Recommendation for turntable

Sumerian

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Sumerian wrote: »

Almost every search pops Audio Technica AT-LP120-USB
Is it really that good?

No. It's just one of many clones of the old (not the current) Panasonic/Technics SL-1200. It should be perfectly OK but it's nothing special. There's nothing wrong a priori with a "DJ" table -- except for some of the models that have short, straight arms with a headshell with no "offset". Such decks are made for scratching; not for listening to records. They won't allow proper alignment of the phono cartridge.

Here's an example. This model's arm looks to be proper length, but note the "straight" headshell -- it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to align the cartridge (stylus) to be maximally aliigned to the record groove across the surface of the record with that headshell. Also note that the guts of this tt are essentially identical to that Onkyo discussed earlier. This is another Hanpin OEM tt.




The A-T may or may not be made by Hanpin; I don't know.

Rega Planar also has similar arm

kharp1

mhardy6647 wrote: »

The Hanpins seem to be perfectly OK. I think that the aforementioned, neurotic vinylista* look down their noses at them partly due to good old jingoism (they're... they're... gasp... Chinese!) and partly because they're pretty accurate clones of the SL-1200. The SL-1200 itself draws scorn from a segment of the vinylista because -- gasp!! -- they were sold to, bought by, and used by -- DJs.


Heavens.






The Pioneer is likely no better nor worse than most of the clones. It's not inexpensive, but its not outrageous either. I am sure they're fine -- but -- yeah, it's not going to impress anyone (if that's a key point for any one!).

... and don't get me started about specifications, especially when it comes to tts

__________________
* You know, these guys.

Actually, when I did my research I almost went with one of the Pioneer 1000's as they had stellar reviews. A couple from real table guys that turned their nose up at DD tables. There were a couple of issues that proved to be taken care of. In the end it appears they did a great job on this table. Can be had for $600, but, that is without a cartridge.

txcoastal1

Straight up ...In the TT work you get what you pay for

mhardy6647

Sumerian wrote: »

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Sumerian wrote: »

Almost every search pops Audio Technica AT-LP120-USB
Is it really that good?

No. It's just one of many clones of the old (not the current) Panasonic/Technics SL-1200. It should be perfectly OK but it's nothing special. There's nothing wrong a priori with a "DJ" table -- except for some of the models that have short, straight arms with a headshell with no "offset". Such decks are made for scratching; not for listening to records. They won't allow proper alignment of the phono cartridge.

Here's an example. This model's arm looks to be proper length, but note the "straight" headshell -- it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to align the cartridge (stylus) to be maximally aliigned to the record groove across the surface of the record with that headshell. Also note that the guts of this tt are essentially identical to that Onkyo discussed earlier. This is another Hanpin OEM tt.




The A-T may or may not be made by Hanpin; I don't know.

Rega Planar also has similar arm

touche

... well... sort of. It is meant to be used with offset, though.
Plus, the Rega arms (as Ken pointed out earlier in -- I think -- this thread) are very good.



That Stanton arm just has a standard Japanese-style "SME compatible headshell" mounted on a straight tube with no offset.

msg

Sumerian wrote: »

Back in the day i use to send quite a bit of time before i picked anything. This time i wish its simple and fast:-)

As Doc says, don't suffer from analysis paralysis, but it'll happen with turntables before you realize it, and some research is definitely warranted here.

It can be as simple or complex as you want, but if you set yourself some solid boundaries that will help narrow the options.

Primarily

1. What gear will you need to get started, and
2. How much do you we got to spend?
3. What are your expectations for quality?

You listed a $600 budget figure.
Looks like you're gonna need a phono preamp as well, yes?
Is that to be included in the budget figure?

Are you okay going cheap to get started to see if you like the process, or do you want to be serious enough that this table provides quality performance? If it's just for fun and you don't care that much about vinyl care, you can go super cheap. It's when you want quality and equipment that won't tear up your records that things start to tick up, as I'm sure you're aware.

Sumerian

Thanks a bunch guys for the replies appreciate your time to respond.

600$ is my budget for TT alone.
That being said i would appreciate recommendation on phono stage.
Don't want to go cheap. Need some thing that can go well with my current setup. At the same time don't want to go overboard.

Sumerian

Based on what i read so far rega planer 2 or 3 seems to be a safe bet. Looks like i have spend some more time

cmy330go

Anything from Rega is a safe bet. (side note: don't let the visual similarities between the AT arm, and Rega arm fool you. The Rega arm is in an entirely superior league.)

As for phono stage. I would give the relatively new Mobile Fidelity StudioPhono a very serious look. For only $250ish you get adjustable gain, and loading, as well as a subsonic filter. This would allow you to go with just about any cartridge on the market. I haven't heard one personally, but reviews seem to be very favorable so far.

gp4jesus

KennethSwauger wrote: »

My semi-humble recommendation for a turntable that works to help extract information from a record is anything that has either a Rega RB200 or RB300 tonearm on it. If you want to hear what's on the record that arm is hard to beat any any reasonable price.

Ahhhh, ditto on SQ. FYI on the RB300 - don't sell it short.

I recent read a super-tweak/geek tone arm review (mounted on a Linn). The reviewer (positively) mentioned the 300 and the reviewed ($$$$) arm in the same SQ breath.

I plan to retire by the end of 2019 w/my, from the late 80s, resurrected Rega P3 that came w/that arm. Cartridge to be determined.

I must confess, setting up a cart on a P3/300 is challanging to say the least. But, unlike many of those floating chassis designs, it's set and forget. I realize it's like comparing EFI to to multiple carbs on a race car. I prefer driving to tuning/tweaking.

TEHO, Tony.

SCompRacer

Do you want a tube or SS phono stage?

Park's Audio Budgie. $399. I currently use a Budgie SUT (Step Up Transformer) for my LOMC (Low Output Moving Coil cartridge). The SUT allows a LOMC cartridge to be used with an MM phono stage. The SUT provides passive gain without noise.

http://parksaudiollc.com/budgiepreamp.html

If you have some soldering experience, a Bottlehead kit punches way above its price point. Bottlehead Reduction with Integration upgrade. $538.

https://bottlehead.com/?product=reduction-phono-preamplifier-kit

Bottlehead Eros, my current stage. $749.

https://bottlehead.com/?product=eros-phono-preamplifier-kit

Music Hall pa1.2. $175. They have a 2.2 for $399. I sold a Nottingham Space 294 (a $4K retail table) to a friend and the PA1.2 was able to show the difference from the table he upgraded from.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_823PA12/Music-Hall-pa1-2.html?tp=204&awcr=12166399798&awdv=c&awkw=music+hall+phono&awmt=e&awnw=o&awat=

My Eros with custom crotch walnut base.

Tony M

I'd say get yourself an auto return and shutoff TT from technics or Some other great brand from the past. They don't make auto returns in most TT's of today. I used to like falling asleep to something playing and know it will be back to off and the arm back in its holder.

I like convenience. I loved CDs when they came out. No more flipping a record every 30 minutes to hear the rest of the Album.

Sumerian

Tony M wrote: »

I'd say get yourself an auto return and shutoff TT from technics or Some other great brand from the past. They don't make auto returns in most TT's of today. I used to like falling asleep to something playing and know it will be back to off and the arm back in its holder.

I like convenience. I loved CDs when they came out. No more flipping a record every 30 minutes to hear the rest of the Album.

Agree but buying a used one is whole different game especially from sites like eBay.

Tony M

No eBay for me UNLESS a local seller lists one.

Local thrift stores, Pawn shops, yard sales, Craigs List and all the other NEW sites that local people post on. Goodwill stores, Habitat for Humanity / Resale Store also. I just remembered..Estate sales..some are pre-advertised for pre-buys.

Church Bazaars are my favorite "Honey Holes".

Sumerian

Can you please help me understand what is the life of Cartridge? Like a exact cartridge which is used for 400 hours does it have any life left in it?

Tony M

8 hrs. a day for 50 days?

I would say heck yea, years more life should be left in it. If you're worried about dependability, I think you should purchase a Staunton DJ needle to go on a Staunton cartridge. The Needle Doctor sells them. They sound fine to me. I own one, I think. I might have sold it though.

SCompRacer

Sumerian wrote: »

Can you please help me understand what is the life of Cartridge? Like a exact cartridge which is used for 400 hours does it have any life left in it?

Perhaps you mean stylus life? One should get ~ 1000 hours with correct setup with CLEAN and good condition records with careful cueing. No DJ scratching...lol By setup I mean proper alignment and within spec (not excessive) stylus tracking force. The cartridge manufacturer will supply the range of stylus force expressed in grams, like 1.5 to 2.0. Some folks use USB microscopes to monitor stylus condition.

Type of stylus can affect life. Shibata or fine line, micro linear may get less. These are smaller and get deeper into the groove. The advantage is they can get below any groove damage done by larger stylus allowing for quieter playback.

The cartridge itself, life is much longer. Years. Decades. MM or Moving Magnet cartridges typically have a user replaceable stylus. MC or Moving Coil stylus are not user replaceable. You go to Soundsmith or get a new cartridge. Manufacturers of MC cartridges may allow for a substantial trade in discount.

The reason they make MM and MC is for vinyl guys to argue about what's better. MC has less mass to excite and can be more responsive but with less output, like .3mV. Then you need Step Up Transformers or MC phono stages to get the output higher for playback.

Starting out I say definitely go with MM cartridges. Imagine bending or tearing a stylus/cantilever out of a $1,000 dollar MC cartridge. Wear out or mess up your Grado Black, ~$60 for a stylus.

machone

I have the PLX-1000.
Easy to set up and operate.
I have had no issues.
Very quiet with no feedback.
No loose tonearm bearings.
Don't notice any wow&flutter.
It also looks good with my black theme.

Sumerian

Folks planning to buy Planar 3 is it worth getting it with elsys cartridge or get a different cartridge?
Appreciate your feed back.

kharp1

I was really leaning towards the PLX-1000 before I bought the ProJect. Got such a good deal on the ProJect that I couldn't pass it up. Everything I read about the Pioneer was good, and there was a lot of owner reviews available.

Sumerian

kharp1 wrote: »

I was really leaning towards the PLX-1000 before I bought the ProJect. Got such a good deal on the ProJect that I couldn't pass it up. Everything I read about the Pioneer was good, and there was a lot of owner reviews available.

Thanks for the response but isn't it oriented more towards DJ's?

Clipdat

Nah, we use Technics.

Sumerian wrote: »

Thanks for the response but isn't it oriented more towards DJ's?

Viking64

Clipdat wrote: »

Nah, we use Technics.

You're not one of those silly people that touches a records grooves with your fingertips, are you?

Clipdat

When you're spinning vinyl it's pretty much necessary to, at least at the beginning when you're getting it queued up.

Edit: By "spinning vinyl", I actually mean what DJs do. Not just playing a record.

Viking64 wrote: »

You're not one of those silly people that touches a records grooves with your fingertips, are you?

kharp1

Sumerian wrote: »

kharp1 wrote: »

I was really leaning towards the PLX-1000 before I bought the ProJect. Got such a good deal on the ProJect that I couldn't pass it up. Everything I read about the Pioneer was good, and there was a lot of owner reviews available.

Thanks for the response but isn't it oriented more towards DJ's?

To some degree, yes, however, Fremer, from Stereophile gave it a rave review as have others. The DJ community is still in love with the Technics, but, without a fresh supply of 1200's many are finding that the Pioneer does very well. Time may show that the Pioneer ends up with just as big a following as the old Technics.

Viking64

Clipdat wrote: »

When you're spinning vinyl it's pretty much necessary to, at least at the beginning when you're getting it queued up.

Edit: By "spinning vinyl", I actually mean what DJs do. Not just playing a record.

I was referring to using ones feeyangers to make the record go back and forth at the needle and making those silly sounds. Sort of like a sound effect for waxing a car or....self abuse.

jdjohn

Viking64 wrote: »

Clipdat wrote: »

When you're spinning vinyl it's pretty much necessary to, at least at the beginning when you're getting it queued up.

Edit: By "spinning vinyl", I actually mean what DJs do. Not just playing a record.

I was referring to using ones feeyangers to make the record go back and forth at the needle and making those silly sounds. Sort of like a sound effect for waxing a car or....self abuse.

A/k/a "scratching"....waka, waka, waka.

Sumerian, if you give us your locale, we can checkout Craigslist items in your area for maybe a good vintage deck. As Tony M mentioned, think about what features you want like fully-auto, semi-auto, or full manual. I have found that auto-return is a requirement for me personally.

Sumerian

Thanks for the response John.
I am looking for good sounding turntable i don't have option to upgrade so i have get it right first time.
I am located in New Jersey, wanted to keep the budget below 1000$

gp4jesus

If you're in upper NJ AND Dale was still running the place, I'd suggest CSA Audio in Upper Montclair. Or if it's still open, and Dale ran it, CSA Audio in Bernardsville.


However I had bought and used to work for whom I believe is running the Upper Montclair store these days and I'd take my business elsewhere. Not that couldn't get something there to serve your needs, you can. I don't like the (business attitude) direction he went about 20 years ago.

Sumerian

I Found a rp6 with exact cartridge for 800$.
2 years old. Will it be a better option than the ones discussed in this thread?

Sumerian

Finally bought plx 1000 with ortofon bronze catridge.