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I had an ear-opening experience when I got to do a blind listening test of some vintage turntables at Vancouver, BC vintage audio dealer Innovative Audio this past summer. I had assumed that all the good turntables were made by audiophile-oriented companies such as Linn, Pro-Ject, and Rega — and that most of the stuff made in the 1970s was plastic junk. How wrong I was!
In that test, a 1970s Technics SL-120 knocked everyone out with its undeniably fantastic sound quality. It left me wondering: What other cool old turntables might be worth picking up on eBay, at a vintage hi-fi dealer, or even at the garage sale down the block? So I called Gordon Sauck at Innovative to see if he had any suggestions. Turned out he did, and since he had all these models (plus dozens more vintage ’tables) in his shop, he was able to supply some far-better-than-eBay-quality pix for me.
In fact, there seems to be a resurgence in appreciation for these classic old record players — mirroring the renewed interest in other vintage audio gear. Yeah, the cheap ones were junk, but most of the cheapies seem to have broken a long time ago. Many, perhaps most, of the better vintage turntables in circulation are still in good working order because they were built to last in the first place. The Web site vintage-turntable.net can provide more information, as well as handy eBay tracking of particular brands. Vinyl Engine has a ton of data on 'tables old and new, including manuals, pointers on setup, and links to anything you might want to know about cartridges and tonearms. And there’s plenty more info waiting for you on the web if you search for a specific brand or model number.
Here you'll find the five turntables Sauck recommends watching out for. Some he prizes for great sound and impeccable build quality. Others he prizes just for their cool factor. And if you have more suggestions, let us know in the Comments section below.
Prices listed here are for products sold by a vintage audio dealer or a knowledgeable hobbyist. But you never know — you might find one at a garage sale for $25, and though the condition is likely to be questionable, it never hurts to be on the lookout.
"I had assumed that... all the stuff made in the 1970s was plastic junk."
My god. I hope you're just kidding when you say that. The SEVENTIES. When VINYL was the most popular playback format? You assumed there would be nothing but junk from the seventies?
Had you never heard of even the Technics SL1200, STILL- even today- THE turntable for DJs, which debuted in 1972, the BEGINNING of the Seventies?
How about Linn's LP12? Still considered among the best audiophile turntables ever? or the AR Turnable? You had honestly never heard of these?
Yes, Michael, I've heard of them. In fact, I mentioned Linn in the article, and the Technics SL-120 mentioned in the article was a contemporary of the SL-1200. I was making a very broad, general statement. Obviously, I didn't mean that EVERY SINGLE turntable made in the 1970s was plastic junk.
Gonna head this one of at the pass, guys — we're calling it "most of" from here on out.
As an owner of a Fisher 500B receiver I absolutely love when you write about vintage gear. Pre-owned and/or used vintage gear has allowed me to truly enjoy hi fidelity that I might not be able to afford otherwise.
I have absorbed every word of this magazine since first introduced by my high school literature teacher in 1978. I have every issue from January 1978 to current day. While I typically salivate on gear that I cannot afford, I always cull something useful that I can incorporate into my current system. Your foray into vintage turntables is not exception. Thank you.
My Denon DP-33F still looks and plays well after 30 years.
one word................yamaha PF800 and PF1000 , I guess that is two words.
SOny made some great Direct Drive tables like the psx70 and psx60.
Who recalls the Rabco straight-line-tracking arm? I had one mated to a Thorens turntable. Wondering where I stored it....
I have a Technics SL-D2 direct drive that is the oldest piece in my rack. I have had it since 1979 with a Shure M97HE cartridge and it still plays flawlessly. other then having replaced the stylus and keeping it dust free and a drop of oil it has never disappointed me. especially when playing half speed mastered LPs.