Some turntables we’ve sold – but refuse to let go of…
We never met a vintage turntable that we didn’t like – they all have a place in history and none should be forgotten. We enjoyed having these gems in the store and now that they have sold, we leave them online for all to enjoy. Have a browse through turntable history, these represent some great examples of human ingenuity, beautiful design and intriguing engineering. There are many ways to tackle making beautiful noise from those spinny things called records and here are just a few. I hear having the right preamp can make all the difference as well, Graham Slee HiFi has a great range of phono preamps that are worth checking out.
Unity One Turntable with Grace 747 Tonearm and Audio Technica AT 125 LC MM Cartridge
Solid Brass Platter – 25 lbs – outboard DC Thread-Drive with Grace 747 Tonearm and Audio Technica AT 125 LC MM cartridge. Completely rejuvenated into a pair of maple plinths. Truly one of a kind and beautiful.
JVC QL-F4 Automatic Turntable
Another excellent Japanese-manufactured turntable from the late 70’s, the JVC QL-F4 Turntable features direct-drive Quartz technology, a core-less motor (doesn’t cog), intuitive fully-automatic features which revert to manual if you move the tonearm – and an up to 6 times repeat function. This 2-speed turntable enjoys low wow/flutter numbers and is a joy to use – complete with a Grado MF 3 cartridge.
Bang & Olufsen Beogram TX2 Turntable
Here’s a vintage turntable which will never look old. This 2 speed tangential tracking turntable has automatic registration of record size and speed, can be programmed to repeat play up to seven times, has back and forward search function, fully suspended platter and tonearm, and comes equipped with the excellent MMC2 cartridge.
Sota Sapphire Turntable
An excellent example of the Sapphire, this unit has a perfect suspension, floating as it should, and comes with a fine Linn Ittok LVII tonearm. Overall condition is very good to excellent, noting the usual minor scuffs to the lid and some minor marks on the control board. A lovely turntable, built to very exacting standards in the USA, the SOTA Sapphire was long-held to be a Reference Turntable, and still sounds superb; the platter and main sapphire bearing are examples of superfine engineering. The speed control is a useful feature.
Technics SP-10 D Turntable
A rare Technics SP10-D direct drive. The high-spec precursor to the SP10 MkII, the model D has virtually instant start up (but not braking) and controllable speeds for 33 and 45. This model has a brand-new bamboo plinth and lid with two arm boards, one of which has been drilled for the optional Jelco arm. with optional Denon 103 cartridge.
Overall condition is new to excellent, noting the always-present slight degradation around the name plate.
Overall, the sonics are just as one would expect: powerful and rhythmical with great bass.
Price will vary depending on options.
Acoustic Research XA Turntable (Upgraded)
A classic AR table, re-plinthed and painted with an extremely useful arm-lift option.
The original AR table, one of the most influential designs in the history of belt-driven turntables, was an immediate success: this example has been extensively and lovingly updated into this unique example presented here. The arm has also been rewired, and the resulting sound from this unit is, with the optional Shure M91 cartridge, enough to keep any vinyl-lover happy for a lifetime of listening! A lovely example of this icon of turntable design. Obviously, if you are looking for more modern dj equipment, you can find this online. You should also remember that the turntable you buy today, will be an antique itself in 100 years!
Sony PS-FL5 Turntable
The Sony PS-FL5 (FL for Front-Loading) is one of the more innovative tables to be had. Surprisingly heavy and capable of being put into the narrowest of spaces, the PS-FL5 complete with Stanton EEE cartridge sounds quite excellent, and is an earlier example of the “lifestyle” products of the 1980s. This example is in overall very fine condition, noting some very minor chips on the fascia (which are only visible from close-up).
Mission 774 Turntable, Mission 774 Tonearm and Supex 900 Super MC Cartridge
Mission 774 Turntable with Mission 774 tonearm and Supex 900 Super MC Cartridge, repainted, Thorens Plexiglass lid, new logo and aluminum dress strip and superb sonics. Extremely heavy platter using lead and aluminum, beautifully engineered.
Thorens TD 125 Turntable
One of Germany’s finest domestic turntables from the Golden Age the Thorens TD 125 is a beautiful high-quality performer which stands the test of time. This belt drive beauty is outfitted with the excellent SME 3009 tonearm, making this turntable an excellent example of the art of making vinyl sing. No cartridge included.
Thorens TD 126 Electronic MK II
The TD 126 line followed the beautiful TD 125 line of turntables and offered more electronic sophistication than its predecessor. This iteration is the Electronic MK II and is an excellent example of belt driven quality and comes complete with the beautiful SME 3009 tonearm and a Shure V15 III cartridge. This combination of excellent performers: turntable, tonearm and cartridge produces truly beautiful music from your vinyl.
NAD 5120 Turntable
The Tesla in Europe. Innovative design tonearm, low resonance, heavy rubber mat. Sprung and suspended. A very good Nagaoka Cartridge.
Hitachi HT 500 Quartz Turntable
Smartly finished, the Hitachi HT 500 is a direct drive 2-speed turntable dating from the early 80’s. Fully automatic operation with repeat mode, anti-skating and well-designed tonearm, this Japanese-built player comes complete with an Audio Technica AT-75 cartridge.
Thorens TD160 Turntable
This all original TD160 is a 2 speed, suspended-chassis classic Swiss/German table in nice condition with walnut base. Comes without cartridge. A solid belt drive turntable with cueing it remained in production from 1972 to 1988.
Oracle Delphi III Turntable
One of the most beautiful tables ever made, this example has been only extremely lightly used. Even the lid is virtually perfect, with none of the usual marks and cracks. Optional brand-new feet, supplied by T.T. Weights of Newmarket Ontario are included and these confer even more stability than the standard feet usually employed. Complete with spare belt, this Oracle Delphi is a stunning Statement Turntable.
The optional arm is by audio-legend Pierre Lurne; modest in appearance, it is a wonderful performer and perfectly suited to the turntable.
B+O Beogram 1202 Turntable
Dating from 1972, this beautiful example in cool white of the Beogram 1202 represents the peak of the 1200 series. Similar to the early 70’s Beogram 3000 in suspension, electronics, performance and durability, it retains the 1200 series platter and dust cover. A 2 speed automatic table with built in anti-skating and loads of style, this turntable comes complete with cartridge.
Acoustic Research XA Turntable
This very capable performer defines cool minimalism and dates early to mid-sixties. This example has a two motor system, two part aluminum platter and an oiled walnut plinth. The AR XA is a manual two speed belt drive with a suspended sub chassis. Complete with dust cover.
B+O Beogram 1700 with MMC 10 E Cartridge
The Beogram 1700 turntable is a 2 speed fully automatic with slim stylish design. Full featured versatile controls enabling easy automatic play of 7″ or 12″ 45rpm records and a “pause” and “turn” button (for record cleaning). Complete with a MMC 10 E cartridge.
Rega Planar 25 Turntable with RB600 Tonearm and Dynavector 10X5 Cartridge
Rega’s Silver Anniversary turntable, the RP25 fills the gap between the RP3 and RP9 and features an outboard 24V power supply, Klotz hi-performance cable, silver anodized RB600 tonearm with upgraded bearings and Rega low capacitance tone arm wire, heavy glass platter and comes complete with a Dynavector 10X5 High Output moving coil cartridge. Also includes 4 Aurios Classic isolation bearings.
Akai AP-004X Turntable
Here’s a very nice clean design from mid-70’s Japan with beautiful wood finish, aluminum alloy platter and static balance type tonearm with inside force canceller and lateral balance weight. The Akai AP-004X turntable is a two speed belt drive unit with fully automatic operation and comes ready to play with cartridge and features external RCA connectors.
Kenwood KD 500 Turntable “The Rock” with SME Series III Tonearm and Rega Elys 2 Cartridge
Known as “The Rock” this high quality classic Kenwood KD 500 is outfitted with a SME Series III Tonearm which includes trough and paddle fluid damping. The cartridge is the Rega Elys 2. The Rock’s plinth is a polymer limestone cement resin composite designed to be acoustically inert with no cavities. A solid direct drive turntable nicely equipped complete with an upgraded mat.
Dual 1009 Turntable with Empire 66 PE/X Cartridge
Very nice condition Dual 1009 Turntable. 4 speed fully-automatic turntable with pitch control. Almost 50 years old this turntable more than stands the test of time and provides true high fidelity sound and performance. Well designed through to its low mass balanced tonearm and equipped with an Empire 66 PE/X Cartridge.
Technics SL-150MK2 Turntable SME Series IIIs Titanium Tonearm
This 2-speed Quartz-locked direct drive turntable from the late 70’s is outfitted with the high-quality SME Series IIIs Titanium tonearm. It features adjustable pitch, LED display and feather touch controls.
The Empire 598 Turntable
A lovely Empire 598 from the early 1970’s. Still considered one of the best of the classic belt drive tables. The 598 features a simple suspended design, a heavy platter, and an oversized high-torque motor. Highly rated, with love-it or hate-it styling, the Empire 598 has a revered place in turntable history. Optional glass replacement lid for the original plexiglass. Some spare parts in stock.
Sharp Opticana RP3500
Relatively short-lived table from the mid 1970s; the claim-to-fame for the ‘3500 was its granite base (total weight about 35lbs) which, according to measurements of the time gave it extremely good resistance to feedback. All the usual direct-drive features, speed adjustment, strobe, etc, and a rather nice arm. In overall excellent condition with a good AT cartridge.
Denon DP 80
One of the greatest direct-drive tables ever made. Comparable to the flagship models by Technics, Victor, Sony etc. Would be prohibitively expensive to produce today. MASSIVE motor, anti-resonance split-platter, huge torque design. Mounted on broadcast Denon plinth, with choice of arms. Very heavy unit at 50+ pounds. Very rare in North America and in like-new condition. As equipped.
The AR Turntable with Grace F9E Cartridge
Modern classic turntable. Complete with SME Titanium Tonearm and Grace F9E cartridge. Highest quality set up.
Technics SP-25 w Graham Robin Arm w Shure M97
Nice clean example of this 2 speed direct drive turntable with pitch control. This table comes with the classic Graham Robin Tonearm and the Shure M97 Cartridge.
Bang + Olufsen Beogram 3404 Turntable
Excellent example: Damped platter, heavy chassis and very fine MMC 20 EN Cartridge (Cartridge highly rated, cost to replace $400).
Elac Miracord 50 H Turntable
German idler-drive turntable in museum condition. The mat has been upgraded. Complete with Shure cartridge.
Strathclyde 305S Turntable with MAS Tonearm and New Rega Carbon Cartridge
One of the great Scottish turntables, suspended, with MAS tonearm and new Rega Carbon cartridge. Very fine, almost unused condition.
Garrard Zero 100
Re-plinthed, new Grado Cartridge, New Phono Cables. Good idler-drive design, auto & manual.
SME Series V Solid Magnesium Tonearm
A very fine SME Series V solid magnesium tonearm. Complete with boxes, papers, and tools, this ultra-low resonance tonearm represents state of the art engineering and is ready to accept the very finest cartridges available. Easy to use and with every useful adjustment possible.
More to come…
My auction purchased NEAT P-68H turntable has a missing speed control knob. No cabinet or dust cover. Would you have anything like this for sale? Also have a working Dual 1019 that needs the little spring that returns the arm to its cradle after arm reaches end of playing surface. Thank you for your time. Best regards. Philip Conrad / Leonard, Texas
Hi Philip,
My start for a search for parts for a NEAT would be on the Lenco forum: http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=15381.0
As for the Dual, perhaps you are looking for the ‘steurpimpel’? This is the little part that actually returns the arm – a tiny part that some people make themselves – and an essential part of the auto mechanism.
Best regards (and nice idler turntables!)
Nick
I would like to be on your mailing list. Thank you!
Sarwar kazi
Hi Sarwar, we do not currently have a mailing list but if and when we do, you will be included. Thank you for your interest!
I am looking for an Empire 598/tone arm 990 tonearm cable
I would like to purchase the following for my Dual 1009:
LP stacker spindle, LP single play spindle and a 45 RPM stacker spindle. Do you sell these accessories?
Thank you.
Kenwood KD 291R turntable. I have one of these and am looking for a needle so I can play records got my grandchildren. Any suggestions? Thanks.
If you have a working cartridge this would be your easiest/cheapest bet. Enjoy those records:-)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TURNTABLE-NEEDLE-Kenwood-KD-4020-Kenwood-KD-291R-Kenwood-KD291R-Kenwood-KD4020-/350427507187
It felt good by looking your turntable gallery. It’s a good thing that I still have my antique & old school turntables. 2 Technics, 1 Akai & 1 Lenco which I don’t use anymore since I bought a Numark TTUSB turntable.
More Power to The Turntable Shop & keep the records spinning!
I just bought an Empire 698 turntable that needs a headshell.
From what I can gather, this headshell is proprietary to this table.
Do you ever see these?
Thanks.
Happy New Year!
I am a former professional ballet dancer who has lovingly owned an Empire 698 since I bought it new in Chicago in 1978. It is in perfect condition except for one side of the plastic tone arm rest- one tiny piece of which broke off years ago, but it still rests on it fine, lights up, etc. Everything else is perfect. For the last 20 years, it has not been used, and I am thinking I should sell it to someone who will treasure it as I did for many years.
What might be a good asking price? I live on the East Coast….
That granite based optonica turntable was one of the first loves of my life. I got into stereo equipment with my first job at the age of 15. As I started to assemble all my s.a.e. components, I saw this table on display and loved it’s solid look and feel. As I saved up to buy it little by little each week I couldn’t wait to bring it home. Finally I had enough money and I borrowed dads car to head to the stereo shop. I plopped the money on the counter only to be told it had been discontinued! I tried to buy the demo but it had been promised to some one else.. I saw this pic with very fond
Memories indeed. Rich Moore. Santa Barbara, ca
hallo
LOVED Unity One Turntable with Grace 747 Tonearm and Audio Technica AT 125 LC MM Cartridge
I’d like to know the price and.. do you provide shipment to Italy?
thank you
giovanna