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WTF = Which Turntable FridayThis week’s WTF offers up a choice between two legendary turntables that need little in the way of introduction. Pretend you have your choice of either one, for free. Free is a good price, so take one.
Oracle Delphis With Arm By SME
Kenwood L-O7D With Stock Arm
I have zero experience with the L-O7D and have always wanted one, so here is my chance. Simple as that. I’m sure user510 will choose differently.
How about you? Which of these venerable classics would you prefer to have?
Have a great weekend.
Dean.
Ps: Last summer, while at a flea market hunting for old fishing tackle I came upon an L-O7D. The condition was not good, somewhere between fair and poor on the table but the arm looked good. However, the power supply was missing. In my eyes it was a parts table. The asking price was $1500. I explained to the seller about the missing power supply, which he did not know was needed or missing. He understood this was a major problem and reduced his price to $1,000. Still too much for me, so I walked off and continued my hunt for old tackle. I circled back about 30 minutes later to make him an offer, but he had already sold it ….for $200 !!! Well, I guess I should have negotiated earlier. Live and learn.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
Edits: 09/26/14 09/26/14Follow Ups:
Performance is extremely close between the 2 but the Kenwood looks so pedestrian , so me too .. much like a Honda Civic :)
The Oracle is a thing of beauty, but on days you want to listen, the Kenwood leaves it in the dust.
Not a contest in either department.
neo
BIRD LIVES
I like belt drive and the SME is a better tonearm.
If you need parts for that Kenwood you're up a creek without a turntable.
"We are all in God's hands... and God is a malign thug."
-Mark Twain
> If you need parts for that Kenwood you're up a creek without a turntable.
I think you're missing the point entirely. Both of these are brand new turntables. They were just manufactured with brand new parts and they are both guaranteed for life. They will never break and you will never need parts that aren't immediately available. You have to understand how this game works. There are no negative caveats involved. Therefore, you are free to choose the turntable that you like best without fear of breakdowns or problems of any kind. That's why it's only a game. You didn't really think you were going to be given an actual turntable, did you? It's a make-believe turntable. That's why it doesn't break or have problems. ;-)
Good luck,
John Elison
...I am running out of space for all of these turntables!! Not to mention the time to give each one a good listen.
Later Gator,
Dave
I owned the L-07D for a short time. I sold it because I received an offer that was 3 times what I paid and I went for it.
Briefly stated, the L-07D is the most realized table I've ever experienced. Fit and finish, sonically, intuitively...it's exceptional. The arm is outstanding. No offense to Oracle fans, but sans SME arm and you're essentially comparing a Honda Civic to the Space Shuttle.
"Hope is a good thing. Maybe, the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."
The relative scarcity of the Kenwood makes it a more urgent choice for me, and this one looks very clean :)
"Never look at the trombones...it only encourages them." Richard Wagner
Oracle Delphi any day!
Assuming they are in similar condition it is an easy decisions for me.
The Kenwood is legendary, you can go buy an Oracle any time. Also the direct drive has appeal to me since I already have 3 belt drive turntables
...with a Pioneer PA1000 arm for the Kenwood part of the stash.
Later Gator,
Dave
I know what you mean about those straight arms. I always thought they should have gone for a figure-eight after the S-shaped arms. It was a shock to me when they actually straightened out the S. They went from J-shaped arms to S-shaped arms and I really thought they would just keep going. Oh, well. Such is life!
Best regards,
John Elison
nt
Oracle is pretty common and I just hate that they use one spring on the heavy side of the table.
By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.
Galileo Galilei
**Assuming both specimens are in good operational condition.**
I do have a hankering to find an Oracle Delphi. And these are excellent suspended belt drive turntables. But the LO-7 will be superior in every performance category. The Kenwood will be the better sounding of the two. But there is a price differential. The LO-7 are rare and collectible. The Oracle Delphi is not nearly so rare and demands less money in used condition. By quite a bit, I believe. That stacks the deck in favor of the Kenwood.
Rats. I would have preferred a choice between belt drives or a choice between direct drives rather than this choice. But the LO-7 would be really cool to have around...even if it doesn't -quite- live up to its legendary reputation.
Even though I really do admire the Oracle Delphi (any mark), I will have to choose the LO-7 simply because it is a no-brainer.
-Steve
My intention (but I forgot to mention) was a new Delphis, latest version ($8,500) verses the L-07D, the last of which I saw sell in good working order fetched around $6,500. So, I thought the dollar value was on the Delphis' side. Although, the Kenwood will appreciate in value while the Oracle depreciates.I guess you are right ...unfair !
Hang in there, I'll give you another shot one day. Maybe a Delphis verses a BIC 940. They are both belt drives !
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
Edits: 09/26/14
...the photo in your op is of the latest version. It's got suspension dampers (visible)that earlier versions did not have. Mikey reviewed it in the March 2010 version of S'Phile.
Honestly I would not seek out the current version. Too expensive. I'd hunt for an earlier one (mkII or thereabouts) simply because the price on those in acceptable condition is approachable. Plus I get to fiddle with it. There's nothing like a new can of worms to sort through.
later,
-Steve
I know that both Dean and Steve are watch aficionados so I thought I'd show off my first real* watch. I just picked up a Seiko Automatic and I've changed the metal band for a nato strap. Not expensive, but beautifully built.
*mechanical, not battery powered.
Edits: 09/26/14
Seikos are tough as nails. It will serve you well for a long time.
I have a Seiko automatic that I got for my high school graduation in '76. Every once in a while I will take it out of the drawer, give it a few shakes and it starts right up.
Nice choice. Enjoy it.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
nt
Which movement?
It looks very much like the older SKX 007, which came with the 7S25 movement. I'm guessing this is a newer model. The black finish on the case works well to my eye. This will be a stout durable watch.
I've found the nylon straps to be the most comfortable of those I've tried, including leather bands and various metal bracelets.
By now you've noticed how good these Seiko's are in low light/night time readability. Excellent lume.
congrats.
-Steve
Actually when I was first shopping around it was the face of the SKX 007 that caught my eye. I instantly gravitated towards it. The only problem was it does not come in an all black body. So I kept looking and found this beauty. Not quite as appealing to my eye as the SKX 007, but close enough.
The movement is 7S36 (23 jewel). I'm hoping it's a rugged one because this is becoming my daily driver. And yes, I was quite impressed with the lume.
There's nothing like a mechanical watch, and yours looks terrific. I bet it will still be ticking away decades from now.
Here's a vintage Omega that has been my almost-daily watch for about 30 yrs, and before that it was my grandfather's retirement watch from GM in the late 60s.
It's still very accurate and reliable. I've had it serviced only a couple of times.
When inquiring on an Omega forum several months ago about getting the dial restored or replaced the response was overwhelmingly to leave it alone. So I will!
Jim
"Never look at the trombones...it only encourages them." Richard Wagner
Edits: 09/27/14
I wouldn't restore it either. It's a beauty as is. The character from age and the story behind the watch makes it much more beautiful object.
The watch I truly covet is a Seiko that my grandfather wore. My dad has it now.
Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure and thanks, Waxxy.
"Never look at the trombones...it only encourages them." Richard Wagner
...take it, it's free.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
...its free.
But the LO-7 is right there, ya know! Cruel choice.
-Steve
At the request of the Moderators,
This space has been deleted
I'll take the Oracle -
I am a sucker for an SME arm, and I always wanted the Delphi...
Happy Spinning
Always wanted one
True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country.
quote by Kurt Vonnegut
and finally a free Oracle had come my way. OH JOY! (angels singing, trumpets trumpeting)But then, I scrolled down a little and see The Kenny. My heart sank. A sense of panic raced through my body. I slammed down the lid of my laptop in anger. I got up and paced around like a caged tiger.
Why? Why would you do this to me Dean? Is it something I've said or done in the past, or are you just sadistic?
I DEMAND AN ANSWER!
Edits: 09/26/14
...fun. I never said it would be easy.
;-)
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
I've done some thinking and I'll take The Kenny. The Oracle is still in production and I can always buy myself one when the money truck shows up. The Kennys are getting rarer and rarer.
I'd flip a coin. Both would be nice additions to a vinyl LP rig. I doubt a owner of either would have any complaints.
This is a no-brainer, if performance is your goal rather than space age looks. The L07D, hands down. Not to say that the Oracle is not an excellent tt and a thing of beauty.
The SME arm on that Oracle looks awfully sweet!
I admit to a personal bias in favor of direct- and idler-drive turntables over belt-drive turntables in the sub-megabuck range, like the Oracle. I have owned and heard many of the latter type (but not an Oracle specifically in my own system) over the decades before I fell under the spell of Lenco, Kenwood L07D, Technics SP10 Mk3, etc. (I have heard Oracle tt's in systems other than my own; In general I do not care for suspended tables with lightweight platters.) You do have a point that the Oracle has a first-rate tonearm. The Kenwood L07J tonearm on the L07D is also a fine one.
I used to use L-07M monoblocks so I guess I'll go for the L-O7D ... against better judgement I might add since the Oracle is likely to give less trouble, at least in terms of possible repair should be needed. ;)
Dodging bullets is the next best thing to not having to.
I'll take the Oracle, which I have heard and liked...
As I scrolled down the pictures, I thought that the Kenwood was a Micro Seiki for a second- until I got a look at the whole pic (if it WAS a M-S, my choice would have been VERY different!).
Cheers,
Dman
Analog Junkie
Why would your choice be different? Just because of the brand name? In fact, based on appearance only, it looks as though the tonearm may have been made by M-S for Kenwood, but I don't know that for sure. The L07D is one of the best direct-drive turntables made in the hayday of the Japanese turntable. M-S never made a direct-drive that is in the same league with the L07D. So, if you just prefer belt-drive to direct-drive, by all means go for the Oracle, but otherwise…., I don't get it. Conversely to your preference, if this was a choice between any M-S direct-drive turntable and the Oracle, I would choose the Oracle, because the M-S efforts in that area are mediocre.
From The Vintage Knob ...
So far, the production run of the L-07D (mkII included) remains a mystery, just as who really designed its engineering goal and its integrated tonearm... But Micro Seiki quite probably had a hand in it, as with most japanese high-end turntables outside of Matsushita, Sony, Pioneer and Victor.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
As I recall, and I should add *if* if do recall correctly, the Vintage Knob used to include some controversial remarks re: sonic performance but there's no hint of that in the current write-up. I'll have to check if I save the material.
Dodging bullets is the next best thing to not having to.
As much as I like the looks of that Oracle Delphi with SME tonearm, I'm going to pick the Kenwood L-07D. They are both excellent, but the Kenwood floats my boat today.
Best regards,
John Elison
I'm sure the Oracle is a very good 'table ,but the L-07D is too pretty to pass up.
enjoy,
mark
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