By popular demand, I’ve decided to write some articles about servicing direct-drive turntable motors. Having recently overhauled a Denon DP-1200, this seemed like a great motor to start with. The Denon DP-1200 is a direct-drive classic, loved by thousands around the globe. Consider this a workhorse deck, solid, well-made, reliable, with great sound. This is […]
As a follow-up to my article on servicing the Kenwood KD-500/550 motor, I bring you an article detailing the comprehensive service of this gorgeous Kenwood KD-500 / SME 3009 combination. The KD-500 is a heavy hitter from the late 70’s, still punching above its weight 40 years on. The Kenwood KD-500 and KD-550 direct-drive turntables
I’m sure every regular visitor to my site knows just how much I love the old Kenwood KD synthetic composite turntables, especially the KD-600/650 series. But the classic Kenwood KD-500/550 is far more common and so I’ve written an article about servicing their direct-drive motors, for anyone who can’t get their deck into me for
I’ve just finished servicing yet another interesting and unusual direct drive deck – a JVC JL-F45 – what a cool machine! I was surprised by the weight and overall build quality of this lovely direct-drive turntable. The JVC JL-F45 is a fully automatic direct-drive deck. For those who don’t know, fully automatic means that the tonearm
JVC JL-F45 Direct-Drive Turntable Service & Repair Read More »
I’ve just serviced a Sonab 85S belt-drive turntable. The Sonab 85S is an unusual belt-drive deck and very solidly built. This one should give many years more good service, after a major service. The Sonab 85S is a high-quality 2-speed, belt-drive turntable with an integral tonearm. It came with a moving-magnet cartridge back in the
The Pioneer PL-A35 is one of those rare belt-driven Japanese turntables that most have never seen. I’ve repaired a number of such unusual decks in the last 12 months or so, but this is definitely one of the nicest and in some ways, the most unusual. According to Pioneer: The PL-A35 combines studio-quality performance with the
I recently serviced this gorgeous little Harman/Kardon T-20 belt-drive turntable. Harman/Kardon, or H/K as they were known, made some lovely gear, all of it uniquely styled and much of it uniquely engineered as well. There are some quite desirable pieces out there and for a simple direct-drive vinyl spinner, this tasty little T-20 is well
The Technics SL-23 is an affordable, loveable belt-drive turntable that I highly recommend to anyone looking for their first ‘proper’ deck. Updated March 2024! Technics is perhaps best known for the SL-1200 series of direct-drive turntables and the lovely SL-10 linear tracker. They manufactured a huge range of machines at varying price points, many of
The Kenwood KD-2055 is one of Kenwood’s other synthetic composite decks. Think of it as the belt-driven cousin of the famous Kenwood KD-500/550 and KD-600/650 direct-drive machines. The KD-2055, also found somewhat confusingly designated as a KP-2055, is a belt-drive turntable from Kenwood, featuring the same Anti Resonance Compression Base (ARCB) proprietary synthetic chassis as
The beautiful and elegant Luxman PD-264 direct-drive turntable is delightfully different, in the way Luxman gear often is and would make a wonderful first ‘proper’ turntable. The Luxman PD-264 is a deck you see often here in Australia. Sold at an affordable price, in a competitive market and when Luxman was a heavy hitter, there
