Anyone got a list of "HIFI" vintage TT's

[mawrick]

As I'm quite new to TT's myself I was wondering if anyone have a list of what vintage type of TT's that might be worth looking into, which would compare to decent newer TT's - or maybe considered "HIFI" tables.

And what price range one would expect to find them in ?.

[PeterW.]

As I'm quite new to TT's myself I was wondering if anyone have a list of what vintage type of TT's that might be worth looking into, which would compare to decent newer TT's - or maybe considered "HIFI" tables.

And what price range one would expect to find them in ?.

Would depend on your definitions of 'vintage' and "HiFi". The spectrum is wide, if not so deep.

Emphatically decent, HiFi and also worth investigation:

Using 1980 as a cut-off:

AR XA/XB
Any of several Thorens
Any of several Duals (mostly changers if vintage)
Rabco SL8E (arm)
Rabco ST6/7/8 (Harman-Kardon)
Any of several PE/Impro - which bear a startling similarity to Duals.
I believe the Revox B795 was introduce in 1979.
Any of many Pioneer models - beware condition.
Any of several B&O models - ESPECIALLY beware of condition.

These are just those few that come to mind. There are many others, of course, Empire for one.

AVOID: Any changers except Dual, PE & Thorens. And if you find a Thorens TD224, be prepared to feed and board the Swiss watchmaker that comes with it.


As with any vintage equipment, your comfort with the species, potential repairs needed, availability of parts and so forth will be a huge factor in your choice(s). Do NOT purchase without kicking the tires unless you are a machinist and watchmaker all in one.

Prices will run anywhere from $10/flea-market/garage sale to thousands for Revox with green lids and paint.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA

[vincitsemper]

Lencos?

[duficity]

Empire 208, 298, 398
Sony TTS3000, PS2250, 2251
Technics SL10
Kenwood LO7D
Any older MicroSeiki
Any old Luxman
Garrard 301 and 401
Lenco L75, L78
Rekokut Rondine
Sparta Professional
Russco Professional
Yamaha PX2 and 3
thorens TD124
Commonwealth
There were a few large, heavy Japanese turntables that were attempts at the state of the art at the time that are quite good. each major player had at least one.

[mawrick]

thnx for the tips guys - what would a Lenco L78 be worth ? (as I know of one for sale - apparently in good working condition), and what differs the L75 and L78 ?

[spiceyokooko]

It's impossible to answer this question without understanding what you want one for! The range, variety, sound quality and price range of the likely list of turntables is going to be vast. If sound quality is your primary concern then you're looking at a significant amount of money - high end quality turntables are not at all cheap and are now in significant demand.

If I were in the market for a high end, high quality vintage turntable (I currently have a Linn LP12), I'd be auditioning and looking at the following shortlist -

Linn Sondek LP12
Roksan Xerxes
Pink Triangle
Townshend Rock
Michell Gyrodek

[steve195527]

early Oracle falls in that timescale and what about sp10?

[johnmac9502]

I was reading about this interesting table yesterday.
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/leg ... rs-my-door

[steve195527]

I was reading about this interesting table yesterday.
http://www.analogplanet.com/content/leg ... rs-my-door

yes if you're very rich lol
you can read about it and meet a few guys who own them here:-

https://groups.google.com/forum/?fromgr ... gale-audio

[spiceyokooko]

early Oracle falls in that timescale and what about sp10?

Yes, that would also be worth hearing although I'm unfamiliar with Oracles generally.

I presume you're referring to the Technics SP10? In my own personal view, I don't touch or consider Japanese or far east made turntables. I'm sure they're decent, but don't get close to the British designed and made ones, in my opinion.

[spiceyokooko]

yes if you're very rich lol

I wouldn't consider $2,500 to be a lot for a vintage high end turntable, given you'd pay more than that for a Linn Ekos on its own.

Again I'm not familiar with that Gale turntable, I'm more familiar with their loudspeakers than their turntables!

[raphaelmabo]

Oh, there's many hi-fi vintage players...
Some that comes to my mind...

Thorens TD124, 125, 126, 146, 147, 150, 160, 166, 316, 318, 320/322.
Ariston Q-Deck (one of the best budget hi-fi players around)
Systemdek IIX is a classic (an updated version is still made by AudioNote)
Linn LP12 (of course)
Denon DP37F, 47F and onwards (the higher number the better) - the only non B&O fully automatic vintage turntables that I personally recommends...
B&O - nice sounding and great styling, but can be difficult to find cartridges and replacement stylus since B&O had their own cartridge mount..

Here is another list...
http://best-turntables.com/best-vintage-turntables/

[steve195527]

yes if you're very rich lol

I wouldn't consider $2,500 to be a lot for a vintage high end turntable, given you'd pay more than that for a Linn Ekos on its own.

Again I'm not familiar with that Gale turntable, I'm more familiar with their loudspeakers than their turntables!

if you tried to buy one it'd cost you far more than that,was very few made so are a "collectors item" nowadays

[steve195527]

early Oracle falls in that timescale and what about sp10?

Yes, that would also be worth hearing although I'm unfamiliar with Oracles generally.

I presume you're referring to the Technics SP10? In my own personal view, I don't touch or consider Japanese or far east made turntables. I'm sure they're decent, but don't get close to the British designed and made ones, in my opinion.

Yes the Technics sp10(mk2 onwards!):-one of the very best motor units ever made