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Best vintage DD turntables from the 70's and 80's?

Howdy folks-

We’ll I’ve got the vinyl bug for sure. 6 months ago, I bought my first TT, a nice Technics 1200 GR along with some killer vintage MM carts like Audio-Technica, Stanton and a few Grace. I love my GR! I love that little silver bastard A LOT as a matter of fact. A couple weeks ago, my second table arrived, a minty fresh Luxman PD-444 from Japan. This is a Micro Seiki built TT and was the "tits" in the mid 70’s. I can mount 2 arms on the Luxman. I’ve got a nice Victor 7045 arm coming soon along with a Victor X-1IIe MM cart which work quite well together.

I’d like to add another Vintage TT from the 70’s or 80’s and probably phase out the GR. I like the look of the old Pioneer, Denon and Victor tables. I’d like to get a vintage table that can be serviced if needed, something I can add a sweet vintage arm too. 3 arms are better than two!

I’d like to hear suggestions and comments on some fantastic, cool as crap, vintage turntables that you think should sit next to the Luxman.

Thanks again for your help!

Brent




128x128knollbrent
big_greg
315 posts
 
I'm not sure I'd call it the "best", but when I was looking for a turntable with auto shut off, I found a Realistic Lab 440.  It's a very nice table and fully automatic.  It was a little fussy when I first got it, but the shop I bought it from went back through it and it has performed flawlessly since.  I have better turntables, but this one is good enough that it spent some time in my main system and was very enjoyable.
millguy_3
4 posts
 
During that time, I bought the only DD turntable I ever owned, a Goldmund Studio.  I still use it fairly frequently and it has never broken, although I do treat it and the later T3F arm like fragile old ladies in order to increase their life.
edgewear
119 posts
 
@knollbrent & chakster,

I'm sure you guys know this, but HiFido in Japan is a great source for these and related vintage DD tables and other gear. Their prices are considerably below eBay level and therefore you need to move quickly. And they have waiting lists for sought after items.
For instance, the Exclusive P3 - which comes around at a regular basis - is always sold immediately on the same day it is listed.

BTW judging from their listings the Yamaha GT series (the 750, 1000 and even the 2000) seem to be less rare than those Pioneer PL-xxL II series.

iopscrl
82 posts
 
My dedicated mono deck is a Technics SP15 , AT1503 MKiii arm, and Ortofon CG25 DI MK2 cartridge.    I have tried several stereo MM cartridges in the combo- V15III HE / Empire 4000Z and 4000T / Empire EDR .9    The EDR was the best followed by the V15III.   For mono its the bees knees- strong and stable with considerable "drive" and verve.  Solo piano (and other solo instruments) sound real in a corporeal sense.   In stereo it also sounds great, but different than my LP12 ITOKK LVII Denon 103D (SS ruby rebuild).   The SP15 has better bass and solidity to the presentation, but overall is just not as engaging to me.   That said, the SP15 is a damn fine deck ! 
crankstedr53's avatar
crankstedr53
4 posts
 
I owned a Micro Seiki DDX-1000, awesome table with room for 3 arms, they also made a DQX-1000 that was a quartz oscillator locked model. I used 2 arms, a Micro Seiki MA-505 and an Infinity carbon fiber Black Widow, both worked very well. I don't know off the top of my head any other tables with 3 arm capability in this price range, though I'm sure there must be some others out there. Good luck in your endeavors and enjoy. 
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