A problem I've had with venerable kit is it doesn't get used enough so goes wrong sat doing nothing. My Aiwa cassette deck door wouldn't open. My Sony TC377 tapedeck several times has needed repair. On last return I'd forgotten what I wanted to play. (reel to reel) As post above I copied much to cassette but now cars won't play them indeed loan car out there today won't even play CDs.
Thread headline says Turntables. Back in the 70s I reckoned if I gave up smoking for a year I could assemble a decent hifi set up. After a month I came home with a Connoiseur turntable, just the bit that goes round and motor. But I'd cracked the smoking and never smoked again. Still use that turntable. Transcriptors arm and now Nagoaka MC cartridge. Amp, Tuner have been replaced a few times. Burglars took some but left that turntable.