2. analog
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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 1 response by wbs

wbs
87 posts
 

I have and use a Teac TN-400 that I bought 45 years ago or so.  The table was only on the market for a year or two as there was a patent dispute over the Magnefloat assembly which Teac lost.  Warehoused units were sold off pretty cheaply at that time and occasionally still show up for sale in NOS boxes, since most of them were sold as platter units only without plinths.

I have always liked this table and it has given me trouble-free performance.  That being said, I recently found a second unit in-box for sale and snapped it up but the new one, which appears to be unused, has a speed control issue and runs fast.  I have not yet looked into the problem but hope that it turns out to be relatively minor to repair.

I can't comment on the Teac relative to the other tables discussed in this thread, but mine has kept me from looking for anything else (dd) for a long time.

Bill

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