Record Players for the modern world...

Hi all, I recently received a small collection of vinyl records from my mother, uncle, and grandmother. I'm interested in putting together a stereo that doesn't cost a ton of money yet sounds and looks nice. I'm not an audiophile, but I think it'd really help set the mood to put on some Jethro Tull or Sinatra in the other room before I start my shower/shave routine, or just on a quiet Saturday afternoon!

I don't actually have a stereo, as the majority of my music listening is through my computer speakers or headphones, so that'll need attention, but I'm mostly interested in what kind of turntable setups you all can recommend.

Or, just post pictures of your setups to get things rolling.

Thanks! :)

This is my new record player you are correct its great to shave to!!!

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I bought this one at target for $125. It has vinyl, cd, cassette tape, am/fm, and even an aux for mp3 players yet still has an old school look to it.

Stanton makes some good models that range from budget to professional. A decent one will start at about $200, but you might be able to find it cheaper at amazon. Good record shops also sell good used models at a good price. A good stylus (needle) will add at least $50. Most current bands also sell their music on LP, so there are plenty of new and reissued LP's, and lots of old used ones too. And the sound is great.

Don't try to get the cheap $100 models they sell at Best Buy, etc. They work, but they don't sound good and most of them don't accept needles other than the cheap one that comes with the flimsy turntable. The music comes out muffled and flat.

The needle, and being able to add a good one, is one of the most important factors. That's what picks up the sound. A cheapo needle on a good turntable is like spending a couple hundred bucks on a good razor then dry shaving because you don't want to splurge on soap and water and a strop.

Just read that you don't actually have a stereo, but if you have an Apple computer, you can play Stanton's and a lot of other turntables through a Mac. There is an adapter that you can get. You can also record the album on your computer.

Don't know if you want to get started on all this, but even a basic stereo with real components doesn't have to cost as much as a new car. For less than a thousand dollars, you can put together a half decent stereo. Sounds like a lot, but they last decades and provide incredible enjoyment.

Put in shaving context, getting a stereo is like going from shaving with the old blue Bic disposables and canned foam to shaving with a really nice razor and soap. It really changes things.

Hope it goes well.

I would suggest used. I'm currently using a Thorens td321. A lot of the people selling in my country, on what I believe is the equivalent of craigslist, let you drop by to see and listen before a purchase. There ought to be plenty at reasonable prices. Either way, to keep things simple I would suggest when the time comes to also get a stereo amplifier with a decent phono jack. That way you eliminate having to get a separate phonoamp as many newer amplifiers don't have one built in. I've never tried it myself but from reviews it seems that the Audio Technica 95e is really good for its price (should you at some point need a new one). Here is a picture of my current setup, thorens td321 and a luxman r1070 http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...a/DSC00003.jpg

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Originally Posted by Chady

I would suggest used. I'm currently using a Thorens td321. A lot of the people selling in my country, on what I believe is the equivalent of craigslist, let you drop by to see and listen before a purchase. There ought to be plenty at reasonable prices. Either way, to keep things simple I would suggest when the time comes to also get a stereo amplifier with a decent phono jack. That way you eliminate having to get a separate phonoamp as many newer amplifiers don't have one built in. I've never tried it myself but from reviews it seems that the Audio Technica 95e is really good for its price (should you at some point need a new one). Here is a picture of my current setup, thorens td321 and a luxman r1070 http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/g...a/DSC00003.jpg

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Simple, clean and stylish. I like it.