Reason for buying old/classic turntables

If there is NO sonic difference between vintage and contemporary turntables, then we don't need the VPI's, TW Acoustics, Avids, Brinkmann's, Teres, Basis, Galibiers, etc. This is a sad conclusion for those manufacturers.

Chris

>>There is no reason a TT from forty years ago shouldn't sound as good as a table built today.<<

Wrong.

Computers and sophisticated manufacturing techniques enable components to be built to far tighter tolerances.

Not to mention that some of the new materials such as acrylic, rare woods, and titanium that weren't used years ago.

Your assertion "of draging a needle through a groove is essentially the same as it was when Edison did it" is far too simplistic.

Contemporary tables, tonearms, and cartridges are superior with the exception of a very small handful of examples.

Hello,

I would like to clarify a bit, I really think you need ultra high end flagship tables: SME 30, Raven AC-3 etc., to surpass by a meaningful margin, the great vintage stuff. Mid level current product is NOT going to do it IMO. Hence the vintage has a VERY strong value position and is great in absolute terms as well.

Audiofeil, Wrong! My father is a machinist. I have seen him create some of the most incredibly precise parts, with tolerances in the ininth degree from old presses, and lathes using extremely old hand match machine calipers. You don't think that Thorens, Dual, Garrard etc, knew how to build a bearing or a race? Or that one built then, wouldn't be as good as one built now? HA, ha, ha, ha, ha ha ha ha ... can't stop laughing... :) By the way, I wear a 1874 Eligin B.W. Raymond pocket watch that has more precision in it than any turntable need every have, and it is well over one hundred years old. (It was my great, great grandfathers) No computers or sophisticated manufacturing techniques were used to build it extremely tiny incredibly precise parts. Oh, and keeps magnificent time.

Vintage Turntables have a definite place in audio and not just for nostalgia's sake. They are strong performers without question and get the whole of the musical experience very "right".

Over that last year I have had excellent examples of "state of the art" in vintage and current product. I can positively say that turntables have progressed at the extreme high end. However, not all purported extreme high end is created equal, so you will need to choose very very wisely. I feel tweaked out vintage tables will humble many contemporary "high end" tables.

This past year really has taught me MY vinyl hierarchy: Cart and Arm together as first, phono preamp 2nd, the spinner is important but is a distant third, which is IMO why these vintage tables are given "new life" their importance is deep in the hierarchy and the surrounding products are so superior.

Happy Holidays,

David