Built to last?

[Fishtails]

Hi people!

As members of this forum it is obvious to say that almost all of us have had an issue with a turntable or maybe all turntbles we have owned.

Do you think it fair enough to say that turntables were built to last only a few years or is this the case with most electronics? Some compnents of turntables seem quite cheaply made it seems.

For items that generally just sat still (apart from motors and stylis), they seem to get an awful lot of problems.

What is your opinion? Do you have aturntable that never had issues and just keeps going ?

Not being pesemistic, just curious!

[kelvinMunson]

No I do not agree at all that turntables were only built to last a few years.

I have a TD150 which I purchased new around 1970 which has been in continuous use ever since and has never required any attention apart from a periodic lube and belt change and suspension tweak.

I have had similar reliability from my other long-term turntables, (TD160, TD521).

[raphaelmabo]

Turntables from the 60's and the 70's are generally built to last many years, and I would say that most turntables requires low maintenance to keep them up and running. In general it is simpler things like changing the belt, changing a worn out stylus, replacing oil or grease to the bearing, that needs to be done. I bought my first turntable in 1988 and I have done absolutely nothing more than just changing the belt about every 3 years (because it's rubber and it looses it's tightness over time, regardless of if it's playing or not) and replacing the stylus or cartridge. And I have an entry level turntable...

I can't speak for newly manufactured turntables on sale today about how they will stand the test of time, but the older turntables works well I must say. But yes, they love to be kept on going and not standing still. Like mechanics in a car, doesn't like to stand still. So if a player hasn't been used for many years it can be in need for a little bit of servicing before it can shine with sound again.

[vexorgtr]

For anything audio related... Usually on ANYTHING.. Amps, CD Players, Turntables, Tape Decks... the core of the machine is made well, but mechanics need maintnence, and some stuff needs belts from time to time.

[goatbreath]

I have found anything with rubber to usually be the weakest link and what goes first..

[blakep]

I've owned my Michell Gyrodec for about 27 years and it was purchased used so is pushing 30. I upgraded the table with current platter, inverted bearing and springs about 7-8 years ago not because anything had failed but simply to take advantage of better performance from the evolution of the product.

In the 27 years I've only done one repair and that was to replace a failed capacitor in the power switch. Still using the original Papst AC motor.

[Fishtails]

good to see some longevity out there.

[alanomt]

'Built to Last'

Certainly all items will have been designed with a certain working lifespan in mind.
Hopefully for a manufacturer, sufficient life for customer satisfaction and for repeat business.

We are fortunate, the turntables that most of us use, were manufactured when good engineering principles and materials were in common use. As already noted, Rubber parts will often fail first, as will electrolytic capacitors and stressed plastic parts. By now many of the manufacturers of the 'tables that are popular with us, have ceased business and this has given rise to those who produce pattern parts to keep us going.

Personally I do not believe that the materials used today, or the design philosophy, will produce products that will last like a Garrard or Thorens (or many other types) turntable has.

I get great pleasure from the types that I use, they may not last forever, but they will certainly outlast me!!

Alan

[duficity]

Other than tables broken in shipping, I have never had a problem with any of my tables, some more than 50 years old. Except for a Sony 2251 direct drive that suddenly runs very fast. I have Rekokut, Sony TTS3000, Empire 208, all more than 40 years old.

[bubba45]

I have a 40 year old Sony PS2250 that runs perfectly. This really was a turntable that was built to last.

One of the (3) TD125's I've owned (also about 40 years old) simply needed the 2 large capacitors changing, a new belt and oil in the bearing housing. It runs perfectly after these little bits of servicing.

I have a Denon DP60L that had a shelf drop on it with enough force to smash the lid, snap off the arm rest, bend the rod that moves up and down to lift the arm and chip the glass cover for the strobe. Works perfectly.

I had an Ariston RD11 that came to me in pieces and had a bearing housing which was bent slightly out of true with the subchassis it was attached to. Straightened it, put it back together and it worked perfectly.

God knows how many beat up and abused Technics SL12**'s I cam across when I did a bit of DJing. All worked perfectly despite looking like a POS.

[jimboyep]

I have a Sansui SR-838 and SR-929 and both are running strong... These are well over 30 years old. I just sold off my Denon DP-55L which I got in 84 and it was as good as ever.. There are some great decks from the 70's or so that are running strong today and can still challenge almost anything new.

[Doug G.]

My original BIC 980 is over 36 years old and has only ever had routine maintenance. It still sounds fabulous and has the honor of playing my CD-4 quadraphonic records.

And cowbell sounds really good on it. \:^)

Doug

[jimboyep]

Gotta have more cowbell!

[tim_bissell]

My original turntable, amp and speakers are still going strong after 27 years.
I will replace the electrolytic capacitors in my turntable circuitry, because they do tend to dry out, and the circuit is simple and I know what to do, but the only maintenance up to now has been new belts and a bit of grease on the bearing every now and then. I think you will find that cheaper equipment may not last as long, but slightly pricier equipment will have better parts fitted; my PT bearing has a hardwearing sapphire thrust-plate and is as good as new, and the motor is an excellent and under-stressed Swiss DC unit.
PT's successor, the Funk Firm, still uses the same bearing in its top of the line turntable (the Saffire), a somewhat cheaper DC motor, but an even better power supply and speed controller. I see no reason why a Saffire should not last as long as my PT.

-- Tim