Turntable Suggestions

newbie308
newbie308 Posts: 767
edited February 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
I am currently running a Technics SL1200 turntable with the stock tone arm and Cardas wires. I like the simplicity of the direct drive and the ability to swap cartridges with the p-mount for different records, but I'm tired of running to the turntable at the end of every record to prevent the thump thump thump of the needle. I'd like to replace the SL1200 with a similar unit with an automatic lift feature. What do you suggest?
Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 767
    edited February 2012
    I forgot to mention that I'd like to keep it under $1000.
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited February 2012
    I do not know of any decent modern turntable with auto return. There are a lot of old 70s TT on ebay with auto return but will be a step down IMO. Keep your eyes open for a accessory that would mount to any TT and auto lift the tonearm at the end of the record. Probably not cheap if you find one but would be a better option.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited February 2012
    Here you go http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeQYPlFSNYs
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited February 2012
    I found the guy on ebay that sells the levitator. $95.

    FOr a grand you could pull off a lot of very nice tables and cart. Add the levitator and your set.

    Much better off than going to a 70s TT with auto return.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited February 2012
    fastz28 wrote: »
    The yamaha px-3
    You would have to spend over a grand to get anything better.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJhY46LyogI&feature=related

    You can find these on ebay $250 to $600

    I can second that. I love mine. It was new in the box for 400 bucks, and I have it paired up with a Sumiko BPS EvoIII. I don't think I could do better for less than 3k.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited February 2012
    Thorens TD-145
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited February 2012
    http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS465&source=hp&q=TD-145&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS465&pbx=1&oq=TD-145&aq=f&aqi=g3g-m1&aql=&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=2543l5741l0l7551l6l6l0l0l0l0l156l593l5.1l6l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=a69f87f31da53f33&biw=1600&bih=688
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited February 2012
    thsmith wrote: »
    I found the guy on ebay that sells the levitator. $95.

    FOr a grand you could pull off a lot of very nice tables and cart. Add the levitator and your set.

    Much better off than going to a 70s TT with auto return.

    Got a link for him ? My search on ebay didn't turn up anything.:sad:
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,499
    edited February 2012
    gdb wrote: »
    Got a link for him ? My search on ebay didn't turn up anything.:sad:

    Try this....looks like he wants contact via email.

    http://wiplastics.com/page05.html
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited February 2012
    Thanks.
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  • rebuy
    rebuy Posts: 695
    edited February 2012
    thsmith wrote: »
    I do not know of any decent modern turntable with auto return. There are a lot of old 70s TT on ebay with auto return but will be a step down IMO. Keep your eyes open for a accessory that would mount to any TT and auto lift the tonearm at the end of the record. Probably not cheap if you find one but would be a better option.

    A lot of good turntables were made in the 70's like Dual with auto return and a kitchen sink.

    Sure, you can buy fancier looking tables but there are good vintage tables out there.
    After all, that's what we had to work with, turntables.
    I've owned a couple of AR turntables and some auto brands too.
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  • gdb
    gdb Posts: 6,012
    edited February 2012
    The Thorens TD-145 is an end of play- lift arm type, no return mechanism. Otherwise, it's identical to the famous TD-160.:wink:
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited February 2012
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-PX2-Linear-Tracking-Turntable-W-Ortofon-Kontrapunkt-B-/140701941244?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item20c27d3dfc


    The PX-2 trumps the pX-3, but not by much. This one appears to be an outstanding table.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2012
    gdb wrote: »
    The Thorens TD-145 is an end of play- lift arm type, no return mechanism. Otherwise, it's identical to the famous TD-160.:wink:

    Some more at different price points:
    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=THTD158
    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=THTD1902
    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=THTD235
    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=THTD295
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 767
    edited February 2012
    Wow! Great suggestions guys!Thanks!

    I'm going to try the Levitator first, but I realy like that linear tracking TT! I have had a few Thorens turn tables, but I prefer the simplicity of the direct drive and the adjustability of the tone arm on the sl1200.
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • CSM41
    CSM41 Posts: 55
    edited February 2012
    I had a Thorens TD 145MKII at one time. In fact, I still have it. It sits on a shelf in my basement. I hope you have a nice solid place to put it. Sprung TT's are prone to footfalls, etc.
    Besides, how many great modern TT's have you seen that are automatics. NONE. You were doing well with the SL-1200. A good turntable. Mod it and you'll have a great TT.
    #1 Pass F5/Dared Sl2000a/Nola Boxers/Basis Audio 1400/Audio Technica AT33EV Phono Cartridge/Cambridge Audio 640P-Hypno Modded/GF DAC09/CPU
    #2 Cayin A-50T /Hornshoppe Horns/Squeeze Box Touch/Simaudio Moon 100D DAC/Rythmic F12 Servo Sub
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,418
    edited February 2012
    newbie308 wrote: »
    Wow! Great suggestions guys!Thanks!

    I'm going to try the Levitator first, but I realy like that linear tracking TT! I have had a few Thorens turn tables, but I prefer the simplicity of the direct drive and the adjustability of the tone arm on the sl1200.

    The PX-2/3 and other linear trackers are mostly direct drive units as well, and with regards to adjustability, they also have fewer needed adjustments because they track the record in the same way the record was mastered to begin with. The only adjustment needed for my table was making sure the table was level, the cartridge properly installed, and that the tracking force was correct.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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