Vertere, seriously high end and arguably the best deck in this thread, at least it's the one I'd most like to own. https://vertereacoustics.com/record-player-and-turntable/
New kid in town. Thorens TD125mkII, SME 3009 improved modded with a bronze bearing, Shure V15III with a NOS VN35MR stylus. I had that arm/cartridge on a TD124 which now needs a pause due to motor maintenance, and I had this TD125 sitting in a corner with its original TP16 arm and a Denon DL103 on it. So I decided to go for a classic 1975 TT system by combining the two. It took more than 10 days to restore and tune the spring suspension system of the Thorens, but that was really worth the effort. That, replacement of the main bearing oil and checking the internal PSU voltages is all the Thorens needs, every 40 years of use. A new belt, of course. This set does not have the same resolution of my main TT, it rather underlines the melody lines. No surprise it feels just right playing progressive rock. I am using an Audio Research LP1 phono pre. It measures razor flat from 10 hz to 8.000 hz, than there is a 1-1.5 dB rise from there to 20.000 hz. By ear, it sounds a tad bright, which is only evident with modern releases, but I plan to fix that by replacing the silver audiophile interconnect cable I am using now (200pF) with the stock SME copper one (125 pF) first. I will report back.
A friend in college had that exact rig, TD-125 II w/non-detachable SME. I don't remember if he had a Shure cart or Ortofon. But I remember his 10W Heathkit integrated amp and Radio Shack electrostatic speakers. He was a "source first" believer before the Brits latched onto the idea.
This is a stock photo, but the real thing is on the way. More than a little excited about getting a new Nottingham Analogue Dais. I'm going with a SME arm (312) and a Koetsu cart.
Do you have the original JVC headshell, it's a very nice design, as well as looking right for the deck.
Yup, I've got the original JVC headshell, which is currently mounted on the Stanton 681EEE II-S cartridge!
Glad to hear it, I really like the JVC headshell, unfortunately I had to let mine go when I sold the deck.
Sweet, thrash metal on a VPI Scout turntable. Though I did see someone who spin some great old school death metal records on a VPI Prime Signature!!
Thanks! I think it's a great turntable for that kind of music, the unipivot tonearm really bring out every single detail in the music with no tracking error what so ever!
This super-clean 1976 BIC 960 just landed in my lap... My very first real turntable, back in 1977, was a BIC 960 exactly like this one, so they've always had a special place in my heart. I need another turntable like I need a hole in the head, but I couldn't resist. Besides being in amazing condition, the guy who sold it to me had already gone through it and did all of the necessary cleaning/lubing, so all functions work correctly and it runs very quietly. BIC's are kind of overlooked because they are record-changers, but I'm fairly impressed so far by its performance. I'll probably set it up with a basic cartridge and use it as a "casual listening" deck, to preserve the stylus on my main table. Oh, did I mention that it only cost me $20?
JVC QL-7. Just found it today for a measley $19.99 CDN. Took an hour to get the grime off, but plays wonderfully:
