be my demon Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I've recently decided to buy my first turntable. Being a college student, I'd like to keep the cost around $150 max. Any of my fellow VCers have recommendations? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sir Stewart Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I like mine just fine:http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-PL...e/dp/B00006HO3O Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 I like mine just fine:http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-PL...e/dp/B00006HO3O That one is very similar to the one I used for years (and still use from time to time), except mine was made by Akai. Perfectly fine turntable. If your budget is $150, you could get that one and have enough money left over for a stack of used LPs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted July 9, 2007 Share Posted July 9, 2007 We have this one for ripping LPs and it's worked out really swell especially good for the price...Audio-Technica AT-LP2DA LP-to-Digital Recording System It has the built in preamp with RC jacks and all of that and sounds super. We also have this one for just playing the rekkids. I like it because all you've got to do is plug it into the wall and go but it is lacking in sound some and has no headphone jack. It looks pretty sweet sitting in the living room though.Crosley CR49 Traveler Portable Turntable, Tweed Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Depends what you need it for, but if you're after good sound, you should consider waiting until you have $300-400. I would suggest something from Rega or Music Hall. (also found under other names... eg Moth, NAD). If you're adventurous enough to look at used 'tables, check here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Smokestack Joe Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 i have two turntables but both have busted needles, the record players are old, needing to make an upgrade, i hear a new needle is around $30-40...if true, should i just buy a brand new turntable? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 i have two turntables but both have busted needles, the record players are old, needing to make an upgrade, i hear a new needle is around $30-40...if true, should i just buy a brand new turntable? $30, $40...depends what kind of turntable you have. It could be pretty cheap. Also, "old" might be a VERY good thing, or it could be a bad thing. The needles for the Audio Technica turntable posted yesterday are probably in the $20 range. I think those types of turntables use "P Mount" needles. I never payed more than $25 for one, and I bought the most recent one two years ago. Usually I got one for $15-$18 (made by Audio-Technica). ACTUALLY...I just looked around a bit, seems the prices have gone up. Maybe $35 is more realistic these days, but I did see a few for $25. A couple years ago I upgraded my old Akai and got a low end Stanton DJ turntable. I noticed an improvement in sound quality over the Akai. I think the Stanton was approx. $200. The only drawback to these types of turntables is they don't have auto-return, or at least mine doesn't. That could be a deal-breaker for a novice vinyl listener. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted July 10, 2007 Share Posted July 10, 2007 Guys, trust me on this - I've owned a number of excellent and not-so-excellent turntables over the years from VPI, Oracle, Teres, Rega, Ariston, Dual, etc. Plastic DJ 'tables will sound like crap in your home, or at least, no better than cheap CD playback would sound. Direct drive is also generally crap, unless it's a really high end implementation. You want belt drive, and for cheap money, you probably want to look at something made in the UK or Europe, just make sure it's not 220V of course. I would HIGHLY recommend a used Rega Planar 2 or 3, as a starter model. If you have a few more bucks and have a good technician nearby, the Linn LP12 would be another excellent choice. Ditto the VPI HW-19, but they're big and heavy. Vinyl is a bloody expensive hobby. Make sure you allot some budget for a good support stand, or a wall shelf if you have sprung floors. Also some decent record cleaning equipment. (Discwasher D4 system, plus a carbon fiber brush, at minimum) /audiophile rant mode off Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Why have you had so many turntables? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MattZ Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I would HIGHLY recommend a used Rega Planar 2 This is what I have. I am mostly happy with it, but the sound seems to get a little muffled around the edges sometimes, if that makes any sense. Hey Sarchi, oh turntable expert, how do I figure out if this is a turntable issue, a needle issue, a cartridge issue, or a phono preamp issue? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Why have you had so many turntables? LOL. It's an illness called audiophilia....I'm mostly over it now. (maybe) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 LOL. It's an illness called audiophilia....I'm mostly over it now. (maybe) Yeah, to be honest, the reason I ask is because I'm looking for yet another angle from which to attack the folly of audiophilia. I'm glad you're getting over it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 This is what I have. I am mostly happy with it, but the sound seems to get a little muffled around the edges sometimes, if that makes any sense. Hey Sarchi, oh turntable expert, how do I figure out if this is a turntable issue, a needle issue, a cartridge issue, or a phono preamp issue? Muffled as in muted highs? It could be the needle, how old is it? Or possibly the preamp. - does your preamp have a real phono (RIAA equalized) section...be sure you're using that input- are the cartridge leads connected well, are any of them loose (or frayed). if loose, you could tighten them with a needle-nose pliers- is the tonearm cable ok, or are the plugs 'loose' in the jacks on your preamp- does the stylus have a big hunk of crud on it...can be cleaned (carefully!) with a small brush- is the tracking force set correctly for the cartridge you have? Any of the above could be the culprit. Good luck...lmk if I can help in any way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
W(TF) Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 Yeah, to be honest, the reason I ask is because I'm looking for yet another angle from which to attack the folly of audiophilia. I'm glad you're getting over it. I was sort of "forced" off it. We moved and my new music room was small...my system sounded like shit. I decided to sell the system I had, regretfully, and bought a motorcycle and a much more modest system. Worked for me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
WilcoFan Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 LOL. It's an illness called audiophilia....I'm mostly over it now. (maybe) Is that like slavophilia. My friend is a slavofile. He only dates really skinny girls from former soviet countries and the czech republic. True story. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jff Posted July 11, 2007 Share Posted July 11, 2007 I was sort of "forced" off it. We moved and my new music room was small...my system sounded like shit. I decided to sell the system I had, regretfully, and bought a motorcycle and a much more modest system. Worked for me! I'm guessing you still enjoy listening to music as much as you ever did. As a bonus, now you get to enjoy riding a motorcycle, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Smokestack Joe Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 ok, ive decided instead of buying a needle or two for my busted turntables, im just going to buy this one Audio-Technica AT-LP2DA LP-to-Digital Recording System because i can transfer songs digitally. that is a big one for me because buying the CD and then the vinyl gets expensive. confirmations? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 ok, ive decided instead of buying a needle or two for my busted turntables, im just going to buy this one Audio-Technica AT-LP2DA LP-to-Digital Recording System because i can transfer songs digitally. that is a big one for me because buying the CD and then the vinyl gets expensive. confirmations?We've had ours for six months or so now and it's been smooth sailing. My honey uses it to rip his more obscure vinyl to upload for torrenting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SarahC Posted July 12, 2007 Share Posted July 12, 2007 http://www.amazon.com/Crosley-Radio-Conduc...196&sr=1-59this is mine. except it's not 3 discs Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SlowBurn68 Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 Best for the money: http://www.aslgroup.com/nottingham/ http://www.audiofast.com/main.asp?idm=9&wersja=1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SlowBurn68 Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I would HIGHLY recommend a used Rega Planar 2 or 3, as a starter model. Great recommendation. Vinyl is a bloody expensive hobby. So true... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stooka Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 We've had ours for six months or so now and it's been smooth sailing. My honey uses it to rip his more obscure vinyl to upload for torrenting. I'm thinking about getting one. can you connect via USB to computer AND analog to amp simultaneously with that turntable? did software come with it and if so, do you like it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cwnorman Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I researched this quite a bit last year and finally decided on a PRO-JECT Expression II made by Sumiko. I could not be happier with my decision. Sumiko audio I've seen the debut III for $200. Debut III Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yermom Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I'm thinking about getting one. can you connect via USB to computer AND analog to amp simultaneously with that turntable? did software come with it and if so, do you like it?I had to check with my significant other on this last night because he uses that record player and I use another one (I only play records, he does the ripping and stuff). He was confused by your question.. . I believe he didn't understand the "analog to amp" part.He did say that he really likes the software that came with it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stooka Posted July 13, 2007 Share Posted July 13, 2007 I had to check with my significant other on this last night because he uses that record player and I use another one (I only play records, he does the ripping and stuff). He was confused by your question.. . I believe he didn't understand the "analog to amp" part.He did say that he really likes the software that came with it. What I meant was - i know the turntable hooks up directly to the computer via USB and can be used without a receiver, unlike other turntables. but can it also connect to a reciever or amp the old fashioned way? seems like i read somewhere that these things can also connect to the aux input on a receiver without a grounding wire if your new reciever did not have phono inputs. sorry for the confusion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.