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Need some turntable guidance

Hi,

I'm new here, so let me give you some background.

I'd say I'm more of a record collector than audiophile.  About 15 years ago, life happened and I had to re-purpose my dedicated listening room, so I put most of my gear in storage.  I now have my listening room back and I'm putting my system back together.

Here's what I have:

TT 1: VPI TNT 4 with TNT 5 bearing and flywheel, Eminent Technology ET 2.5 Tonearm, Supex SDX-1100 cartridge

TT 2: Denon DP-1250 with Magnepan Unitrack tonearm, Grado Reference Series cartridge

Phono transformer: Supex SDT-722

Preamp: PS Audio 5.0 preamp

Amp: Bryston 3B

Speakers:  Apogee Duetta II

The Denon was used to evaluate the condition of new purchases and some casual/background listening, so I'll probably leave that alone for now.

I'd like to "modernize" my system a little bit, but as a record collector, my initial focus is on the turntable.  I've been looking around, and seems I have several options.

1. Leave well enough alone, keep the table and arm as is.

2. Upgrade the VPI, I see there's an inverted bearing and platter upgrade available for TNT models, and sell off the current platter and bearing.

3. Sell off the TNT, and get something a bit less fussy as leveling the air suspension can be a bit of a pain.

If I sell, I'll probably want to keep the ET.

I'd appreciate any guidance I can get on this.

Thanks,

Ctor


ctor
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
I’m listening to Eric Clapton Steppin’ Out on Decca FFSS using my Denon DP-1250 with a Magnepan Unitrac 1 tonearm and a Grado Reference Platinum cartridge as I type this. I’m waiting on getting my spindle rewired from ET and some new belts for the VPI. It’s a very satisfying combination, I’ll grant you. The arm and table are certainly vintage though the cartridge is from the mid 90’s.

On it’s best day, with as perfect a setup I can muster, it never came close to what the VPI/ET2 could do with the same phono cartridge. IMHO and obviously your mileage does vary.



Denon DP-80 is reference model, the drive alone was ￥95,000 in 1981.

The DP-1200 was￥49,800 with plinth and tonearm in 1977.

This is very big difference in price and those drives are way different.

The DP-80 was the most expensive Denon DD in production line, except for their ultra high-end DP-100 which is one of the most expensive vintage DD even today.

When it comes to vintage turntables it’s very important to pay attention to exact model, not all of them are good enough, only specific models. I do not quote entry level models here on audiogon when it comes to Denon turntables, because the reference PD-80 is very reasonably priced on used market and this is the one to buy (the rest of the models can be ignored). DP-80 is amazing Direct Drive, the price i paid for my mint condition unused unit was a steal.








sdrsdrsdr
196 posts
 
@chakster 

Have you ever owner a Garrard?  Yes. I agree DD would be a more costly approach. But to state not any better is wrong. DD and idler have a different sound. To state no better isn’t correct. They are different. 

I have a 301, along with two DD and a belt. My two close audio friends also have and one still owns an idler and a DD. One settled  on a Nantais lenco. The other has two 301’s and the DP80 all  in a row. He favours the 301’s. These are both very high end systems. But your correct the dp80 and sp10 mk2 are very cost effective.   Even more for your money is going the Lenco route. These can be purchased for about $500. 
I do understand the favouritism for the DD sound as I really like it too.  
sdrsdrsdr
196 posts
 
Correction to last post. 
I meant DD is a less costly approach.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Garrard 301 alone (without plinth and tonearm) can be $4k and this is the type of turntable that must be fully refurbished, maintained, many parts must be replaced, this is a very old turntable. I like the design, especially hammertone finishing. With tonearm, cartridge and plinth this is way over OP's budget. I wish to have Garrard 301 Hammertone when I will be rich, here is a nice article about this model. It is probably a $10k turntable. With $4k budget I wouldn't mess around with Garrard and at this budget DD is the way to go. Especially Luxman PD-444 that does not need any modification, refurbishing, plinth replacement etc.   
xaak
43 posts
 
I owned a PD-444 back in the late 70s and early 80s.  I attended a listening session at a local dealer in the early 80s that featured the Luxman, a Logic DM101, an Oracle Delphi and a Michell Gyrodec, all with the same arm and cartridge.

It wasn't even close, with the Luxman clearly the worst of the bunch.  I wound up trading mine for the Gyrodec.  As I recall, Luxman discontinued the 444 shortly after and came out with a similar belt drive table.
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