New Turntables - AT-LP8X, DP3000NE, SL-1300GK, and others

[Bob from Florida]

I assume we should be reminded that the theme and title of this thread is "New AT Turntable AT-LP8X"

This always happens - I think it was encouraged by my bringing up the 1300G. I fixed the title to include variations on the theme.

 

[DSJR]

Audio Technica seems a good solid brand, so I could almost suggest to buy blind if the facilities are there. The new versions of their previous 500/700 models are better priced than ever too and if at least as good as their immediate predecessors, should sell very well indeed as some inferior alternatives now cost the same or more! For UK prospective owners, their UK service is good too.

 

[EJ3]

I only have the Boron cantilever versions - and there is substantial variation between individual samples....

The effective tip mass on one puts the resonance at around 14kHz, and on the other it puts it at 16kHz - both of these are within the range of good quality tapered aluminium cantilevers... so their boron into a thicker aluminium shank section with a tension wire at the back design, ends up being substantially heavier than the original Shure items.

When tuning them, they work best with the high inductance bodies - so I would suggest a V15IV or V15III or an M97/95 type... not the V15V - as its low inductance works best with a very low tip mass design, having resonance above 30kHz! (and of course the narrow shank V15III and IV are not internchangeable with the "fat shank" M97/M95 or V15Vx)

The V15's have laminated core generators, so are prefereable to the M97/M95.... but the actual difference in audible terms should be totally negligible.

My DUAL 1229 has the V15IV on it. & it's time to change the stylus.
So this is fortuitous timing for this information. I was wondering & will look at what I have after June 2. I believe that I bought the Jico SAS's when they first came out, which would make them the boron ones.
I think that all my P-mounts are the narrow shank units. None of the styli are in the house that I am staying in & renovating (but enough of my stereo, 7/10 of my albums & the SL-M3 is here). The rest (including the 1229) is 12 miles away at my mother's house. Where I won't be for several days.

 

[JeffS7444]

LP8X looks alright I suppose, but I've kind of cooled on paying a premium for auto-stop/auto-return because I recall frustrations with the old A-T Safety Raiser accessory. I'm currently more drawn to the AT-LPA2:

Pricier, but you also get a more premium cartridge as part of the deal. . My experience with getting A-T company assistance in the USA has been pretty good.

And for somewhat less, there's this stylish M500 from Rekkord Audio, sporting a familiar tonearm. Not direct drive either, but it's got a suspension.

I've considered going so far as to get a SL1300, or even an SL1210G, but then I remind myself "Do I want to get so carried away with vinyl again?". Am loving the Parks Audio Waxwing for elevating vinyl sonics to levels I only dreamed of back in the day, and deluxe LPs like OK Go's And The Adjacent Possible bring back an element of fun, but some stuff is more fun if you set boundaries, and I'm trying to figure out where mine are.

 

[dualazmak]

I assume all of you onboard on this thread have been already aware of Audio-Technica's release of new MM cartridge and styli (styluses) with brand name of AT-VMx.
https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/line-series/vmx-series.
Now, they line-up boron cantilever series!
Please access to their above linked global site for the details and prices (I myself am happy living in Japan with no tariff issue).
This site is also informative;
https://online.stereosound.co.jp/_ct/17766164

Edit:
Some measurements of the new styli have been already reported in posts #1,750, #1751, #1,752 on the thread "Introducing the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library".

 

[DSJR]

LP8X looks alright I suppose, but I've kind of cooled on paying a premium for auto-stop/auto-return because I recall frustrations with the old A-T Safety Raiser accessory. I'm currently more drawn to the AT-LPA2:


And for somewhat less, there's this stylish M500 from Rekkord Audio, sporting a familiar tonearm. Not direct drive either, but it's got a suspension.
View attachment 453641
I've considered going so far as to get a SL1300, or even an SL1210G, but then I remind myself "Do I want to get so carried away with vinyl again?". Am loving the Parks Audio Waxwing for elevating vinyl sonics to levels I only dreamed of back in the day, and deluxe LPs like OK Go's And The Adjacent Possible bring back an element of fun, but some stuff is more fun if you set boundaries, and I'm trying to figure out where mine are.

Dual tonarm. Maybe the whole thing is, but I admit I've not looked at Dual's new models in a while...

 

[EJ3]

You can still get adapters for p-mount on 1/2"

I cannot conceive a situation of why I would want to do that. There are many, many 1/2" cartridges available and few p-mount cartridges available.
I do not see any reason to waste a great p-mount (as great ones are so rare [and those are the only kind that I have]) on using it on a 1/2" mount.
Perhaps the other way around, if things could be adjusted enough.
I use adapters for some things but phono cartridges is not one of them. In either direction.

 

[EJ3]

I assume all of you onboard on this thread have been already aware of Audio-Technica's release of new MM cartridge and styli (styluses) with brand name of AT-VMx.
https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/cartridges/line-series/vmx-series.
Now, they line-up boron cantilever series!
Please access to their above linked global site for the details and prices (I myself am happy living in Japan with no tariff issue).
This site is also informative;
https://online.stereosound.co.jp/_ct/17766164

Edit:
Some measurements of the new styli have been already reported in posts #1,750, #1751, #1,752 on the thread "Introducing the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library".

View attachment 453739

It will be interesting to see the measurements. Hopefully they upped the level of perfection. (that statement should trigger some none TT folks)..

 

[lini]

Dual tonarm. Maybe the whole thing is, but I admit I've not looked at Dual's new models in a while...

Yes, it is - or respectively was. Namely the CS 800, one of the last new models by Dual-Fehrenbacher. I wouldn't really recommend that thingy, though.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[dualazmak]

It will be interesting to see the measurements. Hopefully they upped the level of perfection. (that statement should trigger some none TT folks)..

Yes, I agree with you.
I have just posted my inquiry here #1,776 on the thread "Introducing the Phono Cartridge Measurement Library".

 

[EJ3]

Yes, it is - or respectively was. Namely the CS 800, one of the last new models by Dual-Fehrenbacher. I wouldn't really recommend that thingy, though.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

I am happy with my DUAL 1229. It does what I want it to for my purposes (including stacking records).
I have my Technics SL-M3 for better resolution, when I want it.

 

[lini]

I am happy with my DUAL 1229. (...)

Which is no wonder, as that's a good, classic Dual-Steidinger model.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[DSJR]

I am happy with my DUAL 1229. It does what I want it to for my purposes (including stacking records).
I have my Technics SL-M3 for better resolution, when I want it.

The 1229 is easy to tweak for best sound, but this isn't the thread to do this. Loved mine and regret its loss a long time ago (I lent it to a friend's son who got divorced and emigrated, leaving the deck with his ex whom I never knew - probably skipped long ago sadly). A cartridge upgrade will give better 'resolution' and in any case, T-4P fittings are the pits in terms of resonances as they're not rigid generally (measured response and separation glitches if the 80s 'Choice measurements are anything to go by (all in the worldradiohistory site in the UK pages)

 

[EJ3]

The 1229 is easy to tweak for best sound, but this isn't the thread to do this. Loved mine and regret its loss a long time ago (I lent it to a friend's son who got divorced and emigrated, leaving the deck with his ex whom I never knew - probably skipped long ago sadly). A cartridge upgrade will give better 'resolution' and in any case, T-4P fittings are the pits in terms of resonances as they're not rigid generally (measured response and separation glitches if the 80s 'Choice measurements are anything to go by (all in the worldradiohistory site in the UK pages)

I am sorry for your loss. I gave mine to my mother for her 89th birthday a few years ago. I had a small plaque put on it honoring her influence on my life.
The linear arm on the Technics is 9" long and made of Titanium Nitride. I am pretty sure that the resonances you speak of are not an issue with that particular tonearm.

 

[mike70]

LP8X looks alright I suppose, but I've kind of cooled on paying a premium for auto-stop/auto-return because I recall frustrations with the old A-T Safety Raiser accessory. I'm currently more drawn to the AT-LPA2:
View attachment 453634
Pricier, but you also get a more premium cartridge as part of the deal. . My experience with getting A-T company assistance in the USA has been pretty good.

And for somewhat less, there's this stylish M500 from Rekkord Audio, sporting a familiar tonearm. Not direct drive either, but it's got a suspension.
View attachment 453641
I've considered going so far as to get a SL1300, or even an SL1210G, but then I remind myself "Do I want to get so carried away with vinyl again?". Am loving the Parks Audio Waxwing for elevating vinyl sonics to levels I only dreamed of back in the day, and deluxe LPs like OK Go's And The Adjacent Possible bring back an element of fun, but some stuff is more fun if you set boundaries, and I'm trying to figure out where mine are.

brand new 1200 mk7 is all you need

 

[JeffS7444]

brand new 1200 mk7 is all you need

Very possibly, but I'm frustrated at not being able to see and compare with higher-end models to see if fancier finishes and what-not are worth the premium to me.

 

[watchnerd]

The tonearm of the Technics is its shortcoming. The AT arm appears superior. Technics should offer their tables with a blank arm board.

This is one of the main reasons I haven’t bought one.

I don’t want to give up my SME M2-9R

 

[Bland_username42069]

This is one of the main reasons I haven’t bought one.

I don’t want to give up my SME M2-9R

You can buy an SME armboard - my understanding it’s an easy replacement

 

[Bob from Florida]

This is one of the main reasons I haven’t bought one.

I don’t want to give up my SME M2-9R

Now that I have a 1300G and have set up the arm, I understand my preconception was incorrect. The arm may not be as "fancy" as my Sorane SA-1.2 arm, but it is quite nice. With the 2 auxiliary weights combined with different weight headshells I can achieve a wide range of effective mass. In short, I didn't know the arm was actually quite nice.

 

[watchnerd]

Now that I have a 1300G and have set up the arm, I understand my preconception was incorrect. The arm may not be as "fancy" as my Sorane SA-1.2 arm, but it is quite nice. With the 2 auxiliary weights combined with different weight headshells I can achieve a wide range of effective mass. In short, I didn't know the arm was actually quite nice.

I don't want to give up the SME sliding sled HRA.

I've got all my carts dialed in and aligned and don't want to have to do it all again using overhang and whatnot.