Help me find a turntable

Sgt Pepper · May 14, 2018

I am appealing to the great and the good on here to help me find a turntable of good quality and easy maintenance for around £320, preferably used. I have been stung by two "new" hasty purchases that are both being returned to the stores for a refund.

I have had one very good recommendation already from Dudywoxer, but I need to take my time in choosing the right deck.

https://2ndhandhifi.co.uk/product/acoustic-research-legend-turntable-linn-basik-lvx-tonearm/

meninblack · May 14, 2018

Systemdek IIX is very good, IME

occasional thinker · May 14, 2018

I have an Ariston RD80SL or a Systemdek Transcription if you are interested, could pop a Rega/Acos R200 on either.

Sgt Pepper · May 14, 2018

occasional thinker said:
I have an Ariston RD80SL or a Systemdek Transcription if you are interested, could pop a Rega/Acos R200 on either.

Many thanks and I will consider them, but need advice from everyone before I rush in again as I have only properly owned one deck, so I am a relative newbie.

graham67 · May 14, 2018

The thorens td166 mk v or vi is an excellent starter deck that can sound seriously good with a decent cart. It has a generous sound unlike some cheapy TTs which can sound a bit anemic. It goes for less money than the 160 but has a half decent medium compliance arm (tp-55). Some UK models of the Mk 6 even came with a Rega arm. The Mk 6 was still being sold in the late nineties so you are not purchasing a museum piece.

I bought an immaculate one of these for around £200 3-4 years ago and although I dont really need a second deck i wish I hadn't sold it.

Like all sprung decks it needs to be mounted on.a very solid surface or better still a wall shelf but other than that it is a hassle free deck that sounds good and looks like s proper turntable.

mephistophelean · May 14, 2018

Perhaps a Manticore Mantra? They were supposed to be better than a Linn Axis back in the day. Like the Thorens TD166 they are a sprung deck and need to be mounted on a solid surface.

Sgt Pepper · May 15, 2018

Thanks, everyone keep em coming. :notworthy:

oldius · May 15, 2018

Good quality and easy maintenance.

I would suggest a belt drive, non sprung deck in that case but it really does depend on how easy you want the maintenance to be. Sprung suspension can be a pain to set up but there are plenty on here that can help. Then it's really just a case of an annual oil change for the bearing and belt replacement.

Michell, Nottingham Analogue and possibly Rega have all done decks of that ilk.

If you're happy with a sprung deck then Thorens would be my choice. There were great decks from STD and Logic too.

If be more tempted by direct drive decks myself but most of us wouldn't be able to conduct a repair. Fortunately, they rarely fail in my experience.

SergeAuckland · May 15, 2018

oldius said:
Good quality and easy maintenance.

I would suggest a belt drive, non sprung deck in that case but it really does depend on how easy you want the maintenance to be. Sprung suspension can be a pain to set up but there are plenty on here that can help. Then it's really just a case of an annual oil change for the bearing and belt replacement.

Michell, Nottingham Analogue and possibly Rega have all done decks of that ilk.

If you're happy with a sprung deck then Thorens would be my choice. There were great decks from STD and Logic too.

If be more tempted by direct drive decks myself but most of us wouldn't be able to conduct a repair. Fortunately, they rarely fail in my experience.

For reliability and almost total lack of any need for maintenance, a Direct Drive seems to me favourite. Technical performance is excellent in most DDs, and the arms they normally come fitted with are as good as any other within a price range.

I accept that if a motor or the control electronics fail, then a repair is more difficult, but as you said, they don't fail that often, and with something like a SL1210, spares are very easily available.

S

Colinjg · May 15, 2018

You won't go too far wrong with a Rega 3. Not much to go wrong. Been making them for about 40 years and still selling, so always some around 2nd hand. Need to make sure arm is OK.

uzzy · May 15, 2018

Sgt Pepper said:
I am appealing to the great and the good on here to help me find a turntable of good quality and easy maintenance for around £320, preferably used. I have been stung by two "new" hasty purchases that are both being returned to the stores for a refund.

I have had one very good recommendation already from Dudywoxer, but I need to take my time in choosing the right deck.

https://2ndhandhifi.co.uk/product/acoustic-research-legend-turntable-linn-basik-lvx-tonearm/

If you have a check through eBay there are some mint condition Systemdek IIx with arms, some Thorens, Ariston RD80 and 110, and the usual bout of Regas. Personal preference would be a Systemdek (I am biased I have been using them since 1980 though the heavyweight ones .. and I have a biscuit tin in the loft). The AR is inferior in build quality to either of these but is a good turntable. In fact I have gone to the bother for you - just click each link below,

Here are some on eBay that should all end up well within your budget (well some may not depends on who is bidding but all may do) .. flick through and then ask other wammers about the ones you fancy and their opinion. In my opinion all of those below will give great performance .. my preference is for the suspended subchassis types (Systemdek, Ariston, Thorens) but ya pays ya money and take your choice. Happy hunting

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pro-Ject-Debut-Carbon-with-q-up-acrylic-Platter-Ortofon-2M-RED-Vibrapods/282957497096?hash=item41e194c308:g:7isAAOSwV9ha4vwo here because it is complete - handy for backup or to keep you going until you find nervana

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thorens-TD-160/192534506586?hash=item2cd3f36c5a:g:sy8AAOSwYgxa8dRg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUNLOP-SYSTEMDEK-IIX-900-TURNTABLE-stunning-condition-no-tonearm-included/183210747554?hash=item2aa83626a2:g:mxYAAOSwV6ta7bnf this is lovely you need to buy an arm (Rega?) to go on it

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thorens-TD160B-MKs-turntable-Vintage-Boxed-Linn-Basik-LV-X-arm/302733234887?hash=item467c4e92c7:g:4zoAAOSwhTBa8wPn

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pink-Triangle-LPT-Turntable-no-tonearm/282959159865?hash=item41e1ae2239:g:98gAAOSwZ3Ja8zSG

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REGA-PLANAR-3-GLOSS-WHITE-METAL-SUB-PLATTER-IMMACULATE/372298413326?hash=item56aeb6f50e:g

Sgt Pepper · May 15, 2018

Uzzy thanks so much for taking the time to look for me. Quite a list there. :notworthy:

uzzy · May 15, 2018

Hour and a bit to go on the Systemdek with the solid wood plinth (one of the last ones before the 2X2 took over (same turntable with an acrylic platter and a better plinth (but did cost a lot more). If you can get this for under £200 it is a keeper .. get a nice arm to put on it and off ya go - there is a Mission 774 (the original) which has only got to £100 .. these have gone for up to and over £300 of late so worth keeping an eye on. A Rega RB250 would be an ideal match (as would the RB300) or a Linn Basik or Akito or anything you fancy really). Suspension adjustment is a doddle (all done from the top with an allen key) ..

Sgt Pepper · May 15, 2018

uzzy said:
Hour and a bit to go on the Systemdek with the solid wood plinth (one of the last ones before the 2X2 took over (same turntable with an acrylic platter and a better plinth (but did cost a lot more). If you can get this for under £200 it is a keeper .. get a nice arm to put on it and off ya go - there is a Mission 774 (the original) which has only got to £100 .. these have gone for up to and over £300 of late so worth keeping an eye on. A Rega RB250 would be an ideal match (as would the RB300) or a Linn Basik or Akito or anything you fancy really). Suspension adjustment is a doddle (all done from the top with an allen key) ..

Are the arms easy to fit and set up?

RDD · May 15, 2018

Big fan of the Pro-Ject Primary personally (seems the press are too), and spend the rest on vinyl!

Guest · May 15, 2018

RDD said:
Big fan of the Pro-Ject Primary personally (seems the press are too), and spend the rest on vinyl!

It is silly good for the cash, but not quite up there with the best in the price bracket above, it covers it's tracks very well though!

http://hifipig.com/pro-ject-primary-turntable/

orbscure · May 15, 2018

I seem to remember the Audio Technica LP5 getting good reviews when it was released and the fact that Jack @ BD Audio sells them means they'll not be too shabby...

http://www.bd-audio.co.uk/product/audio-technica-lp5-direct-drive-turntable/

bigfool1956 · May 15, 2018

orbscure said:
I seem to remember the Audio Technica LP5 getting good reviews when it was released and the fact that Jack @ BD Audio sells them means they'll not be too shabby...

http://www.bd-audio.co.uk/product/audio-technica-lp5-direct-drive-turntable/

It's another Hanpin turntable, unless Jack is checking the arm bearings I'd be wary of having the same problem as the Onkyo.

Sgt Pepper · May 15, 2018

Again thanks everyone, loads t think about and take advice on.

But the challenge still stands, this is your mission should you choose to accept it.

Help me find a turntable

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My God, its full of stars...

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Interesting pics of HiFi kit

So just how many people are responsible for the vinyl revival

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