Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

So should I buy an old Marantz 6100... There's a completely refurbed on on eBay with a new stylus. It's within local pick up distance so I'm thinking about it. What do you guys think? I would rather have one of those nicer ones listed in the post-it here, but even $500 for me is tough pill to swallow at this point (I still need to get a record cleaner too)

December 5, 2007 - 6:55am

jackfish

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Re: Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

Those turntables were hifi in their day and if in good condition would be very servicable. Not to audiophile standards of today but should reproduce vinyl tracks pretty well depending on the cartridge employed. Not as nice as the 6200 which has a much heavier platter.

For cleaning records look at the EDA Mk 6 Carbon Fiber Record Brush.

I have an old Dual with a new cartridge that I still listen too.

December 5, 2007 - 7:40am

mandrlane

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Re: Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

Thanks for the reply. The cartridge is a Shure M95ED with New Stylus

My JVC has a generic $12.99 Audio Technica 1001. So I think I'll assume the Marantz with a Shure M95ED is an upgrade.

December 5, 2007 - 9:20am

dcstep

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Re: Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

I guess that a key is what's your objective? As stated before, neither of these is audiophile quality, but why do you want to upgrade. If you really want to hear more of what your vinyl has to offer, then I think you'd be better off with a low end Music Hall or Pro-ject with a decent cartridge in a package deal. However, the Marantz will, indeed, be an upgrade.

Dave

December 5, 2007 - 9:44am

mandrlane

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Re: Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

The problem is money... from what I can tell the cheapest audiophile standard turntable will set me back $500-$700... I just can't justify that right now... but would like to upgrade if possible.

Hence the Marantz.

Please share if you can recommend something decent in the $150 range. (Trust me I know that may be a lot to ask). Right now (as a bass player), I've upgraded my Rig and bought another bass for the stable... to the tune of $5000+ So slush fund is empty!

Maybe I should simply hold off for a while and go for the good stuff instead of a stop gap Marantz.

December 5, 2007 - 10:36am

Buddha

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Re: Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

Hi, Mandrlane!

Welcome!

How much is this table/needle going to cost?

That Shure cartridge is out of production, but "needles" are still available.

The tonearm on the turntable is from the era of 'pretty good' Japanese arms. If it's in good shape, it should be an OK choice.

As for the table, the weak link is the platter - it does not make/maintain good record contact.

If you buy that table, I would emphatically recommend a better platter cover; perhaps even a simple record weight (rather than a clamp). The motor should easily accomodate such a device.

For mats, you can spend anywhere from under 15 bucks for a cork mat, 30 bucks for a Rega felt mat, 70 dollars for a Ringmat, 90 dineros for a Funk Firm, or 95 bucks for an Audioquest Sorbogel mat.

Which mat you like would affect which weight or even clamp to consider.

Before you make any definitive decisions, we should all chat here some more.

You could conceivably have alot of fun with the Marantz, and if you look at the speed problems people have been having with the lower range Rega tables, you'd be avoiding all that mess.

December 5, 2007 - 10:59am

mandrlane

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Re: Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

Thanks everyone for the info... a friend of mine basically gave me some of his equipment... higher-end Onkyo receiver and some nice Polk speakers... so I thought man, bet vinyl would sound nice. So I pulled out the old JVC and some LPs... immediately fell in love! But was a bit noisy. So did some research on cleaning records... then on turntables... and so on.

Now I'm scared to death to play any records till I clean the records and get a decent turntable with a decent cartridge. Thought maybe the Marantz could help on the latter. According to eBay past listings... I think I could get the Marantz for $100-$150.

then maybe a decent mat for $50 - $100, I'll have to do some research on the weights. I've been thinking about that possibility.

I really do appreciate everyone's input!

December 5, 2007 - 11:10am

Buddha

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Re: Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

100 dollars for the Marantz seems OK. Especially if it's had some love.

You can find new cartridges that are very nice in the hundred dollar range.

Toss on a mat and cheap weight and you could have HUGE bang for your buck.

December 5, 2007 - 12:01pm

jackfish

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Re: Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

For that money you are almost into a Rega P1, Music Hall MMF 2.1 or Pro-Ject Debut III.

December 6, 2007 - 1:00pm

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mandrlane

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Re: Thinking about a Marantz 6100 Turntable

Well... I'm leaning towards getting this turntable... and a clamp and mat. that way in the future when I upgrade again, I will still have the mat and clamp.

One thing that got thrown into the mix is a Dual 1264... just stopped by a local auction house and saw one there... heck I've seen stuff like that go for a buck...

is either the Marantz 6100 or the Dual 1264 better than the other

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