Vintage Japanese DD Consult and Suggestions Please

OP

My system and speakers are very revealing, but I don’t hear differences between each different TT or Tonearm once setup properly. At 76 years old, I can still hear differences in cartridges, thus the TT/Tonearm is out of the way enough, doing things right, that’s all I want. Ease of tonearm/cartridge change/setup is important. Perfect speed, immediately and forever please. Accept and hold adjustments please.

My choices, including QLDD for TT, are based on solving/avoiding problems, sensible science, features, for myself and others. Like others here, that path has been partially steered by gifts and inheritance, as well as luck, great buys, friends and random acquaintances, and my ’hands-on mr. fixit’ personality. I am a retired Interior Designer, I specialized in Corporate Office Space, so appearance is important.

I have experience hearing speed variations. Both my prior Thorens TD124 Idler Wheel and current Mitsubishi LT-5V Belt Drive TT in my office require adjustments to speed: let them warm up, adjust, play, check every once and a while, the room temperature might affect the speed. QLDD, on/play all day and night/off.

Sensible science: I believe in the science of a longer arm, which is why I was drawn to my Blackbird which is 12.5" effective, however I would not say I hear a difference, I would prefer it had the features of the Mitsubishi 505L, in fact I may buy one, my right side arm-board can be rotated 180 degrees, I can resurrect the 270mm hole in it (from a Victor 7082 arm, that has a 45 adapter in in now). Both arms are 270/282mm 11-1/8" effective.

I have a second AT160ml on the way here, after I compare it to the one I just got one will go in the 12.5" long arm, other in the 9" acos lustre, and I'll get some younger ears over here.

@laaudionut, I don't have the broad experience like some (lewm) but hopefully can offer some helpful information.

First, if at all possible I would encourage you to find a way to keep your 301 long enough for a direct comparison with whatever replacement you find.  I've never had a 301/401/etc. but they are the top choice for many.  Others prefer a quality DD, so you need to determine which you like.

Second, there is great potential with some of the Japanese DDs such as you've mentioned.  But because of age any of those need to be "refreshed" (parts and calibration) by a knowledgeable technician if that was not done recently.  And sometimes parts can be difficult as with the Denon and SP-10 Mk 2(A).  Some of those motor units may not come with a proper plinth or a tone arm.  So depending on what you find used the costs can quickly add up.

Third, given the potential cost for an upgraded vintage Japanese DD, are there any new options that might be simpler and cost less?  Technics has introduced several upgraded models over the past few years, and there is a new Denon, though I don't know anything about it.

Good luck.

I will not tag all with whom have provided much valued information, but I will state that I have read and re-read them all, digesting each bit your experiences. 

I did see the Micro Seiki that was suggested and that is certainly one to consider outside of those I referenced in my original post. 

Additionally, I believe that all of you are correct that a vintage DD may require more time and money that I have budgeted. I spent some time earlier this morning on a couple of used gear sites and for my budget took note of the following turntables,

Pro-ject The Classic

Pro-ject Xtension 12

Dr. Feickert Volare

Rega P3

Linn LP 12-however I see that Linn, for whatever reason, is a bit of a polarizing brand and more people speak ill of them than sing their praises.

The TTs on your list above are all belt driven types. In my opinion if you want to get closest to the idler drive sonics of the Garrard 301, direct drive is your best bet. Another option is Lenco, which I happen to believe can be made to sound as good or better than a 301 for less money. In my opinion also, the Lenco idler design is inherently mechanically quieter than that of the 301. Re the Denon, as far as I was ever able to determine, the DP75 is not different from the DP80 in any important way, and those two are the models worth seeking.

@lewm, I am aware that those mentioned in my previous post are belt, which I originally thought I would steer clear of. But as I peruse the online ads, I could pick up something more turn-key. I will actively seek out the Denon as well as a Lenco.

I appreciate your comments!