What are your top 3 favorite turntable companies (manufacturer) and why?

Technics direct drive,like SL 1350 which is automatic. Fluance for starting out belt driven.Orginal AR 1.

I am surprised Oracle isn't getting more love. My Alexandria Mk III is a sweetheart, even with the modest Sumiko Premier MMT with Cardas rewire.

Merrill-Williams

Kuzma

Townsend (older great value)

Acoustic Signature

VPI

Thorens

EAT/ Project 

any of these and go as far you there ladder as you can afford. I’ve owned all but VPI. Currently I have the NEO Hurricane from Acoustic Signature. Very pleased. 

For anyone considering an AR table, look for one from the 1980's, the ES-1. The 60's model has a terrible tonearm, the ES-1 could be had with no arm or a Jelco-sourced (I belive) one.

I have had three AR's, starting with the original back in 1969. In the 80's I bought one and cut the arm "housing" off the floating subchassis, mounting a unipivot in it's place. It worked okay, but when AR introduced the ES-1 I got myself one (and mounted a Rega RB300 on it), and liked it even more.

I then discovered the VPI HW-19, and the AR was history.

mylogic, I am talking about Walker Audio high end turntables.

@inna

Are you talking about the UK manufacturer, C. J. Walker turntables?

l had a belt driven Walker CJ55 in the 80s with the wooden platter. Great value for money back then….less than £200 without arm. I believe it was their top model. The 58 came out later but l think it was a more budget design. The CJ55 was often partnered with a Linn Basik Plus, but the arm was considered to be a weak link for this deck. That claim alone tells you of the potential of that turntable.

£200 in the early 80s bought you a lot of quality middle of the road turntables…….obscenely high priced home produced turntables had yet to materialise in the UK marketplace.

@slofut: I too have a special fondness for the Townshend Audio Elite Rock. If I could have only one table, it would be the one. With a Zeta arm mounted on it, and a London pickup tracing the LP groove, I get the sound I'm most satisfied with.

1. Current model - Dr. Feickert Volare

2. Vintage - Thorens TD165

3. Best entry level audiophile - Rega P1

If I wanted to spend $5k on a new turntable, just the table without tonearm and cartridge, I would be in trouble, I guess, because I wouldn't really know what to get. It would be very easy for me to choose if I could compare them all, not always necessarily side by side, though preferable. In any good system the source is heard quite clearly, it sets the pace and tone. Besides, I know well how tape sounds, I have this reference in my head.

I will sort of paraphrase Jefferson - there is more than one way to skin the cat.

@mylogic Speaking as an American, I recall what Thomas Jefferson is reported to have said, “I consider a man who knows only one way of spelling a word uneducated,” or something to that effect.
As for turntables, I’m an old boomer who thought that direct drive had solved all previous technologies. I can’t understand the fascination with the technology of my youth, the old flat-spot idler drive or flimsy belts, but I must say, they certainly have worked up some lovely complications on the theme. I’m happy with my Music Hall mmf 5.3 a belt drive. I hope to resurrect an old DJ (British) Numark Pro-TT1. Saving up for . . . one of the tables mentioned in this post, I simply can’t make up my mind between them as the original poster, but my budget is much closer to $5,000 than $10,000 USD.

The Thuono TH400 is hands down my favourite TT.  Super quiet, dynamic and holographic.  Makes every record sound that much better

Acoustic Research (AR) - Been around forever (1961); simplicity itself.  Belt driven and pretty much bullet proof since there's nothing much to go wrong.  Not going to find a better bang for the buck - I picked my first one up for less than $100.

Classic Denon

Micro Seiki

Rega - excellent sound for the money at different price points and no cartridge alignment required. Plus a very good warranty.  All other turntables rely on the skill of the person setting up the cartridge.  I own a Planar 10.

Nice tables if you can afford them. As I'm not the heir to a fortune, my favorites are a bit more plebian:

Technics (Just bought a new SL-100C which I match to a Goldring E4).

Music Hall Stealth and Classic - Have used both and found them musical and reliable.

Dual - starting with a Dual 1212 in 1970 through a Dual 1219, a CS-622 and CS-5000 over 52 years, I think they offered the best bang for the buck. Their new CS-618Q is also quite fine.

Still have my 1983 Denon rosewood turntable...beautiful...not used any longer. Got back into audio 5 years ago & went with VPI … purchased from local audio store = American company, american made.  It was a "B" stock unit = got a great price but I kept having issues. VPI took care of me - full money back towards new table and discount price on their newer fatboy arm. Built like a tank - it will passed down to my kids. VPI customer support and service top notch...they back their products. Looked at their website last night - they have a new model out...$5K and it comes with a 10 year warranty! Not many 10 year warranties on audio gear.  

https://www.vpiindustries.com/vpiforevermodelone

I don’t have a personal favorite- I think there is such a wide range of choices in drive systems, ergonomics, modern v. vintage and the need (or not) to use multiple arms of different types that the choices can be endless. I haven’t had a huge number of tables over the years, currently run a vintage SP-10 that I bought new in 1973 that the late Bill Thalmann restored in 2017-- that’s in the vintage system.

The main system relies on the Kuzma XL/Airline on an HRS base with a big Minus K desktop:

Before I bought the XL/Airline, I had a Kuzma Reference with a Triplanar arm. I’ve had good experience with a lot of tables, including the old Rockport. I always thought that French table, the Verdier la Platine seemed like a bargain, but I gather there is a fair amount of tweakiness to it. Some of the older big Japanese tables, not just the big Micro-Seiki, are well made and ingenious. Of course, the newer Tech Das brings that technology up to date.

I’m a big fan of industrial design and turntables, as a mechanical device, explore these opportunities in multiple ways. You could imagine the Wright Bros. or Jules Verne designing one.

Sota: very recent ownership experience. American, great company, suspended, speed control, platter, bearing, vacuum (regulated), integrated dust cover, looks (woodworker), upgradeability, American. Their higher end tables (Nova VII, Cosmos VII) I found to be great values relative to their performance. (Not familiar with their other models, though.)

VPI: ownership experience. American, solid build, fine performance, upgradeable, great line of tables at all price points. I enjoy talking to and listening with Harry and Matt at the shows...

Scheu:  ownership experience.  Relatively simple table, sounds great, nice looking.

@inna said: 

"Libraries and other places use Simon Yorke with SME arms for transfers.

Who is familiar with them ? And why would they use it with SME arms and not full SME set up, I wonder ?

Speaking of British."

Here’s a photo in a restoration suite from my visit to the Packard Campus, Culpeper, LOC:

Above all I love my Townshend Elite Rock, so simple yet completely amazing

SOTA SS with ET air bearing arm (talk about rube goldberg)

Ariston RD 80 with mods.

These are the ones I've landed on the last years, but the townshend I've had since '84 and will never sell. I love turntables like cars, I'd like to have a nice warehouse full and all working with a person employed to maintain and dust them daily for my enjoyment.

I own a Linn. A great TT if it has the latest upgrades.  I have owned a Heybrook (the layman's Linn because I could not afford it at the time like many) and a Thorens.

If I had to change right now I would look at Kuzma or Pure Fidelity who offer great products for the price IMHO.

The three turntable companies I like are VPI.

Had a Nomad that I ran a Soundsmith Zephyr on and was quite surprised how good it sounded.

Jumped to the Prime 21 with gimbal arm & I don’t think I’ll ever need another table.

While sound is what really matters, I like the looks of the Prime 21 vs others in the price range.

Excellent customer service & support.

American made.

VPI and SOTA from experience

Wilson-Benesch from reputation

@jpcmrc 

Pretty nice first rig. I also got my first loan for stereo equipment but Radio Shack was all I could afford the first time around. I think I was 17 years old. Second time I borrowed money was for an engagement ring, third was my second stereo. Both good investments, still have the wife, the stereo gear is still in the family somewhere. Crown IC150 and DC300A, Pioneer PL12D turntable and Shure V15III, Bose 901 series II speakers (save the hate, I've heard it all:)). Only piece still working is the Pioneer although the 901's could still be, sold that pair in the 80's. I wanted the Thorens TD 125 but it was 3 times the money of the Pioneer. Had to cut somewhere. 

@inna 

I love the design of Platine Verdier. If I had the know how to build turntables, I would build them that way. There was another very similar. I do not remember the name. 

I love my VPI Classic. I also still use my Thorens TD-125 MKII occasionally that I bought in 1973 when I was in high school. Belt drive, 24 pole synchronous motor, aluminum tonearm with a removable magnesium head shell. I talked my Dad into cosigning a loan for my first real stereo system. Thorens turntable with a Stanton cartridge, a Pioneer power amp (I figured it would be easier to update later) and Klipsch La Scala speakers.  I told him I wanted it more than a car! 

I am bit surprised, no one mentioned CS Port LFT1M2. One of the finest among the cost no object turntable’s. 
https://www.csport.audio/products/lft1m2-en

If the price is right, whatever this is, I'll take Walker. I hope British will forgive me.

By the way, no one mentioned French J.C. Verdier. Not good enough ? I have no idea.

SME—because they’re the best 

Brinkmann—close to the best 

Technics—best bang for the buck

@mylogic whatz whatz you say?....  ok to clarify.

1. Kuzma Stabi S

2. Kuzma Stabi R

3. Kuzma XL Air

Having used a VPI HW 19 Mk III for 20 years, I can say that it served me well. I bought it used with the platter and bearing upgrades, along with SME IV tonearm and a Sumiko Virtuoso Diamond Titanium vdh HOMC. I did not use the cartridge that came with it, rather used a LOMC that I had FR 1 Mk III F. Both are still operational but probably due for a retip. Steve Leung has the bearing from the VPI right now as it failed after I used it for 20 years. Steve (VAS) does all the service work on bearings for VPI..........according to his son Ray. 

When my VPI went down, I fiddled around with some old rigs, including an AR (THE AR), which is not a bad inexpensive rig. Pretty much a Linn copy, within reason. I recently bought a Linn LP 12 with Lingo PS (first version), Ekos tonearm and Cirkus bearing. Old upgrades. It came with a Linn Karma LOMC and this combination is probably the best I've owned as yet. I first heard an LP 12 over 50 years ago, finally own one and I am very pleased with it. Maybe down the road, I can complain as other Linn owners about how fidgity and fussy it is but for now, I am very happy with it. 

I have no real experience with other high end rigs but reading reviews and paying attention to what people say, I'd lean toward SME if I ever felt like buying another turntable. Not likely to feel the need but you never know. 

1) Micro-Seiki/TechDAS - Air bearings and vacuum platers

2) Rega - simplicity and excellent sound, their high end models sound great with Lyra carts, no VTA adjustments needed.

3) Kuzma, Kuzma, Kuzma.  Reliable, precision made beasts.

Analogue, and ‘’two countries separated by a common language.’’

Yes, a George Bernard Shaw quote but no record of what year he said it. I deduce it was after or during WW2.

Analog is a bastardised spelling of analogue.
Bastardise (Bastardized in US) was of French origin that was adopted into the English language.

Is it highly probable that a large percentage of French, British and Irish citizens who emigrated to the Americas had poor spelling skills.

I have been very happy (and for a long time) with a Sota Cosmos in one system and a VPI TNT V in another. I use a much less expensive Roksan Radius in another system where analogue isn't played as much.

The one that I sold and would love to have back was an Oracle Delphi , if only because they are works of art to look at.

inna

...it is analogue not analog. It is British, accept it.

Two countries divided by a common language. (George Bernard Shaw, supposedly)

1972-81 Pioneer direct drive table with Shure M93ED cart.  No longer in production was the best table I ever had and never should have sold it.  This is more of a recommend for direct drive than Pioneer tables.  Replaced it with a cheap Japanese table ugh.

1984-2004.  Rega Planar 2 w/Linn K9 cart.  Opened my ears to what a quiet table & good MM cart could do.  When I lost the platter bearing during a move Rega replaced free of charge.

2004-2015.  VPI Scoutmaster w/Dynavector 10x5, Benz Micro Wood L-2.  Solid all around table with better bass extension the Rega 2.  But much better MC carts, too.

2015-present.  VPI Prime w/1st gen. 10" printed unipivot arm and Lyra Delos cart.  This was a serious upgrade from the Scoutmaster.  Sonically better in all respects, which I attribute to the longer arm, better motor, and 22 lb. platter. VPI now fits the Prime with a 10 inch gimballed arm.

If you don't want to spend a ton of money Rega and VPI are solid bets.

Market for turntables is not tiny at all. In the US maybe limited but in other regions every household has a turntable, well, not every but many. What is audiophile here is common there in terms of analogue playback. And it is analogue not analog.

It is British, accept it.

Plus, I've gotten great support over the years from Musical Surroundings. I am getting both my Universal 12" arms rewired.

Agree - Musical Surroundings' service & support has been fantastic. Great distributor. NO complaints there :) 

I suspect they dropped Graham because they were tired of covering for him!

@rsf507

1. Kusma

2. Kusma

3. Kusma

You may not have correctly read the OPs original question….or perhaps (and l apologise in advance if you do)… have a stutter. ?

Plus, I've gotten great support over the years from Musical Surroundings. I am getting both my Universal 12" arms rewired. They have to go back to Germany for that, for est. 6-8 weeks. Musical Surroundings sent me one of their demo arms, first to try out with the rewire I'm getting, but also to loan me while mine are gone. I suppose it helps they know I am considering a Master upgrade, but I'm sure that doesn't happen often around the different brands.

It seems no worse than what people pay for stuff on a Linn LP12 (like $10k+ for their new plinth).

@dwette No doubt, the high parts prices seem endemic to this hobby. Sorry for the belly-aching! I do still love my Master Innovation, 8 years into ownership. The "stock" armboards are indeed around $500; $900 was for a blank with a custom hole. Later, I figured out I could just use the hole in a Graham Phantom board lol. 

I thought owning VPI tables would be better on this front, being domestic - but nope, not really much better (though shipping is super fast!). And they didn’t have what it takes to knock off my Innovation. At least Clearaudio has the import excuse for prices!

@mulveling Thanks for answering about Clearaudio parts. I haven't ever needed to buy such parts (and I have my original boxes). When I ordered my Innovation I got an extra 30mm standard armboard for a 2nd Universal arm. That was $500. It seems steep, but with the Clearaudio higher end I guess ya just gotta pay to play.

It seems no worse than what people pay for stuff on a Linn LP12 (like $10k+ for their new plinth).

Rega & Basis. Both very well made & engineered but not over engineered. Both pretty much set up correctly & just enjoy for many years of trouble free listening at two different tiers of quality & of course cost. 

Along with a small amount of rubbish, there is so much diversity and quality in current turntable design that even a shortlist would be a long list.

It's sort of shocking how many different brands and models we have now for such a tiny market. I suppose it's a small number of us buying / selling / trading amongst each other! 

The materials quality is super-high in modern high end turntables. But the engineering is a bit all over the place!

Gotta throw this in there. Is this the equivalent to Bose ..in the turntable market? Let’s not forget Slovenia.

https://maglevaudio.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooC4G32QVWxf-hqYHs84VDqWs6eb2Q_-WmgqhXghzOicvDEaZug

Historically -

Rega - because Roy Gandy democratised high quality sound.

Roksan - because they broke through the veil of Linn's propaganda and paved the way for the diversity of turntables that don't use springs.

Technics - because they showed that direct drive can work.

Along with a small amount of rubbish, there is so much diversity and quality in current turntable design that even a shortlist would be a long list.

Best turntables will always be British.

Why?

Because SME is British! Sorry, couldn't resist.

I have had Two Well-Tempered Tables,, the original and now the WTT Amadeus G.T.A. and they were/are both exceptional tables, if not conventional.  Once they are set up correctly, they give forth such silence, speed stability, and musicality. Would highly recommend!

Rega is the MUSICAL turntable.....Easy to enjoy...Also Michell.

Rega: no BS bare bones engineering & design. The extreme form follows function approach. I own a Naia.

VPI: If you like the heavy approach. My previous one.

Technics if you like the DJ approach.