2. analog
  3. 193233-96382

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 4 responses by theophile

theophile's avatar
theophile
290 posts
 

Well done. That is a great choice.

theophile's avatar
theophile
290 posts
 

I suspect that some of the improvement I and others have found using versions of the outboard power supply for the GT 2000 is that transformer vibration is now removed from the plinth of the turntable. Conjecture on my part but feasible.

The GT 2000 series did not come standard with the external power supply but it was designed into the basic GT 2000 model to be purchased as one of the many available options. Any discussion about a GT 2000 needs to outline whether any of the options are being utilised because all of them will in some way affect the sound of the turntable.

The GT 2000 does not deserve to be omitted from the list of the multiple Japanese Uber Direct Drive turntables. Fully optioned the standard black GT 2000 had an external power supply, a 40 pound platter, vacuum hold down and spring suspension weighing a total of around 120 pounds. That really is the full fledged realisation of the GT 2000 series design concept. How anyone could leave it out of a list of the best Japanese Direct Drives boils down to lack of understanding/prejudice.

There is a misconception on the internet that the GT 2000 series utilised a ball in the bearing well. That is completley untrue. The contact point of the spindle was radiused (ala Linn Sondek). Also Liquid Audio reviewed a GT 2000 and reported it to have bearing play. Mike noted when he inspected the bearing closer that the thrust pad, (the contact patch for the spindle) had a crack which almost split the thrust pad in half. That ’bearing play/slack’ he found is in no way representative of a properly treated GT 2000 and is evidence that the turntable he was examining had been dropped with some force whilst the  removable platter was in situ. Thus his sonic assessment of that particular GT 2000 is dubious.

theophile's avatar
theophile
290 posts
 

Pioneer Exclusive P3/P3a and GT 2000 series nothing alike as Dover said. P3/P3a is an exceptional design.

 

GT 2000 optional accessory suspension:

 

https://www.hifido.co.jp/sold/23-39953-15768-00.html

theophile's avatar
theophile
290 posts
 

Acoustical properties of Panzerholz

 

https://www.lessloss.com/the-virtues-of-panzerholz-ezp-80.html

More to discover