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Vintage Japanese DD Consult and Suggestions Please

A little over five years ago, I worked with Chris Harban at Woodsong Audio to craft a bespoke Garrard 301 for me and my my vinyl collection. I had previously had a Dual of some model followed by a Thorens TD 160 with a nice Ortofon Black MM cart. The 301 was completely restored featuring a heavy mahogany plinth, Ortofon AS 309S tonearm, and Ortofon SPU head. I have completely blown away with how this table has sounded and looked. The sound was huge, rich, and detailed...everything that I heard that idle drives from this era should sound.

Unfortunately, some family health matters have forced me to liquidate some much revered audio gear, and recently placed my Garrard 301 up for sale. I do not wish to be without a way to continue to enjoy my collection and would somehow like to come as close to the performance of the 301 for around $2500 or so. 

My considerations (thus far)for this change are as follows,

Denon DP80

Technics SP10 Mk 2 or 3

Technics SL 1000 Mk 2

Luxman PD 444

As you can see, I am curious about the more vintage looks and sound of the direct drives coming out of Japan, and am hoping to glean from this audience which of these units may provide me with the same (or as close to)level of enjoyment that my 301 has done. Thoughts on tonearm and MC cartridges pairings with each would be helpful.

I am not really considering anything belt driven at this time for whatever reason, or a deck that veers away from a traditional turntable aesthetic.

If it helps, the rest of the signal chain is as follows.

Aric Audio Motherlode preamp

Manley Steelhead phono pre

Aric Audio Transcend EL 34 push/pull amp

Klipsch Forte iv speakers.

 

I am grateful in advance for your thoughts on this matter.

 

 

laaudionut

Showing 2 responses by br3098

br3098
1,008 posts
 

@laaudionut I'm chiming in late here. Lots of good choices that you listed and others recommended. IMO any of the tables you listed will sound great and would probably be hard to distinguish given the same tonearm and setup properly. I'll add a few thoughts:

- if you don't require two tonearms you should consider the Luxman PD-441. Basically the same TT in a more manageable form factor. Can take most 9-10.5" tonearms - if you can find the appropriate arm boards. Also, the Luxman PD-121/131 is no slouch, although prices for these days seem to be more than I would  be willing to pay.

- I would add the Teac TN-400 to your list. IMO it's the best DD drive system ever made.

- Sony had a couple of Biotracer models that are great decks. They are semi-automatic decks but you can certainly use them manually. If you find one with the electronics still fully functional they are wonderful.

- If you want the look of a vintage Japanese DD turntable with improved features you should seriously consider one of the new Technics SL-1200 variants. They are significantly improved over the old models and they are available in a range of price points. I say that because I have owned all of the decks you mentioned at some point over the last 40 years and they are all good. But any vintage deck is either has a problem, even if minor, or will develop a problem at some point. No worries as long as you are willing to pay for repairs and have a good turntable guy on speed dial.

- Finally, the Music Hall Stealth is a seriously good turntable. Not Japanese, not classic but seriously good for the price (pre-tariff).

br3098
1,008 posts
 

I can't tell you much more than what you read. For some reason, Teac never really marketed these units, which were designed to compete in the same space as the SP-10. I bought one about 30 years ago from a company that had several new units in a warehouse. I played it for a while and then sold it, something I've regretted it ever since.

I doubt that you'll ever find a used PS-X9. I don't believe they they were ever plentiful nor were they imported to the U.S. I had a PS-X75 that I used a backup deck for years when my grandkids were around. As I recall I paid $400 for it and it was pretty bombproof. Sounded great too. But the arm locator sensor on many have gone belly up and I'm not sure how easily they can be repaired,

 

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