5 Vintage Turntables Below $2,000 for Your Stereo System
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John,
The original list had 15 tables and we had to cut it down. We will definitely update it with more as the months go by.
The SL-1200 Mk2, Linn Sondek, Michell Gyrodeck, Ariston, Thorens TD-160 Super, Well Tempered Turntable…all good options.
Thank you for reading.
Ian
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I guess my Denon DP-37F is still superior, mainly because it’s unique tonearm which especially are “free floating” and extremely well damped by it’s electromagnetic suspension… And partly because this masterpiece have an extremely stable servo controlled direct drive, which not even change speed (in any audible way) if I use a carbon brush, while I play a record!
You can find this model at moderate prices and Denon still make other turntables.
BB
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The Denon turntables are fantastic. I have a DP-1200, and it is rock solid. Can easily see myself following an upgrade path within the Denon catalogue in the future.
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An interesting and informative article. I’m the proud owner of a Yamaha PF-1000 Turntable. I bought it new in 1985, so I’m the original owner. One of my most cherished possessions. It sat for decades in storage and getting it tuned up is definitely on my bucket list.
For those unfamiliar, here’s a link to some info.
http://www.thevintageknob.org/yamaha-PF-1000.html
It only came in walnut, the black is the PF-800. -
Dust covers! My favorite feature on vintage turntables. 3 of the 5 pictured here have them, though fotos of the other 2 can be found with them elsewhere. Long live er, bring back the dust cover. Great short piece down memory lane.
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I’m partial to the minimalist design and direct-drive / quartz stability of the Technics SL-1401 and its S-shaped tonearm.
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I set most of these turntables up as part of my daily work in the early 80’s. The Dual arm is a problem, a rattly resonance nightmare. Avoid the direct drive TT’s from the 80’s and before as they all suffered from motor speed cogging degradation of audio playback. The Thorens and VPI’s are truly fine TT’s. If you can find one “the AR” turntable is on par with Thorens.
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I have 3 of the Thorens tables (TD-160 Super, TD-145, and a TD-125) and I absolutely don’t miss the “newer” tables they replaced which were a lot more money.
I had a Dual once and it wasn’t ideal. Tonearm issues.
In regard to the VPI, I actually prefer it to the first generation Classic tables that had iffy construction quality. VPI replaced them with the MW generation tables which I think are better.
The HW-19 MKIV with a solid arm is an excellent turntable.
Ian White
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Love your site, first time reader today. This article certainly took me down memory lane, as a Dual and Technics owner in the 70’s, although my college roommate had the Thorens to go with his Bose 601s (don’t laugh they were excellent especially with classical that he listened to and taught me about). I have a George Merrill Heirloom (the one with lead in the platter, the table is very heavy), one of the last ones he made in the mid-80s. I was the first owner starting in about 1998, it sat in storage locally here in Atlanta until then. I have talked to him about it twice, still the original belt, he says no need to buy his more expensive designs (GEM Dandy etc.)unless I want digital speed control. He definitely was in the AR camp and still is with refurbishing if you check his website. I have always lusted after the Denon but am too scared to make any changes lest I go sideways or backwards. I have no idea what the original price of just the table was, but it was under 2k, although with 80’s vintage Fidelity Research tonearm and Sumiko Blackbird I’m way over.
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Jim,
Welcome and I’m thrilled that you found us. We’re big on the vintage tables. Keep reading.
Best,
Ian White
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Warren,
I really like the SOTA tables and now that the company has proper ownership again — it’s a safer buy.
I visited a shop in Montreal that sells them and he was running it with a Grado wood body and it sounded phenomenal.
SOTA gets very little coverage which is really unfortunate.
Ian White
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So, I JUST Had a Yamaha YP 700 Walk into My Shop today, With a Technics, (Forgot what Kind), Anyway, I was looking it Up, And I found This Article. Thank You !, I Tested it, Awesome Turntable. I Own a Small Brick and Mortar Record Store in Florida, and Buy Used Vintage Turntables. I Hope $500.00 is a Fair Price !
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My most reliable turntable is the VPI 19-4 (purchased as a 19-1 in 1982). I’ve since moved on to their TNT VI (modified) with modified SME IV arm. I’ve converted the VPI 19-4 to a 78 rpm player. Fabulous. I use the VPI speed controller to set acoustic record speeds.
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Stephen,
The VPI 19 MKIV has always been a great turntable. Not a fan of the TNT table because I find the plinth material is too lively but it is a classic HW design.
Hard to go wrong with an SME on a VPI.
I do like a leo-modified Classic IV with the JW arm.
Best,
Ian White
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The old AR turntables belong on this list. Especially the later variants, which bettered all the Duals.
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100% agree. My AR “the turntable” is very upgradeable and easily competes with the Thorens td-125. I should know, my roommate has one. They are still considerably cheaper than many thorens models and let’s not forget they were the brand that vinyl guru Dave from Vinyl Nirvana got his start with. I’ve long awaited you doing a feature on them. So when should I expect it?
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I actually upgraded from a Dual 502 to an AR ES-1. Not that I disliked the Dual, just had no room for two turntables.
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While the Dual 1009 might have been a major advance for Dual, the 1019 (top of the line in the 10-series) had the heaviest platter of all time and would be the closest match to a 1219 or 1229 Dual Turntable. It was also a major best-selling turntable and is much more widely available than other 10-series turntables. So I think it is more highly recommended than a 1009.
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OK I really didn’t need to see this article.
Now all my nostalgic memories stir….
I wanted a Thorens or Linn back then, and now I’m really wanting to explore a resto-mod vintage table.
Don’t get me wrong – I am very happy with my newer Rega P-6 and Ania MC cartridge, but my retro heart goes aflutter when I see a vintage deck that is refurbished and updated.
Down the rabbit hole I go……-
Scott,
I recommend Vinyl Nirvana. Dave Archambault. I’ve purchased 3 tables from him.
Best,
Ian White
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Chris Barker
March 16, 2021 at 11:54 pm
Readers interested in the VPI HW-19 might like to watch my new video on upgrading/restoring a VPI HW-19 Turntable. https://youtu.be/eHBp4Te0BM0