What is the best vintage/old school turntable for the occasional listener? I have a modest vinyl collection so I'm not looking to spend a ton of money. $100-$200 would be ideal for an old used one.

I like the old school Technics, but I'm not sure which models are also reliable besides the expensive 1200/1300 series?

What brand do you have and are familiar with that is the best bang for my buck?

Also, do you prefer belt drive or direct drive?

This post was edited on 7/1/13 at 11:15 am

4 ...

Report Post

Posted by goldenbadger08

Sorting Out MSB BS Since 2011

Member since Oct 2011

37900 posts

Posted on 7/1/13 at 11:58 am to Mouth

You can get a new Numark for the same $. That's what I use a few times a year. I prefer direct drive but I have a few belt drive's that are just fine

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by SUB

Member since Jan 2001

Member since Jan 2009

20843 posts

Posted on 7/1/13 at 1:54 pm to Mouth

It doesn't really matter if you get a belt drive or direct drive. As long as it is a good unit that is built well, that is all that matters.

I have a Marantz 6100. It is belt drive and I like it a lot. It has auto-return and it looks really nice. It actually is running a little slower than 33 RPM. I need to give it a good cleaning / lubing to get it up to speed. If I were to get another Marantz TT, I'd probably go for a 6200 or 6300, because those have speed adjustment controls.

Marantz 6100

Marantz 6200

Marantz 6300

This post was edited on 7/1/13 at 1:55 pm

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by wm72

Brooklyn

Member since Mar 2010

7798 posts

Posted on 7/1/13 at 3:07 pm to Mouth

I'm not a real audiophile type but do listen almost exclusively to vinyl.

I've had good luck with late 70s Technics turntables with the bonus seemingly that they sold a lot and they're pretty easy to find cheap.

I mainly use a Technics SL-B1 which is probably from 1979 or 1980 (just a guess) right now and like it.

Also have a Technics SL-B3 which has a repeat and will continue to replay LP sides in the bedroom.
I have it since 1993 and moved it with various times and never had a problem.

((Technics SL-B3 (fully automatic), SL-B2 (semi-automatic), SL-B1 (manual).))

Sure there will be a lot more expert responses but if you find one of these models in good shape I'd think you'd be pretty happy with it.

EDIT: The B in the model numbers here is for belt drive. I've only had those but know friends with the D direct drive models that like them as well.

This post was edited on 7/1/13 at 3:14 pm

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by hobotiger

Asbury Park, NJ

Member since Nov 2007

5195 posts

Posted on 7/1/13 at 3:51 pm to Mouth

Oh, when I read vintage I assumed really old. I saw a beautiful Telefunken German console the other day. It was absolutely beautiful. The only work it would need would be a new needle assembly but I will have to research before buying it to make sure parts are still available.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by Penn

Jax Beach

Member since Jan 2008

23448 posts

Posted on 7/1/13 at 8:21 pm to SUB

What kind of prices do those have?

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by SUB

Member since Jan 2001

Member since Jan 2009

20843 posts

Posted on 7/2/13 at 4:58 am to Penn

eBay is your market price for all things vintage. Search completed listings so you can see what they are actually selling for. I don't buy much off of eBay but it is a good reference to figure out what I am buying is worth. You can sometimes get lucky using Craigslist and get something cheap, but you have to be quick.

Page 1