Here's a link to the picture gallery, www.cnet.com/p... I've made more than 250 videos since October, 2017, if you enjoy them please consider a $1 or $2 pledge, thanks! / audiophiliac
I lost most of my LP’s during a move in the late 90’s, I still mourn for the loss. I have built my LP collection back up and still find joy in the vinyl all these years later. LP will never go away.
Who dislikes videos like this? Are you disliking the list he compiled or the person doing the video? I don't get it. I just picture some miserable s.o.b. that goes around the internet just disliking everything. I , for one, am super grateful for the plethora of content on youtube and to the people who make it. Thank you, Steve!
I have a lovely vintage Pioneer PL-250 that works flawlessly and brings out the most beautiful sound of so many great records. Unlike these in the thousands of dollars, it even came with a clear dust cover for protection. Direct drive, so no noise, no slippage. Creamy analogue tone all day. Especially with the new Shure cartridge. Dunno which model, it's white...
I spent $400 on a turntable and that felt like a lot at the time. I don't regret it; it's served me very well. It's one of the more expensive single components of my stereo. For some reason, I can't imagine spending $20,000 on a new turntable being more beneficial than spending a few hundred on a great cartage and stylus. Sometimes I just don't get all the excess in this hobby.
Chris Domnik I understand where you're coming from but some people have very expensive systems. For them a $400.00 turntable makes absolutely no sense. The law of diminishing returns applies here. Simillar to cars, You'll have to pay 3,4 or even 10x the amount if you want a 20% or 10% in performance.
yet the vinyl they play is the same. I have yet to see objective reviews in which someone uses electronic measuring instruments (oscilloscope, frequency analyzer, ...) to show how the signals generated differ from one deck to another, and whether there really is any difference between a high-end turntable costing tens of thousands compared to one costing hundreds or a thousand; in many cases the cartridge will make the biggest difference. There's so much subjectivity in this space which is fine, but cost doesn't automatically imply good (beyond a certain level; at some point it's merely bragging and showing that you have more money than auditory sense)
@@treyquattro , I think, one important and expensive feature of this turntables is the vibration dampening. I remember our lab desk in our laporatory costs 100.000€ only because of the dampers. A good servo motor with controler can easyly go in the thousands, if you buy it from the shelve.
@@treyquattro I see these comments about how the only objective way to compare sound sources is to compare data measured with instruments. It surprises me how much faith people place in measuring equipment and the assumptions they make about what is actually being measured, while having so little regard for the instruments stuck to each side of theirs heads. If you have not bothered to train and tune the perfectly adapted instruments you were born with, no amount of machine-gathered data will help you. People who do not understand what listening is, always dismiss conclusions as subjective, So wedded to the need for quantification they are unable to comprehend how the experience of those who possess what they do not, can possibly be valid.
Hi Chris. You are right up to a point but imagine you have an expensive cartridge that is constantly mistracking due to being supported in a poor quality arm on a poorly designed plinth, instead of retrieving information from the groove it will be removing information from the same. Basically there comes a point where a cheaper cartridge in a better deck/arm combo would sound superior to the other option and allow for cartridge upgrades in the future. But as others have commented it is all in the ears of the beholder :).
You made a great choice. I also own the PLX-1000. I’ve owned many low end and high end audiophile tables, and the PLX is one of my favorites. It is an extremely underrated table for less than $700. Highly recommended for anyone on a modest budget, but wants a taste of high end audiophile sound. I do recommend PLX owners take advantage of a few upgrades that are available for this table. Swap out the stock footers for the Isonoe footers. Swap out the rubber mat for a better one, such as the Funkfirm platter mat made for SL1200 style tables, and the best upgrade for this table that I recommend, is the KAD fluid dampening system. I’ve done all 3 of these to my PLX, but if you only want to do one upgrade, the fluid dampening system is the best bang for your buck.
Hey, Steve. Just checking out some old Audiophiliac vids, and heard you talk about your SME and how it’ll be your last turntable. Then….you heard the Technics SL1200G. Iol. I’m just kiddin’ around. I’m a Technics guy, myself. I’ve done a lot of upgrades and mods from KAB to my M3D over the years. I compared my older deck (the M3D) from 2000 to a GR. The difference was so extremely subtle. I think the M3D actually came out on top due to all the upgrades. Just an interesting story about gear from one audiophile to another. See ya, Steve. Thanks for the great vids. 👍🔊🎶🙂 P.S. I’ve got Isone footers on my 1200, and it an extremely similar design philosophy as your SME.
Have been researching Rega for about year....got lucky last month and ran into a Hitachi PS-48 from 1976 in perfect condition! Ended up purchasing and can say the best purchase I ever made. Could be wrong....but I would put this against any of these turntables. Added a new Nagaoka PP-110 and hooked up to my Yamaha receiver and my Vincent Phono Preamp and this thing absolutely smokes....for me vintage is the way to go!
Some of them really look cool. I think that your assessment of the Audio Technica LP60 was awesome. I don't own one of these, but I recommend these to a lot of people and have heard them, and they sound great. I own a vintage Pioneer PL-L800 linear tracking turntable with an Ortofon 2M black cartridge. I haven't heard anything better in person. I'm playing it through a Nakamichi TA-4A receiver and using Urei 809A time aligned monitors. They sound fantastic. I also have other things going through the receiver as well. Definitely the best setup I ever had. I found most of this stuff broken and repaired it myself. Thanks for sharing.
IIRC, AR released their TT about five years before the Thorens of similar design was released. Both are good turntables, and I have yet to find a reason to replace my AR XB since anything new that offers a significant improvement is too expensive.
Crazy uber-tech on some of those. They're works of art. It's like the choice between my 13 year old luxury sedan of modest means and a Ferrari. I enjoy mine, and my heart skips up close to a Ferrari or Lambo... Alas, I still get around in comfort, but still appreciate those with more "discriminating tastes". I recently repaired a Thorens. A fine piece of journeyman equipment. His cartridge is worth more than the turntable. I settle for less because I absolutely want the tonearm to be lifted automatically at the end of the record. I don't need it to start, but I can't guarantee I will be on top of it immediately to lift the arm.
Do your friends make fun of you because your auto cost more than your turntable. No credit. Bad credit. Call us Thirty Three and a third Credit, where no one walks away without a turntable. 33% interest, That's right Thirty Three and a third Credit, where you always save a third.
I am in the market for a turntable. I have a VPI and had a shinola for a bit. Really like the Dr Feickert turntables and the Zavfino. Anyone have any comments on either?
ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS PRICES !!!??? WAY BACK, I THOUGHT $1,000.00 FOR A LINN WITHOUT AN ARM WAS RIDICULOUS, NOW ??? I REMEMBER WHEN THE AR CAME OUT AND SCARED THE SHIT OUT OF EVERY OTHER COMPANY !! CARTRIDGE PRICES TODAY ???? AS A LONG TIME AUDIOPHILE, I AM GLAD I’M NOT ANYMORE !!!! I WOULD LIKE TO BE, BUT PRICES TODAY PROHIBIT EVEN THINKING ABOUT BUYING ANYTHING !!!!
Steve, Shalom from Israel. Back in the 1990s, I owned a Linn Sondek LP12 with Ittok LVII tonearm, Naim Pre/Power amps and Monitor Audio 1200 Gold speakers. I was always proud to own a "Jewish" turntable, created by the famous member of the Glasgow Jewish community, Ivor Tiefenbrun. He named all his kids with great Hebrew names, Natan, Gilad and Sara. Despite making almost zero business sense, Linn had a sales and support branch in Haifa, Israel way back in the 1980s. I always loved the Hebrew language connections with the Linn/Naim products. The Sondek is used as a basis and support for your precious records. The tonearm wraps around like a loving arm. Sondek uses the exact same letters as the word סנדק Sandak, the honoured person who sits in the chair and acts as a basis and support for the 8 day old baby about to have a Bris Mila. A tonearm is placed down on the record. The word איתוק Ittok means to close down or put down. The word Naim נאים in Hebrew neans beautiful! Their monster speakers Isobarik is similar to Barak ברק meaning lightning! And of course the LInn Akiva cartridge after Rabbi Akiva in the Mishna.
Hi dear So beautiful turntables. I m intrested to buy used turntable if you have . Please confirm about the same. I m from India S.N.Malik. Best regards.
It's laughable that Technics sticks with direct drive even in their top end model. Direct drive was invented in Japan and although it was simpler and cheaper to make than belt drive system, it was touted as a superior feature. The genius is not in the design, it's in the marketing. The only people who should buy direct drive turntables are DJ's or wannabe DJ's.
Funk Firm are THE table under 1500$. They have the best arm/sound the best and are just really cool , nicely constructed decks. Please on a rega or whatever-britain makes better Tables and speakers than Japan or China
jeremy whittler yeah I think Russell k are good not heard any what do they sound like what's the best model any idea. do you know who makes the drivers? for bang for buck I would say seas kits best for the money.
John sweda Those are the Most Widely sold speakers in Europe under 5k-$. They sound better than Kef Reference or Ls50- For similar $ in the red 100. The 120/150 are really awesome.
I got myself a random turntable from a store nearby. It was an Akai I don't even know the model number. I was mostly listening to CD's , a friend played me some LP's which I enjoyed and I got myself a turntable too to play some records. What makes a good turntable? Am I missing out with my randomly picked turntable?
skrie hi a good cartridge with a well balanced tone arm. Smooth vibration free drive mechanism is about it. If your enjoying the sound and experience of playing records then no your not missing out. "There's always a bigger fish" 😄
I think chris vinicombe is right on the money. Needles wear out so everyone will need a new needle eventually and at that time you can also replace the whole cartridge for better, or at least different sound. Some rather high end turntables allow the tonearm to be replaced too, but I think that is probably beyond the level that most people are willing to pay for. If you like the turntable and have any indication that the needle may be worn, consider upgrading the cartridge and you may just find yet another level of enjoyment. I had some Akai equipment in the past (although never a turntable) and it was respectable gear at a good price. No doubt they made some things that just happened to be better than expected, and if you have something that is used and still works well, it's probably fundamentally sound and a nice unit. It might be one of their better models. It could even be a "hidden gem!" If you are worried you're missing out, try bringing a record you really like and know to a friend's house or a stereo shop and see what it sounds like on another system. Back to what makes a turntable good. No vibrations from the motor or room going into the stylus, even speed, good "tracking" of the needle in the groove. All of these pursuits can get esoteric and I think it's quite possible that for less than about $1,500 they can all be reduced to a bare minimum, but records already have some inherent problems like low dynamic range, poor record pressing quality, holes punched off-center, surface noise and !scratches! that far surpass the noticeability of minor speed variations and vibration noise. I think if you are happy with what you have, focus on cleaning the records well and finding good records that make you want to listen. I don't know how to determine when a needle is worn enough to warrant replacement other than to know what that sounds like or look at it under a microscope, but that's always an area where a replacement can totally change the sound of a turntable. I have used some styli (needles) for over a decade without significant wear and other I have replaced in just over a year of use.
$20,000 for a turntable?!? Really? My ears (like the rest of me) are 65 years old. I sincerely I could detect a difference in most, or any of these. Human ear sensitivity severely falls off with age. Are differences in sound quality of turntables really detectable?
so how many of you really think that the sound fidelity from a phono is superior to a good digital rig? engraving a groove on a piece of plastic and then running a needle thru it to get the sound back? it is horse and buggy technology at best. blind tests prove it time and again. there are so many physics laws that are stressed when making lps not to mention playing them back. i just dont get it other than the nostalgia. they sound good enough but they degrade the minute you put it on the table and play them. the human ear does not miss the sampling 'spaces' anyway, it is a proven thing in acoustics. 44k sampling is as good as analog waves to humans. not to mention the new formats of digital... ok, shoot me now. and yes i never listened to a 15 k TT but i never heard a 15K dac.cdp either.
Here is the difference between vinyl and the current digital sound. The current electronic sound comes with an inherent distortion that produces odd harmonic distortion which is jarring to the human ear. Vinyl produces even harmonic distortion which is pleasing to the human ear. Hence despite the clicks and hissing the sound is perceived as warmer.
To each their own I suppose... but other then the 'fun' factor I don't understand why anyone would bother using a record player. They are so inferior in so many ways compared to digital. I put mine out with the garbage along with my records in the late 80's and I've never looked back.
A a certified Audio Engineer I agree with Ice-nine and must also respectfully disagree for so many reasons I sadly do not have time to write the thesis.
People will pay for nostalgia. Music is superior coming from a CD but that's not the sound they remember when they were kids and teenagers Now that these boomers got crazy money they want to spend it
Vinyl does sound good, but I hate the ticks and pops that eventually creep into the sound. And how about those off center pressings and warps? Digital music for me. You can play the same song 5000 times and it will be just a good as the first time.
Once you heard the all new Mcintosh MCD-12000 Tube CD Player your never want to go back to Vinyl again at any price ! 😇Audio Heaven...as close to Analog as it gets 😉
This is such a joke to anyone who was alive in the 80s when CDs first arrived. In the late 90s when I eventually replaced all my LPs with CDs, I gladly threw my turntable and all my albums in the trash. It's just so stupid to call any turntable "high end audio". If you think so, you are a sucker and a fool.
Some of those designs (I won't say which) look absolutely hilarious. The SME 15A at $12,790 must be a bargain. I have two turntables sitting side by side: A Thorens TD-124 four-speed (52 years old) and a Technics SL-110 two-speed direct drive (about 40 years old) -- both running perfectly. They both have SME 3009 Series II tonearms. I kept the Thorens to be able to play 78 records once in a while. They both have Shure V15 type V cartridges. Having an extra headshell, I can change to a 78 cartridge in a few seconds. At the time, the Thorens, complete with tonearm, was around $300 and the Technics around $500. I read somewhere that when Shure terminated production on the Type V cartridge, the Library of Congress bought up the remaining inventory of that model. Sad to see that Shure is ceasing production of phono-cartridges. The two Technics CD players I have each cost significantly less than half the price of my turntables. They are about 25 years old.
Hey Bruce, where do you get replacement styli for the Shure ??? I have a V15 type IV. I got burned by Jicco, uneven brush and soft suspension that allows cartridge to contact record surface. Plus the damn thing can even wiggle in the cart!!! Original Shure stylus still makes awesome music though it is worn. Newer M97xE is not even close to the these older beauties.
Agree on your Turntables. I was looking for a Thorens TD160 for a while, but have now given up on vinyl, having purchased too many new albums that were full of very annoying clicks and pops. I also consider the 'warmth' sound of vinyl was often down to turntable rumble😁. Guessing your also v happy with your CD players having held them for so long. What model CD players and why two (D.J.'ing)?
I use a restored TD-124 with a beautiful custom walnut plinth and an SME M2-9 arm. Best table I've ever had. These things go for >$3000 in the markets today. That's cool to know about the LOC. Cheers
My Dad had a Thorens TD160B in the '70s, SME arm and Shure cartridge - beautiful. I now have a 1985 Linn Sondek LP12 (one previous owner) and I love it.
I still have a Thorens 203, and it the greatest POS I've ever seen, the worst purchase, complete waste of money and then some; recommended by a local high-end shop (!!!). Motor is so weak, you can stop It by gently applying a record cleaning brush. Once VTA is properly set, then the arm rest cannot be adjusted sufficiently, so that with every detente placement of the arm, the entire arm suspension rattles and shakes. No leveling feet. Regret giving up on my old Project 6.1. Will upgrade to a VPI Super Prime Scout in not too long.
Daniel Geiger it’s that bad? That’s a bummer, get a vintage Thorens, a nice and simple TD-160 can be had for $200 if you look around. I got a free one about a month ago off FB
@@dronepunkfpv1424 Very happy with my new VPI Super Prime Scout with a Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC* cartridge and a Vincent PHO 701. VPI has VTA on the fly, which I don't think any of the Thorens can offer. My new set-up with 20 lb platter, VPI ADS etc. set me back by about US$6K, but well worth the investment. The sound difference is astounding. More detail, better high end, MUCH better channel separation. I unloaded the TD203 (with upgraded Ortofon 2M blue) at a local record shop and got some store credit for buying vinyl. Good riddance of the Thorens. Will never buy anything by them ever again. Will not even take one free. The TD 203 completely ruined that brand.
Daniel Geiger I’m glad you are happy with the VPI. My latest TD-160 has a Jelco 750 with VTA on the fly but can’t really do on the fly with a sprung table. More vinyl is always good, I was a record store owner in the mid 90’s Missoula Montana called EarCandy , it’s still going
Great Steve, but you have forgotten about the Rega Planar 2. It's also more affordable. Also, there is the Pro-Ject Essential 3, or Debut III S Audiophile Turntable, that besides the S shaped tonearm, has a high performance Pick It 25 A cartridge.
Hi Steve, sending this message from the future - sorry to tell you that the Feickert Volare you recommend in this video is lousy. Heavy for no reason, it does not track properly, skips even on level surfaces, its sharply pointed cone feet are unnecessary, and the Origin bundled with it, though a Rega clone is no Rega, n actual Rega arm is much better. I replaced the Volare with a Rega P10,(a huge step up in evert way). Enjoy 2018.
With all due respect, and correct me if I am wrong here, but the ARXA is the one that started it all. Not the Linn. The Linn as well as certain Thorens models, took many of thedesign elements from the ARXA model: 3 point suspended sub-chasis with tonearm attached. Linn may have improved upon the design (I've never owned one so I can't say). But it was based off the original ARXA design which is perhaps the first audiophile grade turntable on the market, and still is a fantastic turntable even today beating out many tables that cost a hell of alot more. Check this out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1rgK0YMsJXM.html Just for reference.
I had a Garrard 401 with SME 3009 and Shure cartridge. Then upgrade d to a Guy Adams Voyd and SME V with a cartridge which cost more than most audio systems!
I bought a teac tn300 for $300 last year and I'm really happy. Not a lot of torque and the body could be better damped but overall I'm not complaining. It's kinda interesting that no one is talking about it though, I think it's worth the price
Steve making me feel better about my purchase of an LP60X base model! I opted for my first pair of nice speakers (Edifier 1280T) instead of BT or USB, and it was a great choice. I see other people ridicule others that bought an LP60/X but it was the only one that was in my price range, I didn't wanna spend $500 then have it turn out I didn't like records at all! My first experience was with an Ion turntable that uses that awful $5 mechanism (the one with the red bit of plastic on the "cartridge") so I was nervous that records might just sound bad to me or be lacking in detail. Nope! My records, even when played out of that LP60X, sound incredible... I prefer it to just playing the music out of my computer by a lot.
Will be interesting to see a review of the Schitt Sol when it is released. Another turntable about to be released in the Wand Turntable by Design Build Listen in New Zealand. Their Wand unipivot tonearm gets rave reviews, so it will be interesting to see what their first complete turntable is like.
Some really sexy kit there Steve, wow. But you know what, even if I had some cash, i’d still stick with my old Linn. There is just something about them....you cant pin point it or quantify it, but they have that ‘something’ that puts a smile on my face every time i play a record. Even for its age (#27207)..shes still a beauty. 😎
For me the tt3 signature turntable and Kronos are the very best, way more exciting and real. I personally think that too many turntables in the business sound like VPI; being to overly polite and nice, lacking smash factor and grunt and ultra resolution. Many turntables are just very safe and dialed back in sound. If you want the best value turntable in the world I think that audio note tt2 signature with iq3 pickup can't be beat, it will basically beat anything in the world, even costing 5-10 times more. Nice with a different type of video Steve!
The beautiful turntable from A Clockwork Orange deserved a mention. They’re actually still making it - for somewhere north of $4,000 U.S. … no idea how it sounds, but it’s a looker.
I have a question. I have two very old 1200MK2s. One was my Dad's and is very precious to me. But it needs repairs. Am I better off saving for a better newer table or fixing and upgrading my 1200? I do scratch records.
I heard clearaudio statement with gold finger cartridge 80k about 5 years ago. Exceeded DCS Vivaldi 115k in joy and ease of presentation What is possible is wonderful but not attainable for most people.
Funny, the first two tables you presented have significance in my radio DJing.I've been a DJ at WRIU, a college radio station since 1998. We have relied on the Technics SL1200. Once our student "engineer" replaced them with the Audio Technica LP60! It's a nice budget table but a horror show as a broadcast table. I still can recall trying to get it to cue up successfully. Cool video!
My #1 will always be Technics SL-7. The design is just so advance. If only I can fix the tone arm drive motor... my working turntable is Kenwood KD41R that I made some modification, reliable but not much thrill...and my play turntable is Fluance 80, it may not be as upscale as the 81 but so far it have perform as good as it should and I got it at very good discount. Can’t wait to put a great cartilage on it and try it out. The tone arm of the 80 looks the same as the 81, so they should perform on par with each other. Note... I didn’t pick the SL-10 because the MC cartilage is a whole lot more expensive than the P-mount MM cartridge
Thank you Steve for all the videos and knowledge sharing. I am in the market for my first turntable. Trying to decide between Rega P3, P6, or MoFi ultra, I have an Arcam FMJ a28 amp and set of Totem Mite bookshelves and sub. My kids have been buying me records for years for fathers day and thought it would be time to get a turntable. Any advice would be much appreciated.
It was a Hydraulic Reference turntable by Transcriptor, most of them were built by Michell who was contracted by Transcriptor to build their designs until they got their own factory in Ireland
Just 2 comments...that clearaudio looked like it had a cutting lathe head almost, and the other thing i've learned about Turntables over 35+ yrs is that ones that have controls just outside of a dustcover are mass market consumer turntables, and rarely if ever, approach any semblence of Audiophile quality. Cue the examples i am missing... :D
I had Nottingham Analog Spacedeck and Specearm. One day I compared it with my friend Lenco L75 With Rega RB250. The biggest difference was PRaT accuracy. When we listened classical piano. When Lenco played, a message of musician was so clear! In opposite to it, Nottingham played a set of not connected sounds. I bought Lenco L78 with SME 3009 tonartm and heavy plinth. I liked it a lot. It was much more musical it has better tone naturalnes compared to Nottingham (espessilay on piano and organ). The base was more detaled and sound separation was better too. I wanted to try something better. I bought DD - EMT948. Is was as musical as Lenco but even more accurate and detailed. The love of audiophile to belt drive turntable is on of the biggest delusions. Most of belt-drive turntables ruin PRaT the entity of music. Producers started to built belt-drive (like Linn LP12 and Thorens 125), because they where cheap! But it is sad that now people buy turntables with toy car engine and price tag of luxury car
Great video Steve. Just seeing what your current thoughts are on the Pro-ject Classic SB - I just ordered one. You gave it a very positive review at the CNET site but I am seeing that it didn't make your best-of list here. Should I be worried or happy with my purchase (it hasn't shipped yet!). My version comes with the Ortofon Red Quintet MC cart. Cheers -Frank
Most people wouldn't be able to appreciate a turntable of that caliber. Few believe it is justified to pay that much for just the turntable, nor would they believe their ears when they heard one.
When my son discovered my vinyl collection I had to get him a suitable turntable so he can enjoy the records which I fully encouraged since I hadn't listened to them in years. I bought him the Audio Technica PL120 and the closest discwasher substitute I can find from B&H for about $250. I taught him the care and feeding of vinyl records and the rest is history. He has since added to the collection with both new and used as vinyl has become his music media of choice.
Some people value a well supported opinion more than a flashy show. This dude is the expert on you tube. Doesn't need to waste his time with editing. People watch anyway... for his knowledge.
I purchased an AR EB 101 some 30 years ago and other than a cartridge update it has been rock solid , my taste in amps have changed over the years but my turntable is here to stay 😎
