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 […]
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
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 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
The Kenwood KD-650 is an amazing turntable, one of the very best to come out of the 1970’s and 80’s. If you ever get a chance to purchase either the KD-650, with Kenwood tonearm, or the KD-600, go for it. The KD-650 is also one of the best-performing turntables you can own for sensible money.
I recently overhauled this lovely old Pioneer PL-530 direct-drive turntable. Let’s take a closer look. This model is not especially common, but it has a great vintage look and some great features that I think make it one to keep an eye out for. Pioneer made some great belt-drive and direct-drive decks and many of
My friend recently had a little mishap with his beautiful Yamaha GT-2000 direct drive turntable. Naturally, I helped him sort it out… The mishap occurred when my friend was cleaning his beloved GT-2000. While using a cleaning cloth near the headshell, he must have brought the cloth too near to the stylus and just caught
