Turntable Suggestions

[just-some-guy]

both of those arms look plenty good. $1000+ = ouch

the denon. yeah, it looks great. but the computer thing = no way Hose'(sp?)

 

[WmAx]

the denon. yeah, it looks great. but the computer thing = no way Hose'(sp?)

What? Just because the computer controlled arm looks like this inside?

Afraid something might fail?

-Chris

 

[just-some-guy]

lol, yeah. or doesn't work in the first place.

sides. i don't think i need super HP in the first place.

 

[Cristofori]

It's on their website. The output voltages are clearly stated for all cartridge models. If you look at the output voltages, they range from .15mV for the top of the line to .4mV for the low output models and for the high output models (which is across the header for those models) 1.6mV.

http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/Accessories.asp

OK, my mistake!

I didn't see the "designed for MM inputs" on the bottom two models, which are the only ones where this is mentioned and which one of is the venerable DL-110. The others say nothing about this, so I assume these are for MC inputs only.

The one exception is the Denon DL-102 mono cartridge, which has an output of 3.0 mV, the highest rating of them all. Can this be used with a MM input? I'd like to get this cartridge for my mono LPs someday.

 

[Cristofori]

I can't believe NO ONE here is going for that Pioneer eBay auction that ends in 11 minutes. Wow. That is an amazing deal. The table is of such quality you would have to spend probably $4000 or more to equal it with today's tables. The $2000 I stated earlier was my mistake, I was thinking this was another table; the PLC-590 is a first rate unit. Solid, heavy cast alloy chassis, top notch DD drive system, very low noise/rumble; very high mass platter, easily changeable arm mount plate. This is one incredible quality table. The arm on it may not be great, but it's worth $200-$300 by itself on eBay and you can use that fund a modern arm.

-Chris

Not having looked at the add myself, there are all kinds of reasons why no one went for this table and why it only sold for $500 at the end. It could be that the seller didn't have that great of a reputation, or he worded his add poorly or took lousy photos.

Or he could have been from Canada or something, making shipping more expensive and a hassle due to customs. These things can make a big difference. I've seen all kinds of nice stuff with no bidders simply for these reasons alone.

Also, there is a recession going on, and people are being cautious in this economy. This same table might have had dozens of bids and sold for three times as much five years ago.

And finally, ebay can be erratic at times, with no rhyme or reason as to how bidding or buying works. I once had a somewhat rare old book I sold on ebay that ended up going for $73 (paid $2 for it). Miraculously, I later found two more of the exact same books at two different estate sales. The second only sold for $7, and the third $10, even though the had about a dozen watchers on them, I only got one bid. Why? Who knows, but that's the great thing about ebay. You can get some great deals if your the right buyer at the right time.

This whole incident with the Pioneer TT also proves our point to the OP on what kind of TT he could get if he happens to be that right buyer at the right time, and for less then the price of a new Technics, he might have had this wonderful Pioneer!

 

[3db]

There is one of the Pioneer PLC-590 tables on eBay right now with 2 hours left on it. It has a decent vintage SME tonearm on it. It is a very high grade table, though the arm is not up to modern performance levels. But on the bright side, that arm has a high resale value. You should easily get $300 at least just for the arm, and you can replace it with a superior Jelca SA250ST arm. The table itself, you would have to spend near $2000 to get a comparable performance table NEW. I expect it will go for $600 roughly on the auction, but be quick, only 2 hours left.

Forget the PL 90. That is an even higher performance table, and comes with a modern level performance arm as well. But it will go for $1000-$2000 easy, depending on condition. Plus it's exceedingly rare.

If you want a top notch performance table out of the box, used, look for Denon DP-59M. This table is both superbly designed and has superb performance. The tone arm is probably one of the highest performance arms possible. But the arm is also the weak point. It's an arm with accelerometers and position sensors and feedback transducer and servos embedded, connected to a computer system that actively cancels resonances in real time and makes other corrections. The problem is, there are no parts available to fix it or the computer, if anything goes wrong, making it a concern from that standpoint. But you can get an excellent condition one for $500-$700, depending on condition.
http://www.thevintageknob.org/DENON/DP59M/DP59M.html

-Chris

Thats a beautiful table!! I would want one except you mentioned the scarey part that are no parts available to fix it should it go wrong. So how much was that puppy in its day?

 

[highfigh]

OK, my mistake!

I didn't see the "designed for MM inputs" on the bottom two models, which are the only ones where this is mentioned and which one of is the venerable DL-110. The others say nothing about this, so I assume these are for MC inputs only.

The one exception is the Denon DL-102 mono cartridge, which has an output of 3.0 mV, the highest rating of them all. Can this be used with a MM input? I'd like to get this cartridge for my mono LPs someday.

If you look at the output voltage of cartridges, MM are always in whole numbers and MC are always less than 1mV unless they're high output. This is because MC and MM preamps are made for specific input levels and they aren't compatible. Also, the input resistance and capacitance are different for both.

 

[PearlcorderS701]

Thanks For All The Input, Guys.

I didn't mean to start a debate here; I think due to all the suggestions about the SL-1200 being a good table for home use and its durability as a direct drive unit and such, I'll go with one. I recall now that the platter just needs to be placed on the spindle -- it's been awhile!

I just need to find the best price on the Technics now, along with a good cart, which it was recommended I go with that Denon.

 

[WmAx]

Thats a beautiful table!! I would want one except you mentioned the scarey part that are no parts available to fix it should it go wrong. So how much was that puppy in its day?

I think the DP-59 table went for between $1000-$1500 back in the mid 80s, if memory serves me correctly. Inflation would place that into the $2300-$3600 range today, I suppose. Still a great price considering the very limited engineering you get with today's tables from smaller specialty companies.

-Chris