Ummm… who said anything about idler drive prior to the last two posts? Of course vintage idlers are easier to fix; there are no complex electronics that rely on outdated transistors or unavailable integrated circuits. And in the case of the TD124, you can have belt drive and idler drive all in one box. Yay. I am simply urging caution to any neophyte who might consider buying a vintage DD TT from a seller outside the US (assuming US buyer), unless blah blah blah.
New Turntable Advice
Good Morning
I's time for a change ! My current system is A VPI Prime with ADS speed control, on my second replacement cueing device, dual pivot added. With Ortofon Credenza Bronze MC cartridge, and Parasound JC3+ preamp.
What started search was just another let down with the VPI, cueing terrible, and the ADS couldn't bring the platter up to 45 RPM!!!
OK I'm heading in the direction of ~ $5000 table without arm or cartridge , Supa Trac Blackbird, and going to audition DS Audio W3. I was looking at a refurbished Nakamichi Dragon CT with album centering feature, but I think there maybe better technology from this vintage design.
So can you help with your advice on my next table, thanks Very Much
Bruno
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@lewm I have a vintage Kenwood idler drive in my collection. I agree with you about the serviceability. I wonder what it's worth now with the vinyl revival? |
lewm you are absolutely correct and thanks for catching with incorrect math! Gereat Advice on the Nakamichi he's 1600 miles away and the unit is all electronics. Thanks David, I went from a DD Sony PS-X700 with V15 III and a sound system that was not at all capable of articulating these subtle differences to ---> my open baffle 4-way active system and VPI and it matters. Im so disappointed with the VPI. ... enough of that. thanks Dave can the Technics G series be purchased without an Arm?
Elliott the wood plinth is stunning ... thanks |
I forgot to mention, like my Mitsubishi LT-5V Turntable in my office, you do need to pay attention to the speed strobe and adjust the Thorens TD124’s speed as it warms up and if room temperature varies. During parties, as the room warms up ... I did not have Central Air back then, now, after a few minutes play, adjust, the Mitsubishi belt drive holds steady. Explains why I prefer instant Quartz Locked DD. .............................................. I would not choose the Nakamichi Dragon CT. "I have to be perfectly honest with you, I find my Yamaha GT-2000 better sounding, even after the centre search." I have never actually seen or heard a GT-2000, and never see a photo of one with two tonearms. That might be worth doing. Once you have enjoyed listening to any musician who made their mark before 1957, say Oscar Peterson, going from Stereo LP to Mono LP in seconds and back again, there is no going back to a single arm. Jim brought his Beatles Stereo/Mono collection, we were able to readily enjoy/hear the differences. In my case, I’ve finally got 3 removable headshells with azimuth adjustability, and 2 of the easiest height adjustable arms. Left arm is a VAS custom built AT33PTG Mono cartridge with advanced stylus shape on boron; Rear Arm typically a similar MC Stereo version, tracking at 2.0g; right typically an MM with beryllium tracking at 1.25gm. Alternate cartridges, friends cartridges, I can play with all 3 arms active, select which one via the SUT, so cartridge comparisons are instant. ............................................. Your Phono Stage looks quite good to me, but not ready for multiple tonearms. If you go for 2 tonearms, the Luxman has a built-in a/b switchbox. Your Phono Stage ’3 cartridge type’ switch is in it’s back, I’d keep a small mirror handy to reflect it’s back. It would be easy to forget, you could leave it on MM and use a SUT with PASS for MM, I use a separate SUT with 3 inputs out to my mx110z’s MM Phono. https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11318 ............................................................... I find Ortofon Bronze overpriced, but I never heard one, so ...... After repeatedly getting lucky, I encourage you to risk a used AT160ml with MicroLine stylus on Beryllium cantilever, tracking at only 1.25gm. I got two from this seller, VAS checked them for me, plenty of life left I snuck up to it, risking more affordable used, got lucky, broke a few, ....... I just got lucky and won an auction on Yahoo Japan for a spare to replace one I stupidly broke, all in $168. usd. Ray checks it this coming Thursday. Think Long. I had no idea I would end up where I did when I started, but I couldn’t be happier. A lot of good advice here for sure!
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