Need an inexpensive turntable

jcaut

I'm shopping for an inexpensive turntable for a young friend of mine who's into vinyl and vintage audio in general. She's learning, and I'm trying to help her out. I would prefer something pretty basic- just a basic semi-auto table, not audiophile grade- 80's Japanese mfg., consumer-level, that looks decent and works. Need a dust cover. She's in HS, so budget is low- around $50, though I'll help her out a little to get something worthwhile. I figure I'll be putting a cartridge on it, so std 1/2" mount would be preferred, but I wouldn't pass up a good deal on a P-mount! She's got a PL514 Pioneer with a 2m Red borrowed from me right now, but I'd like to get that back asap.

I'm shopping craigslist and ebay, but so many of those are just junk-trade items to begin with, being sold (and shipped )then re-sold, by people who know nothing at all about them... Sure wish I could find one on here!

Thanks,
Jason

zane77

I saw a few listed on KSL.com yesterday in the classified section. Don't know about shipping though. Check it out in the Electronics/Players section. This site is based out of Salt Lake City. Good luck with your search.

heartystatue

I have been looking for one as well. I dont think you will find much for the 50.00 range. Good luck!

George Grand

JASON,

I don't think maybe that's all that big a problem.

Sony PS-LX520 and Technics SL-DL5. Both are direct-drive, straight line trackers that probably need mfr's. cartridges but the Sony is described as "P-mount compatible". As of right now, or when I put them away, they worked fine and had stylus left on whatever carts are mounted. Both around 1985 vintage, both around $200-$250 retail when new. Nice looking dust covers included.

Let me know.

PolkieMan

Well if you buy one used, not local, that must be shipped, no one can ship it properly for less than $25.

I would set you up a Craigs list and Ebay for local, like Fort Smith and watch it.


http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-AUD-ATLP60-LIST?src=Y0802G00SRCHCAPN&gclid=CKOt4M6embgCFUJo7AodZVAASQ

I like this for new.
But you might, probably will, need a phono preamp

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/uturnaudio/the-orbit-turntable-0

jcaut

Thanks for the replies! She's been using a Pioneer PL-250 that I found locally about a year ago. It was beat pretty bad and lacked a dust cover. Recently it's decided to just kind of run whatever speed it feels like, and cleaning the speed controls didn't help. I only spent $20 on it and I figure there's no point in messing around with that one any more.

George,

I know little about linear trackers- Any issues to look out for with them? I was always intrigued by the concept, but a little scared of the computer control complexity. I think I like the Sony. I realize that shipping turntables is a pain. Let me check with her: She's probably never seen a linear tracking turntable, and the "look" is apparently kind of important to her.
Thank you again!

Jason

PolkieMan

Should you decide to get rid of the Pl-250 I have a 255 and could really use the parts I can Paypal you the shipping allowance

jcaut wrote: »

Thanks for the replies! She's been using a Pioneer PL-250 that I found locally about a year ago. It was beat pretty bad and lacked a dust cover. Recently it's decided to just kind of run whatever speed it feels like, and cleaning the speed controls didn't help. I only spent $20 on it and I figure there's no point in messing around with that one any more.

George,

I know little about linear trackers- Any issues to look out for with them? I was always intrigued by the concept, but a little scared of the computer control complexity. I think I like the Sony. I realize that shipping turntables is a pain. Let me check with her: She's probably never seen a linear tracking turntable, and the "look" is apparently kind of important to her.
Thank you again!

Jason

jcaut

Are you needing specific parts? I was thinking about trying to part it out. I wouldn't re-use the platter or the motor: I think at some point, maybe in storage or whatever, somebody dropped something heavy on the platter. It could have even gotten stepped-on- But for whatever reason there was a warp or wobble that was due to the fit between the platter and spindle being a little "off". Maybe spindle a little bit bent and the hole in the platter being a little bit elongated. I "more-or-less" fixed it by indexing the platter to the motor, to minimize runout, and then putting a bit of RTV silicone on the spindle and placing the platter on gently, and weighting it to one side until the silicone cured. It seemed to work and had no obvious problems, but I wouldn't plan on reusing those parts. The tonearm parts are all good. Arm rest clamp is broken. Feet are deteriorated to the point I wouldn't reuse them. The gears and auto-return mechanism parts are all good. Switches and buttons okay- a little corrosion showing on the pushbuttons. Headshell is good... Platter mat is decent.

But, yes, if you want the whole thing I'll send it for the cost of shipping. It actually works okay sometimes, and others times it does a speed runaway.

PolkieMan

I sent you a PM let me know how much. Economy usps is fine since it is for parts