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
In this older article, I restore a lovely Technics SL-120 direct-drive turntable with SME-3009 tonearm. Let’s check it out! The Technics SL-120 is basically a Technics SL-1200, without a tonearm. Owners often chose to fit an SME 3009, as was the case with this old deck. This a quality direct-drive deck, featuring a brushless DC
Technics SL-120 / SME 3009 Turntable Restoration Read More »
Organising vinyl can be challenging at the best of times. If you’ve ever watched High Fidelity, and you should have, you’ll know that you can spend ages just working out how to categorise and sort your records. Before we get to that though, there is the age-old issue of how to store them… Well, I’m
Record Storage – IKEA Kallax Makes Storing Vinyl a Breeze! Read More »
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
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.
Kenwood KD-650 Direct-Drive Turntable Service & Repair Read More »
I recently had the opportunity to work on an iconic Rega Planar 3 belt-drive deck. It reminded me of all that I like about these classic decks, and a couple of things I really don’t… The Rega Planar 3 has deservedly won a place in the hearts and minds of many vinyl lovers over the years.
Rega Planar 3 Service & Ortofon 2M Blue Installation Read More »
