stereo turntables in DD use.

[cfz2882]

what are you record listeners using for stereo turntables?-i have two in use:
-Dual 1229 from around 1972,a few key features;
-4 pole induction motor with sychronizer ring on rotor
-4 speed wheel drive
-neon strobe
-heavy platter of zinc like metal
-made in germany
2nd turntable in use is 1974 "empire"
-belt drive
-4 pole "inside out"papst brand split capacitor induction motor
-heavy duty all cast aluminum construction
-convenience light but no strobe
-made in usa(except german motor)
-33 1/3 and 45 rpm only

 

[lordkenmore]

I'm currently using an old Technics SL-1600. It's a direct drive turntable made, if I recall right, late 70s. It's capable of fully automatic operation, which is a mixed blessing. The automation seems to work properly, and I suppose it's a potential convenience. But I got used to manual turntables years back.

Previously, I'd used a Rega Planar 2 which I got through thrift shop connections I had years back. It's a British belt drive design. I liked it, but its developed problems, including one channel out in the tonearm. So it went out of service.

Recently I found a thrift shop Dual changer from the 10xx series. My hope is to use it to play 78 RPM records one of these days. I might also collect low value records (read: very common, or worn) to play on it in the changer mode for background. We'll see.

 

[cfz2882]

direct drive

i have two direct drive technics-one made in 1978,the other 1981-both need repairs
one has a bad speed control POT.the other doesn't turn on.From what i have heard,
these technics turntables are legendary for toughness and reliability(though both
of mine are broke LOL)Also recently got a direct drive hitachi made in 1983,but i
haven't got around to trying that one out yet.

 

[wayupnorth]

I have a old Pioneer system with a PL1150 turntable that is soooo sensitive that if you breathed too hard it would skip across the album. The few old 78's and 45's and 8 tracks that I have are played once in a while on parents old Micromatic Magnavox console I kept in my rec room. It even has the extra movable Magnavox speaker, which has terrible sound quality. When I can figure out if its this camera or this stupid old computer I will post pictures

 

[ptcruiser51]

Gemini

Direct drive. It was made in of all places, New Jersey! I don't know much about it but it plays my 45s excellent. It had a tracking light but it burned out. I can set the speed by ear. My amp is a 1980s Kenwood. I have two Mission speakers that crank great (when my neighbors aren't home). I'm not a technophile at all. I fried my old speakers (Columbia?) one night when I amp'd up "Mashed Potato Time" just a little too much. Vinyl isn't final, remember where you heard this!

 

[cfz2882]

early 80s japanese vertical

this thread has reminded me that several japanese companies,including mitsubishi,
made vertical,linear tracking turntables around the 1981-84 years-anyone ever have
one of these?how did it work/sound?

 

[whirlcool]

I use a restored Dual 701 direct drive turntable with a Pickering XSV/3000 cartridge. Sounds simply fantastic. If you ever get a hold of one of these cartridges, don't pass up the chance to buy it.

I also have a Kyocera PL-601 turntable. I am in the process of installing an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge in it. Kyocera only made audio products from 84-87 or so before they pulled out, but what they did make was very good. They used ceramic parts in the turntable plinth and base to act as a damping mechanism.

 

[whirlcool]

Believe it or not, sometimes I get e-mails from viewers of my Dual website and they usually read something like this:

"My uncle left me his Dual turntable and a bunch of records. I don't know how to make it play music. How do the records and this machine come together to make music?"

When I first got the first one like that I thought "Who doesn't know how to play a record?" I thought it was impossible for someone not to figure it out! But then a few months later I receive another similar e-mail from another part of the country or the world. Amazing.

Then I get the occasional person that writes to me and tells me they found a turntable at a thrift but it doesn't make any sound while playing a record. Usually it turns out that they bought a turntable, but don't have it plugged into a preamp or speakers or anything like that. Usually the response is "You mean I have to buy MORE equipment?"

For those of you who have Dual turntables I'd like to remind you that the turntables need to be cleaned of old lubes and new ones applied every 5 years or so. Otherwise the turntable may gum up and stop working properly.

And for those of you with newly acquired Dual turntables it's important to set up the arm properly. When you set it up as directed in the video in the link, it will sound the best it possibly can.

First read this:

http://www.dual-reference.com/Troubles/setup.htm

now watch this:

 

[jasonl]

1968 Magnavox Astro-Sonic 1000 series French Provincial console with Micromatic turntable

1979 Sanyo TP-1030 with (I hate) Audio Technica AT92E (the E stands for Ear Shredder). So until I get a better cart, the Sanyo is in the closet and the Maggie is spinning the good vibes.

 

[coldspot]

Mid 70's Magnavox 3 speed new old stock console. Used the most and the best I seen so far.

Also a cheap BSR mini for 16 rpm only. /not a fan of it cheap thing.

And a Numark tt200 I like it for 78 rpm and for reverse playback. I have both tone arms for it and also have many different carts and headshells.

Also have a few portable units I used when shopping for new records.

 

[cfz2882]

dual 1229

i have had to clean and oil my dual a couple times since buying it at a 2nd hand
shop back in '92(for around $10 IIRC!)had to oil the motor once too when it began
to chirp from dry bushings. The motor is kinda interesting in that it is a shaded
pole motor that has a magnetic ring above the induction rotor to allow the motor
to "lock onto"60hz line frequency and run synchronus once up to speed.

 

[djmjlcst]

Technics SL-1200MK2's

Have three of them. All of them work just fine even thought these are DJ tables with 33 & 45rpm speeds. They have the Stanton Trackmaster cartridge/styli. I also have an old Technics SL-5350 fully automatic table that will stack six records. I never stack the LP's but for 7" 45's it's great.

Mike L.

 

[hydralique]

I have an old Setton TS-11. Setton was a French brand but if I remember correctly it was made in Japan or Taiwan. It always worked well but now needs a belt. The current cartridge is a Shure, I've mostly had either Shures or Audio Technicas. Before the Setton I had a Dual of some sort, maybe a 1225? It worked just fine but I never used the changer feature and figured eventually something would break since it obviously had a lot of parts. So, when I saw the Setton on sale one day (a long time ago) I snapped it up and sold the Dual to a buddy. Unfortunately my Rotel tuner-preamp has developed a problem with a severe hum when I initially turn it on so I've discontinued using it. That means no vinyl since my other preamp is a stand-alone Yamaha computer sound processor that doesn't have a phono input. Mostly I listen to web radio which streams from the computer to the Yamaha to a Rotel power amp, but I will eventually find someone to fix the Rotel preamp. Somewhere I have a really old KLH Model 52 receiver that also has a phono input, but it hasn't been plugged in for over 20 years so it most likely needs some fettling too.

 

[whirlaway]

Old is Right

I use daily a 1935 Capehart console,that plays both sides of the records,78s of course.Also a 1956 Zenth consle for 33s and 45s. The Capehart cost in 1935 1200.00 dollars,it has 3 amps and 2 15 inch speakers in it all original Thanks Bobby

 

[tolivac]

For me--Rega Planar#3 TT-haden't had a lick of trouble with it in the 25 yrs I have owned it.Next would be an Army Signal Corps portable record player-heavy huge wood cabinet thing with two similar wooden cabinet speakers-use an Altec speaker with the Army TT instead-sounds better-but the Army TT could use a new cartridge-trying to match what it has.the unit has a tube amp in it-also acts as a PA system-PP 6V6 output.for radio stations--QRK-CCA,Rek-O-cut idler TT's with Microtrack tone arms.Then the stations also use various Technics DD TT's-usually Sp10,Sp25.I have some in my storage-a station gave me several of them when they went "digital" along with cart machines and a Otari M10 beleive it is-master RR deck.sometimes when I did work for stations-not only paid--but get "goodies" from their junk piles-and these are still good.

 

[qualin]

I have a Sony PS-X60 which I use as my daily driver. It replaced my Thorens TD60 which did a great job, but I couldn't get a lid for it after it was accidently broken in a move.

It still has the stock cartridge which came with it, but it still sounds great.

I'll admit, I'm a bit of a fan of late 70's/very early 80's Sony Turntables, before the CD Revolution happened. After 1985 Sony just made junk.

If I was going to replace my Sony, I'd probably consider buying another Thorens. Probably a TD295 MKIV.

My Sony seems to be holding up fairly well despite its age.

 

[swestoyz]

Great thread! You guys have some fun equipment.

I'm using a Pioneer here - their TOL automatic from '79, the PL-630. Direct drive, fully automatic. It does not use a scope but instead uses a pitch gauge to determine the speed when the quartz lock is turned off. The motor and tone arm are suspended together on four points in each corner, independent of the base, which, when in top shape, allows a train to drive across the living room floor and not interrupt the playback. Spec-wise it is right on par with their TOL studio table - the PL-C590.

I need to restore the suspension, and have the pitch control board recapped. I've fitted an NOS Audio Technica AT-12 cart with a Shibata stylus. Sounds fantastic through the Sansui.

Otherwise, it's been one of the best turntables I've experienced.

Ben

http://vintage-turntable.com/pioneer-pl-630.html

 

[bwoods]

Currently, I am using a Garrard Zero 100 turntable with a Shure V-15 Mark III cartridge.

You nay recall these Garrards were a little unusual in that the cartridge was pivoted and moved as the tone-arm approached the center of the turntable. Thus it was able to keep the stylus perfectly aligned with the record groove. Garrard claims "zero tracking error", hence the name "Zero 100" for the turntable.

 

[petek]

Still got my late 70's JVC quartz lock QL-A5... cost me a then mint new and then the Stanton EEE cartridge was another mint.

I bought a Dual ? last year but it's over at moms right now, can't remember which model. Fairly basic.

I've sold a few Panasonic linear turntables on Ebay. They're pretty popular sellers.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I have a Sony linear tracking quartz lock direct drive PS FL7 II. It is front loading with a motor that drives the turntable out for loading, opening the smoked Lucite door in the process, and then back in for playing. I needed the design for the Hundevad entertainment cabinet I have. I also have a Beogram 4002.

 

[vacbear58]

here's mine

A Trio 2055 bought new in 1977 and still in good working order today, although truth to tell it has not had that much use over the last 15 years or so. It was the first piece of "proper" Hi-fi I ever bought. Trio was the UK brand name of the Japanese Kenwood company - they could not use that name here because of the UK Kenwood food mixer company.

It base is completely solid, made of some sort of material supposedly to resemble marble. It has not had any maintenance whatsoever apart from a new belt a couple of years ago. Still works well apart from the arm auto return which has not worked for many years now. It is fitted with a Rega cartridge which I have had since around 1980.

Sorry the picture is not very good quality, it sits in a small alcove and I do not have the time now to disconnect it all and take a better photo

Al

 

[yogitunes]

a short story...in 1987, living with a buddy, to impress his girlfriend, and show his love, gave her MY much loved MCS Component system(from JCPenney).....got home after work one night and thought we were robbed!......after hearing his reasons, and promising to buy me a new system......I dragged his ASS to "BEST"....and with a rented u-haul......spent a little over $4000.00 for this great PIONEER system...all on his credit card....I calmed down by the time I got home!!!

I LOVE fully automatic, remote controlled turntables!......TV not shown...the 4 speakers are huge, and just begun to deteriorate....have to consider replacing the WOOFers...

 

[yogitunes]

heres a fun unit/endtable....with 8track player.....massive built in speakers...and external ports.....paid 20.00 for it at a ReStore....I don't think it has ever been used much

 

[yogitunes]

And another fun player....with built in microphone/PA system......got this at an estate sale...still in the box.....has a plastic cover, and another hard plastic case to resemble luggage.....I think I paid like 5.00 for it...

 

[whirlcool]

You know if the surrounds on your woofers is cracking, deteriorating you can have them refoamed. The cost is around $30. per speaker. Much cheaper than a speaker replacement and you still have the original for the same sound.

Also, if you have any speakers that are 30 years old, you may want to replace the capacitors inside the crossover. I did that on my pair of AR3's (1968 build) and they literally sound like new again. The cost was about $80.00 for both speakers.
I used Solen caps.

Here is my Dual 701:

 

[cfz2882]

empire 598 mk3

that is a nice looking dual!-what era is it,looks only a little newer than my 1229
from 1972.
I looked under my empire and it is model 598 mk3. The belt is a little stretched,
so takes a few secs for the heavy platter to get to speed.One quirk is the outside
rotor motor has the spokes of the rotor end formed into fan blades and "fan noise"
can be heard during quiet moments.As far as i can tell,the motor is a straight
split capacitor induction motor with non magnetic rotor but i have not had it
apart so it could be partly synchronus like the motor in my dual

 

[tolivac]

Outer rotor motors-Usually these are a PM synchronous-I have encountered them in TT's Capstan motors for RR tape decks and capstan motors in tape cart machines.Have replaced bearings in these-Just undo a C-Clip on the bottom of the motor-rotor and stator came apart-then replacing the bearings is a 10 min job.A German company Pabst makes these motors.And another place I see them-usually as cap start-run fan and blower motors.They are very quiet and smooth running-no vibration.the Pabst fan motors are induction.Speed accuracy not important for fan and blowers.Yogitunes-by all means get the speakers in your Pioneer Hi-fi system redone-would be more than worth it-that system is a REAL treasure.I can't tell for sure-is the "Drum" Hi-Fi system a Magnavox?WhirlCool-that Dual 701 is a really beautiful TT.

 

[philr]

The ones I use the most are old Perpetuum-Ebner "PE 66" changers with their original ceramic cartridge in my 1961 and 1963 Saba consoles. I also have a Dual 1228 that I bought new when I was a kid. It was connected to my Pioneer SX-800 tube receiver but I haven't used it since the Pioneer fried some of it's internal parts a few years ago!

 

[tolivac]

PE Turntables! I used to have a component one-the TT alone on a base-not installed in a Hi-fi console.Grundig Hi-fi consoles had PE TT's.They are very nice.How well do the orig 1961 ceramic cartridges still sound-usually old cartridges start sounding bad-the ceramic or crystal elements are rotting along with the stylus cantilever supports.If the cartridges still work OK-then not a worry.Some of the cartridges that old I have encountered had to be replaced.also rotted cantilever supports can cause record damage.They are too stiff to allow the stylus to track properly.If they are bad-you can hear it-the high frequencies sound muffled and distorted.And the cartridge may "skip" on loud passages.

 

[whirlcool]

The Dual 701 was sold from 1972-1976. It was Dual's first direct drive turntable.
It doesn't have any gears in it. It uses something called "Hall Effect" coils to move the turntable and the speed is monitored by a speed control board. These turntables have a lot of torque to them. Back when the 701 came out, Stereo Review magazine found them to be the quietest turntable they ever tested. They were sold for about $400.00 new and go for about the same today. The strobe light, like the 1229 & 1229Q is seen in that little circular window on the front left side of the turntable. The actual strobe marks are on the bottom of the platter. A mirror reflects the strobe markings up through the little window.

One interesting thing in the 701 is that there are adjustment pots on the hall effect coils on a 701. But they should NEVER be adjusted! The reason being is that if you don't get it right, you never will. These were adjusted in the factory in Germany and nobody today knows/remembers how they were adjusted. It was a trade secret. So if you mess them up, you'll have a nice parts unit on your hands.

It's funny you should mention P+E. They were a competitor of Dual's for many years. In 1971 Dual purchased P+E. A lot of P+E turntables were used in OEM applications. In fact, in the mid 70's there were a lot of similarities between the Dual and P+E turnables.