Ariston RD40
A belt-driven turntable with subchassis suspension and manual operation, originally priced at £388.
Overview
The Ariston RD40 is a belt-drive turntable made by Ariston, featuring an AC motor and a two-speed pulley system for 33 and 45 RPM playback. It uses a manual operation format and includes a subchassis design, which helps isolate the platter and tonearm from external vibrations. Originally priced at £388, likely during the mid-to-late 1980s based on available documentation, it was noted in Hi-Fi Choice for its stylish appearance and decent performance. Owners have described it as a "special guest" among their turntables, with one purchasing it for just ten dollars despite finding it covered in dust.
Specifications
| Drive type | Belt drive |
| Motor type | AC motor |
| Speed control | Two-size/speed pulley (33/45) |
| Operation | Manual |
| Subchassis | Yes |
| Tracking force range (for tonearm) | 1.5g |
| Original price | £388 |
Market
Used units of the Ariston RD40 have appeared for sale at prices such as $50 CAD and on platforms like Audiogon. One owner reported paying ten dollars for a dusty unit. Common issues include motor speed instability, where the motor slows down and speeds up after maintenance, despite belt replacement and re-oiling. Maintenance efforts have included thorough cleaning, new belts, and fresh bearing oil.
eBay Listings
As an eBay Partner, we earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support our independent vintage technology research.
Related Models
- Ariston Icon
- Ariston Q-Deck
- Ariston RD-11S
- Ariston RD80
- Garrard SP (1975)
- Harman Kardon kardon-turntables (1975)
- Thorens TD-124 (1957)
- Thorens TD-150 (1965)
- Thorens TD-225 (1975)
- Akai AP-D2 (1979-1982)