Reason for buying old/classic turntables

Albert also had a re-plinthed Lenco, which, according to him, he sold only because of space. I have talked with Albert numerous times. I have been invited over. I live minutes from him. I just haven't made time to do so.

Maybe that should be my resolution.

I think, going for vintage Turntables has several reason's:
Price, lot of people out there can't afford the actual units or when they do a comparison, some may find, that the actual units are way overpriced for their performance. Same for Tonearms and cartridges.

But, this is NOT a general rule, Audiofeil wrote good lines about that. Most of vintage I wouldn't even touch, but when the search is done right, you can get an impressing result.

I bought old Micro Seiki, made some improvements with some Know How from today, linked it with a 30 year old Tonearm and a revisited jap. Cartridge and the result is stunning. Really stunning. I listened to endless actual units which aren't even close.

Dear Jlin: +++++ " I actually preferred the Garrard [301] with Triplanar and Koetsu Rosewood Platinum to Mike's Rockport with Colibri." " +++++

this statement could be a learning one because IMHO we are comparing here two totally different " things " where IMHO ( again ) we can't make a precise and absolute comparison on the TT subject because there we have two totally different tonearms ( not only on design but internal wiring ) with two totally different cartridges.

I know very well the KRSP and the Colibri and when we have both perfectly matched to a tonearm the Colibri IMHO is the winner or at least I prefer it.

A more fair and precise comparison ( TTs ) can be do it with the same tonearm/cartridge combination where the only different " parameter " is the TT but in your example there are too many " different " parameters. The same for the Walker/Technics comparison: two different set-ups.

Both examples IMHO can't be conclusive.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Raul,

I agree, these are not conclusive comparisons. I also left out the qualifier where Albert wrote that his preference could have been due to the different cartridges. However, I think the overall point is that the Garrard was not obviously outclassed by the Rockport in an informal comparison of the kind that audiophiles do fairly frequently.

Also, in his earlier post that I quoted, he stated that comparing the Technics with a number of other top line tables by other audiophiles for the purposes of buying one and selling the other, the Technics was not at a disadvantage. What this says to me is that the best of the classic turntables can compete successfully with the modern state of the art as determined by a purchasing decision including factors of sound quality and cost, a point of view that I think you share considering your own choice of turntables. :-)

What I had in mind was to compare yesterday's average analog setup ( turntable, cartridge and tone-arm ) v.s something of the same caliber that is currently manufactured.

Use of the same arm & cartridge for both tables would be inaccurate when comparing vintage to present technology in my opinion.

Also two vintage integrated will be used - one Solid State and the other tube.
Both made around more or less the same time as Lenco L-75, SME 3009 II Imp. arm and Shure V15 series carts.

Present analog rig -
Machined 67mm acrylic contoured to match record surface
Bearing: Large diameter inverted fixed spindle with polished ceramic ball on teflon thrust plate.
Motor: Belgium manufactured precision hi torque DC motor.
Moarch Up-4 tone-arm
Cartridge Man - Musicmaker III with Isolator
Phono - Consonance Ref.40

Both TT in DIY plinths