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Just curious. My Thorens TD-320 MKIII has been going strong for 15 years. How do the new turntables hold up?.
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...and I got it used. The Ariston has been through several arms, including Magnepan Unitrac I, Grace 747, Grado Laboratory Signature, SME (forgotten the model), and probably one or two more. Currently using NOS Sonus Formula IV unipivot. Cartridge is Grace F9E Ruby with less than 200 hours on it that has been sitting on a shelf waiting for the right rig. Still my favorite MM cartridge.I've also got a VPI Scoutmaster, but the Ariston holds its own very well.
And I'm diggin' it.
No problems so far. Not original owner. Just replaced the belt last month and that's made a big difference. I was having some speed issues because of the old one. It had gotten quite loose and sloppy.Before the WB I'd owned 2 Thorens. One was a TD 320 I bought new in '86. Prior to that I had a TD 160 that I got used in '77. They never gave me any problems. I still wish I had that 160 though.
I also have a LP12 that is about 15 years old and a Michell Orbe that's about 6 years old. I enjoy them all.
I've had my Rega Planar 3 for about ten years now, replacing a Planar 2 that I'd been using for almost 18 years. I'd like to upgrade to something new, but haven't gotten around to it...
At least I hope so. It's a two-armed Lenco, originally circa 1975 or so, replinthed and breathed upon by Jean Nantais (see link). It joins a turntable stable currently comprising another replinthed Lenco and a 1962 Empire 298 used for 78s. There's also a Dual 608 off-line, and a Transcriptors/Vestigal setup I'm "boarding" for a friend.The "new" Lenco has VPI JMW 10.5 and SME IIIS tonearms mounted on it and weighs over 70 lbs. I'm hoping a friend will stand by and help me lift the thing when it arrives!
I had an L-75 back in the seventies before moving on to an Ariston. Why did he mount the table sideways? You're facing what is normally the right side.
It's a way to accommodate two arms without cutting the Lenco's top plate. There is mu-metal shielding inside the unit to obviate the hum problems that would normally arise from having one of the arms too near the motor.
...and a few other bits, how long have I had it, about 1 year I guess?
The better question is how long am I going to keep it !?Forever !
Seasons greetings,
nt
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....sT
nt
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Bought my Lenco L-70 in 1968.
Rebuilt it last Christmas over the vacation, using the audiogon thread high mass plinth ideas. Built a Schroeder-like tonearm. It is wonderful, and still going strong.
Bought my first EMPIRE in 1962 let's see FOURTY FOUR years ago. STILL using it!
nt
Souther TQ-1 arm - 21 years.
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my backup cheap ERA Mk VI since the same time, used sparingly--need belt.
eom
VPI HW-19j MK III for about 2 years
Planar 2 since 1984 utill 2004.
Several other tables in parallel with Planar 2.
...but in the works I have what I think will be my last one, a Lenco L75.
I picked up my LP12 when I was in the midst of my divorce. It was an unbridled expression of long-lost yet newfound freedom. For the first five years or so, I used it perhaps all of 15 hours. When I got a place where I could leave it out and ready for action, I started to hit the vinyl with greater dedication. Then, I truly heard what I'd been missing with digital.
The Thorens TD125MKII I am using, I have only had for a few months, but I still have a perfect TD147 that I bought new in 1985. The only other turntable I have used regularly in my system was a Sony PS3000A from 1968 until I bought the 147 in 1985.I don't like to change, once I find something I like.
NT.
Dual 1249 that I got last week, otherwise i've been using a Hitachi HT-1 going on 5 years.Magnivox was bought by great grandmother back in 63 and now its part of my front room. I Remember playing Kiss records on that in my early early years.
...in fact, it's performance has risen to levels I did not think possible for it's given/design price point. It's design is solid to the point that it responds quite well to any tweak that I have applied.In short...this TT makes music!
kenster
AFAIK it was only available four years ago?
I bought mine when they were first introduced to the market. Late 2000/Early 2001 I believe. Serial # 0616.I could be wrong but if your that concerned about it, I will dig up my sales receipt :)
Either way it is one damned fine TT!
And I was about 5 years old when I purchased it.VPI HW19MkIII/SME 309
It came with the original Blue Point for a cartridge but that didn't last long...
--
Al G
Born to Tinker!
I've had an AR ES1 (the "Legend") with Rega RB300 for over 20 years.But I recently installed an Audio Technica OC9 ML II cartridge, and the tt is starting to show its age - not all the hoped-for benefits of the OC9 have been heard.
A VPI Scout is looking terribly seductive, and I just love unipivot arms. But I also love the AR and it will be carefully stored away, just in case.
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Has been tickling my ears since April 24th, 1975.
Has a new base, tweaks, and has gone through many Shure cartridges. The old Stanton 681EEE, though, has survived well.
My Dual 701 was purchased, used, as a rumble-free replacement for the old Q, but basically sucks sonically, when compared to the same-vintage idler unit.
Several different tonearms have been on the table during that time. The Luxman has co-existed with several interlopers along the way, but has outlasted Linn, Transcriptors, VPI.
Runs like a Swiss Clock!!
Tweak every three year whether it needs it or not!
nt
nt.
nt
another Thorens,of course(TD-295mkIV).
Tthe old one started having arm bearing problems.i can't say it ows me a thing.25 years is a long time for anything mechanical to last.
enjoy,
mark
nt
after 17 years with the same Technics SL-B202 and a Stanton, Grado, Nagaoka, and an Empire.
I'm not at all surprised your TD320 is still going strong. In "Thorens Years" it is still just a puppy.I bought my TD160 new in 1975. This one still operates like new, but it sounds better than new after I made some upgrades a few years back.
Currently I'm listening to a Teres model 145. This player I bought from Teres Audio in 2001. It's holding up very well, and this is what you expect from a belt drive player. The only thing to wear on belt drive players are the drive belt, motor/electronics and the platter bearing. Tonearms tend to last a long time when not damaged. Phono cartridges will wear out their stylii with regular play. I tend to think of these as "consumable".
-Steve
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I bought my first one over 6 years ago and have been so pleased with it that I purchased a second new Xerxes this past year.The Roksan's performance, quality, and reliability have been outstanding. Set-up,tuning & maintainence is simple and best of all, rarely needed.
hooked up in the wife's art studio.
----------------------------------------------------------
"Do I have to spell it out?
C --- H ---- E ---E ---- S --- E
A --- N --- D
Dual 606 - 25 years
Thorens 160 Super - 2 years
Lenco L78 - 1 month total(after modifications - 1.5 weeks)
My Connoisseur BD2/A has served faithfully since 1977. It was in everyday use until about 1990, used once or twice a week until 1999 and in regular use again from September 2004 to March 2005 when it was replaced by a 16 year old Linn Axis. It is still in full working condition and I really can't make myself to sell it. We have been together too long...
Had an engineer buddy of mine change out the output and ground wires a few years ago. Still going strong. Couldn't afford a LP12 and this had the closest sonics to my ears. The shop carried both, so I got to play and decide. Owner offered to sell me the Keith Monks RCM. I wish I had bought it...ah well.
That is a beauty! As a vintage collector the Connoisseur gets my thumbs up as a piece of functional art.
nt
_____________________________
I still have my Connesieur BD102. Thats 25 years old and gathering dust.
nt
for my new almost-old-stock Rega P2.
If you are into longevity, however, I can say that my parents' Linn Axis is still spinning into its eighteenth (or is nineteenth?) year.
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But not with the same arm, not without changes to support (feet were removed) screw in spikes tried, various other supports, and now Walker cones. THEN come the BIG changes. Putting an IEC connection into the power supply/motor housing; removing the lamp cord that the 'table came with. Now THAT'S an improvement! Hell, it's a different 'table!
.
The Kenwood is an absolute belt drive killer in every way. Much quieter, awesome speed control, and PRAT that never ends.I cannot tell you how much fun it is to switch an arm in just a minute or two. Great for tweaks like me!
/
It's a JVC QL-50 with a Luxman TA-1 arm and an AT-OC9 with a Sumiko PIB-1 interface box.It's my fourth or fifth table this year and may get sold early next year. I buy and sell tables at an alarming rate.
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Send an instant karma to me...
-Ray
....1983! Did the platter and spring upgrades. Has worked flawlessly all these years. Started out with the Signet XK-35 tonearm, then the Magnepan Unitrac, and am currently using the SME 309.
I keep hearing great things about the MagnePlanar UniTrack
I had the Unitrac for a number of years before I had inadvertantly broke it. It was discontinued and I called Magnapan to see if they were still doing repairs on it. I sent it back and they sent me a brand new one! About 7 years ago, I somehow screwed that one up. I still had the Signet, so I reinstalled that one.After a year or 2, I had the itch to upgrade the tonearm. I really wanted a unipivot design, but the Graham was too expensive. Of course, the SME had (and has) a great reputation and the 309 was in my price range and offered much the same performance as the IV and V.
By that time, the sonic characteristics of the Unitrac had faded in my memory. But I will say this: It was compatable with the large number of cartridges I tried over the years. It's a beautiful piece of machinery, but a bit of a b*tch to set up. It tracked great with a few of the Signet MM and MC's that I've owned (1812 Overture). It also "felt" great, as if there was no mass when it was lifted.
About a year ago, I saw that mosin (on this forum) owned 4 (I think) of the Unitracs. I emailed him to see if he would part with one of them. But nooooooo! He wouldn't part with one of his precious Unitracs. Just kidding mosin.
Saw one in a box on ebay recently that went for about $500. I think it was about $400 when new.
Am very happy with the 309, but would definitely give the Unitrac another try if the price were right.
I still won't part with them. I want your broken one, though. :)
Heck if Mosin likes it, I bet it sounds pretty damn nice!By the way I love my SME Series II Improved and Series III 3009 arms. Wonderful sound, although quite a bit different in how they present the soundstage.
Have you ever tried a Woody Grado model? I bet a Sonata would be a great match.
Over the years, I've tried more cartridges than I can remember, but I always came back to the Signet/AT's, including my current latest incarnation of the OC9. There's something about those cartridges that really sound good to me, and match the rest of my system well.I have neither the desire nor the funds to try the "super expensive" cartridges, nor to 'roll' cartridges. The most I've ever spend was for the Micro Benz (or is it the Benz Micro?) Glider. Sold it last year for $300 after about 50 hrs. of use.
BIC 980. It will be 30 years this coming March. Have only changed the belt and relubed.
Which one? I have had one Dual since 1975, or 1974. That's a point of contention because I believe I have had it a year before it was released by all accounts that I can find about that model. Aside from that, I own a dozen others. I have had a Rega since 1981, a Linn came shortly after, and the rest keep showing up. Needless to say, I am fresh out of space for them all.Hell, eBay is so used to sending them to me that one seller accidentally sent some other guy's to me by mistake.
LOL,
I've had my Oracle Delphi for 20 + years with only the usual maintainence to speak of.
...it's a Basis 2001 with a Graham arm. I upgraded the Graham arm from 2.1 to 2.2 last year.I like it, but sometimes the motor has vibration/noise problems. It isn't all that quiet even when it's working correctly.
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