Turntable choices

Skynut · January 2006

I know they can go over $10,000.00 but that is not in my budget.

I am looking to get into vinyl (sounds dirty) and I don't have a turntable so I was interested in what might be worth the money?

I would like to stay under $500.00 but I don't want to strugle for good sound after that.

I know the DJ's have their favorites and I don't know if they are good or bad. Numark & Technics are the two I have heard of for DJ's.

I don't think I will be doing any scratching with it so that is not important to me, just good sound for my old records.

I don't know jack about cartridges or needle choices nor do I know how long a needle is good for.

School me a little please.
This purchase is probably a year or so away but I like to do my homework before spending.
Thanks.

madmax · January 2006

The Pro-Ject tables look interesting at those prices. http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/sc.7/category.947/it.A/id.2493/.f

All set up and ready to go. That even leaves you with another $200 for necessities for cleaning records.

madmax

Skynut · January 2006

Those do look nice.
I wonder if they can easily be upgraded with tone-arms and cartridges when the time comes.
Thanks for the link.

madmax · January 2006

I suspect you could change the arm. Certainly the cartridge could be changed.
madmax

ledhed · January 2006

I would look ebay for some older used ones. I love my dad's old pioneer, pl-530 or 540 I believe. I'm not really sure what to look for though, haven't had much expierience with vinyl though I am looking for a nice table too so, I guess I will follow this thread

Skynut · January 2006

I have been watching various places but I don't know what to look for.
I don't want to pay too much for a piece of garbage.
Ultimatly I want to build my own but I want to start somewhere cheaper so I can learn what to put in my ultimate turntable.

madmax · January 2006

Read audioasylum "vinyl" forum. Gloss over what seems too intense or boring and pretty quickly things will start interesting you. Best way I know of to get into it quickly. Then too, a $300 table up and running next week would keep you happy for quite some time while you learn about everything, how to buy lp's and clean them, etc.
madmax

Edit: Even an old Dual or whatever from ebay for $40... You could start right now! Stop at your local goodwills and check out the records for a buck a piece.

Skynut · January 2006

That is what I think I am going to do.
Get something good but cheap (if possible) and start listening and learning.
I do not have a 2 channel rig yet but I want to start out with something I can listen to records on.
I have a box of albums that have been sitting in my closet for a about 8 years now and I want to check them out.

madmax · January 2006

I think doro has one he is going to sell. You could pm him. I would be happy to check it out to make sure all is good, adj, ready to go etc.
madmax

Skynut · January 2006

I don't really have the money right now.
I might in a few weeks but I still won't have anywhere but the HT to play it.
I think for now I will just do homework till I can get a dedicated 2 channel system going.
By dedicated I mean better than the equipment I have laying around.

shack · January 2006

I know Troy picked up a Music Hall MMF5 and seems to be very pleased with it. I don't know if he has done a "review" here or not. Music Hall tables seem to be well regarded and are reasonably priced. One should be in your budget range.

Skynut · January 2006

Thanks shack, I am going to look into all of these and then try to find a place locally to demo them.

Tour2ma · January 2006

From the old school files...

max mentioned Dual and there are a couple very worthy models there with the 1229 at the top of my "value" list. I'm also partial to Thorens and AR TT's.

Used Thorens TD-320's IMO go at a verry good price point for the value it brings, but aren't seen too often. A lot of folks are also very fond of the TD-160.

By far one of the most available and best starters is the AR XA. Basic, no frills, easily serviced, very tweakable. Can get very cheap ($50 to $100), if you take a chance on condition and/ or are willing to give one some love. Or pay $150 to $250 for one that's been refurb'd. If you want to go the latter route, give me a shout when you're ready. If I don't have one at the time, I can steer you to an ebay bud, that might.

Whatever you choose the key is packing for shipment. No worries obvious with doro or max or me, but your average ebay garage sale hound won't have a clue. I do have a packaging plan for the XA. E-mail me and I'll send it to you.

Then there's cartridge and maybe a phono-pre and...

Happy hunting.

scottnbnj · January 2006

i know lots of folks don't like direct drive, but if you decide on that instead of belt drive you might consider a denon dp-60l. i have one but haven't had the space to set it up for a while. it sounded great and the tapes still amaze me whenever i have the nak hooked up.

there are a few others in this line that were well thought of and have held their value well also. the dp-60l has a heavy rosewood base that is really good looking. they seem to come up for sale often enough that you shouldn't have to wait too long if you decide to buy one and they sell in your price range. there's a bit of info on the net about them.

it looks like this (no affil):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5852441454&category=3283

that one has the straight tone arm. i believe they shipped with the curve or s and i had to special order the straight from denon. i believe the straight is preferred.

)

madmax · January 2006

Good deal Skynut. If I run across one for nothing I'll keep you in mind. At least you could get started. It really is fun and once you start picking up unfamiliar LP's for nothing, it becomes a downright uncontrollable urge to continue.
madmax

Polkersince85 · January 2006

Deals are out there, about 2 weeks ago I picked up a United Dual 1229 for 9 bucks at a local Catholic Mission store. Works great on those 50 cent used records. It would be a good way for you to get into it without blowing the budget.

TroyD · January 2006

I love my MMF5. I think that it is untouchable in the bang for buck category. There are better tables, sure (I intend to own one soon) but for 496 from underwood wally, like a sore dingus, you can't beat it.

I love the AR XA (have one of those too) but the MMF5 is superior in every way.

BDT

unc2701 · January 2006

Technics is only good if you plan on dropping it down a flight of stairs... or have roommates that do stupid **** like tape a quarter to the tonearm. ****.

Anyhow, the pro-ject is great- lotta turntable for not much cash. Used Dual is probably best bang for the buck. Used thorens can be harder to find than the Dual, but sounds a little better in my experience. That pioneer mentioned above is really good. My uncle had one sitting in his attic and gave it to me- it sat in my study for about 6 months doing nothing, then I hooked it up a week or two ago and I've been using it constantly since. Mainly because I've been painting/cleaning my house and it's automatic, so I don't have to wash up to kill it at the end of the record.

You can also probably find a Rega in that price range, but I'd probably go with the pro-ject

Skynut · January 2006

I knew there would be good input from the people here.
I think I am going to try to nab one of the adcom 555's we have been talking about on the other thread and start a 2 channel rig from there.
Not sure on the speakers yet.
It actually looks like I will get a TT sooner than I thought and put it into my HT rig for now.
I am definatly going to start looking into all the suggestions here.
If anyone here wants to sell one in a month or two please pm me with prices.

Thanks
Skynut

hotwheelman · January 2006

Skynut.....P.m. sent.

Skynut · January 2006

PM back at ya.
Thanks.

Tour2ma · January 2006

TroyD wrote:

I love the AR XA (have one of those too) but the MMF5 is superior in every way.

... including price...

Mike Sedai · January 2006

unc2701 wrote:

Technics is only good if you plan on dropping it down a flight of stairs... or have roommates that do stupid **** like tape a quarter to the tonearm. ****.

I find this confusing. Please explain how technics TTs aren't good. I am in my mid 30s and have yet to find anything can can touch a technics SL 1200 (MK2 or III at this point). Rock solid construction, the best quartz lock available, and a direct drive that can tear your arm off. Professional DJs use this line, and this line only, for a reason. Carts and styli are a whole different world, and can be argued until people's faces turn blue, without resolution, but as for the decks...

The SL 1200 M3D is the updated version with a power switch guard, redesigned dust cover, and a modified greenslot that allows for more accuarte speed control on the pitch slider.

I have had two SL 1200 M3d for quite some time, and they have been rock solid in every way, and they sound incredible (my carts aren't cheap, mind you).

I mean, perhaps my many, many years as a Dj is coloring my choice, and I am sure there is some "elite" class TT for 10k in some specialty shop somewhere, but no DJ I know (and I know a TON) would ever even consider anything else.

The Vestax and Numark tables are pretty shabby in comparison, and I have tried the top of the line in both brands (Once during a very sweaty, very nervous set in which the tables were just drifting all over the place)...

Regardless, I am sure there are soem belt driven decks out there that are great for home stereo, but anything I have ever looked at just seems so fragile and shabby in comparison to the techs...

Skynut · January 2006

Interesting about the technics, I always thought they were built solid but I think the problem people here might have is they are into sound quality more than the players ability to withstand the beating that a dj puts on it.
I don't know about the SQ of the technics or any other for that matter so I am asking for a general consensus.
Thanks for your input.
how much do the tables you have cost?
Do you really like the sound quality or the build quality more?

TroyD · January 2006

Right wrong or indifferent, direct drive tables introduce more noise into the equation than belt drive tables. Belt drive tables are generally accepted as better for home audio applications.

DJ applications and home stereo are two entirely different animals.

BDT

Tour2ma · January 2006

Ed Z...

Mike Sedai wrote:

Regardless, I am sure there are soem belt driven decks out there that are great for home stereo, but anything I have ever looked at just seems so fragile and shabby in comparison to the techs...

DJ world is different. Fragility is really not a home audio design consideration.

And no one is saying that DD TT's aren't, or can't be good. Just saying that they are not great.

hotwheelman · January 2006

Noise from direct drive on the sl1200 mkII in non audible....period. One of the nice factors of this model t.t. is that it is not only a great table for the d.j. world, but makes for an excellent audiophile t.t. as well, the way the base is designed it is hard as hell to introduce feedback into the equation and in order to do that you better be kickin it hard, not to mention they are smooth as silk and hold speed near perfect. They are way overbuilt and can last a lifetime. Now granted they may not have the visual appeal like some of the others do but I wouldn't make that issue a deal breaker when considering a turntable purchase. Just my 2cw. Don't get me wrong, I'm not dissin the belt drive design I just happen to like the dd design better.

hotwheelman · January 2006

Sky...you got mail.

Just wanted to make it known that I am trying to hook a bro up, I have a t.t. that I picked up from doro at the 2004 fest that I was going to list in the f.m. in the next couple of days anyway so I just thought I would try and help out if it fits the bill for him.

joe6pak · January 2006

I have a good collection of lps and have been thinking about getting a TT like a Thorens TD-295 MK III. Audio Advisor has them for around $900. The Thorens TD-850 or 810 look nice but I am not sure I want to spend that much money. The Music Hall MMF 7 & 9 also look promising. I know someone hanging out here has a pretty nice J.A. Mitchell. Those can get pertty costly. My pre/pro does not have a phono stage so I'll need to get one of those also. Damn, I am running out of space!

madmax · January 2006

Tour2ma wrote:

Ed Z...DJ world is different. Fragility is really not a home audio design consideration.

Yea, a little fumble could put a real hurtin' on my budget. :eek:
madmax

reeltrouble1 · January 2006

Add me to list for the Project TT's if you are going to go new. They give alot of bang for the buck. I really am enjoying vinyl again, its cool, albeit their is a bit of work involved, but I like the cleaning, adjusting etc. and record jackets are fun to look at and read and so on.

RT1

Turntable choices

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