Among current production turntables below a few thousand dollars, there’s just no suitable competition for what Technics is currently making, IMO. But I think I’d rather have the OP’s Dual than my Technics GR, if the Dual could be serviced.
IMO there are plenty of production turntables below a few thousand $ that are as good or better than Technics
there's rega and project and clearaudio options, that are all pretty good in the under $3k range, and more esoteric stuff if you want to look a bit outside what all the major (audio) retailers carry. I'm not saying the current technics stuff is bad, but everything has pros and cons
You're absolutely correct that once you get into this type budget, the market really opens up. VPI, SOTA, Thorens, used Linn LP12, EAT, upper level Rega & Pro-ject, etc. Unfortunately, that doesn't appear to be in this budget. The members' suggestions so far are thoughtful & probably appreciated by the OP. (the only suggestion so far I have not had good personal luck with was the Pioneer...for the price, there really are better options) While "Big Blue"s points on the Technics 1200 are good regarding build quality, (they really are great machines), I don't think they have a lock on exceptional vinyl reproduction...even in this price range. (I realize he did say "IMO"). (Oh...and that Denon deck suggested earlier with a good tonearm would make a really nice rig, as well)
What I’m saying is I don’t think they are competitive at the same price points in that range, just from a performance specs and build quality perspective. Technics is offering more for the money at each of their models’ prices up through the GR. I think that’s what most of us who recommend Technics turntables to people are saying, not necessarily that there aren’t other good turntables. I’d definitely have the Dual fixed as opposed to anything available in the OP’s stated price range, though, which is lower than anything Technics offers, anyway. I’m not even sure it was necessary for Technics to be a suggestion in this thread.
Hello, I own a Dual 721. One of the finest piece of engineering on the market. Ho and behold! The motor equipment is either a Pabst or an EDS motor. The Goldmund Reference Direct Drive turntable was equipped with either and sold for $24,000 US, go figure! The same motor equipped the Dual 721. Any other questions? Easy as pie! repairs are worth keeping this baby alive. I have it dressed with an Audio technica Shibata stylus, a delight to the ears, smoother that the original V15 the TT came equipped with.
performance specs - maybe some, but w/f is not the only turntable spec build quality - better than some worse than others
It’s the most important one, though— important enough to be disqualifying if not up to standards. I’ve not seen better build quality compared to the Technics models at each price level up to the GR, certainly not from Rega or Pro-Ject (and Clearaudio doesn’t even bother with <$2k).
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Stroopwafel A plate of stroopwafels Alternative names Syrup waffle, treacle waffle, caramel waffle[1] Type Waffle Place of origin Holland Region or state Gouda, South Holland Created by Gerard Kamphuisen[1] Main ingredients Batter: flour, butter, brown sugar, yeast, milk, eggs Filling: syrup, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon Cookbook: Stroopwafels Media: Stroopwafel A stroopwafel (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈstroːpˌʋaːfəl] (listen); literally 'syrup waffle') is a thin, round waffle cookie made from two layers of sweet baked dough held together by caramel filling.[2][3] First made in the city of Gouda, South Holland, Netherlands, stroopwafels are a well-known Dutch treat popular throughout the Netherlands and the former Dutch Empire,[citation needed] and exported abroad. MMMMM . . . . Stroopwafel
Hah! You've missed the point of my post! Let me explain it to you: The thread is about turntables, these are analogue devices, so suggesting digital instead is pointless and off thread. Since we derailed the thread already: stroopwafels are more of a thing in Holland. In these parts of the Netherlands, "Kniepertjes" are a way more common type of waffle (very similar to Krumkake).
721 has a brushless motor and a true 4-point gimbal tonearm similar to 5k plus tonearm sold by Kuzma, perhaps the OP should be looking at updating plinth also.
Personally, I'd do the 721 as it seems like a great table. With your budget, I think anything should be ok as you're still in the shallow end of the pool and can learn how to swim.
I'm looking at a couple of different cartridges for my Dual 721, it has a Grado Green. Ant recommendations? I was recommended the AT VM540ML, and the Ortofon om20
I have the Ortofon mounted on my Pro-ject right now. The OM20 is good. Just not sure it's a major step up from the OM-10 that came pre-mounted. (I think you have to get to the OM-30 for a marked difference) Been looking at the AT VM540ML, as it's about the most cartridge you can put on my deck. What's the total mass of your tonearm? You can figure compliance for your tonearm/cartridge combo on Vinyl Engine to see if that combo will work.
Try to use heavier brass hardware when bolting it up, I think compliance for that cartridge is right at medium, it might sound a little dull if in too light of a setup.
Thank you for the information. Cheers! Where would you recommend purchasing brass mounting hardware? Just any ol' 'home improvement store?
I got this kit a few years ago: High-End Phono Screws Set M2.5 Brass for Cartridge / Headshell / Turntable NEW | eBay On that arm I would use the heaviest set you can. There are other types, I forget what can be used on a Dual headshell (I used to have a 701) but here's another example: GOLD PLATED BRASS THUMB Screws 8mm Cartridge Headshell Mounting Set Ortofon 2M | eBay
