Our Favorite Vintage Turntables!!! So Many Surprises!!!
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- Опубліковано 11 чер 2024
- Kevin shares our list of our favorite vintage turntables!
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We have owned and used every product we recommend
Kicker speaker to Line level adapter amzn.to/3D2ghyB
Recommended Subwoofers with high level speaker inputs
$250 10” Polk Subwoofer (with speaker level) amzn.to/3qp74sL
$100 6” Acoustic Audio (with speaker level) amzn.to/3d0YVaR
12” Polk Subwoofer (with speaker level) amzn.to/3DmBnaZ
Recommended Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch B100 bookshelf speakers amzn.to/3xk9dd6
Elac Debut 2.0 speakers amzn.to/3LeI4y4
Klipsch RP-500m speakers amzn.to/3DuRROi
Recommended Turntables
Audio Technica LP60 Great entry-level “fully automatic” turntable for under $150 amzn.to/3eAPC1B
U-turn Orbit Plus- Skylabs favorite new turntable with a 3 year warranty for under $350 amzn.to/3delM2H
Recommended Phono Cartridges
Grado 3 series- Made in Brooklyn NY since 1953 amzn.to/3L9t8B7
Ortofon 2M Blue amzn.to/3d9fBNw
Recommended Phono Preamps
U-turn Pluto- awesome little preamp for under $100 amzn.to/3RHm01k
Parasound Zphono- excellent choice if you want to try moving coil cartridges amzn.to/3RJ31TY
#vintagehifi #vinylrecords #vintagestereo #marantz #pioneer #sansui #stereorepair #turntable #recordplayer #skylabs #skylabsaudio #skylabsiowa - Навчання та стиль
I had an old Dual 1218. I put an ad on kijiji, "Free to a good home". 15 minutes later a 17-year-old kid was on the way. I still feel good about that.
Can never go wrong with a Technics in good shape. The amount of headaches you avoid having a swappable headshell, adjustable VTA, and the most reliable speed you could ask for is worth every penny. Only thing that sucks with the older models is the attached RCA.
I'm still using my Dual 1219, purchased in 1971. Recently took it in for a tune-up and it works like a charm.
I've owned 1009(f?) A TANK. Needed full restoration, contacted well known Dr. Dual, (way more money than I could afford). I only own the drop 45 rpm spindle I bought on Ebay. It's one of those things where with head tossed to side, I heave a sigh.....
Love my $58.00 1219 with a Shure V15-III cartridge. Cleaned the old hard grease out and lubed with quality fishing reel grease and viola it's like new. I've had it now 5 years and it's going strong.
The 1219 was the predecessor to the 1229, made from 1969-1971. It came in two iterations. In the v1 version, the cuing lever does not work in multi-play mode. The 1219 is the same as the 1229, minus the built-in strobe. Many of the parts are interchangeable. The 1229 also came in a 1229Q version... Q for quadraphonic. The only real difference was updated tonearm wires to support the high frequency pilot signal needed to decode quad playback.
Dual Guy here 1218 and 701 Bill services as needed.
You can't beat any of these Duals: 1009, 1019, 1219, 1229 (all idler drive). I also like the 701, a direct drive model. I have a copy of each of the aforementioned units.
Still spinning vinyl on my original Dual 1257. Solid as a rock even for being the more budget friendly Dual of the time. 43 years and going strong.
Still using my 1257 as well. Just have to give it a spin in the right direction when I start it. Kinda part of its charm
Duals were my favorite. Before them I had a BSR and a Sanyo. My last was a Pioneer linear, but it only lasted 4-5 years before the motorized arm stopped working.
I still have my Technics SL D2 direct drive turntable from 1978 and it still works
Bought my Thorens TD 160 Super with a Morch UP-4 arm in ‘85.
Still uses it each day.
I love your reviews. No bravado, no boasting, just a regular guy who loves audio and tells everyone about his experiences.
Thank you, Bryan!
I have a very nice Technics SL-D2 that I got for free. also my pioneer single play bought in hong kong 1966. I also am a broadcast engineer so got to keep the old gates, etc tables going. a tip. clean the rubber parts with alcohol.
Don't forget about the Dual 1219!!! I have just restored a 1219 my older brother gave me. Solid built.. A nice heavy platter also...
The 1219 is the direct predecessor of the 1229. It is about 97 % identical to the 1229. Especially if you compare the latest 1219 to the very first 1229.
My Dual 701 turntable is great but I have also a Dual 1219, Linn Sondek LP-12 I visited the factory as a dealer in 1983 and all my turntables work great. I have hundreds of LP's in great shape. Working at a stereo store was great.
Dual 701 is my favorite of all😜
Great video thanks. I have a Dual 504 I bought in 1974. It's all original with dust cover and it works great. Glad you like them.
I appreciate your connection with turntables and that "connection" to vinyl. Its something I was blessed to grow up with and it sounds better with the right turntable and amp/speakers. I have a Fluance RT83 with upgraded plate and Ortofon Blue cartridge. Staying with heritage and media that has so much historic meaning in history is so much more than many in our electronically advanced society will truly enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
Hang Friday & Saturday playing vinyl ( 70's ) pretty much fighting over the next LP
Very nice video. I still have my Dual 1216 in a Sylvania case from 1974. Still works great.
I’ve had a Marantz 6300 since new in 1977, it is like new and with a good cartridge it hasn’t let me down.
Friends are always recommending tables in the thousands, maybe I’ll buy one if the Marantz dies.
Great videos, thanks.
My love in 1985 was the Pioneer PL L-1000 . Loved It
Great post! I was a QA tech at the Dual U.S. main distribution location in Mount Vernon, N.Y. back in the late 70's.
One of the main features on their turntables was how accurately you could balance the tone arm.
At audio shows we would mount the turntable upside down on a rack and play a record. The tone arms were so finely balanced that there was minimal wear on your vinyl. Beautifully engineered.
My Dual 1218 still works. I purchased it in 1974. When a wrapped record wouldn't play on other tables, the Dual was there to show that it could be played.
@@michaeladdison5359 that's the incredible Dual Gebrüder Steidinger's tonearm engineering. It has gyroscopic stability.
It’s cool to have vintage gear and a repair shop close to home.
Hey Bruce!
Just got a recently serviced Dual 1229! This video and your interview with Bill got me hooked. The look, sound, and build quality are top notch.
Thanks for the post. Good job.
I'm using a DUAL 704 Electronic Direct Drive, with a Nagaoka JT322 cart with a Shibata Naked diamond stylus.
In total it cost me less then €500 and I love it! I have a custom made acrylic dust cover on it as well, looks so good.
I did go from vinyl to CD during the 90's, but now I use both as they both have their strong and weak points.
The thing about vinyl is that it takes more time and effort to properly use it (starts with cleaning any new record), which in turn makes you really take time to sit down and listen to the music.
love my modded dual 704 too. with a retipped micro-acoustics 2002e, sweet.
The 704 is a Great Turntable , the reason why i use a 606 is , that i love the Ortophon ULM 155 System
Anthony you are correct!...I've been doing this since the 70s....your statement follows basic principles! always buy the best!!! it holds its values....
My first table was a BSR. 1980 bought a used Duals 1216. I still have it and love it. Since then two 1215S, two 1216, 1218, 1225, 1226, 1229, and two 506 Duals. Love them all
Love your video , great . Love you flashed my Denon . 40 years old this year . To me the tone arm drop is everything , preserves your vinyl . Thanks , love Dual & Pioneer look . Cut a square hole in a coffee table for looks ( same tone wood )
I just got a very old but in great condition Rek O Kut T12 with a Shure 232 arm. It has that low idler noise floor but this beast is so dynamic and forceful in its music presentation. I'm amazed.
The AR was my first turntable in 1972 and still my fave. Still working after heavy use for 50 years. I got other turntables but kept coming back to these. I have 2 now.
Too complicated LOL
I am still using the family Philips 312 turntable from 1979. Only issue it ever had was a fractured rca connector. Replaced the cables and sounds better than new.
I grew up with a Dual 1229 and was so sad when it bit the dust in 1985! I also loved that it muted during the automatic cycle and the noises that the unit itself made while it cycled! Peace.
I’ll be selling a Dual 1229 I’m very good,shape if you are interested I’ll let you know when it’s ready. Charlie
Picked up a Hitachi PS-48 a year ago for a fair price on looks for my spare listening room. Love this TT so much I actually got rid of my Rega.... Love the sound and appearance of vintage....just recently upgraded to a Grado Opus Cartridge and could not be happier 👍
Good look. I have thr P 41 and the Dual 1229, both great tables.
Thorens really got ya' with their head shells!! Even the screws are proprietary. Some people are 3D printing the head shells, also a company in Italy makes replacements and variations that fit. I personally like the 165's anti skate method more than the magnetic version on the 160. The PL series of Pioneers are awesome. The PL35 had it all. Boy an AU series Sansui amp (or receiver) and a PL series deck...Jeesh that's vintage Heaven.
Thank you!
Your the only normal record guy on utube
I’ve been running a PL-41 for years now just wanted to see if there was a vintage player I was missing out on.
Once again, thanks for the down to earth video.
I’ve owned many high end and vintage turntables and my FAVORITE one was always the AR XA due to it’s SIMPLICITY and tone arms that would virtually float down towards the vinyl.
This was very helpful and interesting ; thank you so much.
Dual 1219 ,from late 68 !!!
Great video. I live very close to Skylabs and have been there a few times over the past few years. Always a welcome greeting, happy to chat and answer questions, and the "bench" is in plain sight. They do it all! My 2 turntables are a Technics SL1200 MK2 and a 1972 AR XA which I rehabbed myself. One is a fancy vintage deal, the other probably the world's simplest turntable. Love em both for different reasons.
Thank you, JackT!
I very much enjoyed this video. Well done.
I have an Elac/Miracord purchased in 1973. Perfect and still running.
That´s a nice video! I still have the 1229 I bought new in the 70s, accompanied by a Lenco L78, a Dual 502, and a CEC BD-3200. The nice thing with classic turntables is: when they are well cleaned and properly lubricated, when they have a cartridge that fits to the toneam in its compliance, when the cart is properly aligned, and when you have added a bit of damping and fiddling, then any of those machines sounds really good. So really it is useless to debate which of those is "he best".
Cool! I have an SL-110 with an SME arm and Shure V15 type III pickup. I bought it in 1970's after I got my B&W DM2A's at their Worthing shop. My dad was friend's with John Bowers and Roy Wilkins and worked for B&W for a short time.
Still have the Dual 1229 that I bought in 1972 when I was 18. I love this turntable not only because it’s built extremely well but also has a very high degree of sensitivity. It has the counter weight, of course, for balancing the tone arm, anti-skate, a light strobe function for fine tuning record speed, three settings- 45 and 78 are the two that aren’t normally used and a toggle that allows you to manually very softly drop the tone arm onto the LP.
I love the Lenco 75 that I re-built. I grew up with a Dual 1219 that my dad bought.
I sold most of the tables you reviewed when I worked for a couple of shops in Harvard square from 72-75. Thorens and Technics were the top picks for people with money. The AR was a best-seller because of price/performance.
Sent my Dual 1219 to 'Fix My Dual'. Awesome. Glad to hear you give them a heads up.
I started out in around 1973 with AR XB 1a , kept it for years and have it stored now in the original box and foam with the books.
Next I went a bit sky high with Linn LP12 Ittok Karma. Then to Sota Star Saphire 2 .
Still have that and love it .
Two Turntables years ago really did me in though . Nakamichi Dragon and also Thorens Prestige. They are some piece of work there for their day . Just saying how I feel about Turntables.
Very cool that you are local only - cheers to your local customers too - when I get the chance to travel to that part of the country, I will definitely stop in
Damn!! A new perspective...bonding with a turntable.
Lol, pretty soon people will be taking their turntables in to go grocery shopping. You watch.
I have the AR XA, Thorens TD 165, Pioneer PL-41 and the Dual 1229. Looking at the Technics next. Thanks for validating my selections!
Great video! Thank you👍
Excellent - Thank you! Your list has some of mine on it too. The AR, Dual 1229 and Empire. Add add two others have mentioned. Garrard 301 and 401 and one you'll hate for its service complexity but when restored, a great unit; Yamaha PX-2 linear. The Technics SP-15 and 25 are great as well but they are starting to have capacitor and solder joint issues, eek!
i'm sure you've covered some great deck's I have a 1968 goldring lenco GL75 made in switzerland, I built it over a 30 year period and couldn't find most parts untill ebay came online, it runs 16-33-45 and 78, it runs like a swiss watch and I love the fact that it took 30 years to finally finish it, i'm not an audiophile I just like good music and it meets my need's, I hope everyone else is out there that loves the deck they have, DuaL also marketed the same deck under their own name which I think show's how good it still is, really enjoyed the video
The feeling and relationship I have when playing a record with my Dual turntable is akin to I'm dressing up and on my way to a live concert...
I loved it. Brought back memories. Loved my AR XA. I used to get Garrards at a discount, but they were junk..
I had a Dual 506 in 1980 and loved it. Long gone. I bought one on EBay a few years back though.
Great Video. Just getting into vintage gear. I only have newer hifi. I just checked the shelf. I've got a dual 1218 and a thorens 147 jubilee. They are not on your list, but same manufacturers. so much to learn! keep the videos coming, please :)
Great review !
The Thorens is VERY quiet. As in the background noise from the motor and bearing. I used to spend hours mucking around with it and I've had it so quiet that it couldn't be heard playing blank passages of an album with the volume turned up more than double the setting that I listen to music at what for me is high volume. This is loud enough to be heard out on the street.
And at double this volume the turntable was silent.
This is absolutely the key to high definition playback.
But plonked on a shelf and used as is, this is still a very good table. Mine's simply plonked at the moment and I use it every day.
Here in Melbourne, Australia I see Thorens TD160 and 165 come up for sale with Empire MM carts. There must have been a dealer back then who sold these tables with these carts.
This is how mine came (second hand 16 years ago)and it's a fantastic combo.
I've tried other tables, sometimes for a year or more but when I swap back to the 165/Empire it sounds better.
The Empire cart is very clear and tonally a little light on mid-bass. Opposite to the classic Stanton carts.
I need this tonal voicing as my speakers are bass heavy transmission line.
Bought a Rotel 1100q in 1972. Still using it today.
great video, thanks!
I too have had many turntables over the years. My current tt is a Harmon Kardon ST7 that I refurbished, with an ADC XLM cart and new stylus, into a EAR clone tube phono preamp and I love it - the looks, how it operates, and how it sounds. Oh la la ...!
You might also wish to try the Rega planar 2 and 3. These are very simple, just a motor, a glass platter and a VERY good tone arm. Made in England and sound great.
My P3 rules.
Gave one to my son.
Rega Planar 3 with the Ortofon Blue! in one room and a Dual 504 in the other
Currently using a Planar 2 from 1978 with cherry wood framing with a Nagaoka MP-110 cart and can confirm! It's not nearly as detailed sounding as my Marantz 6170 but it sounds way more powerful and "musical". And the motor is practically indestructible! I'm never going to stop using my Rega! :D
My Rega planar 2 has worked great for over 40 years. Great product!
Great video... I have I think 9 turntables hooked up to something around here... I love the too! I was happy to see a Dual on your list... my first GOOD turntable in the early 1970s... dependable... and played well ... ex wife got it lol! I purchased one several years ago in great shape ... a 1225. And yep I stack... especially old Christmas records!!!! Lol! Again, Great show!
Currently my favorite turntable to use is my Realistic Elac Miracord 46. It's fully automatic (I tend to like semi-automatic in other TTs) and it's an idler wheel (I was previously a direct drive guy). I bought it at Goodwill for $5 and pulled it out of a bin piece by piece. I had to get a skate and spindle for it. Someone must have cleaned and regreased it because it ran perfectly when I got it, except one of the metal pieces underneath was bent and the start up wasn't working right. I bent the piece back into shape to match the piece next to it and it ran perfectly after that. It's fun to use. The tone arm is short and lifts at an awkward looking angle, but lands perfectly every time. Push the button and walk away. It's a great machine.
Automatics are the only turntables I have ever owned, the start, play, shutoff is the only way to go. Got my first Dual 1218 in 1970 now at 71 years old I don’t want to fuss with a non automatic turntable.
I recently acquired a refurbished Gradiente DD 200Q. Brazilian made and just a really beautiful turntable! I also have 1970 British built Ariston RD 11S turntable with an upgraded tonearm and platter. You have to switch the belt over to play 45's ! Paid $10 at a yard sale for that one in the 90's !
I'm using an old elac miracord 50h ii and I'm extremely happy with it sounds amazing
I have one also and enjoy how well it is made.
@@kevinsmith8328 I have a Realistic Elac Miracord 46. Never thought I'd like a fully automatic idler wheel TT, but it's awesome.
I have a dual 721 direct drive. Awesome table.
Just found your channel.
Thanks for the video's man. I love them.
Thank you, Jeff!
Back in "the day", I owned a Linn LP12/ SME/ V15 combo and gave it up for the SL110/ SME/ V15. Today I use Technics SL110/ SME 309 on a nice burrwood board with Kiseki Blue NS and loving it.
I Got my Thorens TD 1500 back in the 80s at a garage sale for 40 Bucks now they are around 2k !
i got a garage, but in my city and country isn´t that regular so garage sales are very rare, and people try to sell their old things for a fortune
Good Grief! I found this list pretty amazing. My path too has followed simplicity, design, and manual operation. But, with all the turntables available during these years, I have only had a relative few, but what a list, as least as evidenced by what is covered here. 1964, my first real turntable, ARxa, about $64.00. 1968, Pioneer PL-41, purchased at a PX in Viet Nam and shipped home. 1974, Technics SL1200, initial production model - the first arm, simple single switch for 33/center off/45, lift, speed adjustment controls, fair trade pricing back then, $279.98 I think. 1984, I traded in the SL1200, getting in some fashion what I paid for it ten years earlier - they were still very popular with DJ's - this was mainly a direct drive and torque issue - fast startup onver belts. Took home Harman Kardon T-60, about $475.00 list back then. Then soon after, around 1985 I got out of vinyl when CDs hit, and didn't have a turntable again until 2017. I bought a Haman Kardon T-40 and then added a T-60, both from ebay. Though not 60's-70's, I'll add here that both of these turntables follow the same path - simple and relatively 'clean' design and function.
Realistic Lab-400. Much mystery behind who produced it but it's a rock soild performer. Just installed an Ortifon Blue cartridge and it's a great TT. ❤
Great and informative vid, thanks. Nice quality
Much appreciated!
Great video. Ive been rocking my 1200 since the early 90s. It sounds great. DD all the way.
my first direct drive was a technics in 76 ,still working , all original ,the SL-1100 i didn´t have it but had the first and second sl-1200 and the sp-10 costumized and the SL-1000mkII
Still have and play the sl 1300 with ortofon red cartridge now,but back in 70’s I used the Stanton 681eee with my pioneer 737 and it sounded great ,many parties,many good times.Thanks for the video,loving it.
Great video sir, and yes currently have 2 sl 1200s and I once owned the pioneer pl41 about 11 yrs ago and they are ginormous, but I loved it except it ran a bit fast I didn’t know how to address that at the time, it if I ever came across another I d grab it!
New to channel. So far alot of good stuff. I've had a few TT s over the years I've been looking to get an AR to finish out a complete vintage AR system . My favorite Tt tho is my Phillips GA 312 . It's just enough of everything and sounds great with all my vintage equipment . I'll keep watching .
Still have my manual Technics SL-20 that I bought in 1977 when I was 17. Simple and dependable.
I love your unbiased opinions on components..
The only turntable I've owned was the one I bought when I was in high school, which was a technics sl220 belt driven and best audio Technica cartridge I could afford... couldn't afford the direct drive model... But I never had any complaints with the sl220, it did everything it was supposed to do and thought the speed controller was a real plus with the Technics players..
When the belt drive got old and broke, I used a comparable sized rubber band and it worked...lol
I fixed an 8track player with a rubber band when I was younger. Gotta do what ya gotta do!
I have a Marantz 6300 turntable. Fully refurbished and ready to play 😊😊
Hi from Wales. I have had a number of turntables since the early seventies. Had a Rega p3 for years now I have a Rega 6 which I love.
Great tables!
vinyl nostalgia. Don't get bamboozled.
My Pioneer 518 still works like it did in 1978, hooked up to my old Pioneer receiver 780 still
very interesting video. I am currently using the last model AR turntable, "The AR Turntable" with a Linn Basik tonearm on an aluminum arm board.I believe with some minor mods this TT rivals anything under $2000, and a few over tnat amount.
Great Great info 👍
I still have my Thorens TD125 with a Stax tonearm from 46 years ago. Still awesome.
Yep bought my AR XA IN 1966, ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT
Probably the best TT ever made for simply PLAYING a record as well as it can be played. That "cheap looking" arm/headshell is anything but and outperforms ANY of the arm and/or head shell "upgrades" that are commonly installed.
Some great turntables here, I also have a Thorens TD 160 mk1, can I also mention some of my other excellent turntables that you didn't feature such as the Kenwood KD990, and the Garrard 401, both of these are brilliant.
I have scored a linear vintage turntable a few years ago...it a rebrand of a popular model but it now needs to have work done to it. I loved the thing. Yeah it's a linear record player so it's more automatic in function but to watch the thing work is a joy to me. I'll get it up and running again soon I hope.
Hey man, no judgment here. If you got a table you love, be grateful. There are a lot of people out there spending big bucks on upgrades chasing a sound that doesn't exist.
I appreciate the engineering involved with those, especially when they work =)
Owned a few in my life,Sony ,Micro Seiki,B&O and an Ariston RD 40 which was my fave.
I acquired a Dual 1219 from one of my clients for free. $200 in service later and the thing is working like the day it was manufactured. Now I don't wake up to my stylus repeatedly plowing into the label on my record anymore!
I picked up a Pioneer PL560 at a local thrift store. Fully automatic direct drive, so I am kind of waiting for it to die. But it hasn't. Lid was cracked at the hinges and needed a new cartridge. Otherwise, ready to go. I've been using that turntable for ten years. I recently picked up a Pioneer PL514 on FC marketplace, belt drive, only auto function is auto return. Needed a cartridge, otherwise ready to go. It also came with a pristine dust cover that fit my PL560. So for about half of the cost of a repop cover, I got both turntables.
Great content I’m constantly either agreeing with you or learning something.
Thank you, Mario! Really appreciate that!
Just recently re-built my old (50 yr) Thornes TD-125 (Mk II) with the classic SME 3009 S2 arm. I was able to find schematics etc on the Inter-web. Upgraded just about ALL of the electronic components, belt and springs. The heavy platter combined with the old knife edge bearings demands that I re-lube it at least twice a year. One day I'll have the Tonearm refurbished. I owned a Dual 1219 in HS and Pioneer PL55D in college. I sold the 1219 and gave the Pioneer to my cousin. I would love to play with a Technics 1200 someday. Love that VTA "on the fly" feature. Can't do that with the SME 3009.
My vintage Denon direct-drive unit needs some TLC & I wanted a smaller footprint since I was building a little system at work...
So I decided to try a Pro-Ject Elemental, just plopped it atop the old Pioneer SX-434 I've had for 25 years & HEYYY: Extraordinarily simple operation, great looks & lovely sound. It's an especially impressive turntable because it doesn't even really have a plinth; there's a skinny slab of particle board holding a motor on one end & a tonearm on the other, with a heavy blob of molded resin in between that keeps everything sturdy. The whole rig hangs from a slat wall in a college bookstore & I'm growing quite fond of it!
I have been using a vintage Sonab 65-S for a few years now, it has an Inertia unipivot arm. It's fully manual and I use it in my bedroom so it has a Q-up on it in case I fall asleep listening to a jazz record. The speed is absolutely dead on, it's a great table.
I think that was made by Yamaha my friends in England were Sonab dealers and sold loads of those excellent units
Wow! I have the SL1200, ARXA and the Dual 1229.
My proper “first” turntable was a Connoisseur BD1 made by Sugden cartridge was a Goldring G800 that I bought in 1978. Been looking out for one but they seem to be in the Hen’s teeth department. Nice video…
As far as the anti-skate goes on the AR, you can actually use the tone arm wires running down the shaft of the tonearm for a little bit of anti-skate.
Thats what it is all about. Great 🎶
My favorite, that I ever had, was a Micro Seiki BL-91. ..with an SME 3009 III arm. It was awesome.
Have had some awesome Micro Seiki's over the years. Excellent tables, love their design choices too