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To All:Anyone have opinions about the best sounding turntable/
arm combo at $ 300 - 350 (not including the cart - likely
a MM type)?
Follow Ups:
Just think "EMPIRE" for a turntable and you will be pleased.Simple-Reliable-Trouble free- and will last forever!
Get a Shure M97XE cartridge from Amazon and be set for years!
You can spend thousands and not get anything better.
Regards,
Yep, it should be included. It should be pointed out that the Empire and the belt driven Rek-O-Kuts are essentially the same, however. The main mechanical difference is in the bearing assembly, both of which are excellent. The price difference between the Empire and Rek-O-Kut should also be taken into consideration when planning for a tonearm, if one is strict about the price restraints. The Empire is a looker while the Rek-O-Kut is pedestrian looking at best. Those looks are partly what makes the Empire higher priced than the Rek-O-Kut, but both can be made into world class turntables with the sky being the limit as far as modifications are concerned. Even so, a $350 one will amaze you with its performance.
I just have to compare it against my B-12GH Rondine Idler.I plan to use a thread drive as you and Ray have done. I saw a post not long ago where you had recommended using heat shrink on the ROK capstan. Is this to correct speed or to provide less slipage?
I cannot wait to compare this table side by side with the idlers! I have a sneaky suspicion that I am going to like them equally well. Gotta love those Pabst motors.
Guys, Any opinions on the REK o KUT B12H ?
I picked up this table along with a fairchild 412-2 a few years ago.
The REK is super clean and after a little cleaning is smooth as silk.
The REK arm is pretty corroded, so ID like to find an arm that will actually fit the table.
It gave me years of pleasure, but was later surpassed by the first AR TT, followed by even better Dual TTs to the one I am now using, the Rega P3, by far the best of all that I have owned. Perhaps if I knew then what I know now about feedback, I could have improved the 33-H quite a bit.
Joe,Switch the tonearm, and it will put all your subsequent turntables in the dust. I was amazed by it, and Ray-O-Stat and I (with the help of Mark Kelly) are embarking on a couple of fairly extensive Rek-O-Kut projects. There is a lot to be said for that clunky looking old machine.
...a lot can happen in forty years. I put my Linn LP12 on a shelf, and never looked back after making a few minor modifications to a Rek-O-Kut.
You will need heatshrink to correct the speed because the shaft is convex, and the string tends to ride to the narrowest part. You will also need for it to be hard vinyl heatshrink. I tried several before I found one that worked, so I'll send you a little kit with some of that, and some thread. Heat the shrink while you are checking the speed with a strobe disc. Then, quickly remove the heat when the speed is correct. You may have to put a bit of superglue on the knot to keep it in place, too. This setup will beat the Rek-O-Kut idler, a Linn LP12, any Rega ever made, and God knows what else, if you clean the bearing with brake cleaner, and oil it with two parts Castrol Syntec (any flavor) and one part 90 weight Mobil 1 gear oil. If you want it to really sing, replace the bearing with a silicon nitride one. Take the motor outboard, and drop the platter assembly into a heavy plinth, and you will probably step up several levels. That's my next project.
While I love the idlers for dynamics and bass, I also miss the dead quiet background of my Thorens. I am playing it side by side with my two idlers and the Thorens is very involving and engaging.....It has also been modified like crazy.
I wonder if a tungsten bearing would not be an ultimately quieter bearing than the silicone model. I should try one of each and let you know.
I am hunting for one more Pabst for a special project in mind. BTW I got the table on ebay for 89.00 bucks....I am stoked.....I tried to buy another today but another inmate paid some serious green. I bet he loves the thing.
Mosin, If I can get some thin width mylar film, would that be as good as the thread drive, or am I rowing up a creek without a paddle. I would think the extra surface tension would improve dynamics and prat.
You're rowing up a creek without a paddle.
I am looking forward to the N-33 as much as I was looking forward to the idler.BTW I was originally using 45-75 hypoid Mobile one gear oil for the main bearing on my LP-743 and ScottRT mentioned hearing a warbling on the table compared to the Technics CDR I sent to you.
So I cleaned it all out yesterday and I am running 10-30 weight Mobile One full synthetic oil and I do hear a slight improvement. I think I will try some 5-20 weight next go around.
I have that ADC running on the Unitrac and damn if you are not right again. It just seems to improve with each hour of play. Miraculous to hear it bloom. I am spinning some Beatles albums I picked up at the thrift store on Thursday evening and having the time of my life.
"We purchased this from a senior gentleman who obviously took very good care of his things. See the rest of our auction for more great vintage audio components from the same estate." so says the ebay advert...I feel a little sad when I read this in an ebay sales item description....but then its better than landing up in the dumpster I recon.I know its probably bad form to post a still active ebay auction but this only has a couple hours left so few will see it here..but it does give a good example of what mosin is talking about
I bought it around 1960. The K as I recall means that it was a kit version of the "N." I sold it with a Shure M7/N21D cartridge, a happy marriage of a catridge body with a different stylus number that was dicovered around that time.
Think I'll bid on that sucker.
Paid a little more than I wanted, but what the heck my birthday is on Wed. That thing was just too too nice. I'm a sucker for Empires or Rek-O-Kuts. And it will fit in one of the racks in my studio real nice.
Any recommendations on what arm would be best? I'm thinking one of my Grado wooden arms, SME 3012, or my SAEC WE308.
I'm going to give a listen to that M7/ESL arm combo first, tho.
nt
Try the SAEC, and let us know how it does. The Papst motor alone is worth the price. Clean it out with electric motor cleaner that you can get at Auto Zone.
that "sucker" jumped up there but it still went for below 300 bucks...
you really do like them Rek ohs
Yep, got it. I love the sliding drawer that I can put in one of my racks.
I bought this one awhile back for $75. The tonearm that came with it is a OEM one from one of the better Kenwoods which appears to be of Koshin Denki manufacture.
Or did you have it coated? I love the Rek O Kuts I have bought, but had to repaint them because the stock paint was not baked or hardened.
Some idiot painted it cream colored. (It isn't white.) Anyway, he painted over the label, so I peeled it off because I just happened to have a wrecked turntable with a good label. It looks better now. I switched the tonearm for a MAS 282, and it sounds better, too.
I'm driving 50 miles tomorrow morning to buy a realistic turntable for 20 bucks....just for the tonearm.......a Jelco.... just like the one on my AR table..maybe I'll make a RCM outta the table..
That sweet Yamaha of yours that I coveted so much that I still dream of it would be a perfect for this guy....
____________________________
Neck Deep in the Big Muddy and the Damned Fool Yells, "Push On!"
the fella that bought it had one in his much younger days and was very very happy to be reunited with his first love so ta speak..
if you want new, there are not many options under $350 including cart. They include the Goldring GR-1.2 and the new Denon DP-300F, which even includes a built in phono preamp for the MM cartridge.
HenryA 12-gauge shotgun is the ultimate arbiter of disputes - G. Gordon Liddy
Used, I hope? Nothing new in that range will floor you. However, a Rek-O-Kut N33H equipped with a decent tonearm will. It could be put with a Sonus, an ADC, MAS, Audio-Technica, or other good tonearm from yesteryear for that price, or less. I promise you that it cannot be outdone for less than a grand, or more. I retired my Linn LP12 in favor of such a combination.
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