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Looking For An Automatic Turntable

4Play

4Play

Super Member
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I would like to add an automatic/semi automatic turntable to my audio system, something my wife would be able to use. I was hoping to find something new but I'm limited on what's available. There have been several who bought and are happy with the Denon DP-300. Only one member bought the Onkyo CP-1050 and had problems right out of the box. Is the Onkyo automatic or manual?

The only other option is to go vintage. There are numerous autos to choose from, and there are linear tracking turntables. How good and reliable are they?

I am not looking for any brand/model bashing, so please leave those comments at the door. I am looking for advice/recommendations on a good quality automatic turntable.

Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. :music:
 
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The Denon is a nice entry level TT. I played with one a few years ago that belonged to a friend. As to vintage, well yeah, there are a lot. In my stash, I got an SL-1301, PL-500 and a Dual 721. Like them all. What si the budget?
 
If you want a new automatic table, the Denon DP-300 is really the only option out there. If you go vintage, you have a lot more options.

The Onkyo CP-1050 is fully manual.
 
If you want to up your game/performance go vintage with numerous choices like the Yamaha PX-2/3, the Denon DP-300 is not much better than entry level and will never compare in performance/build quality to the vintage auto tables mfg in Japan.
 
I highly recommend the Technics SL-Q3 fully automatic direct-drive. It is a quartz-locked model with aluminum plinth. There are no automation design issues as with some of the other Technics automatic turntables. Identical performance specifications to the SL-1200. Note that it does not have VTA adjustment or pitch controls. If you don't mind a p-mount cartridge type, the Technics SL-QX300 is really nice as well. I have both of these, and have nothing bad to say about either one. No, you can't have mine.:D
 
Agree if you can locate one...

tnsilver said:
Get the king of them all, the Dual 1229. It's rather under-estimated and can be found on eBay auctions from time to time for relatively under the radar vintage prices. Make sure it's in working order before buying. There are a few good techs around here with remarkable Dual skills. Do not attempt to maintain it your self. Such attempts are the #1 cause for suicides. It'll drive you nuts in no time. But if it works - it's one of the most enjoyable and magnificent sounding automatic changers out there. The finest black forest (over) engineering. :thmbsp:
Click to expand...

Have a 1229 and 1219, which is the same without a strobe. Speed is dead on. Once gone over they are pretty much bullet proof. As stated above AK is blessed with people that fix them. Seth aka Notrnsistors here in NY, Bill Fixmydual in the Midwest and Fred Longworth in Calif. They can make one like new. I work on them but there are things I won't touch, like tonearms and their wires. Leave that to above!

Too bad you aren't in the NY area. I have a 1009 and am soon to be working on a 1015, now that the yard is done! We had an early winter in southern NY and it went into April! it kept me out of the shop. Just finished the lot across the street. No more leaves!

Anyway, find a Dual or a Miracord. A thought, I just finished a Dual 1209 for a friend. I kind of look down on them. After cleaning it up. Removed old grease, freed up start and speed selectors, and cleaned and oiled the motor. It surprised me. These aren't bad. Sounds good,easy to use and you might find one for less than a 1229/1219 which are getting pricey. Good luck.

Eric
 

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I have a line on two turntables that I no nothing about, and would like to know where they fall in the turntable hierarchy.

The first one is a Dual CS5000. Looks to be in good to excellent condition with exception to a nick on the dustcover. It has been tested and everything works fine. It comes with a cheap AT cartridge. They have played albums and it sounds good.

The second one is a Pioneer PL-540. It has been completely restored with a new wood plinth and dustcover. It will come with a Audio Technica AT-5011E cartridge w/ new elliptical stylus.

Would one of these be a good choice, or should I look elsewhere?
 
I would lean towards the Dual. It was top of the line back in it's day. Both tables are Quartz locked, one being belt drive one being direct drive. Price would also play a big part here for me.
 
Price is basically the same. However, the price of the Dual includes shipping. Just to reiterate, the PL-540 is completely restored, and the Dual has not.
 
The Dual CS 5000 is getting more finicky on maintenance needs and harder to find parts currently. Dual cartridge mounts major weaknesses holding back the rest of the turntable's capabilities. A PL 540 can be nice, my Pioneer PL 518 for an automatic return table is very good performing. The JVC and Denon servo armed full automatics are superb options, and I can recommend the superb Technics SL 1600 (which is 3 point suspended DD, with superb performance and full automatic)
 
Well I still would lean towards the Dual. Complete restoration means they replaced capacitors, maybe motor, bearings? The 540 AFAIK did not come with a wood plinth so this is an upgrade. New dustcover is also nice. But what work was done is my question
 
More work has been done on the PL-540, a complete restoration. The Dual had no work other than a belt replacement. Not sure if they put the correct belt on. I offered less, so we'll see how that goes.
 
4Play said:
The first one is a Dual CS5000.
Click to expand...

Dual cs5000 is no automatic or semi automatic.

Best automatic dual is imho the 721.

Most duals have a pretty unique arm bearing system (for automatics), where also the vertical gimbal are suspended in a very small bearing on the top and bottom. Normal automatics have an axle going through the deck plate where the arm is moved from left to right. The axial bearings that go around that axis are much bigger and have more weight to handle thus more friction.
This is how the dual system works; with a peg offcentre of the bearing that gets picked up when needed (on that peg on the underside sits the famous dual 'steuerpimpel' (a small rubber cap) that can deteriorate over time):

dual_cs_1237_tonearm.jpg


721gimbal.jpg


This is one of the only arm bearing support types in an automatic table that is equally good to a conventional all manual table.
 
afaik it only stops/lifts up at the end. No return.
That's not what I call a semi automatic as it has no return, but it depends on what definition you put on that.
 
Something like Denon DP47f should work, or Pioneer PL-L1000. Both will cost you $400-500 in excellent condition.

Generally all linear trackers from 1980s are full automatics.
 
for_p1 said:
Something like Denon DP47f should work, or Pioneer PL-L1000. Both will cost you $400-500 in excellent condition.

Generally all linear trackers from 1980s are full automatics.
Click to expand...

I'm glad someone brought up linear trackers. I was browsing LP Gear and found a P-mount adapter that you can mount a regular cartridge. To the linear tracking guys, has anyone used this and how did it work for you.

I found one that is in excellent to near mint condition. After seeing this adapter, it got me to thinking about cartridges that could be used.
 
What about the Sony Biotracer PS-X600, great arm, fully auto, my semi auto PS-X500 sounds great.

500
 
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