Vintage record playing equipment
Tue, Jan 8 2013, 11:27AM
Are there any users of record playing equipment from the 1950s to the 1970s?
I seem to becoming more nostalgic as I get older, modern equipment fails to evoke much if any empathy from me, I'm actually craving the good ol fashioned gear I used in my youth as well as those items I could not afford at the time.
While I don't doubt modern equipment has advanced, I think I must take a walk down memory lane. If anyone has any domestic or professional equipment from the 50s-70s I'd love to hear from you.
Tue, Jan 8 2013, 9:03PM
#2
RE: Vintage record playing equipment
I think it was in 1968 that John Borwick wrote in his Gramophone test report that the Swiss made Goldring-Lenco GL75 turntable should last a lifetime subject to the replacement of the idler wheel from time to time. If he'd also added the rubber blocks for the vertical tone arm bearings he wouldn't have been far wrong!
I've had mine since 1969 and it's still in regular use with a Shure M75ED Type 2 cartridge which I fitted following Stanley Kelly's Gramophone test report in 1972. It's certainly as good as anything today in a similar inflated price bracket and I see that Inspire HiFi are now offering a refurbished GL75, resprayed in a new plinth and with a cut-out for a new tone arm for £2130 (£2500 from March) without arm.
The GL 75 was also sold by Leak as the Delta turntable and was incorporated by several other manufacturers into their equipment. Meanwhile Garrard 301 & 401 turntables sell for ridiculously high prices, especially in Japan. One has only to look at the adverts in the back of Gramophone or any audio magazine to see how many dealers are looking for them.
Wed, Jan 9 2013, 12:55PM
#3
RE: Vintage record playing equipment
I had a Garrard deck incorporated into a Dynatron music system. Having a record deck attached to an amplifier would be frowned upon big time these days. It also suffered from an intermittent noise problem in one of the channels which tended to occur when it had been switched off for a long period of time.
This was replaced in the 80s by a Linn turntable, which is still going strong.
DSM
Mon, Jan 21 2013, 10:10AM
#4
RE: Vintage record playing equipment
Meanwhile Garrard 301 & 401 turntables sell for ridiculously high prices, especially in Japan. One has only to look at the adverts in the back of Gramophone or any audio magazine to see how many dealers are looking for them.
It is true that it is,unless you are extremely lucky,unlikely to find Garrard 301 for sale without a ridiculous price tag. If you know where to look however,401's can be had for sensible prices.I purchased one last year in excellent condition at the "Audio Jumble"event in Tunbridge.
Cory Voigt
Halfway House
South Africa