2. analog
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vintage turntables?

i dont know, but vintage technics, jvc, and pioneer are the only decks ive had experience with, but they have a special appeal to me. it seems to me that theres all these super fancy turntables out there, and im sure they sound really great, but things like funk firm, the pro-ject rpm aren't the same to me. they're not what i picture a turntable to be. anyone else out there feel the same way? i think what it comes down to is the look. maybe i'm just crazy, i dont know. haha
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Showing 3 responses by atmasphere

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,086 posts
 
Musicgioni, it kinda depends on the Technics doesn't it? This seems to be at the crux of what you were saying. The 1200 is an OK machine, nothing special. If you want to hear a better one, you need an SP-10 MkII or MkIII.

The 1200 is easy to find, the SP-10 is not, and when you find one be prepared to spend real money.

Most vintage machines are easily surpassed by newer 'tables today. But there are a few older machines that have a following, and mostly because they keep up with newer machines (although usually they need refurbishment and then an update, which in some cases is extensive).

These machines, as far as I can tell are the Technics SP-10s, the Garrard 301, the Lenco idler-drive, the Empire 208 and not a whole lot else (although I might have missed one...). These machines have several features in common: heavy platter, robust precision bearing, robust drive system: overall good speed stability. Most older machines suffer acoustic resonance problems, which are usually a good portion of the update applied. Often you wind up with a machine that would cost as much as a new one too :)
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,086 posts
 
Weseixas, I would agree that *most* Technics machines are rather ordinary. The SP-10s are an exception. They have a lot of excellent engineering that went into their servo design, of the likes that you don't see these days. As a result, they represent the pinnacle of direct-drive machines, and if refurbished and properly set up, challenge any modern 'table.

This is why these machines command some rather amazing prices on the used market, particularly the SP-10 Mk3.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,086 posts
 
Weseixas, I suppose that depends on who to talk to. I had an SL1100, the very first direct-drive machine, and when the SP-10 came out, I wanted one a lot but could not afford it.

Maybe three years later (1982??) a friend of mine bought an SP-10 and it was immediately apparent that this was a great machine, and as I recall by that time it was widely viewed as one of the top tables at that time, although it did not have as much cache because it was not American-made.
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