Skylabs Vintage Turntable Tier Ranking

#vintageaudio #vintageturntables #vinylcommunity

[skylabsaudio]

Appreciate those pointing out that Soundsmith is making replacement cartridges for B&O turntables. To say, I learn something new everyday about vintage electronics, would be a gross understatement. Thanks for watching everyone! Kevin

[mileshigh]

I like these lists because it allows you to see some turntables you have never seen, or heard of before!

[markcarrington]

Interesting video. Wouldn’t argue with most with the exception of Rega. They make some fantastic turntables and fully deserve to be in tier 1. Just my opinion.

[Winterfell]

It may have not been high end, but I got my first "good" stereo system for Christmas in about 1978. It was the featured system on the back of the JC Penny catalog. MCS recovery (15 WPC), speakers, cassette deck and turntable. It was my entry point and I absolutely loved it.

[bryandickerson]

Awesome! Really fun way to wind down on a Sunday evening and remember gear that I hadn’t even thought about in 40 years!

[davidmiller]

Yes you are correct, you have Denon in the wrong place. I have owned the SR-828 and the Denon DP-72L for many years, and the Denon is easily a whole class ahead. And the DP-75 and DP-80 drive units belong at the top of the vintage stack.

[Sunrayman]

That Mitsubishi was Wild! The Garrards look Awesome! Your logo on them looks waaaay cool!

[MonguzTea]

Absolutely love Dual turntables. They are cheap here in europe, built to last forever, incredible quality and precision. Golden age of german engineering. I have now six of them, all idler drives, over 50 year old, all original parts. W&F 0.08 at worst, 0, 01 best. Looking to get a 701 direct drive next.

[tomlindalewis]

I have had more than 75 turntables in the last 6 years. Many Pioneers. With the exception of one, they have all worked well with little to repair. My favorite is the PL-707. Super quiet. Their biggest weakness are the feet. Yamaha turntables are also quite reliable. I agree with the issue of the hinges. Several Sony turntables use the same hinges. I love Technics turntable, but I have a SL-1600 MKII and two SL-1400 MKII sidelined due to over engineering (The MK I turntables seem more bullet proof.). Same for a Sansui XR-Q9. The Duals have great quality of materials, but are very finicky. I have three that are forever just short of fully functional. I agree with your comments on the Philips. You always need to replace the power button. They look great with old H/K receivers! JVC turntables sound and look great, but some plastic parts are their downfall. All my Kenwood turntables have gremlins. Marantz is overrated. No better than the other Japanese turntables. My AR XB is just super cool and simple. Thank you for your channel!

[jpaleas]

This was fun! I was happy to see two of my turntables made #1 my Dual 1226 and technics SL-B92 although entry levels the technics has been with me since high school (‘85).
My Pioneer PL 560 fully automatic family heirloom from 1985 as well works like a charm did ok at #3
And to my surprise my pride and joy vintage Luxman PD264 ended at #3😱🤣
I expected it at least at #2 but I respect when you say you haven’t worked or experienced many Luxman turntables!
Let me please brag that with direct drive brushless servo motor and an Ortofon blue there’s complete silence when the needle touches the record!
Auto lift is completely silent as well ! It’s an amazing machine!
Overall I really enjoyed this turntable ranking video, what a fun way to end my day...thank you so much!

[jeffcampanale]

I have a Yamaha YP-D8 that I purchased in 1981 and it's still going great . I believe it's tonearm was made by Micro Seiki. Looking at other forums it seems to get great reviews.

[paulpavlou]

Number one is my modified Goldring Lenco GL75 with Syrinx PU3 arm, I also have a Denon DP55K with Grace 707 arm looks good and sounds good. A bugger to work on with too much electronics in the control section. I think Rega might have deserved a no: 1 spot for everything above the model 3. Otherwise a good list.thx for the list and video.

[robertbonar]

I have a Garrard GT-55 that I bought in the mid 70s that I still have in operation today. Back then, they compared well with Dual. The unique feature that appealed to me was that it had what they called a true tangent tracking tone arm. It allowed the cartridge head to pivot and stay parallel to the groove of the record as it moved across the record. It didn't seem stoutly constructed, but about 20 years later I received a letter from Garrard extending my warranty. Although I don't listen to vinyl a whole lot, I still have this turntable in operation in my system almost 50 years later.

[robertdevoy]

My Sony PS-X75 with the biotracer tonearm is about 43 years old and still works like new. I had it recapped and completely serviced and adjusted about 5 years ago by an electronics engineer who specialized in them. Fantastic build quality and sound quality.

[mikefrazier]

I'm pleased to see Sansui rated as high as it was. I've had my FR-5080 since 1977 and its been fantastic. It currently sports a Sumiko Moonstone cartridge that really sings.

[robertyoung]

I would move the luxman to number two. I’ve used one for thirty years - beautiful to use and look at.
BIC has a great logo!
Thanks for the good talk on vintage tables.

[martyjewell]

After military service and broke in 1975, my first "component" turntable purchase was a budget model BIC-920. Pre mounted with Shure M70 pickup. It packed way more value than the $60 that I paid for it. Only familiar with twenty five of your brands listed here. I've used a Pioneer PL-518 since purchase in 1979 and find it satisfactory. Ain't no need to change it. Swell video.

[Espritss]

Fun list! I would probably bump up Micro Seiki and Yamaha due to their high end models from the late 70's and 80's though. The Yamaha PX and GT series were top of the line and outstanding. The PF series were very nice as well.

[airsickgrove]

MCS was a brand exclusively sold through JCPennys in the 80's and probably the 90's too. Definitely wasn't expecting them to place any higher... that being said they were decent sounding for what they were. Nice to see we're eye to eye on Thorens.

[Geoduck.]

I own a Woodsong Audio plinth and had Chris rebuild my 301. Was able to meet him as well. Very highly recommend his craftsmanship truly world class.