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Please help me choose a turntable...

I would go Technics all the way. I have several DD Technics from the 1970's which work perfectly so I don't think IC life is an issue. Of all the products I have ever owned, not just audio products, I am the most satisfied with my Technics TT's.
 
If you have read all of this and still want a turntable (unless you still have your 60's, 70's, and 80's record collection), I'd be surprised.
 
VPI might be worth considering with McIntosh. Made in USA and the Prime would look great with Mc. I have a Scout Jr myself, have enjoyed it.
 
Google technics uneven platter, make sure you get a good one. Some report wobble in platter . And Technics response is to ignore the customer…
 
Balle Clorin said:
Google technics uneven platter, make sure you get a good one. Some report wobble in platter . And Technics response is to ignore the customer…
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Which sounds like a very good reason to buy from a dealer. Or by "Technics" do you mean to imply that dealers are ignoring their customers?
'cause dealers generally don't (ignore their customers, that is). There is value added in buying from an established, reputable dealer. They don't even have to be local. In the US, e.g., Crutchfield is (still) very, very good.

www.crutchfield.com

technics turntable at Crutchfield

Shopping for technics turntable? Get FREE 2-day shipping. Since 1974 our Virginia-based Advisors have loved helping folks find the right gear. Call or chat with us today for free expert advice.
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Many folks seem to have trouble differentiating between price and value when purchasing a product. ;)
 
mike70 said:
Well I have some vintage Technics and a brand new mk7.

Can I say mi honest opinion? :) ... I don't think the GR sounds better than the mk7 :)

The mk7 sells for 1k USD ... best bang for the bucks. The GR have some better look and feel at some aspects, but I think nothing that really improves the sound.

That's my very honest opinion.
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Are you still happy with your MK7? I have heard many complaining over it´s build quality. Not mentioning DJs who don´t think it can withstand the impact from heavy volume.
 
Mulder said:
Are you still happy with your MK7? I have heard many complaining over it´s build quality. Not mentioning DJs who don´t think it can withstand the impact from heavy volume.
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People can say anything, you must use your brain :)

Build quality? ... you cannot wait the 80s mk2 general quality (i had one)
what i mean? the mk2 was extraordinary and to build the mk7 with THAT quality today is something more in the GR price tag (or more).
Technics put some savings in some aspects, but not in the important aspects ... the mk7 is a very good turntable (bearings, tonearm, improved motor, new lighter materials in the plinth, adjustable torque, digital pitch, etc).

Also you need to remember that the new motor is coreless, so, lighter.
I do the classical fingertip "beats" in the plinth and nothing comes out from the speakers with the turntable playing a record. Do that in other 1k price tag turntable.

Overview? An excelent option in general and a perfect option for those who think a 5k turntable doesn't mean real better sound.
My opinion? Buy it.
 
Mulder said:
Are you still happy with your MK7? I have heard many complaining over it´s build quality. Not mentioning DJs who don´t think it can withstand the impact from heavy volume.
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I've owned both the MK7 and the GR2, which I recently upgraded to over the Christmas holiday. The MK7 is solidly built and has exceptional performance. It also has an unhinged dust cover, which I prefer. As for the GR2, the fit and finish is improved in many, many ways over the MK7. The plinth on the GR2 is sturdier and the top plate is aluminum, whereas on the MK7 the top plate seems lighter and may either be polycarbonate or a thinner piece of aluminum. All of the controls on the GR2 are metallic, including the cueing lever, which is a very nice upgrade over the plastic one on the MK7. Cueing in general is smoother. Other controls, including the power switch and the anti-skate dial are also metallic on the GR2. It includes a nice rubber mat for the platter.

Long story short, the GR2 is a meaningful upgrade over the MK7 and both are worth the money. The improvement in the GR2 is much more obvious in person than it is in photos. Honestly, if I had known it would be this much of an improvement, I would have gone straight to a G. Maybe in a few years...
 
ban25 said:
I've owned both the MK7 and the GR2, which I recently upgraded to over the Christmas holiday. The MK7 is solidly built and has exceptional performance. It also has an unhinged dust cover, which I prefer. As for the GR2, the fit and finish is improved in many, many ways over the MK7. The plinth on the GR2 is sturdier and the top plate is aluminum, whereas on the MK7 the top plate seems lighter and may either be polycarbonate or a thinner piece of aluminum. All of the controls on the GR2 are metallic, including the cueing lever, which is a very nice upgrade over the plastic one on the MK7. Cueing in general is smoother. Other controls, including the power switch and the anti-skate dial are also metallic on the GR2. It includes a nice rubber mat for the platter.

Long story short, the GR2 is a meaningful upgrade over the MK7 and both are worth the money. The improvement in the GR2 is much more obvious in person than it is in photos. Honestly, if I had known it would be this much of an improvement, I would have gone straight to a G. Maybe in a few years...
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What about the sound? Have you noticed if the GR2 also is soundig better?
 
ban25 said:
I've owned both the MK7 and the GR2, which I recently upgraded to over the Christmas holiday. The MK7 is solidly built and has exceptional performance. It also has an unhinged dust cover, which I prefer. As for the GR2, the fit and finish is improved in many, many ways over the MK7. The plinth on the GR2 is sturdier and the top plate is aluminum, whereas on the MK7 the top plate seems lighter and may either be polycarbonate or a thinner piece of aluminum. All of the controls on the GR2 are metallic, including the cueing lever, which is a very nice upgrade over the plastic one on the MK7. Cueing in general is smoother. Other controls, including the power switch and the anti-skate dial are also metallic on the GR2. It includes a nice rubber mat for the platter.

Long story short, the GR2 is a meaningful upgrade over the MK7 and both are worth the money. The improvement in the GR2 is much more obvious in person than it is in photos. Honestly, if I had known it would be this much of an improvement, I would have gone straight to a G. Maybe in a few years...
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Now I have had a look at both the MK7 and the GR2.
There is no doubt that the GR2 gives the impression of higher quality. Whether this in turn also corresponds to a higher functional quality or whether it is just a matter of finish, tactile feel and visual impression, I do not know, but if you tap the chassis of the GR2 version, the entire player feels more solid.
However, I was not entirely convinced by the on and off button (i.e. the small round button you turn) and the small lamp that illuminates the area by the pickup. The later certainly looks more elegant with the subdued movement when it slides up, but you can wiggle it just like on the MK7. Overall, these buttons were quite flimsy on the MK7, but I found these buttons to be more flimsy than I had expected even on the GR2 - and even on that model they seemed to be made of plastic.
I also noted that the GR2 is now manufactured in Malaysia, just like the MK7. Not that I think it matters, but still.
All in all, a very difficult decision because regardless, both feel like quality players.
 
Mulder said:
Now I have had a look at both the MK7 and the GR2.
There is no doubt that the GR2 gives the impression of higher quality. Whether this in turn also corresponds to a higher functional quality or whether it is just a matter of finish, tactile feel and visual impression, I do not know, but if you tap the chassis of the GR2 version, the entire player feels more solid.
However, I was not entirely convinced by the on and off button (i.e. the small round button you turn) and the small lamp that illuminates the area by the pickup. The later certainly looks more elegant with the subdued movement when it slides up, but you can wiggle it just like on the MK7. Overall, these buttons were quite flimsy on the MK7, but I found these buttons to be more flimsy than I had expected even on the GR2 - and even on that model they seemed to be made of plastic.
I also noted that the GR2 is now manufactured in Malaysia, just like the MK7. Not that I think it matters, but still.
All in all, a very difficult decision because regardless, both feel like quality players.
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Regarding sound quality only, surely if you digitize the same track with the same cartridge, preamp, settings ... an abx test will show no difference.
The question is to pay 2x for an undeniable better cosmetics/construction.

And that's all.

I saved the money, but it was my decision.
 
mike70 said:
Regarding sound quality only, surely if you digitize the same track with the same cartridge, preamp, settings ... an abx test will show no difference.
The question is to pay 2x for an undeniable better cosmetics/construction.

And that's all.

I saved the money, but it was my decision.
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Yes, you are probably right. But for DJ:s I have been speaking to the thin ABS-plastic bottom seems to be a very real problem. And for them just this particular problem are much more relevant than for most audiophiles, so in a way a strange priority from Panasonic/Technics.
 
Mulder said:
Yes, you are probably right. But for DJ:s I have been speaking to the thin ABS-plastic bottom seems to be a very real problem. And for them just this particular problem are much more relevant than for most audiophiles, so in a way a strange priority from Panasonic/Technics.
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Fortunately, I use the turntable to listen to music. Maybe in a club context is other stuff, but in my room the turntable doesn't emits any acoustic noise to the speaker, even tapping with the finger.

Maybe the pioneers, Stanton, ... in that price tag are better for dj? I don't know really ... and I don't care about it :)
 
Mulder said:
Yes, you are probably right. But for DJ:s I have been speaking to the thin ABS-plastic bottom seems to be a very real problem. And for them just this particular problem are much more relevant than for most audiophiles, so in a way a strange priority from Panasonic/Technics.
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Interestingly, the bottom part of the plinth on the GR2 is actually a bit more shallow. The bottom of the MK7 has a more pronounced 'hump' (presumably for the motor or other internals). I noticed this because I use Isonoe feet and there was actually a bigger gap with the table under the GR2 than the MK7.
 
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