Re: [ARSCLIST] speaking of turntables ...

["Richard L. Hess" <arclists@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello, Tom,

In 1970, I bought a Dual 1219 and still have it in its original box 
-- too much rumble.

In about 1976, I bought a Technics SL-1100A and still have it in its 
original box. Speed needs checking once in a while as it is not 
crystal locked, otherwise excellent table.

In about 2002, our generous friend Don gave me an SL-1200 MK II? (I 
think it's a MK II) which is now what I am using for my playback. I 
am quite happy with it except it doesn't do 78s.

I recently came across two SP10 (I think MK II) turntables (but, 
alas, only one power supply). Someday, I may build one into a plinth 
and perhaps even make a varispeed for it like the BBC had Technics 
do...but that is low on the list of priorities (replacing all the 
bearings in some A80s is higher on the list as is upconverting one to 15/30).

In 1970, I bought my first Stanton 681EE cartridge. I have happily 
used variants of that ever since.

In the summer of 1971, I worked in the labs of Fisher Radio in Long 
Island City. An engineer there, the late John Klanatsky, had run 
tests with a CBS test record that clearly showed that the Stanton had 
lots of ringing while the Shure line did not. He gave me a Shure 
M91ED which I never warmed to.

A few years later, a magazine (I think it was AUDIO) did scanning 
electron micrographs (SEMs) of the CBS test records--they had ringing on them.

I had an extended love affair with an AKG P8ES but I think perhaps 
more because it was higher output and slightly brighter.

In the days of CD and an RTS 405 phono preamp, I adjusted the 
cartridge loading by ear by switching between LP and CD of a few 
recordings that I loved. I put on a test record or two and found the 
response to be within about 2 dB at 12 kHz. I was pleased. I tweaked 
slightly based on the test records.

I went back to the Stanton 681 (now an EEE) and am pleased overall 
with the results.

I don't professionally transfer from LP (others on this list do) and 
I send all requests for disc transfers to some of the experts. I just 
do it for fun.

Cheers,

Richard

At 12:23 PM 2007-09-02, Tom Fine wrote:
> What's the group wisdom on the best performance/value turntable and 
> cartridge for under, say, $1500 all told (including shipping and 
> taxes)? The use would be mostly personal listening but also some 
> transfer work, especially of test pressings and laquers. Is there a 
> solution that could also accomodate 78RPM and wide-groove disks or 
> is it better to do that with a separate unit?

Richard L. Hess                   email: richard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Aurora, Ontario, Canada       (905) 713 6733     1-877-TAPE-FIX
Detailed contact information: http://www.richardhess.com/tape/contact.htm
Quality tape transfers -- even from hard-to-play tapes.