Thread: Turntable Shopping... any advice?

For a no hassle setup, technics is probably the way to go. I'm not sure of the prices, but they are probably on the order of $400 in good condition with a cartridge. As I said in my previous post, you could get a pretty good new player for around the same money. Some online dealers will package a turntable with a phono preamp(such as a Bellari) for around the price of the technics.

One other thing you need to be concerned about is the output voltage and impedance of the cartridge a good match with the phono preamp. At this price point, you probably won't have to worry about it, but it is something to keep in mind.

As for an amp, go to the Audiogon classifieds. You should be able to find something that you can use over there. You just need to sift through all of the high priced items to find a good integrated amp in your price range. Also, it wouldn't hurt to check out your local pawn shops or craigslist.

Having a USB output or another digital output from a turntable is only useful if you want to rip your records to your computer to play on an mp3 player when you aren't home. Using the digital output into a receiver defeats the purpose of having a turntable in the first place. Don't spend the extra money for this feature if you aren't going to use it.

I've got a bit more time on my hands now, so here's some further thoughts.

niftyshaving makes a string of good points, and the crucial one is the need for a phono amplification stage, either in your main amp, or more likely and probably much better, a stand alone unit. The output from a phono cartridge is miniscule and will need stepping up.

Budget is an important one too. The old workhorse Rega is a "budget" turntable, but it will still set you back more than an entry level CD player. The only cheaper set up I've heard which I liked at all was a bottom of the range ProJect, but it's not as capable, nor so easy to upgrade. I'm sticking with the Rega Planar 2 (not the 3) as the best bottom rung of the ladder, and you may well find one second hand in good condition.

The upgrade path for mine started with a decent support (a rigid wall shelf with a sheet of plate glass on top with bubble wrap sandwiched in between), then I replaced the feet with heavy aluminium cones, binned the tonearm counterweight and replaced it with a non-decoupled version, swapped the platter for an acrylic one, and finally added a good cartridge, all over a fairly long period. Result: humiliates any remotely affordable digital source I've heard, and it could probably be further improved, but I'm happy now.

We talk about acquisition disorders here, but hi fi has the potential to get seriously out of hand if you're not careful:
oobject » most extreme turntables

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Now this I actually know a thing or two about...

The standard of all standards when it comes to turntables is the Technics SL-1200 (Various) MK

Before the advent of mixable CD players every nightclub we built had a set, some that pride themselves with an all vinyl format now-days still do .. These are a solid workhorse table...

There are serious audiophile tables out there too, that have much better stats, but you won't go wrong with one of these...

My personal favorite cartridges were Ortofan but there are many of those too...

Yes but many of the things that make that unit a classic for that kind of work are just the opposite for audiophile listening.

The problem with buying a turntable these days is that you will probably compare the sound with a C/D or other digital format and it will come up short unless you pay a pretty penny for a setup. Of course then you have to have a source of vinyl in pretty good condition.

I say +1 on technics 1200s. you can't go wrong, its the same model since the 70s (i think) and they are still top of the line. I've had many, they last forever and with a good needle, amp and speakers the sound quality is what you are looking for.

If you want to just try it out, I would go with a vintage turntable. You can frequently get good one, professionally restored for around $100. I found mine at one of the few remaining brick and mortar record stores locally. Craigslist or ebay would be ok, but you will likely need to have those refurbished.

There are also audio forums where you can do a lot of research before you buy. There are often good deals to be had in their classifieds, as audiophiles have a neverending itch to upgrade. Audiogon is a good place. Have a look at this thread on another good audio resource forum to help get you started with some specific recommendations.

The Technics SL-1200 is a good, solid classic that is still being made. Costs about $500-600 new though, last I looked.

Thorens are great classics, but they are going on ebay like Pumas.

In terms of cartridges, the Ortofon OM-5e is a good inexpensive one to start with. And this one by Shure is another great choice, for little cost right now. There will be little need to upgrade either for just general listening.

Just remember that you will need a receiver with a phono pre-amp to hook up your TT. The vintage receivers all had one, but not the new surround sounds. That means you will need to budget for a separate one if you have a newer receiver.

If I am not mistaken, these guys are in IA. You may want to check them out.

If you remain sensible and do a lot of research and legwork, it is possible to put together a nice vintage setup, with TT, receiver and speakers for a very decent budget, especially if you do it over time. Otherwise, the slippery slope can be very, very steep.

Hey I just saw this- thought I would dig up a good thread. @Benjamin: what did you end up doing about your turntable?? I am very curious to know. If you haven't bought one yet, I have some good ideas for you... and some good stores to shop at online. I have spent some time shopping for turntables. I am listening to mine right now. I would have to ask: what equipment do you already have??

i dont really know much about them but i do love the sound of records far better than cds, i like the old sound of them mostly.

for christmas one year i bought my brother a record player that plugs into a computer and can rip your records to mp3 files, it is really cool since my parents have a ton of old records that have never made it to tape or cd format and now i have mp3 copies of a bunch of old out of print (maybe never to be brought back) music. dont remember the price but im sure it was less than 200 dollars, maybe not as god quality as the ones mentioned before me.

-dan-