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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 dgarretson

dgarretson
2,609 posts
 

@laaudionut

I have a SP10 Mk 2, PD444, and LO7D and would add simply that all three are great choices.  Each will likely need to be re-capped if not already serviced.  All are satisfying in stock form, but will benefit with addition of modern footers and siting, re-lube, silicon nitride bearing, etc.

Overall the Luxman is probably the most satisfying in terms of reasonable cost, superb vintage esthetic, flexibility in adapting modern or vintage tonearms, and simplicity of maintenance/DIY speed adjustment as per factory service notes with a multimeter.  I found that its plinth design can be improved by substituting thick brass in place of the stock steel armboards.  For a further reduction in plinth resonance, I replaced the archaic stock RCA switch box attached to the bottom of the plinth with a solid wood subplinth that serves as a pedestal for a third arm base out front that accepts standard Micro Seiki cantilevered armboards.  All in all a great piece that is seldom discussed relative to other vintage DD.          

dgarretson
2,609 posts
 

Lew, look forward to catching up with you personally in early 2026.  By that time I'll likely be in retirement someplace between Fredrick and Front Royal.

Raul, Always good to hear from you.  When listening to a TechDAS at shows I think of the Micro Seiki origin story that branches through some of the best analog.

Best,

Dave  

 

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