breaking the bank you can find a decent MM with spare styli for Stereo, different era of Mono, and 78 rpm (Pickering and Stanton made all kind of styli for their MM cartridges). 

You can play 78 on Technics with MM cartridges, all you need is heavier headshell and stylus designed for 78 rpm.

If you want to be purist you can buy heavy tonearm like FR-64s and special mono cartridge for 78 rpm like Miyajima.

Technics SP-10r (or SP-10 mkIII, mkII) can be used with two tonearms, but tonearm must be at least "10.5 inch or longer (avoid "9 inch tonearms for this drive because of the short mounting distance).

I'm surprised no one has provided the most obvious answerFor DJing
Of course I'm joking, no one here cares about DJing anyway

I'm surprised no one has provided the most obvious answerFor DJing. Of course I'm joking, no one here cares about DJing anyway

I do 

Whats a DJ?

@luisma DJ'ing got me into vinyl in the 90's. 
It's what kept up vinyl sales in the UK in the 90's.
That aside I will say that I agree with @mikelavigne  - although I do it on a far smaller scale.
Besides people buy watches, shoes, cars, houses. Are turntables different? Wonderful tactile things built with care, thought, and love which entertain

I guess its the human need t compare, contrast, fiddle - collate. I don't buy that one sound is absolute and perfect - high end cartridges are a prime example - some are warm - some are cooler. Certain decks I guess are better for different music I guess - or moods

I have one TT with an extra cartridge sitting in a drawer (for 8 years). From a purely justifiably logical standpoint (something you may be able to justify to a wife who is not allowed to touch anything in the stereo or records except the volume knob) I can easily see having a two arm table for mono vs stereo without hassle if you're that concerned with that, although I've heard that is not a big deal. I can also see using one arm/cartridge for VG+ and below records to do less damage to a less expensive cartridge. Maybe an extra table for that reason feeding a 2 input phono stage that could be less expensive tor two complete tables versus a 2 arm table (but you may have the wife complain so a two arm table may ultimately less expensive for you).

Of course if you have multiple systems, that doesn't count. Each certainly needs its own turntable.

Beyond that, it's an equipment hobby, like rolling tubes, which is fine if you're into that. And swapping in and out multiple tables is a space/convenience and cost issue, like reel to reel vs. analogue and analogue versus digital.

That’s easy. One my wife is allowed to touch, and one she isn’t. 

One I have had since forever and it is "main". I barely use it, in fact. Elvis and I have had the other one (Dual). I mean, I used to listen to one like that a lot many years ago so I bought it recently just to see it again. Elvis had the same one, not mine of course. It is in the box in friend’s garage. So, technically, I do own two turntables although I doubt this scenario is what you were asking about.

I have a TT in the LR with my dope system. But that's next to the TV room my wife likes. I also have an "office" with another system w/TT. It's about keeping peace in the valley.

The most TT's have only ''place'' for one tonearm. But if one
use MM's and MC's one need two different tonearms. So either
one TT with two tonearms or two TT' s with one arm. Except,
of course, those who collect TT's for their own reasons. 

I have a modern table with extremely accurate speed that sounds very clear. It's my daily driver and sounds superb.

I have a classic TD124 for that rim drive magic, and to play all of my 16's and 78's (ok, joking, no 16's). It's a classic, and has its charm but the sound is certainly more veiled than the other 'deck. It has a replaceable headshell, so I can easily swap between mono, stereo and 78 styli. That's worth holding on to--for now. 

I replaced a modified Project manual turntable with a Technics automatic from the early 80's. I really enjoy the auto shut off, but miss the more exacting sound of the Project. I may add a decent quality manual in the future for serious listening, but I will keep the Technics for my more casual needs.

My reason was to run a second tonearm one light and one heavy. I don't care for any of the two arm turntables I can afford. I like big greg's idea of using a second table for used records. 
Once I get enough loose change I plan on putting a Reed 5T on a Grand Prix Monaco 2.0. That will negate the need for a second arm and table entirely.

motown-l,

"I replaced a modified Project manual turntable with a Technics automatic from the early 80's."

May I ask which Technics is that?

I have a MOFI studio deck that I prefer to use when I want to hear really good quality music. I also have a Denon turntable that plays fairly decent. The main reason I haver two turntables is because the MOFI tt is professional grade and I have to manually lift the tonearm after record ends. The Denon is fully automatic and the tonearm lifts and shuts off once the record is finished.
This is valuable in case I am tired and at risk of falling asleep before the album is finished. Otherwise the other tt will just keep hitting the album label and ruin the needle. I do NOT play my MOFI's on the DENON. I think that's against the law.

rn102198

First they are days when you are not ready to get up right away at the end of the record  here the semi automatic .forget the audiophile myths there are some very good ones out.
After a while in this journey some of us find out the best  way to clean our minds from the false claims out there  in the reviews and the audiophile circles is to  listen to  different pieces of audio in our own system  .I enjoy putting the Davids of yesterday  next to the Expensive Goliaths of today

BECAUSE I CAN.

I have  2 modest TT,Rega P3, Thorens TD 166 Mk II, I keep one as spare, back-up, just in case of a fault in the other that would require expert repair. And swap them periodically to evaluate the differences, and as a change of scenery. I don't play 45's or 78's, and no mono either. Those who collect such, I can readily understand, having more arms, or decks. Not hard to understand that, is it?

I also have four systems and four turntables.  Some systems are SS and some tube.  Some have separate phono pre and some use the integrated amp's own phono stage.  Different cartridges are also used and switched out.  I have $20K turntables and I have a $700 Sony digitizing usb table. I guess what I'm trying to say is that different music played on different systems is part of what makes this hobby so involving (and, yes, expensive). But I do not mock the OP for the question.  It is a legitimate question and I have tried to provide an honest response. 

She knows about two out of three....

Because its good to be a high roller!!

Fun. Enough said.

My post was taken down, you have fully the right to do so.However advancing it was offensive  is wrong  , .There was nothing offensive  offensive  to who or to what group of people.Reading my post  again I realize that  it  may seems to the censors that I was advertising freely on your site for my table. If it is the  reason  , you are fully on your right  but  this should be specified clearly instead of   alluding to a possible offensive nature of  my words.I entered the conversation, talking freely like if I were in an audiophile conversation  , my mistake I was in fact  in a commercial, business oriented setting. My mistake , things have changed. 

I just realized that I do not have two turntables. I own three turntables.

I completely forgot about the ownership of Mitsubishi LT-30.

I have it because I found it. I have never gotten to putting new belts in it. Maybe some day. Otherwise, it lights up, rotates, etc. It seems it is only the arm belt that turned into goo. At least that is how it was last time I looked at it. It is heavy.

Two turntables is a good start. We have an LP12 in the living room my son an old Denon DP47F in his bedroom. My main setup includes a Woodsong rebuilt Garrard 301.
Seriously, this may seem excessive but each has its use and is loved.