Getting a TT - advice?

BottomFeeder
BottomFeeder Posts: 1,684
edited July 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
Ok, gulp.

Let's say a CD guy wanted to try a little TT. Nothing expensive - sorry - but note my user name. I can't spend a lot on digital & can't on analog. Anyway, what if a guy had about $250 or so & wanted to get up & running w/a TT? Someone mentioned getting a TT at Radio Shack, but can I do better? Used?

I miss vinyl - it's just fun - and like the idea of finding nice albums for little $.

What should this guy do? Opinions please.
"Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
Post edited by BottomFeeder on
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited July 2007
    There are lots of entry level tables to had now-a-days. Rega, Music Hall and Pro-Ject are but a few of the many companies who now are offerering entry level tables for between $275 and $350. I would even consider buying good quality used turntable that you may see in your area that you would be able to drive to and pick it up yourself. I'm not a big fan of buying used turntables that need to be shipped for obvious reasons. Billbillw had a bad experience recently with a shipped used turntable.

    If I were looking for an entry level table, one of the things I would consider would be how upgradeable the turntable is. You may not think that you would ever consider upgrading your table now but you don't want to shut the door on the option. Rega's Planar 1 is a good example of an entry level upgradeable table. Although I have never heard this turntable/tonearm/cartridge combo, I've read several reviews on it and it comes out with thumbs up.
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  • BottomFeeder
    BottomFeeder Posts: 1,684
    edited July 2007
    Thanks very much for the advice, Hearing. I think I'll probably start by looking for local used, then move from there.

    Thanks again!
    "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Bob Seger
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited July 2007
    I might choose the Rega, they are all about really being plug and play, very easy to set up.

    RT1
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2007
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Rega, Music Hall and Pro-Ject are but a few of the many companies who now are offerering entry level tables for between $275 and $350.

    Great advice. If it were me though, I would want to pick up a used upgraded model for $350 to $475 rather than a new one. For example, I saw an MMF 5 going for $425 used. I would much rather have it than the MMF 2 or whatever their lower end model is. Of course you take your chances. I think the best deal out there would be the MMF 5se model, used.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited July 2007
    I have played with the idea of a Rega P1 once I get settled again, but I don't think I would be happy with it after a short time, and get bit by the upgrade bug again....I'm thinking I am going to go used Rega, but a little more upscale...
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited July 2007
    I would like to add one more thing to this discussion; you can't go wrong with a VPI! Used, you can get some great deals.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited July 2007
    Bill Ayotte wrote: »
    I have played with the idea of a Rega P1 once I get settled again, but I don't think I would be happy with it after a short time, and get bit by the upgrade bug again....I'm thinking I am going to go used Rega, but a little more upscale...

    Bill,

    My P-25 is a very satisfying table, the 25 was the anniversary model, after that it simply became the P-5, but pretty much the same table. Rega really does focus on tables that are easy to set up and get going quickly, but if you love tweaking you can tweak them in many ways, I have changed my sub platter and platter, it has the heavyweight, Joe's clamp and a nice ClearAudio cartridge, the cartridge is very simple to adjust, the base table comes with a fixed VTA but you can change this if you want. The other ones mentioned I have heard some of them and they are just fine as well. The MMF are nice entry tables no doubt.

    RT1
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited July 2007
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    I would like to add one more thing to this discussion; you can't go wrong with a VPI! Used, you can get some great deals.

    Bump! LOL!!!
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2007
    Don't do it I tell ya!!! Don't do it unless you're a glutton for punishment.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited July 2007
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Don't do it I tell ya!!! Don't do it unless you're a glutton for punishment.

    Okay now I need to drill you and drop the gloves. Phil when was the last time you owned a turntable and listened to analog in your home? 20, 30 years??? Stop giving advise on something you know absolutely nothing about these days!:rolleyes:

    The punishment is the bloody ears you get from digital grunge and glare unless you own a relatively high end digital rig. Your listening times are limited due to listening fatigue because you just cant' listen to digital for hours unless you listen at the low levels you listen to them Phil or unless you've spent thousands or purchased used high end digital front ends.

    Billy and I listen to my turntable for 8 to 10 hours straight when he visits. . . I've never been able to listen anywhere near that long when listening to my digital rig.

    Now back to our regularly scheduled duel!!!:D :D:D:p
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited July 2007
    See ya tomorrow for a class in vinyl etiquite. Oh, the Krall/Botti concert was fabulous.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited July 2007
    There was a very good review on the P1 table in stereophile. It runs around $375 and they seem to think its a winner. I haven't heard one myself.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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