There is something I wasn't expecting when I purchased this table in "close to mint" condition. Read the full review:


Good: It plays well* (read below), good sound, accurate speed albeit not "locked", still quite able to adjust the pitch setting for a quite static strobe.

Good: Automatic feature is nice, no need to touch the arm, to play or to stop, simply press button. A bit slow to move around but gentle is the keyword here. That's good for vinyl.

Bad but most likely tweakable: On mine, if speed is accurate for 33, 45 will be slow. When 45 is accurate, switching to 33 will be fast. It has to be something that can be tweaked Inside. I haven't touched it (yet)

Inevitable: Putting on vinyl and removing it require tight moves, since it is a compact player. Many places the vinyl could "hit" the deck inadvertently, so one has to be careful.

Good: The lid opens and closes nice, and one would have to be all thumbs to break it (as opposed to that of a Technics). The two big loops that hold it in place is a good design, for its age.

OK: Finish is nice but a bit flimsy. Buttons have a loose feel to them, and paint seems thin and easily scratched. Again, be gentle and it'll all be good.

Good: It is quite heavy for its size, that's always good for bass

The bad: The motor that makes the "slightly mobile" linear tonearm catch up with the microgroove can be clearly be heard if 1 - Your system has plenty of "below 50Hz" abilities and 2 - when it happens through a soft passage, or just silent. This is a real bummer when listening to classical music, bummer because the rest of the machine is silent as can be, which only makes that "thump" every 25 seconds or so, just loud and clear. At first, I thought someone kept moving a chair in the kitchen next room, then I found myself staring at the shoulder of the linear tonearm: It was each slight move to the left of that was being sent to the woofers. Once you've heard it in a soft passage, you'll notice it in the loud passages at times. Sooooo..... It gets a 2/5 for that clear annoyance.

Should your system have a 6inch woofer-based set of speakers with no sub, you'll like it.

Otherwise, stick to S-Shaped or L-Shaped tonearms, or find yourself a Garrard Zero.

_System_
Yamaha RX-A1000 Receiver (only as preamp)
ROTEL RB-1070 x 5 as monoblocks
Klipsch RF-7 Fronts
Klipsch RC-7 Center
Klipsch RS-7 Rears
Klipsch RW-12D x 2 subs
Technics SL-1210MKII thru Nad phono preamp - Audio Technica AT440mla
HTPC for all digital (audio and video) content

I bought mine new in 1982. MSRP was $400, and since I was also buying speakers, the dealer discounted the cost of the stylus off the price. Mine still works like it was new, and I've yet to have it serviced.

Very well made, great sound, easy and fun to use.

none

This turntable has to be the bargain of the century on the used market. I bought mine last year, from a second hand electronic store. This table is simple but built to over-engineered standards, unmatchable torque, speed stable, no rumble. Just about everything you'd ask for in a quality turntable. Excellent sound ... I'm using it with a set of Polk Audio tower speakers and a Maraantz 2325 receiver.

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Rotel RQ970

Man oh man... I bought this turntable yesterday.. for only $10 ... It was second hand.. so I don't know how much it was in the early days... The system sounds great and I'm in love with the beautifull build design...