Want to get into vinyl..

ZackaryJim
ZackaryJim Posts: 18
edited October 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
So I'm not very new to home theater, and I'd like to think I've got a decent amount of knowledge concerning it.

But I'd be the first to admit I know nothing at all about vinyl. I'm doing some research, but I'm having a hard time finding a decent recommendation for a turntable. I'm looking at probably getting something used and I want it to sound decent, but I'm looking to stay under ~$150.

I'm hoping someone's got an easy answer for me. :)

Thanks!
Current HT Setup:
-Panamax M5300-PM line conditioner
-Yamaha RX-A1000 receiver
-RTi A5 fronts
-RTi A4 center
-RTi A1 surrounds, TL-1 series center rear
-SVS PB10-NSD subwoofer
-Behringer FBD calibrated using REW
-12 Auralex 2'x2' SonoFlat absorption panels
-4 Auralex MetroFusor diffusor panels
-Panasonic TC-P50ST30 TV
Post edited by ZackaryJim on
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Comments

  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,244
    edited October 2010
    Try and swing for this, this is a great starter table.. it's a little more but you will be happy you did.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/AUDIO-TECHNICA-AT-PL120-Pro-DJ-Turntable-/300476228716?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f5c7646c
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,244
    edited October 2010
    Keep in mind getting into vinyl will cost money...
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  • ZackaryJim
    ZackaryJim Posts: 18
    edited October 2010
    Haha. I know. Audio's not cheap in general. I'm just looking to take the jump a step at a time.

    Would it be worth it to look for a used AT-PL120 and just buy a new cartridge, or would going new just be easier?
    Current HT Setup:
    -Panamax M5300-PM line conditioner
    -Yamaha RX-A1000 receiver
    -RTi A5 fronts
    -RTi A4 center
    -RTi A1 surrounds, TL-1 series center rear
    -SVS PB10-NSD subwoofer
    -Behringer FBD calibrated using REW
    -12 Auralex 2'x2' SonoFlat absorption panels
    -4 Auralex MetroFusor diffusor panels
    -Panasonic TC-P50ST30 TV
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited October 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Keep in mind getting into vinyl will cost money...

    This... I grabbed a Denon DP-52f and then found out that I had no vinyl left to listen to! (thanks MOM!) So I went on a vinyl binge and now have 600 or so lp's... After a month, the Denon died and I got a Yamaha PX-3. I had to buy a cartridge, so I got a Denon DL160. Recently, the cantilever fell out and I had to replace it. Enter the Sumiko Bluepoint Special Evo III.

    Bottom line is that my cheap foray into the black world has now cost me well over 2k.:eek: It has been fun, but the WAF has become very low due to the space factor my growing vinyl stack is taking up... I think I see a man-cave in my future.:D
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,244
    edited October 2010
    ZackaryJim wrote: »
    Haha. I know. Audio's not cheap in general. I'm just looking to take the jump a step at a time.

    Would it be worth it to look for a used AT-PL120 and just buy a new cartridge, or would going new just be easier?


    No go used if you can, hell you might get that table for around $110-$125
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,244
    edited October 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    This... I grabbed a Denon DP-52f and then found out that I had no vinyl left to listen to! (thanks MOM!) So I went on a vinyl binge and now have 600 or so lp's... After a month, the Denon died and I got a Yamaha PX-3. I had to buy a cartridge, so I got a Denon DL160. Recently, the cantilever fell out and I had to replace it. Enter the Sumiko Bluepoint Special Evo III.

    Bottom line is that my cheap foray into the black world has now cost me well over 2k.:eek: It has been fun, but the WAF has become very low due to the space factor my growing vinyl stack is taking up... I think I see a man-cave in my future.:D


    Yep I got about $2000 in mine as well and thats cheap IMO...
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited October 2010
    vinyl is not cheap and it does take time. If you clean your LP's and hunt down music and stuff its worth it to me for the SQ you can gain.

    New LP's for me are not cheap normally around 15-30 bucks depending on how hard to find they are etc.

    Used can be good such as Goodwill what not.

    For TT's some of the older stuff is good, however just be careful of what you get I forgot the model of the Technics that is often recommend but I think those can be found for around 200 or so..
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  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited October 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Keep in mind getting into vinyl will cost money...

    ...or your marriage (joking).
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

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  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited October 2010
    I just told my buddy to keep an eye out for a refurbed Lenco or even a modded KABUSA Technics w/ fluid damping trough.
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2010
    Chris the popular Technics model here is the 1200 ****.

    To the OP if you can get the above for a good price go with it. If not, search audiogon and ebay for used entry level offerings from Music Hall, Project, Rega etc. They are all a little on the flimsy side but are all good designs and upgradeable.

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1290541450

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP60-Turntable-ATLP60-/190452620097?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c57dc5b41

    Spend the extra money and this is a great table.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/TECHNICS-SL-1200MK2-TURNTABLE-TECHNICS-SL-1200MK2-/150503143585?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230aafb8a1
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited October 2010
    I would have a solid plan to rob banks without getting caught as part of your path to get into vinyl :rolleyes:

    The entry level turntables from Pro-ject and Music Hall are very good.
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
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  • mrbiron
    mrbiron Posts: 5,711
    edited October 2010
    Check out the Audio Technica AT-lp120.
    I just picked one up about a month ago and am not disappointed. Straight from ebay for $120 shipped. It's super easy to set up and looks nice to boot. You may not get the ear-gasmic sound you are looking for but is still great for a starter setup. Your RTiA5's will be happy as well.
    The only qualm i have with the table is the cheap built in RCA cables that are about 2 feet long. Had to make a RadioShack run to get RCA couplers. Probably lost even more sound quality right there.

    It's been fun so far and got great record deals right here in the Flea Market section.

    Hope this helps a little...
    Where’s the KABOOM?!?! There’s supposed to be an Earth shattering KABOOM!!!
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited October 2010
    If you think the upgrade spiral is bad now......just wait.
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited October 2010
    I gotta ask this....you have to figure out if you want decent sound or if you just want to try it just for the hell of it.

    If you are just into the novelty, then it doesn't matter a bit because it's going to sound terrible for a plethora of reasons.

    If you are serious about wanting to experience what vinyl sound is capable of here is what I would recommend: Forget a used table, particularly the older direct drive tables. A new entry level table will yield better results for not much coin. (Rega, Music Hall, Project).....A used table, there is no way to tell if it's set up properly...there is some geometry and science involved and if you don't know what you are doing not only will it sound like ****, it will damage your LP's.

    Second, you have to consider the vinyl. If it ain't clean, the pops, clicks and assorted surface noise will not be worth the effort.

    So, if you are serious, investigate an entry level table. Spin some CLEAN vinyl.....if you are hooked, THEN you can start thinking about dropping some serious coin. I will say that a VPI HW-16.5 cleaning machine is probably the biggest upgrade in terms vinyl that you can make.

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited October 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Yep I got about $2000 in mine as well and thats cheap IMO...

    Yes. That will buy a good starter cartridge. ;)
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • gimpod
    gimpod Posts: 1,793
    edited October 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Keep in mind getting into vinyl will cost money...

    And lot's of it but it could be worse, Try getting into tape now where talking REEL money. :eek::D
    “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” ~ Mark Twain
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited October 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    I gotta ask this....you have to figure out if you want decent sound or if you just want to try it just for the hell of it.

    If you are just into the novelty, then it doesn't matter a bit because it's going to sound terrible for a plethora of reasons.

    If you are serious about wanting to experience what vinyl sound is capable of here is what I would recommend: Forget a used table, particularly the older direct drive tables. A new entry level table will yield better results for not much coin. (Rega, Music Hall, Project).....A used table, there is no way to tell if it's set up properly...there is some geometry and science involved and if you don't know what you are doing not only will it sound like ****, it will damage your LP's.

    Second, you have to consider the vinyl. If it ain't clean, the pops, clicks and assorted surface noise will not be worth the effort.

    So, if you are serious, investigate an entry level table. Spin some CLEAN vinyl.....if you are hooked, THEN you can start thinking about dropping some serious coin. I will say that a VPI HW-16.5 cleaning machine is probably the biggest upgrade in terms vinyl that you can make.

    BDT

    Right on the mark Troy!
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,420
    edited October 2010
    TroyD wrote: »
    Forget a used table, particularly the older direct drive tables. A new entry level table will yield better results for not much coin. (Rega, Music Hall, Project).....A used table, there is no way to tell if it's set up properly...there is some geometry and science involved and if you don't know what you are doing not only will it sound like ****, it will damage your LP's.

    Gotta disagree here a bit. It would take a 3k plus table to get the performance I get out of my PX-3.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited October 2010
    Vinyl is fun but expensive.

    If you buy a used Technics, be careful. If they are also selling PA speakers and party lights, it may have been used by a DJ. Plus be sure that if it is shipped, that they know how to ship a table. Very easy to destroy one in shipping.

    Good tables are a hot commodity right now and may even get worst for the buyer. Used vinyl gets sucked up as soon as it appears. Good luck.
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited October 2010
    When I first got into it I spent WAY more than I thought was reasonable, around $3K. After that I realized I needed to spend WAY WAY more. I'm happy now. Gotta spin... :D
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Valentine
    Valentine Posts: 46
    edited October 2010
    You could find alot of good tables for under a 150 just have to look. I've seen some old DUALS, even Pioneers that parts are still avalible. Or you could even go for a new lower end turntable. But i'll tell you this, if you buy a cheap new table you'll probably never fall in love with it.... If you could raise your spending limit to the 150 to 250 limit you would be able to get alot better table.
    just my opinion, :D

    Dont cheat yourself, treat yourself, because no one loves you like you do!


    Mitchell
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