EMT Direct Drive - experience with vintage models?

skinnyfla

VIP/Donor
Nov 1, 2023
241
151
95
50
Germany
Hi, does anyone have experience with vintage EMT direct drive models and how they compare to modern TTs?

Just curious - be great to hear some oponions.

Cheers,
 
They sound extremely poor, very dry, no flow. With EMT you need minimum 930 (idler) (assuming 927 is way beyond budget). 930 is reasonable value at its price.

If you wanted a DD at low prices you would be better off with STST Motus II
 
They sound extremely poor, very dry, no flow. With EMT you need minimum 930 (idler) (assuming 927 is way beyond budget). 930 is reasonable value at its price.

If you wanted a DD at low prices you would be better off with STST Motus II
… thanks - am quiet happy with my Döhmann… was just being curious… STST Motus II was once on my list - but if, I would’ve gone with the Primary Control Kinea…
 
Emt 948 developed by Studer, it sounds damn good when properly maintained. A device that's used 24/7 in a radio station needs love to get it back on track. Used ~ €2.5k. A refresh at Studiotechnik Dusch, Germany ~ €800-1200.
Pitty, A refurbished one was just sold. A major advantage is that the built-in phono stage delivers a +6dbu balanced studio signal. It easily drives 30 m of cable.
 
Last edited:
Regardless of whether you use the integrated phono card from Fabtech or desolder the tonearm cable and connect it directly to the existing phono stage. A great example of dry, poor, no flow... lol
Phonocard
With manley steelhead phono
 
  • Like
Reactions: A-Line
Probably 1 of the best TT I have heard - Emt 950 with rubber wood plinth , SME 3012R tonearm and with external phono. I was so tempted to acquire 1 but it’s just too huge to be practical for most systems
 

Attachments

  • a1efeb8a-4c69-4806-994b-a5e98b876c72.jpeg
    a1efeb8a-4c69-4806-994b-a5e98b876c72.jpeg
    71 KB · Views: 12
  • 4c74fc3f-38bd-491e-bfe2-10ddaa5f5820.jpeg
    4c74fc3f-38bd-491e-bfe2-10ddaa5f5820.jpeg
    82 KB · Views: 12
… it really is interesting to see how extremely opinions vary on TTs…
 
Regardless of whether you use the integrated phono card from Fabtech or desolder the tonearm cable and connect it directly to the existing phono stage. A great example of dry, poor, no flow... lol
Phonocard
With manley steelhead phono
Good comparison. My FM tuners & Bluetooth streamer running through my dacs sound better. My current LP12 is whole different level altogether.

Nice classical pieces used for comparisons by the way. Didn't know that you were a classical music fan.. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: DasguteOhr
Good comparison. My FM tuners & Bluetooth streamer running through my dacs sound better. My current LP12 is whole different level altogether.

Nice classical pieces used for comparisons by the way. Didn't know that you were a classical music fan.. ;)
I really like classical music, but not every day;). Back then, I had an EMT 948 combined with a Studer mixer a 779(which is an excellent preamp, by the way, just for your information) and active speakers. It sounded damn good.img-20210713-wa0009.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: A-Line
Emt 948 developed by Studer, it sounds damn good when properly maintained. A device that's used 24/7 in a radio station needs love to get it back on track. Used ~ €2.5k. A refresh at Studiotechnik Dusch, Germany ~ €800-1200

And therin lies a potential problem with purchasing the 948 and 950 on the used market , these are fairly complex machines ergo many examples may be performing not up to spec and sub optimally … that have not recently , or ever have , received a good level of service preferably by a professional or ex EMT engineer , I would also recommend Hans Michel Fabritius ://www.fabtech.de/en_index.html

Posted on a disparate thread , however a nice example of an EMT 948 …

 
Last edited:
And therin lies a potential problem with purchasing the 948 and 950 on the used market , these are fairly complex machines ergo many examples may be performing not up to spec and sub optimally … that have not recently , or ever have , received a good level of service preferably by a professional or ex EMT engineer , I would also recommend Hans Michel Fabritius ://www.fabtech.de/en_index.html

Posted on a disparate thread , however …

It doesn't matter whether you send your EMT turntable to Studiotechnik Dusch or Fabtech.
You get outstanding quality in return that will give you long-lasting pleasure.
If you then add the modern phono and line driver cards, you have a world-class turntable.
Exsample
Only used today pitty
Even a TSD 15 cartridge is hard to beat from a musical perspective, no matter how much you spend.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Daro
Even a TSD 15 cartridge is hard to beat from a musical perspective, no matter how much you spend.
That’s not true—I’ve used the TSD 15, both the German-made and later Swiss-made models. It’s an okay cartridge for €1,000, but considering the US price, it’s overpriced and overrated.

I don’t know if you’ve ever used a TSD 15, but its performance was pretty mediocre, and it has declined further with the newer version. Its reputation largely owes to the late Art Dudley.

Mono TMD 25 is even worse which I also owned.
 
That’s not true—I’ve used the TSD 15, both the German-made and later Swiss-made models. It’s an okay cartridge for €1,000, but considering the US price, it’s overpriced and overrated.

I don’t know if you’ve ever used a TSD 15, but its performance was pretty mediocre, and it has declined further with the newer version. Its reputation largely owes to the late Art Dudley.

Mono TMD 25 is even worse which I also owned.
I don't know Art Dudley, who is he?
I have two TSD 15/SFLs in my drawer. The only problem is the stylus rubber, so I always store them in the dark when i not use them.
They sound fantastic; they go almost directly to the core of the music, have a really good punch, and the best part is the vocal reproduction. That's how voices should sound, with body. I also have an EMT HSD 6—I affectionately call it "Lord Vader" because the bass has a blackness I've rarely heard in my hi-fi life.
Emt Hsd-6.jpg

If you weren't satisfied, it might be the rubber. They wear out very quickly in sunlight. Later models no longer have this problem. If you still have one, have it checked; it doesn't cost a fortune.
 
If you weren't satisfied, it might be the rubber. They wear out very quickly in sunlight. Later models no longer have this problem. If you still have one, have it checked; it doesn't cost a fortune.
I wasn't satisfied because TSD 15 is mediocre. Two of them and the mono one also. Maybe I wasn't as lucky as you have been.
 
Last edited:
C’mon, really? That’s surprising!
Oh, I just googled...stereophile. As a German, I rarely read that. We have image hifi, stereo, etc. to find out what's new in hifi.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mtemur
i owned an EMT 948 for a few years....twice. the later one below on the left with a Bubinga Plinth. sold it a few years ago. i would recommend the EMT 948 as a nice modestly priced turntable if the condition is good. if you find a nice one under $10k it compares well in that price range. it's going to have more meat on the bones compared to current models i have heard in that price range, and nice flow, but might not be quite as quiet.

the EMT 948 is a broadcast spinner, so is designed with a cage structure with the platter and arm suspended and is meant to be hung from a cutout in a desktop. my plinth below mimics that approach. so sitting on a shelf it will be tall. the EMT 948 is well built and seemed reliable.

the stock tonearm is ok, not great. my later one used a Durand Kairos tonearm so had custom arm board. previously i did own an EMT 948 with a stock EMT arm which was good not great.

1742250763039.png
 
Last edited:
the stock tonearm is ok, not great. my later one used a Durand Kairos tonearm so had custom arm board. previously i did own an EMT 948 with a stock EMT arm which was good not great.

Whilst I would agree that the stock 929 tonearm might arguably hold the 948 back a little , it is worth mentioning that they can be worked on and improved with upgraded internal re-wiring , dampening , replacment ceramic or gem bearings etcetera . An of course one may replace the stock EMT tonearm in entirety , tho many EMT enthusiasts might see such a move as sacrilege , and one also has the option of staying with the EMT brand by installing one of the new and improved production EMT tonearms , this web preview on Mono & Stereo ( link passes through a Bot security check on route ) provides a little more information on these newer models than the EMT home site :
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mtemur

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing