Legend Killers - Turntables

[reubensm]

Another great example of the timing of a Technics SL1200, featured here playing a Personix Corporation mix of Bappi Lahiri's 1988 album 'Habiba'. The intention is not to cover the sound signature but to focus on speed accuracy.

 

[General_sound]

Lizard King thanks for the photo of President Obama's Denon DP 300F. I had referred to the same in post dated 14 Nov, but could not attach the link.

 

[General_sound]

Reubensm, your posts on these Legend Killer tt's are indeed informative and a joy to read. I was wondering if some models of Duals or Elacs can be included as lower cost legend killers. Was reading somewhere that some idler drive Duals were regarded very highly, not withstanding the stubborn bearing noise or rumble so prevalent in record changer mechanisms due to the type of spindle bearing used and other factors such as worn out idlers and motor lubrication. Maybe you could guide, in another post, how to reduce or eliminate this noise.

 

[reubensm]

Reubensm, your posts on these Legend Killer tt's are indeed informative and a joy to read. I was wondering if some models of Duals or Elacs can be included as lower cost legend killers. Was reading somewhere that some idler drive Duals were regarded very highly, not withstanding the stubborn bearing noise or rumble so prevalent in record changer mechanisms due to the type of spindle bearing used and other factors such as worn out idlers and motor lubrication. Maybe you could guide, in another post, how to reduce or eliminate this noise.

that's nice, i haven't owned or listened to Elacs but agree about the Duals, they were well and truly mean-dream-German-machines, my favorites being the 1009 and the 1019. If restored correctly and paired with a good chain, they can be made to sound up there with the big idler drive names.

Check this out...

and this....

 

[reubensm]

More Technics posts due for a long time now, courtesy work commitments, will post more soon.

However, I could not help posting this one when I came across it. I had never heard of the Denon DP 308F-E Studio turntable until I came across it on YouTube today. What an absolute masterpiece and almost certainly, one of the absolute legend killers


Check out this YouTube channel, the turntable is in action:

 

[reubensm]

While experts from the world of sub-chassis belt drive turntables constantly debate about the merits of various models from AR, Linn and Thorens, one of the completely forgotten turntables in this demography is a turntable designed by Mr. BEE himself, the NAD 5120, with a detachable tonearm. This turntable was designed to pair with the NAD 3020, again with NAD's high-performance at an affordable price point philosophy. The turntable had a revolutionary tonearm design, especially with the elimination of tonearm wiring (the tonearm was like a PCB literally, plugged into the tonearm base)

 

[General_sound]

Thank you for reminding us about the NAD 5120 tt. A vastly underrated machine, this somehow did not meet with the critics approval in its time, resulting in lower sales and subsequent dis-continuation. If you look carefully the chassis was manufactured by Tesla (later Pro-Ject) of erstwhile Czechoslovakia. Flat arm turntables are still being manufactured by a few companies.

 

[reubensm]

I am yet to complete my post on Technics turntables, got very busy with work. Will do so soon.

Meanwhile, found this interesting video on inner groove distortion comparisons.

 

[reubensm]

imagine having a bamboo contraption like this at home

 

[Nikhil]

Reuben this thread is a gem!
On behalf of all us here, thank you so much for sharing all this information.

Pinning it so it can serve as a reference.



.

 

[reubensm]

Reuben this thread is a gem!
On behalf of all us here, thank you so much for sharing all this information.

Pinning it so it can serve as a reference.



.

more to come Nikhil, I got a bit derailed due to some work commitments. My experiments and experiences with Technics turntables will be very useful for all those who are really keen on good sound without having deep pockets

 

[Nikhil]

more to come Nikhil, I got a bit derailed due to some work commitments. My experiments and experiences with Technics turntables will be very useful for all those who are really keen on good sound without having deep pockets

That would be something many on here would look forward to.



.

 

[nikhilblr]

Thanks very much for all the information in this thread Ruben. Based on your feedback I bought a lenco l75 and a Garrard sp25. Both are in very bad shape and will require a complete restoration however.

 

[reubensm]

Garrard SP25 - is it Mark 1, 2, 3 or 4?

 

[nikhilblr]

Garrard SP25 - is it Mark 1, 2, 3 or 4?

I'm not sure. I purchased it in a WhatsApp group yesterday for 1500 rs and will get delivery in a couple of days. It's in really bad shape but I've been told the platter rotates. I bought it because I remembered this thread / post. My plan is to to build a diy Tonearm if possible and make a Corian plinth. I have no idea if I can actually accomplish any of this however. I think I am capable of mechanical disassembly and assembly but I know nothing about electricity or electronics or electrical systems. While I understand that lenco and garrard have minimal electronics, i don't even know the basics of electronic circuits or soldering etc. so I will have to find a local technician who can help me with this.

 

[reubensm]

I'm not sure. I purchased it in a WhatsApp group yesterday for 1500 rs and will get delivery in a couple of days. It's in really bad shape but I've been told the platter rotates. I bought it because I remembered this thread / post. My plan is to to build a diy Tonearm if possible and make a Corian plinth. I have no idea if I can actually accomplish any of this however. I think I am capable of mechanical disassembly and assembly but I know nothing about electricity or electronics or electrical systems. While I understand that lenco and garrard have minimal electronics, i don't even know the basics of electronic circuits or soldering etc. so I will have to find a local technician who can help me with this.

Here are the SP25 models for your reference:

 

[nikhilblr]

Here are the SP25 models for your reference:

View attachment 85529

Thanks Ruben, based on these images it's a mark 1 but it's in in really rough condition

 

[reubensm]

Not sure if anyone on our forum is into portable turntables (or record players as they were known). One name that comes to mind is India's most popular portable record player, the HMV Fiesta but perhaps the best sounding portable record player was the Philips 533 (and its stereo version, the 633). There were a number of imported Philips models doing the rounds and also Japanese models from the likes of National Panasonic (like the SG610 and its other variants with inbuilt cassette recorder, Sanyo, etc in India back in those days.

Now, portables are back. Here are two new portables from Korg, one for regular listening and the other for DJing. Check out the J44A-7 cartridge and adjustable balanced tonearm, on the regular portable. These could be killers!

 

[shafic]

https://imgur.com/WKfj8Kj

 

[Bhaskar Jyoti Talapatra]

Not sure if anyone on our forum is into portable turntables (or record players as they were known). One name that comes to mind is India's most popular portable record player, the HMV Fiesta but perhaps the best sounding portable record player was the Philips 533 (and its stereo version, the 633). There were a number of imported Philips models doing the rounds and also Japanese models from the likes of National Panasonic (like the SG610 and its other variants with inbuilt cassette recorder, Sanyo, etc in India back in those days.

Now, portables are back. Here are two new portables from Korg, one for regular listening and the other for DJing. Check out the J44A-7 cartridge and adjustable balanced tonearm, on the regular portable. These could be killers!

HMV fiesta is my childhood. Even crossing more than half century I want to cherish it in my heart. Philips 533and 633 are very good players. But my favorite is philips hi Q international record player. Thanks Reubens for your nice write up.