Top Ten Turntables of All Time??

Well lets throw Rega Planar into the mix here. The Model 2 and 3 have become legendary hallmark turntables almost since day one. The early versions had the Lustre Arm, then Rega developed their own arm the RB 300. The Planar 3 with Rega RB 300 tone arm is truly an outstanding combination.

Few products in high end audio have enduring value. The Rega Planar 3 certainly fits that description to no end. Is there better? Sure there is, but at what cost. The return on investment, one would be sorely tested to do better and with a company still in business all these years,it becomes a moot point. Truly a icon product that has passed the test of time.

Elizabeth... I thought this was about good performing turntables, not investments. Actually I have never seen one for sale at any price. Can you direct me to one?

What? an AR?
There is a beat up early AR at SoundStage in Bayshore mall, Milwaukee Co. Wisconsin. It is a total hunk of junk, but it does still run... and they are asking $100. It's real worth is about $3, in my opinion.

elizabeth...As it happens, for the first time I have seen a Sony PSX800 turntable for sale: current bid is $115 and we'll see what it sells for. You may be right about the price, even if I am right about the quality of this item.

The question is: Why would an outstanding turntable not command a higher price? Here is a theory...Only audiophiles still have any interest in turntables. The PSX800, as I stated, goes against all the accepted characteristics of audiophile turntables. It is direct drive, ugh! (Well maybe some direct drive tables have problems, but not this one). It was made by a mass market manufacturer. It is fully automatic, ugh! ugh! The servo controlled "biotracer" arm requires an engineering degree (and microprocessor experience) to understand. (I was always afraid it would go into "woodpecker mode" but it has never happened). Since I plan to keep mine forever, its resale value is interesting, but not a concern.

By the way, popularity of the AR turntable is easily explained..nostalga. I was around when it was introduced, and it really was a breakthrough. Soft suspension with the arm moving with the platter, belt drive instead of those horible rubber idler wheels, synchronous motor, and all for an affordable price. Many people feel about the AR turntable the way I feel about 1947 Dodge cars, and my first real girlfriend.

There are several Rega 3 on the Audiogon site and eBay site for some very nice prices. I picked one up recently for $325.00 with Sumiko BP cartridge. Sold the cartridge for $125.00. Seeing as I have 2 more of the BP Im not using. Installed a very nice Signet MC. So basically got a very nice table for $225.00. Some serious shopping could yield the same results.