Your turntable history

It all started in 1969 for me. A Sears Silvertone all-in-one portable record player. Then in 1971, my dad bought a Dual 1218 rim drive turntable, Kenwood KR-5150 receiver, and AR 3a speakers for our new rec room. I LIVED in that room. For my 13th birthday, I got a Juliette turntable with separate speakers. Not on par with the Dual/Kenwood/AR system, but it was in my bedroom. I still mostly listened to the Dual/Kenwood/AR system. For high school graduation, I got a Sony PS-LX2 w/ Sony MC1 cartridge, a Sony STR-VX3 Receiver and Boston Acoustics A60 speakers. That got me through college (1981-1985).

After that, I was out on my own and got my first "serious" system. The turntable, a Thorens TD 320 w/ Monster Cable Alpha 2 cartridge, Nakamichi PA-5 Preamp, Nakamichi PA-7 amp, and Kef 103.2 speakers. I lived with that combination for 2 years, until I had the chance to jump on an Oracle Delphi Mk II/Sumiko FT3 combo. I used that turntable with the Alpha 2 for many years. In 2002, I replaced the Sumiko FT3 with a SME V tonearm and experimented with several different cartridges. In 2009 I upgraded the Oracle to Mk V status, and got a Benz Ruby 3. That's the rig I am currently enjoying, and expect to enjoy for the rest of my days. The Thorens TD 320 is still in my system as a mono setup. Life is GOOD!

@pryso “All (very) interesting”

As you say, mentioned many times…..“BSR” when lamented over normally means the person is UK based, and very old.

The company produced many of the utility home entertainment record players found in carry about auto-changers, or living room radio-grams. A cheap and cheerful design, with just a rudimentary uncalibrated long spring under the arm pivot to adjust tracking. From my “old memory” a sapphire flip over 78/LP or 45/33 stylus tracking at a heavy 3-5 grams. 
 

Garrard’s slightly better SP25 was a much better starter deck.
 

I am glad to see that I am not alone in this journey...

I don't remember the original turntable I had back in the early 70s, but I started down this road in 1981...

Rega Planar 2 which was a huge stretch at the time 

When Covid arrived, I was stuck at home and decided to start upgrading everything 

Rega Planar 6

Pure Fidelity Harmony 

Palmer 2.5i

Kuzma Stabi R

CS Port TAT1M2

I can't see myself making another move from here, but I am pretty sure I have said this before as well...

@mylogic, if you saw my first comment then you'll know how long ago that was.  At that age I knew nothing about it except basic operation.  While mine had 4-speeds I  used 33 and 45.  It did come with a 45 "stacker" which I used most of the time.  Also, mine had the flip-over styli for 78 and 33/45.  

Somehow I learned later on it was a UK brand.  That was in the name if I'd only known it.

Following the BSR I've owned close to 30 other tables but doubt I could remember them all now, and certainly not in proper sequence.

At 60yrs old now, I've had many CD players, speakers and amps, but ONE turntable that has avoided upgradeitis since 1987 (nearly 40 years!).... and that's my SOTA Sapphire.  For whatever reason, it just sounds and feels right! 

I'll admit though in recent years, wanting to get a Technics 1200G variant, just to experience something different, and maybe a bit easier to use.