Very Fine Legacy tables under $300

ohbythebay

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I am not selling anything...lol (don't want to scare the mods into thinking I posted in the wrong place)

In another thread, the question of Legacy tables came up vs today's tables. Thought I would post some fine tables you can find that spec/operation/sonic quality can be found for under $300..heck in some cases under $150. I have worked on some myself (because I enjoy that) and found them good homes if I didn't keep them. Good homes because it is all their budget could afford or they just love that style.

Hope you enjoy these. This may be more than one post due to pictures...LOL

Lets start with a name many should be familar with. Marantz. Here is a Marantz 6350 that you can find for about $300 -Semi Auto - Their finest for the era
(not my photo as I didnt have a good one to show of mine)
6350.15.JPG


Dual 721 - German engineering at its finest, the 701 and 721 have one of the quietest DD motors ever made, double anti-resonance arms, full auto. They also are suspended. Only drawback was many came with a cheap faux wood base which is EASILY replaced with your own wood base. This one is mine but you should see the bases Divotdog makes. Can be found for $200 to $250 in great shape
482339_630177986997667_475528476_n.jpg


The Pioneer PL600 (old model) Quartz lock full auto - this table is a sleeper. Quiet, flawless speed and operation. Great arm. In mint shape , $150 to $250
564784_458380547510746_2012549552_n.jpg


The AR/XA classic. This was made as an entry level table in its time and has quite a fan base today. They don't get any simpler. People love the sound, the suspension..its basic as basic manual can be..belt drive, you even have to help it start with a little spin...LOL. Average price in GOOD shape ? $125 to $175

I OMITTED THE IMAGE OF THE AR/XA because I am limited to 4 and this one had to go...LOL


Last (for now) ...The Sansui SR-737 Full auto - Again a sweet table for its time. Very plastic looking but great operating machine. Add your own wood base to dress it up and you get a stinning classic. Often found UNDER $100...mint ? Maybe $150.
This one was mine
601082_473029226045878_1185107241_n.jpg


I dont want you to forget there are also
Sony
Kenwood
JVC
Technics
Thorens
Pioneer
the list goes on...Enjoy !
 
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Bay...very cool! Thx for following up in this thread. I guess my question still stands (believe me I am not trying to be a PITA), but if you pick up a 20-30 yr old table like one of the ones shown above, what is the likelihood that it will meet original specs (in terms of wow, flutter, rumble, speed stabilty, etc...) without having work done on it to get it back to original spec. And if you do that, wouldn't the cost go up considerably from the $150-$300 you will pay to just get one in the first place? Again, I am asking because I have not gone down this path but just curious. Thx for posting. Beautiful pics (although just fyi, the pics of the first and second table are the same and not of the Dual which you were talking about for pic #2 ).
 
Rob, you might mention that you painted your PL 600 black (it looks killer BTW), Pioneer used that designation twice, the early silver PL 600 is a great table on par or better than the Technics DD of the era, but the later black PL 600 is a real dog, all plastic and a very low quality tonearm.
 
I'll throw the Dual 622 in this thread also, avey nice DD with the ULM tonearm, it tends to fly under the radar.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

It also comes with the plastic base, but it can be fixed right up.
 
Bay...very cool! Thx for following up in this thread. I guess my question still stands (believe me I am not trying to be a PITA), but if you pick up a 20-30 yr old table like one of the ones shown above, what is the likelihood that it will meet original specs (in terms of wow, flutter, rumble, speed stabilty, etc...) without having work done on it to get it back to original spec. And if you do that, wouldn't the cost go up considerably from the $150-$300 you will pay to just get one in the first place? Again, I am asking because I have not gone down this path but just curious. Thx for posting. Beautiful pics (although just fyi, the pics of the first and second table are the same and not of the Dual which you were talking about for pic #2 ).

A lot of using a vintage table is deciding on how far you want to go with it, any of the tables that Rob posted or the one that I posted will play with any of the entry level modern tables in the $400 to $600 range with a little bit of time and maintenance, if you think that you want to go further with a vintage table it can cost considerably more to get the tables to play with the big boys, but it can be a fun project and you can get that vintage look if you want it.
 
A lot of using a vintage table is deciding on how far you want to go with it, any of the tables that Rob posted or the one that I posted will play with any of the entry level modern tables in the $400 to $600 range with a little bit of time and maintenance, if you think that you want to go further with a vintage table it can cost considerably more to get the tables to play with the big boys, but it can be a fun project and you can get that vintage look if you want it.

+1
 
A lot of using a vintage table is deciding on how far you want to go with it, any of the tables that Rob posted or the one that I posted will play with any of the entry level modern tables in the $400 to $600 range with a little bit of time and maintenance, if you think that you want to go further with a vintage table it can cost considerably more to get the tables to play with the big boys, but it can be a fun project and you can get that vintage look if you want it.

Mel...thx for your feedback. That makes a lot of sense to me
 
Very good stuff guys..and to answer Cyril's question...

It depends. Some of these tables were PLUG and PLAY. I can't say 100% that they met factory specs 100% so true statement, but if they didn't, it was undetectable.

The Dual I purchased MINT for $300. Not a single issue or GLITCH except, I hate the Dual sleds for the cartridge. So I rewired the arm with Litz wire and removed the normal CONTACTS that meet the sled and made connectors. But that was my choice.

the PL600 (which Divotdog - Mel pointed out) was flawless. I decided I wanted to paint it black because ...well..just because..lol. But from day one it performed incredible. I am actually sorry I sold it because like I said, it was a sleeper. Suspended table, dead nuts speed control..smooth..quiet. Sigh.

The Sansui I did have to fix. I paid like $49 for it and the fix ? The on off large nob needed to be glued back on to the plastic plate that held it..lol...so about 10cents worth of crazy glue.

So my basic point is, in terms of used, you may pay premium dollars to get one mint almost factory fresh (by premium I mean $400 - $600 ) but where does that take you in todays new? Rega , Pro-ject - low end models of those...and they are not bad..but you have choices. Let me give you some examples (please excuse the ebay samples, this was a NO NO on another site..trust me I have no affiliation with these)

JVC
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-QL-A75-...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item257ca77027

Tempo/Linn
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logic-Tempo...d_Players_Home_Turntables&hash=item460e7d237b

Pioneer
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-PL-...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a7e7ddfd7

Dual
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-721-Tunertable-/200914689564?pt=Plattenspieler&hash=item2ec772de1c

There are many...yes, it takes shopping and care and private sales (estates, Craigslist, friends on Audio Shark...lol) are alwats better but this was just 4 readily avail. The Dual is dirt cheap and if you needed a custom made dust cover for perfection, I have a guy who fabricates for about $89 including shipping ! LOL
 
Very good stuff guys..and to answer Cyril's question...

It depends. Some of these tables were PLUG and PLAY. I can't say 100% that they met factory specs 100% so true statement, but if they didn't, it was undetectable.

The Dual I purchased MINT for $300. Not a single issue or GLITCH except, I hate the Dual sleds for the cartridge. So I rewired the arm with Litz wire and removed the normal CONTACTS that meet the sled and made connectors. But that was my choice.

the PL600 (which Divotdog - Mel pointed out) was flawless. I decided I wanted to paint it black because ...well..just because..lol. But from day one it performed incredible. I am actually sorry I sold it because like I said, it was a sleeper. Suspended table, dead nuts speed control..smooth..quiet. Sigh.

The Sansui I did have to fix. I paid like $49 for it and the fix ? The on off large nob needed to be glued back on to the plastic plate that held it..lol...so about 10cents worth of crazy glue.

So my basic point is, in terms of used, you may pay premium dollars to get one mint almost factory fresh (by premium I mean $400 - $600 ) but where does that take you in todays new? Rega , Pro-ject - low end models of those...and they are not bad..but you have choices. Let me give you some examples (please excuse the ebay samples, this was a NO NO on another site..trust me I have no affiliation with these)

JVC
http://www.ebay.com/itm/JVC-QL-A75-...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item257ca77027

Tempo/Linn
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Logic-Tempo...d_Players_Home_Turntables&hash=item460e7d237b

Pioneer
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pioneer-PL-...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3a7e7ddfd7

Dual
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-721-Tunertable-/200914689564?pt=Plattenspieler&hash=item2ec772de1c

There are many...yes, it takes shopping and care and private sales (estates, Craigslist, friends on Audio Shark...lol) are alwats better but this was just 4 readily avail. The Dual is dirt cheap and if you needed a custom made dust cover for perfection, I have a guy who fabricates for about $89 including shipping ! LOL

Bay..very cool I hope you didn't go through all that work on my account but your point is well made as well. I have my Basis 2001 which needs a cart, so first things first for me, but this gives me food for thought down the road for a second table with a different flavor (both looks and sonics). Thx
 
The big advantage to going vintage would be the features that were available, pick up that Dual 622 and it will play with any of the new entry level tables (think Pro-Ject, Music Hall & Rega) but you get a fully auto table!
 
Now if you want to play with the big boys, I built this table, I sold it for a small fortune but it will play with some very serious modern tables.


plinth082.jpg
 
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Cyril....No work at all....love doing this stuff.

I LOVE high end modern tables. But I also love legacy tables and squeezing as much value as I can...LOL ...So I appreciate and love both worlds. If I can help a guy find a great $2000 table ..awesome...But if I can get someone into vinyl for $200 because thats all he can afford...well, you came to the right guy...LOL
 
Now if you want to play with the big boys, I built this table, I sold it for a small fortune but it will play with some very serious modern tables.


plinth082.jpg

Thanks Mel..had to make me drool..right ? Wow..Beautiful

I hope I land that Ariston...get some ideas from you...more like, I send you the wood...:cool:

That also brings up another thought...getting a $500 table you like that is operationally perfect, and sending it to a craftsman like Mel to turn it into your showpiece...Think about that and how that broadens peoples choices on what they want in their home !!!
 
Thanks Mel..had to make me drool..right ? Wow..Beautiful

I hope I land that Ariston...get some ideas from you...more like, I send you the wood...:cool:

That also brings up another thought...getting a $500 table you like that is operationally perfect, and sending it to a craftsman like Mel to turn it into your showpiece...Think about that and how that broadens peoples choices on what they want in their home !!!

You buy the lumber and I will make the sawdust! :p
 
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