Turntable thoughts

Midnite Mick

I knew I would want to give vinyl a shot one day. I don't even remember it as I have not had an actual turntable since I was 15 years old (23 years ago....ugh, I am getting old) and can't even remember what it sounds like. I am sure there are a tonne of vintage stuff like this floating around but this one caught my eye because of how good of shape it is in. Would this be a good re-introduction and a good price for this?

http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/85103-pioneer_pl51_turntable_perfect/

He said it comes with some basic Audio Technica cartridge...worth 60-70 new.

Thanks,
Mike

engtaz

The first thing you need to remember is that the speakers and electronics most of us used at that time were garbage. With are new setups the sound is fantastic. I tend to like belt drive TT's.

engtaz

BaggedLancer

It looks pretty good. I might recommend a brand new Rega P1 though. Seems like alot of those users have good luck with them. The Pro-Ject Debut III is owned by a few on this forum and they have good luck with it. Just an fyi if you want new..

Midnite Mick

Are the belt drives significantly quieter or are there other reasons?

Thanks,
Mike

hearingimpared

Midnite Mick wrote: »

Are the belt drives significantly quieter or are there other reasons?

Thanks,
Mike

Yes! Less motor noise.

Mike if you are going to spend $150 on a used table like that, I would suggest you spend $100 to $150 more (if your budget allows) on one of the new entry level tables by, Pro-ject, Music Hall, Rega, etc.

If you like what you hear, they are all upgradable.

Jonesy

Careful Mike......I jumped back in the vinyl pool only a year ago and am now thoroughly infected. I just got my second TT set-up (Pioneer PL-112D), recently bought a record cleaning machine, spend an increasingly disturbing amount of time in record resale shops and am often more satisfied spending a saturday night cleaning vinyl rather than anything else. It's a slippery slope.

From what I've seen you could probably put together a decent used/vintage setup for under $100-$150. That route will likely take some hunting and research. That particular Pioneer looks nice, but may be a bit overpriced. Hearingimpaired's suggestion is good advice if you want to get up and running quickly with a minimum of hassle. The extra $ buys you much less potential tinkering/headaches and probably more reliability.

Whatever you do it's all worth it. I can sit and listen to records for hours whereas the same amount of time on a CD player would likely have my ears ringing. Good luck.

BaggedLancer

Slippery slope is right. You'll go from social butterfly to locking yourself in your basement in no time.

george daniel

I think that Rich (Scomp) nailed it,, it's a deep dark rabbit hole

I now have a VPI scout,dynavector XL lo output mc,, dynavector P-75 phono pre,,vpi rcm on the horizon,,,fortunately,,I have alot of old vinyl from a record store venture,,I visit the "high end" goodwill in the affluent side of town for my lp purchases.:);)

engtaz

My problems with the hole started with george and he got it from Scomp. LOL


engtaz

PS. izafar started it with a Karma TT. Thanks once again izafar. I am still using it, but, george made me state digging the hole. LOL

thehawkman

Watch out Midnite Mick...it can and will get serious. Mine started last August, picked up a Jolida 502BR and a Jolida JD 9A phono preamp. After a few weeks of listening to CD's I hooked up my trusty REGA Planar 2. WOW.
Then I started getting more and more vinyl. Just bought a VPI cleaning machine. I spend time lurking second hand stores. Complain to store managers that they don't carry enough vinyl. I'm sick please someone help me. Just kiddin, this vinyl thing is great. Have fun Midnite Mick your gonna enjoy the adventure in good sound.

strider

I started with a used Luxman direct drive table that I bought for around $150. It became a bit finicky after a year or so, rather then fixing it I stepped up a bit to a Debut III for $300. The Debut does everything better, and not just by a little. No reliability issues, much quieter, better bass and imaging. Plus I can upgrade it.:) No question in my mind now, I should have just ponied up the extra $150 and got something like the Debut from go.

Actually, I lie. Now I wish I had saved a bit more $ and gone with a VPI or a Clearaudio or a high end Rega or a......

Yeah, slippery slope is right.

Face

You can pick up a Rega P1 for just a little more, or a P2 for about 100-150 more. The only reason I'd recommend the P2 over the P1, more items are upgradeable.

Enjoy!

cmy330go

I agree that one of the new entry level tables would be a better place to start if money allows.

That pioneer appears to be in good cosmetic condition, but does seem to be slightly over-priced. I've been collecting and repairing older turntables lately, and have found that they can be a real crapshoot. You just can't always tell how good a table is until you've spent a fair amount of time with it.