So I'm old enough that I grew up with records, and was delighted when CD's came along and I didn't have to listen to hiss, pops, etc anymore - just as a baseline.
These days, with the things I only have and only can get on vinyl, I do the modern version of what I used to do (tape them with dbx N/R onto cassettes to minimize wear, after hitting with the Discwasher and D-4 fluid) but via digitizing, and load the files on my jukebox computer for easy access rather than fussing with the record player more than once. (B&O Beogram RX by default - Sony PS-X20 exists as a backup, still works fine (just pulled it out of storage and checked it as well.)
i.e. I don't hate digital and I'm not a vinyl-head, but I do know records pretty well. I haven't deliberately purchased anything on vinyl I could get on CD. But I do have records I can't get on CD, or refuse to buy again to do that, at least.
A relative passed some years back and we've had their old turntable cluttering up the place (making two spares - probably 2 more spares than needed, certainly one more.) While doing a basic check of whether it functions after being stored (a bit sluggish to start) I went to look up how to access lubing the motor and discovered that it's (still) considered super-fancy despite being probably 62-3 years old. And many of the new upgrade parts from Europe to enhance it "better than it was built" are not presently being shipped to the USA due to *obvious political reasons.* And I can't access much of the info there is on it at VinylEngine as they have closed registrations indefinitely due to bot/AI attacks on their site, and I didn't find them and sign up years ago. Edit: though it occurs to me the owner's manual and receipt might well be in a file folder given its history. I'll have to look for those. Anyway, here are some pictures (uncleaned, but the dust cover has been on.)
Best I can tell it's likely 1963/4 vintage (32XXX serial.) The fine speed adjuster inset in the switch appears to have been damaged slightly (still works, but I assume it should not be missing a section.)
Motor still has the rivets, so lubrication will definitely be a chore. Despite which, 52 seconds of platter spin after shutdown from 78 RPM with whatever gunk is in *that* bearing now.
Plinth is pretty basic veneered plywood with a sloppy glue job.
There is a dustcover, but it doesn't even fit the plinth nicely and appears pretty generic, so I didn't even bother taking its picture. Edit to add: I also took a close up of the poor level, which has dried out, but that does not seem to be willing to post here.
The Tonearm is a Shure "Transcription" M232 (didn't even see the model number until I was editing the pictures) presently sporting a Shure Pro4 I put on when the prior owner was alive;
and there's a M7-N21D which I took off and put in the box for the Pro4 at that time.
