These videos are absolutely addictive. Kevin has such a phenomenal style. I love everything about them. And the whole "M.K." versus "Mark", hilarious and classic. :)
Technics SL-1200. I bought mine in 1974 for, I think, $350. Still have the original box and documentation. Dust cover is in good shape with some light scratches. The material seemed to scratch just from wiping it with a soft cloth. Other than that it is in mint condition.
Technics really made quality machines. I also really like their design, modern and functional. The SL-1200 has inspired millions of cheap copies, but they still make the original real deal after all these years. That is simply unheard of elsewhere in the audio manufacturing industry. I’ve always thought Duals looked “cheap” and antiquated, though I’m sure the are fine machines, at least the higher end ones.
Got a Technics sld-2 for Christmas in 1980 and still running it. I upgraded the feet with a set of Audio Technica adjustable feet quickly after I got it. The feet kit came with a bubble level that still sits on table to this day along with my Discwasher stylus brush/mirror. One pro to the sld-2 you didn't touch on is the front mounted controls. You can shut off the table, which will auto return the tone arm without opening the dust cover, limiting the chance of skipping the record. Love the videos...keep it up!
Favorite manual TT - Pioneer PL-550. I stripped mine and recovered it with real raw walnut veneer. The surprise sleeper in my collection is the Sansui SR-626. It's a very solid table that seems to fly under the radar. Great list Kevin! I totally agree about the PL-518. I picked one up a few months ago and wasn't expecting it to be such a pleasure to use, since it looks a little like a budget plastic table you might have found at Wards. I do still need to find some replacement feet.
@@DaveFoehring Monkey Wards. Had one for quite a while her in my new home town. It had just about everything even a pretty good auto repair dept. Manager had a pipe glued to his mouth every time I went there.
Speaking of the Golden Era of Vinyl and Turntables. One Golden memory was when I heard my first Direct to Disc album. For the day the audio was spectacular to say the least. Yes expensive but a collection I/we did start.
I had the SL-D2, for me a major upgrade from the BIC changer that came with the system package from CMC Stereo (BIC, Technics 15 watt receiver, Ultralinear 3 way speakers).
Favorite Manual Table: Thornes TD-125 Mk-II with SME 3009 Series II (improved) tonearm. I've owned it since 1973...re-built it in 2018 (incl electronics) and STILL use it as my primary table today. I say "Mark" not MK Glad to see the turntable that got me through college made the list...Pioneer PL-55. (I had the "55D" model though)
You want to laugh your ass off? Check out the video "The Best Turtables of 2024". i have the same deck except I have the SME w/ the fixed head shell. They are magnificent tables and arms!!
I bought the DUAL 1264 in 1982 - Great specs, only added Platter Matter and Iso-Feet. Flawless operation during the last 46 years years, even at 85 degrees tilt!. I just had it fully restored 11/24. It, utilizing the ULM system easy plays those warped records seamlessly. And has a non scratch multi-record changer. Wondering why DUAL is not on your list?
G' Day Kevin, When I was 16 in 1975 I bought the Marantz 6300, still runs mint & sonically is 2nd to none…. ,I now have 2, 6300's & a 2275 & 4400 Receiver, Had a 5030B & am looking 4 a 5030, Saul really built this equipment well
My favorite manual turntable is, the Pioneer PL-71, which I bought new and still own. I just finished watching this video and I find my other turntable (Pioneer PL-518) made it to the top of this list, I agree!
Great info, I bought a Marantz 6300 about a month ago at a garage sale for a ridiculously low price. It does need a little work but still in great cosmetic condition and can't wait until I get it done to use it. Thanks for the great video.
My favorite fully manual is my Thorens TD-160. It may be the cartridge I put on (a Grace F-9 that SoundSmith built for me) but I love it. It works perfectly, every time - and sounds great doing it. If I ever hit the lottery, it will be a Garrard 301 with a custom walnut plinth. Sigh.
Great show. Love looking at all the vintage gear. My favorite manual turntable is the Audio Technica AT-PL120. Nice looking turntable that is still working perfectly and has never had any service other than a new stylus.
My old fully-manual turntable was a Denon DP-755 I found at a thrift shop & it was wonderful! It was a quartz-locked direct drive beast with a single switch for power & speed selection, a dial for pitch that was wholly unnecessary & a downright lovely Grace tonearm - nothing else besides basic dropping/lifting & height/skating adjustments. I'd still be using it, actually, if I hadn't been gifted a new Audio-Technica that can also play 78's.
My favorite manual turntable is the Micro Seiki DDX-1000 with a Micro Seiki MA-505 Mk (pronounced "Mark" or "MK") III primary tonearm and a SAEC WE-308 secondary tonearm. I don't recall when I bought it (probably back in the '80s), but I use it daily. Like most turntables of that era, I had to replace the adjustable feet. I had a machinist make me three aluminum (not "aluminium") cones to replace the original rubber feet. I also really like the original Acoustic Research XA turntable. One of it's "cons" is the non-standard headshell it used on the tonearm. The Thorens TD-125 was also a pretty good table when fitted with a SME 3009 or Grace G-707 tonearm.
Manual Vote: Technics SP-10 The 6100 is a noob pick for certain as are the PL's. No pitch control. Enjoy 34.3 rpm. Technics lid tabs can be saved with baking soda and super glue and a file, prior to polishing the cover. I have 23 turntables and neither is a Pioneer nor Marantz by design. 🤔
Great video👍 Damn....no love ever for my Hitachi PS-48😢😢 I know you do not do the rankings in the poll but bummed it did not make the list. Had a Rega Plannar 3 and got the Hitachi one used for a spare room.....loved it so much I ended up selling the Rega!!!! Vintage is the way to go in my book.....keep up the great work on the channel👍
The right way is "mark," not MK. That said: I really appreciate your friendly (Who Gives a F$&k" attitude, so I want you to just keep saying it wrong to loosen up sone of the uptight folks out there. 🙂
MK with a number is always Mark number. I guess only the older people have even heard of the AR Turntable, but it was $100 at a time when almost every was more expensive. It has spring loaded suspension and the arm was designed for a Shure V15 type II or III. It has a huge following even today, but most replace the tonearm with an SME model.
I like my Pioneer PL-514 belt drive semi auto. My SOTA Sapphire with Syrinx PU-3 tonearm with Project Pick It LOMC cartridge, TT from 1986 is my favourite go to manual turntable. Viewed from Australia.
Great series! Favourite manual TT (best to last): Denon DP-80 (I know it won't make the list, but Denon RULES) Technics SL-1200, obvs (any of the "MARKS")😜
@SkylabsAudio Kevin, I'm late to the party, but this was a great series of Turntable videos. 👍 The only "vintage" turntable I still have is a Pioneer PL-707 that I purchased new in the early 1980s which is now fitted with a Denon DL160 MC cartridge. It's still in mint condition and working perfectly, complete with the original dust cover. Unfortunately, it was also made with that extremely thin and delicate vinyl wrap exterior, but it is a beautiful and convincing "rosewood" look. If the vinyl wrap ever starts to peel, I'll make a solid real rosewood plinth for it. Back in the day I did a short stint as a DJ over my summer breaks using a pair of the now classic Technics SL-1200 MK 2. Yeah, I should've kept those, but needed to downsize in a move. And FYI, the double-layer plinth of the Pioneer PL-518 is not made using MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). It is made of what is called "Particle Board", which is also known as "Chipboard" or "Pressboard". This is also what 90% of vintage speaker cabinets were/are made of. MDF and Particle Board are worlds apart in quality, as MDF is much denser, heavier, stronger, and more dimensionally stable compared to Particle Board. But both will swell and disintegrate if they absorb water or liquids. If you want a wood product that is even better, look for High Density Fiberboard (HDF) or "Valchromat". True Baltic Birch marine-grade plywood is also excellent in regards to strength and dimensional stability, but is not as dense or heavy. Perhaps my favorite material for use as a plinth and/or platter is UHMW Polyethylene, with Delrin as a 2nd choice. I've also used 3/4" to 1.5" thick UHMW poly sheets and "Corian" solid-surface countertop sheets for custom loudspeaker baffles and complete speaker enclosures. These can be cut, drilled, tapped with machine screw threads, and "shaped" or "machined" with common woodworking tools and routers/router bits, and make for extremely dense and non-resonant speaker cabinets and plinths or platters with the addition of a adhesive-backed butyl rubber + aluminum skin CLD dampen sheets, or a thin butyl rubber sheet layer between two separate sheets. I still use simple soft silicone rubber or "Sorbothane" pucks under my turntable feet for vibration damping and isolation. Cheers
Another great and fun video. Glad to see my SL-D2 made that list. I have one since new with no issues at all, even the dust cover is intact and feet as well. I use an Ortofon 2 Blue, Klipsch RP600 M and an SX 780. Waiting to connect it to a newly acquired Yamaha A 500 at a thrift shop and being serviced as we speak.
Your comment caught my eye since I have my SL-D2 acquired only a couple years ago that I setup with an Ortofon Blue, as well. It's a great combination. When I bought the TT it had a Pickering V15 on it, which is ok.... but doesn't compare to the Ortofon. Listening to "Disraeli Gears" on it right now. Sweet.
It is a great TT, built like a tank, with great specs, looks and sounds very good, at least to my ears. Almost 44 years of great service, hard to beat!@@BeaverPDX72
I have a Thorens TD318 from the mid 80s that has auto lift and stop. A real workhorse that still does a fine job playing discs today. I also have a fully manual TD 160 which is a great table but very sensitive to floor vibration so you need to think about placement and vibration isolation.
PL15 was part of that crazy cheap package deal Pioneer did in 1973 - 1974... What was it? SA-500 separate amp, and 5 inch full-range bookshelf speakers WITH NO TWEETER, and PL15. Actually, it might have been the PL12D... The package deal was just about $299 if memory serves, and it was called the 'Prelude 500' system. They sold thousands of those little systems to get people stated in Hi Fi. Maybe they only sold the Prelude 500 budget system in Australia?
I have a Pioneer PL-518, with new feet and an Ortofon 2m bronze moving magnet cartridge. The turntable looks mint sounds amazing. Audiophile grade without the audiophile price.
Great segment sir, I definitely agree with you on those sl1700 Technics tables with that manual option, after having dealt with sl 1300s with that same lift issue, I do remember reading in the 1300 owner manual, the other main reason for that manual override is in the event of some of records particularly 45s that have a very short dead wax Or runout however it’s referred to, the record won’t return prematurely. Also fooled around with the optical auto shutdown system on a later version the Marantz 6350, you raise great point tho not end of the world, it can be a trip to adjust,but when functioning right it’s on point!
I love your channel and your videos, I hope to visit your store one of these days. I have been collecting records, record changers, turntables, and gear since I was a teenager in the 1970s. I spent years searching for my final turntable, the search was over when I purchased my Linn sondek lp12 whith the ITTOK LVII tonearm currently with an Audio-Technica OC9 II Moving coil cartridge. I of course realize there are turntables that rate higher than the lp12 but I have to say over the years I have probably had 20+ turntables go through my hands every one of them I tried and had my fun with but this turntable absolutely walked over all of the rest of them. I cannot imagine swapping it out and I've been using it for 15 years now! Thank you so much for considering my submission. Best regards, Dave
i have two manual turntables that I really like. Sansui SR-838 and Pioneer PL-550. Both look great. Very slight favor to the Sansui SR-838 after much internal debate. This comment was also made in the community section of your UA-cam channel where you have a post where your also asking for our "vote for manual table..." My first time posting, not sure why there are two places for our manual favs? I enjoy your videos!
I have an old sears rebranded audiotechnica, direct drive, linear tracking, auto stop. I think its from the 80s. I bought it used about 10 years ago. I'm actually very happy with the way it sounds and the cartridges are still affordable. At this point the table has sentimental value. I wonder if it damages my records though.
Marantz 6300 -- "Name any other turntable made with a real wood veneer finish." (Yeah, there were a few, but not many!) Heck yes, I got in there and oiled that walnut finish up on a regular basis. I gave mine to my brother-in-law about a decade ago, and he still uses it to this day. I gave up on the dang thing when I realized it wouldn't play my MP3 collection. Seriously, I loved that thing -- still do, but I wasn't using it, so giving it away gave it another chance to live. And those feet -- I always called it the Four Wheel Drive Turntable.
I’ve had my SL-1700 MK2 for a few years, bought it as a fixer upper, and I love it. It’s a bit temperamental at times, but I love the features and it sounds good. The quartz lock speed control,is rock steady. I tinker with other tt’s and no other TT I’ve tried has the speed control of the SL-1700 MK2. I’m a musician and have very good “pitch”, I can hear wow and flutter that perhaps other can’t. I also have and used an SL-Q2, kind of a light version of the 1700. Also very good.
No favourite Manual Turntable for me. Clunk, clunk, clunk..... I would like to see a new Technics Semi Automatic GR turntable. Great video, I enjoyed seeing the gear and hearing your comments. That PL-518 dresses up nicely. Oh, I say mark (get set, go).
You mentioned that the RS 400 is similar to the 6100. I looked it up and the 400 is a DD. The 6100 is a belt drive. I have a 6100. Got it a few months ago for $125. I had to grab it at that price. It's definitely (mechanically) identical to the HH Scott PS-17. They don't share the same motor. But the Scott does share the same motor with the Marantz 6025. Anyway... cool video. Hope to see your shop one day.
Another really interesting episode. I like how you delve into the positives & negatives of each item. A couple of your critiques have helped me dodge a few bullets... thanks. Have you ever considered doing similar videos but with the viewer's least popular gear? IE. specific receivers, tt's, etc that seemed great initially but turned into money pits, unrepairable, etc. Not to dwell on the negative but it would be interesting if you perhaps had some positives to add. Hope that makes sense. Thanks again & great work.
Favorite manual TT: AR XA -- if you love manual TTs and have never owned an AR XA you owe it to yourself to try one. Others that I own/love: Linn LP12, Thorens TD160, Technics SL1100/SL1200 Mk1/SL1200Mk2 SL1200Mk2 will be the overwhelming winner, and justifiably so. Love your attitude towards HiFi. Love the videos! ☮
I got a PL-518 in 1979 for $118 at Churchill Audio in Brooklyn. Set up was easier due to the overhang gauge supplied. The specs were above average for the period, W/F of 0.03% and rumble 73dB's. It also had a +/- 2% speed adjust and I think the platter weighed two pounds. It was considered by Pioneer to be a manual turntable as stated in their literature. Gotta say that strobe was mesmerizing. Man-o-Manischewitz it's a swell unit.
Fully Manual turntable Ariston RD80SL transcription turntable (remove the platter to adjust for 45 or 33) with a SME 3009 tone arm it has 3 adjustable feet 1 at the centre back 2 at the front I just love this deck.Its served me well for many a year, Made in Scotland 1970s just down the road from me. I'm very proud to own this deck, and there still affordable
Sansui FR-1080. Purchased new in January 1979. Reconditioned in May 2015. All of the original packaging and documentation. Audio Technica dual magnet cartridge with nude elliptical stylus. Even have the Watts dust bug. The fluid bottle is evaporated though.
Agree the Pioneer pl518 is a beast and parts are easy to come by. The black x version does look better. Got mine matches with a Sony str 6055 and audio technica 120e/b cart 👌
Many people re-veneer the Pioneer PL's, Reveneer + available iron on decals they can be made to look good cheaply. Hahahhah you just mentioned re-veenering as I was typing and listening! Us vintage nerds are on the same wavelength!!
I have a 6300 I have owned for years and am astonished at the prices they are selling for now. Still, the 6300 is an excellent turntable and is probably one of the best looking turntables out there.
I use a Pioneer PL510A direct drive turntable that I bought in Japan in the mid 1970s , it still has its original spare headshell and cartridge but I use its second headshell with a Shure V15iiiG cartridge wirh stylus from JICO . Superb machine everything on works perfectly .
Hey Kevin, Love the videos; keep ‘em coming! My Top-five, fully manual turntables (I own, or have owned, all of these): Sansui SR-838 Sansui SR-636 Marantz TT-15S1 Rega Planar 3 Sansui SR-929 Pat
I've got the LaFayette T2000, which I'm pretty sure is a brother to the Marantz 6100. Not an exciting table, but it works just fine. Not planning to upgrade any time soon :)
Kevin, nice video. I believe that "MK" is not "M.K." but short for "Mark". Besides vintage Hi-Fi, I am also very much into collecting both current and vintage cameras. For example, Canon's 5D Mark II or 5D Mark III or 5D Mark IV are designations for the various iterations of the original 5D. And most of the cameras with these iterations are from Japan, same as most of the vintage Hi-Fi equipment. If a turntable has the designation of MK-2, and if this is the next improved version of the original model, then I'd have to say that "MK 2" means Mark 2. And regarding manual turntables, I'm going to thrown my hat in the ring for the Dual 510. Just a middle of the road turntable but a nice performer.
favorite manual turntable is the Thorens TD 203, great tone arm and great looks sound is amazing, at least to me also the Thorens TD 145 from the 70s it was my dads and still works and sound amazing as well
Thanks Kev, Great video as always and very interesting, even though my favorite Technics turntable didn't make the list, but that's okay, I don't think you saw my comment on your Sansui turntables video a couple weeks back.... Oh well, the people have spoken...
Great ranking video! My two favorites are the Thorens td145 mk2 and the Marantz 6300… Sorry for Pioneer… For the manual, Thorens td124 mk1 and 2 and td125 mk2! Greetings from Switzerland
Thanks for your hard work and efforts. Nothing wrong with vintage as my second TT is a JVC QL-A200 and it’s lovely. I’ve not had it serviced since it was gifted to me a few years back. I would love to have a more modern version that returns at the end of the record. This has a P-mount cartridge so Im unsure if its upgradable.. any suggestions for a new auto return TT? Somehow I don’t get to watch your channel often enough but I will make a greater effort. Thanks
I had a Marantz 6100 and Philips GA 422 or 27 (wood plinth) the Philips was absolutely a great semi auto table. Rega RP3 matched with an Ortofon Blue is my pick for manual.
Marantz 6100 , 1977 price $129.95 less cartridge. Kevin, as for manual play turntables....Do you mean a self contained unit that all you add is the cartridge or one built up with a transcription motor and a separate arm on a custom base? If all contained, Empire 698. If going for built up, Garrard 301/401 w/ SME3009 arm, multi-density plinth and Ortofon SPU cartridge.
Wow another great list! I enjoy seeing all your personal Top 5 picks! I think my favorite manual would have to be a Bang & Olufsen Beogram TX2 or the Akai 4000DS. Keep up the great work It's awesome seeing and learning so much about vintage cassette decks!
Found the channel after the voting started, but have to throw in a vote for the Phillips 312 turntable. It has auto stop, but no return. It also a nice drop button, so I assume it would fall under semi-automatic.
Pioneer PL 512 fully manual.. Great budget turntable and my first .. Logic DM 101 my second ... Love these top 5 shootouts 👍 Kind regards from Turkey 👍🇹🇷
Hi Kevin, where to start? Pioneer PL12D, perfect entry level TT; SL1200 in all its disguises after MK 1, no need to list the make nor what made it famous. BTW, I always said "MK 2"; Thorens TD 124, because belt and idler wheel.
My favorite manual turntable was my first, the Acoustic Research XA. I'm pretty sure I had a Pickering cartridge on it. Oh yeah, "MK" usually always signifies the term "Mark". I think the Brits started that.
Technics SL 1200. I so much enjoyed the one I purchased around 1973 or 74. I wish I could find one that I could afford. Just getting back into the stereo set up. Just moved and waiting for my record collection to show up. Back in the day, Kenwood tuner (so, so) Pioneer amp, Revox R2R tape deck. The best speakers I had were Marantz, Technics 1200 turntable. I just can not recall the model numbers.
I just noticed these lists, and I know it's too late, but my B&O 4000C is by far the best full auto table I have ever owned. I have a TX-2 too; don't know why the press never liked it, as I adore it as well. Not sure why the popularity contest left out other popular top brands like Garrard, B&O, Thorens, etc. I can understand no one voting for a Goldmund Reference or a AV Designhaus but there are more tables out there other than the few (Japanese made?) brands folks are voting for.
Sl 1200 Mark 2, full manual vote. I was bidding on a 518 Pioneer 3 months ago but the price got too high and, it is ugly. The same seller had a JVC QL A7 I won for 160 shipped. An exceptional 26.4 lb semi auto.
I have a new Music Hall Classic with an Ortofon Blue cart. The arm lifts at the end but does not return, I was all in at $785.00, I love it! I also have a Pioneer PL 518 with an Ortofon red cart. on my other system. I bought it used for $150.00. There are some cosmetic issues, the dust cove is cracked in places and the vinyl covering has two small divots, otherwise it plays great!
Even though I am a vintage guy from the class of 75... I have a pro ject carbon, the cost was reasonable, but it looks expensive and works great, my number one choice for manual turntable
Kevin MK is short for MARK 1 or MARK 2, ETC. ..... BUT... However you pronounce it: makes no difference in the world on the cost of tea in China, and I don't think it changes the price of a vintage turntable in your shop or any other. I hear people mispronounce words on UA-cam all the time, but I sure as hell am not going to waste my time trying to school someone who quite likely won't want to be called out on their own channel by mr know-it-all. . Nobody gives a rats ass anyway ;) Thanks for sharing your experience in vintage hi-fi through your unique ownership as a successful used and beautiful vintage audio components shop. You're the real deal and that's why I love listening to your honest rants and opinions. Great job 💯
Nice!! I bought my Pioneer PL-200 in 1982. It's not their best but it has been solid and with very good specs. Still works perfectly. Put a Stanton 600 ee cartridge on it. Love it!!
Best Manual TT in my opinion is the Pioneer PL-71. Mine´s had a hard life in both workinghours, and abuse from drunk people. 😅 -Still going Strong with no issues. Simple and stupid does the job every time! I love it! 😎 (I also have a Mag-Lev Audio, levitating TT, and would love to hear your opinion on those) Big Thanks from Sweden!
My vote is for the Technics SL 1200's - one of the most rugged around with a functional, simple design copied by multiple others - obviously targeted at the DJ with the massive torque at startup. I had a pair of Mark (not "M K") Twos - purchased in 1984 - still have them...(....in watching your video, I just realised I also had a Marantz 6300 before getting the twins..... )
Technics sl1210mk2. Serving me well. I've had to squirt contact cleaner in the headshell socket once, but that's it. My old 70s and 80s lps and eps sound great on it.
Before going separates in college, we had a Dual 1218. Going to separates - the Dynaco 400ST and the little Nakamichi 410 pre-amp (best sounding electronics I ever owned), I got the presumably "audiophile on the cheap" Connoisseur BD-1 kick-start, rubber band drive TT with a Grace 707 arm and cart. For the life of me, I could not isolate that table from walking, from anything. Upgraded to the much heavier, solidly built Luxman PD441 direct drive beast with Grace 707 Mk1 and F9E cartridge in '79 I think. I still have that tt.
These videos are absolutely addictive. Kevin has such a phenomenal style. I love everything about them.
And the whole "M.K." versus "Mark", hilarious and classic. :)
Your voice & manner of presentation is quite pleasant Kevin, in addition to the info you share.
Bought my Marantz 6300 in 76, still runs like a top and is in Mint condition….
Love using it to this day.
Thanks for these videos…!
Pioneer PL-518: MDF or pressboard?
My Dual CS-515 isn't pretty, but 40 years on, still doing great!
I have owned my SL-D2 for over 50 yrs and you're correct on the hinge tabs, still own all 3 cartridges I bought for it (AT-12E, XV-15/625E, V15-IIIG).
Technics SL-1200. I bought mine in 1974 for, I think, $350. Still have the original box and documentation. Dust cover is in good shape with some light scratches. The material seemed to scratch just from wiping it with a soft cloth. Other than that it is in mint condition.
Technics really made quality machines. I also really like their design, modern and functional. The SL-1200 has inspired millions of cheap copies, but they still make the original real deal after all these years. That is simply unheard of elsewhere in the audio manufacturing industry.
I’ve always thought Duals looked “cheap” and antiquated, though I’m sure the are fine machines, at least the higher end ones.
The SL-1200 not semi auto
In the video and in the description he asks for votes for the favorite manual turntable.
Got a Technics sld-2 for Christmas in 1980 and still running it. I upgraded the feet with a set of Audio Technica adjustable feet quickly after I got it. The feet kit came with a bubble level that still sits on table to this day along with my Discwasher stylus brush/mirror. One pro to the sld-2 you didn't touch on is the front mounted controls. You can shut off the table, which will auto return the tone arm without opening the dust cover, limiting the chance of skipping the record. Love the videos...keep it up!
Would you consider selling?
Favorite manual TT - Pioneer PL-550. I stripped mine and recovered it with real raw walnut veneer. The surprise sleeper in my collection is the Sansui SR-626. It's a very solid table that seems to fly under the radar.
Great list Kevin! I totally agree about the PL-518. I picked one up a few months ago and wasn't expecting it to be such a pleasure to use, since it looks a little like a budget plastic table you might have found at Wards. I do still need to find some replacement feet.
Wards! Love it!
@@DaveFoehring Monkey Wards. Had one for quite a while her in my new home town. It had just about everything even a pretty good auto repair dept. Manager had a pipe glued to his mouth every time I went there.
Had the Pioneer PL-518 back in 1980-1981. Really liked that turntable!
How about doing a top 5 reel to reel tape recorder picks?? 🤔
Speaking of the Golden Era of Vinyl and Turntables. One Golden memory was when I heard my first Direct to Disc album. For the day the audio was spectacular to say the least. Yes expensive but a collection I/we did start.
I had the SL-D2, for me a major upgrade from the BIC changer that came with the system package from CMC Stereo (BIC, Technics 15 watt receiver, Ultralinear 3 way speakers).
Favorite Manual Table: Thornes TD-125 Mk-II with SME 3009 Series II (improved) tonearm.
I've owned it since 1973...re-built it in 2018 (incl electronics) and STILL use it as my primary table today.
I say "Mark" not MK
Glad to see the turntable that got me through college made the list...Pioneer PL-55. (I had the "55D" model though)
You want to laugh your ass off? Check out the video "The Best Turtables of 2024". i have the same deck except I have the SME w/ the fixed head shell. They are magnificent tables and arms!!
I bought the DUAL 1264 in 1982 - Great specs, only added Platter Matter and Iso-Feet. Flawless operation during the last 46 years years, even at 85 degrees tilt!. I just had it fully restored 11/24. It, utilizing the ULM system easy plays those warped records seamlessly. And has a non scratch multi-record changer. Wondering why DUAL is not on your list?
G' Day Kevin, When I was 16 in 1975 I bought the Marantz 6300, still runs mint & sonically is 2nd to none…. ,I now have 2, 6300's & a 2275 & 4400 Receiver, Had a 5030B & am looking 4 a 5030, Saul really built this equipment well
I picked up a Luxman a few years ago and was very happy with it I replaced the cartridge and stylus with a Ortofon 2m blue, sounds great 👍
My SL-D2 has been going strong since 1980. I always referred to it as a blue collar TT.... nothing fancy but gets the job done.
My favorite manual turntable is, the Pioneer PL-71, which I bought new and still own. I just finished watching this video and I find my other turntable (Pioneer PL-518) made it to the top of this list, I agree!
Great info, I bought a Marantz 6300 about a month ago at a garage sale for a ridiculously low price. It does need a little work but still in great cosmetic condition and can't wait until I get it done to use it. Thanks for the great video.
Are you the guy from reddit that bought one for a dollar?
@@reedhensley no, I found one at a garage sale for $10
@@bquinn3191 lucky you
My favorite fully manual is my Thorens TD-160. It may be the cartridge I put on (a Grace F-9 that SoundSmith built for me) but I love it. It works perfectly, every time - and sounds great doing it. If I ever hit the lottery, it will be a Garrard 301 with a custom walnut plinth. Sigh.
Great show. Love looking at all the vintage gear. My favorite manual turntable is the Audio Technica AT-PL120. Nice looking turntable that is still working perfectly and has never had any service other than a new stylus.
Luxman PD-272 👍 , Love your channel ! Looking forward to coming to your store some day ! 17:36
My old fully-manual turntable was a Denon DP-755 I found at a thrift shop & it was wonderful! It was a quartz-locked direct drive beast with a single switch for power & speed selection, a dial for pitch that was wholly unnecessary & a downright lovely Grace tonearm - nothing else besides basic dropping/lifting & height/skating adjustments.
I'd still be using it, actually, if I hadn't been gifted a new Audio-Technica that can also play 78's.
My favorite manual turntable is the Micro Seiki DDX-1000 with a Micro Seiki MA-505 Mk (pronounced "Mark" or "MK") III primary tonearm and a SAEC WE-308 secondary tonearm. I don't recall when I bought it (probably back in the '80s), but I use it daily. Like most turntables of that era, I had to replace the adjustable feet. I had a machinist make me three aluminum (not "aluminium") cones to replace the original rubber feet.
I also really like the original Acoustic Research XA turntable. One of it's "cons" is the non-standard headshell it used on the tonearm.
The Thorens TD-125 was also a pretty good table when fitted with a SME 3009 or Grace G-707 tonearm.
Manual Vote: Technics SP-10
The 6100 is a noob pick for certain as are the PL's. No pitch control. Enjoy 34.3 rpm. Technics lid tabs can be saved with baking soda and super glue and a file, prior to polishing the cover. I have 23 turntables and neither is a Pioneer nor Marantz by design. 🤔
Great video👍 Damn....no love ever for my Hitachi PS-48😢😢 I know you do not do the rankings in the poll but bummed it did not make the list. Had a Rega Plannar 3 and got the Hitachi one used for a spare room.....loved it so much I ended up selling the Rega!!!! Vintage is the way to go in my book.....keep up the great work on the channel👍
The right way is "mark," not MK. That said: I really appreciate your friendly (Who Gives a F$&k" attitude, so I want you to just keep saying it wrong to loosen up sone of the uptight folks out there. 🙂
MK with a number is always Mark number. I guess only the older people have even heard of the AR Turntable, but it was $100 at a time when almost every was more expensive. It has spring loaded suspension and the arm was designed for a Shure V15 type II or III. It has a huge following even today, but most replace the tonearm with an SME model.
I like my Pioneer PL-514 belt drive semi auto. My SOTA Sapphire with Syrinx PU-3 tonearm with Project Pick It LOMC cartridge, TT from 1986 is my favourite go to manual turntable. Viewed from Australia.
Great series! Favourite manual TT (best to last):
Denon DP-80 (I know it won't make the list, but Denon RULES)
Technics SL-1200, obvs (any of the "MARKS")😜
@SkylabsAudio
Kevin, I'm late to the party, but this was a great series of Turntable videos. 👍
The only "vintage" turntable I still have is a Pioneer PL-707 that I purchased new in the early 1980s which is now fitted with a Denon DL160 MC cartridge. It's still in mint condition and working perfectly, complete with the original dust cover.
Unfortunately, it was also made with that extremely thin and delicate vinyl wrap exterior, but it is a beautiful and convincing "rosewood" look. If the vinyl wrap ever starts to peel, I'll make a solid real rosewood plinth for it.
Back in the day I did a short stint as a DJ over my summer breaks using a pair of the now classic Technics SL-1200 MK 2. Yeah, I should've kept those, but needed to downsize in a move.
And FYI, the double-layer plinth of the Pioneer PL-518 is not made using MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). It is made of what is called "Particle Board", which is also known as "Chipboard" or "Pressboard". This is also what 90% of vintage speaker cabinets were/are made of.
MDF and Particle Board are worlds apart in quality, as MDF is much denser, heavier, stronger, and more dimensionally stable compared to Particle Board. But both will swell and disintegrate if they absorb water or liquids.
If you want a wood product that is even better, look for High Density Fiberboard (HDF) or "Valchromat". True Baltic Birch marine-grade plywood is also excellent in regards to strength and dimensional stability, but is not as dense or heavy.
Perhaps my favorite material for use as a plinth and/or platter is UHMW Polyethylene, with Delrin as a 2nd choice.
I've also used 3/4" to 1.5" thick UHMW poly sheets and "Corian" solid-surface countertop sheets for custom loudspeaker baffles and complete speaker enclosures.
These can be cut, drilled, tapped with machine screw threads, and "shaped" or "machined" with common woodworking tools and routers/router bits, and make for extremely dense and non-resonant speaker cabinets and plinths or platters with the addition of a adhesive-backed butyl rubber + aluminum skin CLD dampen sheets, or a thin butyl rubber sheet layer between two separate sheets.
I still use simple soft silicone rubber or "Sorbothane" pucks under my turntable feet for vibration damping and isolation.
Cheers
Great review Kevin,, am really enjoying these customer lists.. Have an awesome 4th...
Thanks, you too!
I pick up a Marantz 6300 back in the 90's from a thrift store for $30 complete and in good working condition
Another great and fun video. Glad to see my SL-D2 made that list. I have one since new with no issues at all, even the dust cover is intact and feet as well. I use an Ortofon 2 Blue, Klipsch RP600 M and an SX 780. Waiting to connect it to a newly acquired Yamaha A 500 at a thrift shop and being serviced as we speak.
sold my D2 mid 80's. regret it. now have D3 automatic. not as great sounding but the speakers i had with D2 were great. I may need better speakers
Your comment caught my eye since I have my SL-D2 acquired only a couple years ago that I setup with an Ortofon Blue, as well. It's a great combination. When I bought the TT it had a Pickering V15 on it, which is ok.... but doesn't compare to the Ortofon. Listening to "Disraeli Gears" on it right now. Sweet.
It is a great TT, built like a tank, with great specs, looks and sounds very good, at least to my ears. Almost 44 years of great service, hard to beat!@@BeaverPDX72
I have a Thorens TD318 from the mid 80s that has auto lift and stop. A real workhorse that still does a fine job playing discs today. I also have a fully manual TD 160 which is a great table but very sensitive to floor vibration so you need to think about placement and vibration isolation.
PL15 was part of that crazy cheap package deal Pioneer did in 1973 - 1974... What was it? SA-500 separate amp, and 5 inch full-range bookshelf speakers WITH NO TWEETER, and PL15. Actually, it might have been the PL12D... The package deal was just about $299 if memory serves, and it was called the 'Prelude 500' system. They sold thousands of those little systems to get people stated in Hi Fi. Maybe they only sold the Prelude 500 budget system in Australia?
I have a Pioneer PL-518, with new feet and an Ortofon 2m bronze moving magnet cartridge. The turntable looks mint sounds amazing. Audiophile grade without the audiophile price.
Great segment sir, I definitely agree with you on those sl1700 Technics tables with that manual option, after having dealt with sl 1300s with that same lift issue, I do remember reading in the 1300 owner manual, the other main reason for that manual override is in the event of some of records particularly 45s that have a very short dead wax Or runout however it’s referred to, the record won’t return prematurely. Also fooled around with the optical auto shutdown system on a later version the Marantz 6350, you raise great point tho not end of the world, it can be a trip to adjust,but when functioning right it’s on point!
I love your channel and your videos, I hope to visit your store one of these days. I have been collecting records, record changers, turntables, and gear since I was a teenager in the 1970s. I spent years searching for my final turntable, the search was over when I purchased my Linn sondek lp12 whith the ITTOK LVII tonearm currently with an Audio-Technica OC9 II Moving coil cartridge. I of course realize there are turntables that rate higher than the lp12 but I have to say over the years I have probably had 20+ turntables go through my hands every one of them I tried and had my fun with but this turntable absolutely walked over all of the rest of them. I cannot imagine swapping it out and I've been using it for 15 years now! Thank you so much for considering my submission. Best regards, Dave
My fave manual drive turntable is my 1970 Ariston Audio RD II S. You have to take the platter off to change the 2 speeds.
i have two manual turntables that I really like. Sansui SR-838 and Pioneer PL-550. Both look great. Very slight favor to the Sansui SR-838 after much internal debate. This comment was also made in the community section of your UA-cam channel where you have a post where your also asking for our "vote for manual table..." My first time posting, not sure why there are two places for our manual favs? I enjoy your videos!
Dual 701 for me
Thank you for nice video! Now I knew what turntable I should bye but I must fix a counverter to 220volt the current we have in Sweden 🇸🇪🇺🇲🇸🇪🙏
I have an old sears rebranded audiotechnica, direct drive, linear tracking, auto stop. I think its from the 80s. I bought it used about 10 years ago. I'm actually very happy with the way it sounds and the cartridges are still affordable. At this point the table has sentimental value. I wonder if it damages my records though.
Marantz 6300 -- "Name any other turntable made with a real wood veneer finish." (Yeah, there were a few, but not many!) Heck yes, I got in there and oiled that walnut finish up on a regular basis. I gave mine to my brother-in-law about a decade ago, and he still uses it to this day. I gave up on the dang thing when I realized it wouldn't play my MP3 collection. Seriously, I loved that thing -- still do, but I wasn't using it, so giving it away gave it another chance to live. And those feet -- I always called it the Four Wheel Drive Turntable.
I’ve had my SL-1700 MK2 for a few years, bought it as a fixer upper, and I love it. It’s a bit temperamental at times, but I love the features and it sounds good. The quartz lock speed control,is rock steady. I tinker with other tt’s and no other TT I’ve tried has the speed control of the SL-1700 MK2. I’m a musician and have very good “pitch”, I can hear wow and flutter that perhaps other can’t.
I also have and used an SL-Q2, kind of a light version of the 1700. Also very good.
No favourite Manual Turntable for me. Clunk, clunk, clunk..... I would like to see a new Technics Semi Automatic GR turntable.
Great video, I enjoyed seeing the gear and hearing your comments. That PL-518 dresses up nicely. Oh, I say mark (get set, go).
You mentioned that the RS 400 is similar to the 6100. I looked it up and the 400 is a DD. The 6100 is a belt drive. I have a 6100. Got it a few months ago for $125. I had to grab it at that price. It's definitely (mechanically) identical to the HH Scott PS-17. They don't share the same motor. But the Scott does share the same motor with the Marantz 6025. Anyway... cool video. Hope to see your shop one day.
Another really interesting episode. I like how you delve into the positives & negatives of each item. A couple of your critiques have helped me dodge a few bullets... thanks. Have you ever considered doing similar videos but with the viewer's least popular gear? IE. specific receivers, tt's, etc that seemed great initially but turned into money pits, unrepairable, etc. Not to dwell on the negative but it would be interesting if you perhaps had some positives to add. Hope that makes sense. Thanks again & great work.
Will look into that. Thanks
Favorite manual TT: AR XA -- if you love manual TTs and have never owned an AR XA you owe it to yourself to try one.
Others that I own/love: Linn LP12, Thorens TD160, Technics SL1100/SL1200 Mk1/SL1200Mk2
SL1200Mk2 will be the overwhelming winner, and justifiably so.
Love your attitude towards HiFi. Love the videos! ☮
I like my Thorens TD160. It’s my only TT but I’m so happy why change it.
Manual turntable: Thorens TD-160. Bought it new in 1976, still working with only minor service and belt replacements.
I got a PL-518 in 1979 for $118 at Churchill Audio in Brooklyn. Set up was easier due to the overhang gauge supplied. The specs were above average for the period, W/F of 0.03% and rumble 73dB's. It also had a +/- 2% speed adjust and I think the platter weighed two pounds. It was considered by Pioneer to be a manual turntable as stated in their literature. Gotta say that strobe was mesmerizing. Man-o-Manischewitz it's a swell unit.
Fully Manual turntable Ariston RD80SL transcription turntable (remove the platter to adjust for 45 or 33) with a SME 3009 tone arm it has 3 adjustable feet 1 at the centre back 2 at the front I just love this deck.Its served me well for many a year,
Made in Scotland 1970s just down the road from me. I'm very proud to own this deck, and there still affordable
Sansui FR-1080. Purchased new in January 1979. Reconditioned in May 2015. All of the original packaging and documentation. Audio Technica dual magnet cartridge with nude elliptical stylus. Even have the Watts dust bug. The fluid bottle is evaporated though.
mark 2
Agree the Pioneer pl518 is a beast and parts are easy to come by. The black x version does look better. Got mine matches with a Sony str 6055 and audio technica 120e/b cart 👌
Many people re-veneer the Pioneer PL's, Reveneer + available iron on decals they can be made to look good cheaply. Hahahhah you just mentioned re-veenering as I was typing and listening! Us vintage nerds are on the same wavelength!!
I have a 6300 I have owned for years and am astonished at the prices they are
selling for now. Still, the 6300 is an excellent turntable and is probably one
of the best looking turntables out there.
I use a Pioneer PL510A direct drive turntable that I bought in Japan in the mid 1970s , it still has its original spare headshell and cartridge but I use its second headshell with a Shure V15iiiG cartridge wirh stylus from JICO . Superb machine everything on works perfectly .
...hey, what's the outro music (artist/band on this video?
...Like It!
Surprised that my daily driver topped the list! I bought my PL-518 at a garage sale in 1991 and his performed perfectly ever since!
Hey Kevin,
Love the videos; keep ‘em coming!
My Top-five, fully manual turntables (I own, or have owned, all of these):
Sansui SR-838
Sansui SR-636
Marantz TT-15S1
Rega Planar 3
Sansui SR-929
Pat
I've got the LaFayette T2000, which I'm pretty sure is a brother to the Marantz 6100. Not an exciting table, but it works just fine. Not planning to upgrade any time soon :)
Favorite manual tt? Empire Troubador 398. Amazing design. Solid construction. Unbeatable performance.
Kevin, nice video. I believe that "MK" is not "M.K." but short for "Mark". Besides vintage Hi-Fi, I am also very much into collecting both current and vintage cameras. For example, Canon's 5D Mark II or 5D Mark III or 5D Mark IV are designations for the various iterations of the original 5D. And most of the cameras with these iterations are from Japan, same as most of the vintage Hi-Fi equipment. If a turntable has the designation of MK-2, and if this is the next improved version of the original model, then I'd have to say that "MK 2" means Mark 2. And regarding manual turntables, I'm going to thrown my hat in the ring for the Dual 510. Just a middle of the road turntable but a nice performer.
favorite manual turntable is the Thorens TD 203, great tone arm and great looks sound is amazing, at least to me also the Thorens TD 145 from the 70s it was my dads and still works and sound amazing as well
Thanks Kev, Great video as always and very interesting, even though my favorite Technics turntable didn't make the list, but that's okay, I don't think you saw my comment on your Sansui turntables video a couple weeks back.... Oh well, the people have spoken...
Sorry!
Great ranking video! My two favorites are the Thorens td145 mk2 and the Marantz 6300… Sorry for Pioneer… For the manual, Thorens td124 mk1 and 2 and td125 mk2! Greetings from Switzerland
Thanks for your hard work and efforts. Nothing wrong with vintage as my second TT is a JVC QL-A200 and it’s lovely. I’ve not had it serviced since it was gifted to me a few years back. I would love to have a more modern version that returns at the end of the record. This has a P-mount cartridge so Im unsure if its upgradable.. any suggestions for a new auto return TT? Somehow I don’t get to watch your channel often enough but I will make a greater effort. Thanks
I had a Marantz 6100 and Philips GA 422 or 27 (wood plinth) the Philips was absolutely a great semi auto table.
Rega RP3 matched with an Ortofon Blue is my pick for manual.
I had a 6100 and a technics 1300 I prefered the sound and look of the 6100 which i think is one of the nicest looking out there.
Marantz 6100 , 1977 price $129.95 less cartridge. Kevin, as for manual play turntables....Do you mean a self contained unit that all you add is the cartridge or one built up with a transcription motor and a separate arm on a custom base? If all contained, Empire 698. If going for built up, Garrard 301/401 w/ SME3009 arm, multi-density plinth and Ortofon SPU cartridge.
Wow another great list! I enjoy seeing all your personal Top 5 picks! I think my favorite manual would have to be a Bang & Olufsen Beogram TX2 or the Akai 4000DS. Keep up the great work It's awesome seeing and learning so much about vintage cassette decks!
where did u see his personal top 5 picks? can u post a link. im quite curious.
Found the channel after the voting started, but have to throw in a vote for the Phillips 312 turntable. It has auto stop, but no return. It also a nice drop button, so I assume it would fall under semi-automatic.
Pioneer PL 512 fully manual..
Great budget turntable and my first ..
Logic DM 101 my second ...
Love these top 5 shootouts 👍
Kind regards from Turkey 👍🇹🇷
On that PL-518 it's actually 3/4 particule board :) not mdf same sort of crap sorry I'm a woodworker
Hi Kevin, where to start? Pioneer PL12D, perfect entry level TT; SL1200 in all its disguises after MK 1, no need to list the make nor what made it famous. BTW, I always said "MK 2"; Thorens TD 124, because belt and idler wheel.
My favorite manual turntable was my first, the Acoustic Research XA. I'm pretty sure I had a Pickering cartridge on it.
Oh yeah, "MK" usually always signifies the term "Mark". I think the Brits started that.
Yes, we did, and we say Tech NIKS, not Tech NEEKS.
@@stephen579
That's okay Stephen, you guys can't help it if you have a speech impediment, lol.
Thanks for sharing!
Well, i have 2 PL 518, both working great, this is a real working horse.
Oracle Delphi MK II, Ariston Audio RD IIS there arer others like AR-XA, Rek o Kut N33H but those are the ones I have.
I had a Delphi, finicky but incomparable when set up correctly.
👍 I have two favorite manuals: The Micro Seiki BL-51and the CEC Bd-6000 which in my opinion is underrated.
I liked my Dual 731Q with adapter for 1/2 inch cartridges. I have since replaced it with a Linn LP12. But I'm still keeping it.
Love my PL 518. Bought new and still runs great.
Technics SL 1200. I so much enjoyed the one I purchased around 1973 or 74. I wish I could find one that I could afford. Just getting back into the stereo set up. Just moved and waiting for my record collection to show up. Back in the day, Kenwood tuner (so, so) Pioneer amp, Revox R2R tape deck. The best speakers I had were Marantz, Technics 1200 turntable. I just can not recall the model numbers.
I just noticed these lists, and I know it's too late, but my B&O 4000C is by far the best full auto table I have ever owned. I have a TX-2 too; don't know why the press never liked it, as I adore it as well. Not sure why the popularity contest left out other popular top brands like Garrard, B&O, Thorens, etc. I can understand no one voting for a Goldmund Reference or a AV Designhaus but there are more tables out there other than the few (Japanese made?) brands folks are voting for.
Was the Garrard around in the early to mid 70"s? I think that was my very first one but can't remember exactly. Kind of junkie, right?
Sl 1200 Mark 2, full manual vote. I was bidding on a 518 Pioneer 3 months ago but the price got too high and, it is ugly. The same seller had a JVC QL A7 I won for 160 shipped. An exceptional 26.4 lb semi auto.
I have a new Music Hall Classic with an Ortofon Blue cart. The arm lifts at the end but does not return, I was all in at $785.00, I love it! I also have a Pioneer PL 518 with an Ortofon red cart. on my other system. I bought it used for $150.00. There are some cosmetic issues, the dust cove is cracked in places and the vinyl covering has two small divots, otherwise it plays great!
Another get me some popcorn video😉👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Happy July 4th to you and your family!
Same to you!
My favorite manual turntables are pioneer pl-41dc and pioneer pl-61
Even though I am a vintage guy from the class of 75... I have a pro ject carbon, the cost was reasonable, but it looks expensive and works great, my number one choice for manual turntable
Kevin MK is short for MARK 1 or MARK 2, ETC. ..... BUT... However you pronounce it: makes no difference in the world on the cost of tea in China, and I don't think it changes the price of a vintage turntable in your shop or any other. I hear people mispronounce words on UA-cam all the time, but I sure as hell am not going to waste my time trying to school someone who quite likely won't want to be called out on their own channel by mr know-it-all. . Nobody gives a rats ass anyway ;) Thanks for sharing your experience in vintage hi-fi through your unique ownership as a successful used and beautiful vintage audio components shop. You're the real deal and that's why I love listening to your honest rants and opinions. Great job 💯
Agree 💯
Still using my PL200, great condition. Another great video!
Nice!! I bought my Pioneer PL-200 in 1982. It's not their best but it has been solid and with very good specs. Still works perfectly. Put a Stanton 600 ee cartridge on it. Love it!!
My Yamaha YP-D8 is great. I've had it since 1982
Best Manual TT in my opinion is the Pioneer PL-71.
Mine´s had a hard life in both workinghours, and abuse from drunk people. 😅
-Still going Strong with no issues. Simple and stupid does the job every time! I love it! 😎
(I also have a Mag-Lev Audio, levitating TT, and would love to hear your opinion on those)
Big Thanks from Sweden!
My vote is for the Technics SL 1200's - one of the most rugged around with a functional, simple design copied by multiple others - obviously targeted at the DJ with the massive torque at startup. I had a pair of Mark (not "M K") Twos - purchased in 1984 - still have them...(....in watching your video, I just realised I also had a Marantz 6300 before getting the twins..... )
Technics sl1210mk2. Serving me well. I've had to squirt contact cleaner in the headshell socket once, but that's it. My old 70s and 80s lps and eps sound great on it.
Before going separates in college, we had a Dual 1218. Going to separates - the Dynaco 400ST and the little Nakamichi 410 pre-amp (best sounding electronics I ever owned), I got the presumably "audiophile on the cheap" Connoisseur BD-1 kick-start, rubber band drive TT with a Grace 707 arm and cart. For the life of me, I could not isolate that table from walking, from anything. Upgraded to the much heavier, solidly built Luxman PD441 direct drive beast with Grace 707 Mk1 and F9E cartridge in '79 I think. I still have that tt.
Pioneer PL 112D.. Technics 1200. Any of the versions. By far the best. Only added the pioneer is because i own both, lol
How about the Denon DP-72l? Don't see it mentioned much. It's a great sounding and looking turntable.
Thorens TD 166 mkII. Bought new in 1984 and has run flawlessly since.
Just took delivery of a near mint sld2, and thebdust cover is in perfect condition