(1975)  $450

In all-around excellent condition, this absolutely stunning Sony PS-4750 turntable is best described as one of Sony's most  unique, popular and mid-high end designs. 
Hard to find in such near perfect condition, it's a vintage Sony classic from 1975 that was near the top of the line series with many unique features.  Size-wise, at 19" wide and about 19 lbs, this turntable is quite a bit larger and heavier than most of the era.

The PS-4750 has Sony's high quality servo-controlled, direct-drive motor and because it's manually operated...it's super easy to use. 

In 1975, Sony's print ad placed the PS-4750 next to Sony's own 1966 TTS-3000 (old-timer), saying that, "no matter how perfect the TTS-3000 was, it was a little outdated and Sony engineers were perfectionists as well...enter the PS-4750!

This PS-4750 has the original Sony headshell that comes mounted with a new *Ortofon Omega cartridge and stylus.  The original dust cover is also in exceptional cosmetic condition.

The strobe is horizontal so the diameter of the platter...lots of specially placed tiny holes on the outer edge of the platter act as a "filter" to show the animated and illuminated strobe speed.

Instead of a typical platter mat, the unique design carries the record on large and small air pads.  Just sitting there...with no record on the platter...it's mesmerizing.  It draws you like a moth to a flame (sort of).  Those air-filled platter cushions may remind of another contemporary turntable - more remembered because of its "higher-end" origins and all-metal looks.   As on the older belt/servo TTS-3000 drive, the strobe of the PS-4750 is placed horizontally.

Thanks to its separate power and interlink connections, you have a choice of cables to use.  This Sony comes with an audiophile quality pair of gold-plated RCA cables.

The pristine chassis is entirely made of Sony's Bulk Molding Compound (SBMC) that resembles aluminum in appearance.   It has an excellent build quality...very solid with all the components being high quality.  Thanks to the heavy construction and vibration absorbing feet, the turntable is resistant to outside vibrations.

Note: The PS-4750 was also released by WEGA as the P-4410 in all black. 

Basic specs:
Drive system: DC servo controlled direct drive motor
Speeds: 33 and 45rpm
Tracking force: 0 to 3 g.
Shell weight: 7.5 g.
Tracking force adjustment:  4 to 12.5g (12.5 to 16.5g with weight)
Dimensions: 19"W x 16"D x 7"H
Weight: 19 lbs

*NOTE:
The Ortofon Omega is one of our favorite cartridges for several reasons and that's regardless of its attractive price.  One of the reviews that we agree with stated: "the Ortofon Omega is a most underrated phono cartridge by those of the high end persuasion. It clearly outperforms all of the others in its price range and others costing much more. Its tracking of precisely 1.75 grams and advanced elliptical stylus shape renders an extremely flat extended frequency response that transcends the listener into a new dimension of sonic purity that its competition simply cannot touch."+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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('76-'78)  $400

In excellent cosmetic condition, fully serviced and fully operational,  this well built and attractive Sony PS-3300 is a semi-automatic turntable.   Features include a gorgeous design, high quality specs, strobe and speed controls (trim pots.
This fine vintage turntable also comes with the original box and packing materials.

A major feature has to be the included Micro Acoustics MA-2002/e cartridge and stylus mounted on the original Sony headshell.  The MA-2002/e is defined as an "electret transducer" design.  As such, it's a true audiophile quality cartridge that tracks at 1.5 grams with excellent clarity and detail.  For future reference, the correct replacement stylus is available online. Here is a link to the full description of the cartridge:
https://www.lpgear.com/product/MA2002E.html

Designed to compete directly with Pioneer's PL-510, Sony challenged Pioneer with their PS-3300 at the same price point in 1976; you could buy the Pioneer's direct-drive manual unit or Sony's direct-drive semi-automatic unit.  Essentially, Sony offered an auto-return arm and reject button at the same price with nearly identical specs and build quality.  

The PS-3300 was an export-only model that was a mix between the Sony PS-2800's base structure and PS-3700's pitch controls and strobe. 
Features include DC-Servo BSL motor, X-Tal Lock + Magnedisc and SBMC base.  It also has a finely crafted direct-drive system with that brushless and slotless DC servo-controlled motor.  Sony added a fine innovation with their speed monitoring system which was an electronic process using an 8-pole magnetic pick-up head and a pulse coated platter rim.  Plus, as previously mentioned above, there's independent fine speed adjustments and a sensitive tonearm.

Sony's unique "lunar" platter mat was another idea that first appeared on the PS-3300. In essence, the design called for little air-filled pads to dampen the record's vibration and, apparently, it works.  It didn't hurt that the mat, just by itself, is very cool indeed.

This beautiful turntable comes with the original clear acrylic dust cover and the original factory spring-loaded feet.   

Weighing in at about 18 lbs, it's heavy enough to remind you that the PS-3300 is one of Sony's high quality turntables with great looks and reliable operation.

Essential specs:
Drive method: direct drive....
Motor: dc servo-controlled motor (brushless)....
Speeds: 33 and 45rpm....Wow and flutter 0.04% wrms
Signal to noise ratio: 65dB....
Cartridge weight range: 4 to 10g....
Dimensions: 18"W x 6.5"H x 14"D....
Weight: 18 lbs

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(1978)   $350 (with extras)

In perfect cosmetic and operating condition, this highly upgraded Technics SL-5200 is a direct-drive, semi-automatic turntable that had a few similarities to it's cousin, the SL-1200MKii but at a much lower cost.
The Technics SL-5200 is a mid-fi, 2-speed turntable first released in 1978.

The plinth has a unique customized textured coating covering the entire hefty resin-compound body with the original non-adjustable spring-loaded feet.  The feet are sitting on four custom, color-matched 1/2" thick anti-resonant foam pads. It also has a thick aluminum platter and non-height adjustable “S” shaped tonearm with the original black anodized aluminum headshell.  Mounted on the headshell is an excellent Audio Technica I-LT cartridge with (NOS) ATN-102P stylus

Even though the SL-5200 was released one year before the legendary SL-1200MK2, it has a very similar updated (for the time) tonearm bearing setup like the 1200MK2.  The difference being the arm bearing is fixed in place, with no height or azimuth adjustments. Also, like many full-size Technics turntables from the late 70s, the SL-5200 has a coreless no-wear direct-drive motor, that while not identical to the SL-1200MK2’s, is very reminiscent of it. It also originally came with the same cartridge alignment tool that was bundled with the 1200, and countless other Technics “S” shape tonearm turntables.

The word “THICK” helps describe this turntable a lot. Everything from the robustness of the plastic to the weight of the tonearm just feels hefty and substantial. The 5200 has a relatively high placed thick aluminum platter and is fully-equipped with a levitating, color-matched 45rpm adapter that sits on its own rest.  It also has a .25" headshell holder for cart swapping, a prism stylus illuminator (aka "target lamp") and a strobe light.  There is a small button that allows you to shut off the target lamp if so desired.All the controls are also pushed to the front panel and are accessible when the dust cover is closed, which makes it also a deep turntable.

The solid build of the SL-5200 is due to what they called "Technics Non-Resonant Compound" (or TNRC.) According to marketing materials, it was developed to help reduce overall vibration and resonance throughout the body of the turntable.

Basic specs:
Type: semi-automatic turntable
Drive method: direct drive
Motor: brushless DC motor
Speeds: 33 and 45rpm
Pitch control: +-6%
Dimensions: 17"W x 6"H x 15"D
Weight: 16 lbs

About TECHNICS / MATSUSHITA / PANASONIC...
Founded in the 1920's, the huge Japanese conglomerate Matsushita had interests in many electronics companies.  The most well known would be Technics and Panasonic. Technics was introduced as a brand name for premium loudspeakers marketed domestically by Matsushita in 1965.  Eventually, Technics became a premium brand bringing classics like the SL-1200mkii turntable and the absolute monster receiver at the top of the list: Technics SA-1000 (330 watts per channel)

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 ('73-'76)  $425 (pristine, with strobe lamp)
                   $375 (pristine, without strobe lamp)

NOTE: as of 7/26/24 two PL-71 tables are available w/ different cartridges & different features

In excellent cosmetic and working condition, this Pioneer PL-71 is another masterpiece from the leader of Japanese electronics in the 70's.  Its visual design and tightly controlled build quality has it firmly entrenched in the "upper class" of legendary direct-drive manual units from Pioneer.  

The PL-71 is from the series just before the PL-530 introduction. It was the top-of-the-line model with adjustable VTA (tonearm base height), a feature found only on the top models.  Upon its introduction, it listed for $300 in 1974.

This all-electronic, direct-drive turntable has a brushless DC servo motor and super-sensitive S-shaped tonearm.   The arm comes with a beautiful custom real timberwood headshell with an excellent and pristine Acutex M4110E cartridge and bi-radial stylus. 
The platter comes with your choice of either the "Corkey" (cork n' rubber) mat or the original factory mat.

The PL-71 is a dead quiet table that's virtually vibration-tree. The brushless DC servo motor directly rotates the platter without belts or rim idlers which means that vibration-causing factors are eliminated.

The sophisticated direct-drive system and all-electronic DC servo control reduce wow and flutter to less than 0.05% (WRMS) and boosts signal-to-noise ratio to better than 60dB -figures which place the PL-71 in the category of a "must have" for any serious collector.

The elegant controls are laid out in a cohesive manner;  simply push the 33 (or 45 button) and the platter starts.  Push the Power Off button and the platter stops.  The surface is primarily wood, lots of beautiful wood.  One of the features we really like...the output jacks are available, you can use your own high quality cables!

Other features include:
~Built-in strobe
~S-shaped tonearm that was specially developed by Pioneer to perform at light tracking pressures (0.59 and up) 
~speed controls topside (with separate trim pots inside the unit)
~Lateral balancer with anti-skate combined with a direct-readout stylus pressure scale. 
~Gentle oil damped cueing
~Lightly tinted and  oversized dust cover with strong adjustable metal hinges.

The thick real walnut veneer covers the double construction cabinet to provide ideal mass for stability and resistance to external vibration.  The original feet have additional custom foam pads to help eliminate resonance. 

Specs:
Type: Direct Drive
Motor: Brushless DC Servo Controlled Motor
Speeds: 33 And 45rpm
Speed Control Range: Within +-2%
Wow And Flutter: 0.05%
Rumble: More Than 60dB
Platter: 310mm Aluminium Alloy Diecast
Tonearm: Static-Balance Type, S-Shaped Pipe Arm
Cartridge Weight Range: 4 To 32g
Dimensions: 18.8"W X 7.3"H X 16.4"D
Weight: 25 Lbs

About Pioneer...
Not much needs to be said about Pioneer other then the simple fact that the name is known worldwide for above average quality and excellence in high fidelity component design.  They were the unchallenged leader in stereo advertising and marketing in the 70's.  Back in the day, Pioneer made it clear that if you didn't have a Pioneer stereo system in your house (or college dorm) you just didn't have the right stuff.

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