Cover me...I'm going in!

ROHfan
ROHfan Posts: 1,014
in 2 Channel Audio
I'm looking to get a TT but I don't wanna go nuts. I've been researching and these are the three I'm considering:

TEAC TN-300
Music Hall usb-1
Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB

Does anyone have any experience with any of the above? Would like to hear feedback or suggestions. I'm not looking to break the bank, just want to fool around with vinyl.
TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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Comments

  • honestaquarian
    honestaquarian Posts: 3,186
    Is the Audio Technica the one that looks just like a Technics SL-1200?
    Also I see that two of them are USB tables.
    Is there a particular reason for this?
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    edited March 2016
    honestaquarian wrote: »
    Is the Audio Technica the one that looks just like a Technics SL-1200?
    Also I see that two of them are USB tables.
    Is there a particular reason for this?

    Yes on the Audio Technica, and for the USB, no particular reason except that they happen to have that functionality. I won't be using it, however.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    first of all, don't do it.
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    rednedtugent wrote: »
    first of all, don't do it.

    Anything else?
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    A good working vintage table in your price range would be better than what you're looking at IMO.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    I've looked at this 5 ways from sunday and wish I had kept notes.
    In the end, I put my money somewhere else. (I have a @Rick88 table)
    The Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB was a contender but if you want
    more or less P-n-P look elsewhere I speculate based on reviews.
    If you don't fear the setup, it seems the way to go in the price range.
    ($200)
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    rednedtugent wrote: »
    I've looked at this 5 ways from sunday and wish I had kept notes.
    In the end, I put my money somewhere else. (I have a @Rick88 table)
    The Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB was a contender but if you want
    more or less P-n-P look elsewhere I speculate based on reviews.
    If you don't fear the setup, it seems the way to go in the price range.
    ($200)

    Now yer helpin' me! :)

    That Teac got almost no negative reviews anywhere and the cherry version looks sexy as hell. The AT looks like a toy.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    Nightfall wrote: »
    A good working vintage table in your price range would be better than what you're looking at IMO.

    I wouldn't know where to begin. Can you recommend a few? There are lots of TTs on my local Craigslist so it's worth a shot.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    Vinyl is just a passing fad....mine has lasted 50 years... :smile:

    With used tables you'll want to verify they hold proper speed. That would require a strobe and hypnotic bars that spin on the platter. Some platter mats had the strobe lines on the inner label indent. Instead of strobe, an incandescent light bulb (60Hz light bulb) can be used. Frequency can vary depending on mains frequency.

    The arm should pass the swing and bob test. Neutral balance the arm with stylus guard on. LIGHTLY push the arm, it should swing back and forth on a horizontal and vertical plane without binding. If it binds you have arm bearing problems.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    I'm told you can fix the "pitch adjuster thingy" by cleaning it.
    I'm going to find out right now as I've been meaning to do this
    with the Dual table sitting in the basement...
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    @mhardy6647 helped me pick my table from the multitude that were available on my Craigslist. What city Craigslist do you look through?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,020
    ROHfan wrote: »
    I'm looking to get a TT but I don't wanna go nuts.

    I'm not looking to break the bank, just want to fool around with vinyl.
    LOLOL
    ROFLMAO
    LOLOL

    B)
    I disabled signatures.
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    Nightfall wrote: »
    @mhardy6647 helped me pick my table from the multitude that were available on my Craigslist. What city Craigslist do you look through?

    Long Island.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited March 2016
    https://longisland.craigslist.org/ele/5489028858.html - Pioneer PL-570

    https://longisland.craigslist.org/ele/5468212825.html - Dual 1229Q w/ Shure V15 type III cart

    https://longisland.craigslist.org/ele/5479654316.html - Technics SL1200 MK2

    These all caught my eye. No idea which would be the best or if their prices are fair but I can promise you that they'd all be better than the Teac. Do some price research first. The Shure V15 on the Dual is a very nice cart. The Technics is probably about the most popular turntable on the planet. Don't know much about the Pioneer but perhaps somebody with more vintage TT knowledge will chime in.

    The guy with the Dual says needs to be serviced first. Does that mean it has issues or is he just recommending that it be done? Question to ask.

    The Technics looks like the safest bet after looking at the posts. I'm not sure which Dynavector that is but they make some good carts.

    Could be this one -

    http://www.musicdirect.com/p-6977-dynavector-10x5-mc-phono-cartridge.aspx?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=152906042690&gclid=CPbQp7OBxMsCFYGFaQod5rUMEg

    Which is a $650 cartridge.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited March 2016
    Do you have a phono preamp or one built into whatever equipment you are using?
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    msg wrote: »
    ROHfan wrote: »
    I'm looking to get a TT but I don't wanna go nuts.

    I'm not looking to break the bank, just want to fool around with vinyl.
    LOLOL
    ROFLMAO
    LOLOL

    B)

    Truth. I spent $279 last trip to the record store. I will be eating Ramen this pay period. ;)
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    "I spent $279 last trip to the record store." Oh my. :)
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  • Nightfall
    Nightfall Posts: 10,086
    edited March 2016
    rednedtugent wrote: »
    "I spent $279 last trip to the record store." Oh my. :)

    I know. Wish You Were Here was $32, Hemispheres was $30, 100 outer sleeves and 100 MoFi inner sleeves was $60... oops already up to $120.

    I do search my two local thrift stores for rednedtugent dollar finds but all they ever have, most of the time, is Barbara Streisand and Gospel records.
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    Nightfall wrote: »
    msg wrote: »
    ROHfan wrote: »
    I'm looking to get a TT but I don't wanna go nuts.

    I'm not looking to break the bank, just want to fool around with vinyl.
    LOLOL
    ROFLMAO
    LOLOL

    B)

    Truth. I spent $279 last trip to the record store. I will be eating Ramen this pay period. ;)

    Dude's got it bad. Real bad....
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    edited March 2016
    so what use guys are sayin' is this is @mhardy6647 's fault.
    I'm in the clear >:)

    Well, I tried to warn @ROHfan off. o:)
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 10,716
    Just hooked up the Rotel (not Dual) from the basement. up and spinning after some cleaning. Got the pitch stable. Still think that either the needle needs replacing or
    re-aligning... Still, it sounds good. :)
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,020
    edited March 2016
    Vinyl can be a lot of fun, man, and completely and absolutely consuming. I'm interested to follow your progress to see what you end up getting into. And also to see just how hooked you get. Took me two tries. First time didn't take.

    Lots of great resources here to guide you along the way, and, as I'm sure you know, all of us enablers B)

    Just something about beautiful noise coming from the mesmerizing spinny thing...
    I disabled signatures.
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    Nightfall wrote: »
    Do you have a phono preamp or one built into whatever equipment you are using?

    The TTs I was looking at had built-in preamps, but no, I don't have the option on my receiver.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • StevieB
    StevieB Posts: 256
    edited March 2016
    Nightfall wrote: »
    rednedtugent wrote: »
    "I spent $279 last trip to the record store." Oh my. :)

    I know. Wish You Were Here was $32, Hemispheres was $30, 100 outer sleeves and 100 MoFi inner sleeves was $60... oops already up to $120.

    I do search my two local thrift stores for rednedtugent dollar finds but all they ever have, most of the time, is Barbara Streisand and Gospel records.

    Down in Florida I would add Ray Conniff and Herb Alpert to the list. I'm absolutely amazed how many albums Streisand has sold.
    McCormack DNA-1 Amp, Parasound Halo P5 Pre Amp, Denon DVD 2900 CD player, Adcom GDA 700 DAC, VPI Traveler TT with Denon 103R cartridge, Lounge Audio MKiii phono pre and Copla SUT, Polk SDA SRS 3.1 TL speakers, Tributaries series 8 IC's and speaker cable.
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    Nightfall wrote: »
    https://longisland.craigslist.org/ele/5489028858.html - Pioneer PL-570

    https://longisland.craigslist.org/ele/5468212825.html - Dual 1229Q w/ Shure V15 type III cart

    https://longisland.craigslist.org/ele/5479654316.html - Technics SL1200 MK2

    These all caught my eye. No idea which would be the best or if their prices are fair but I can promise you that they'd all be better than the Teac. Do some price research first. The Shure V15 on the Dual is a very nice cart. The Technics is probably about the most popular turntable on the planet. Don't know much about the Pioneer but perhaps somebody with more vintage TT knowledge will chime in.

    The guy with the Dual says needs to be serviced first. Does that mean it has issues or is he just recommending that it be done? Question to ask.

    The Technics looks like the safest bet after looking at the posts. I'm not sure which Dynavector that is but they make some good carts.

    Could be this one -

    http://www.musicdirect.com/p-6977-dynavector-10x5-mc-phono-cartridge.aspx?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=152906042690&gclid=CPbQp7OBxMsCFYGFaQod5rUMEg

    Which is a $650 cartridge.

    The Techniques is probably the only one I'd consider. And it did catch my eye yesterday. Got to research his price, though.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    msg wrote: »
    ROHfan wrote: »
    I'm looking to get a TT but I don't wanna go nuts.

    I'm not looking to break the bank, just want to fool around with vinyl.
    LOLOL
    ROFLMAO
    LOLOL

    B)

    It's gonna be different this time. I can control it. I promise. This is the last piece of audio equipment I'll ever need. :)
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB
    Quite satisfied with mine, Easy setup, No issues in over a year and sounds pretty good to me.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    What's the appeal of going so low budget? You aren't going to get the enjoyment out of it by staying at the very bottom, IMO.

    Perhaps we have a different set of criteria however.

    What are you trying to do? If you are trying to get the vinyl experience, you won't get close with what you've posted so far.

    Just my .02c. I apologize in advance if my statements seem blunt, don't mean to be, just saying like I see it.

    H9

    P.s. I'm not suggesting you spend $2K, but atleast look at some units that require an external phono pre-amp. I can't imagine the one's built in are all that great.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • ROHfan
    ROHfan Posts: 1,014
    heiney9 wrote: »

    P.s. I'm not suggesting you spend $2K, but atleast look at some units that require an external phono pre-amp. I can't imagine the one's built in are all that great.

    With the three I mentioned you have the option of using the on-board preamp OR switching it over to use an external pre.
    TV: 65" Samsung QLED 4K
    Fronts: Energy RC70 --- Center: Energy RC-LCR
    Front Heights: Polk RC65i --- Rears: Polk RC85i --- Sub: Power Sound Audio XS15
    Pioneer VSX-1120K --- Parasound HCA-1000A --- Oppo BDP-103
    Vincent Audio SA31 preamp --- Teac UD301 DAC
    AIYIMA Tube T7 preamp --- Nobsound 12AX7 tube preamplifier
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  • cstibitz
    cstibitz Posts: 14
    I've been looking at Rega rp1, Pro-ject Carbon Debut, and U-turn upgrade. All seem to be entry level audiophile quality for around $400 or less. Large majority of reviews I read were pretty good.
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