Hmm, maybe I'll give vinyl a shot?

Zitro

So, being a member of a younger generation I've spent most of my time exposed to cd and only own a cd player. Yet the more forums I see and the more I listen to my gf's dad's 2 channel system (he swears on vinyl and put a lot of money into his rig), the more I can hear that vinyl really does sound better. Bottom line: I came across the Audio Technica AT-LP60 on Amazon for $73 shipped and considering it has a built in phono stage, I wanted to know if it was worth getting just to dip into the world of analog? I think it would be fun to have some vinyl to listen to (considering how cheap LP's are to get second hand around where I live), even if its from a basic player, but if it is going to be junk I don't want to buy it. Anyone have experience with AT's entry level stuff? Here are a couple of links:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GYTPAE/ref=s9_simz_gw_s0_p23_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0NP6WR72ZXTG4P3MM9FG&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/turntables/9a7f42b88ee1e14b/index.html

So, what do you think? Worth it as a first record player or junk?

billbillw

I'd say its junk. Stay away from vinyl until you are ready to sink at least a few hundred into a table, cartridge, and phono stage. Something like that AT would slowly ruin the vinyl you were playing. I've seen those ATs and they all suffer from a flimsy light platter that rings like a dinner bell.

Minimum that I would recommend for anyone would be a used Technics direct drive (SL-1200 or one of the other high end models that are similar), a Shure M97xe cartridge (or comparable Ortofon, AudioTechnica, or ?) and a decent phono stage (either from an older Preamp/Receiver or a stand alone phono stage).

I found a used Technics SL-1300 a few years back for $15 (it was a lucky find). Put a ~$60 Shure cartridge on it, and mated it with a $50 phono preamp and it sound pretty damn good for a backup table to use around my PC.

EDIT: I see several good deals on Technics SL-1200 on Orlando Craigslist (hint: always look in Electronics AND musical instruments. DJs consider them to be instruments!)

hearingimpared

I think the Audio Technica AT-LP60 is going to ruin your vinyl experience. I don't know how much of a budget you have but I would save up my dollars and buy entry level tables by: Rega, Music Hall, or Project. The table Mike & Bill have recommended above is a good bet too.

Demiurge

I got a turntable from a Karma here years back and I'm glad I did. I am looking to upgrade.

Zitro

I know its just a $150 player (its on sale for $73), but I'm a college student and its all I can afford. It's one of those "either this or nothing" sort of things. I just want to know if its worth just stepping into analog or if its such crap its not worth it. I'm content with CD for now, but I thought it could be fun to try vinyl, and if I can for that price without it sounding like total garbage why not?

hearingimpared

Zitro wrote: »

I know its just a $150 player (its on sale for $73), but I'm a college student and its all I can afford. It's one of those "either this or nothing" sort of things. I just want to know if its worth just stepping into analog or if its such crap its not worth it. I'm content with CD for now, but I thought it could be fun to try vinyl, and if I can for that price without it sounding like total garbage why not?

See the above posts. Save up for a better table.

billbillw

Zitro wrote: »

I know its just a $150 player (its on sale for $73), but I'm a college student and its all I can afford. It's one of those "either this or nothing" sort of things. I just want to know if its worth just stepping into analog or if its such crap its not worth it. I'm content with CD for now, but I thought it could be fun to try vinyl, and if I can for that price without it sounding like total garbage why not?

Not worth it. Save and look for decent used table. Read up, read up, read up before you start going to look at tables. For example, Tecnics SL-1200 are nearly bullet proof, but under severe abuse (years of club DJs use), they can have some issues with the tonearms. There are some simple tests you can do. Read up.

jimbo1421

Keep an eye on craigslist and when you see something that might work for you ask questions about it here and at http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/index.php. My current TT was free from a friend, then cost about $75 for cleaning and lubrication and $85 for a replacement stylus. To get the most quality for few bucks you really should get your learn on at Vinyl Engine and elsewhere on the web.

Jim

billbillw

Keiko wrote: »

At the very minimum, an AT PL120. One was recently sold in the FM, here:

Nope, wouldn't recommend that either. My Father-in-law has one of those things. The platter is thin flexxy aluminum, and rings like a dinner bell.

If you are patient, $200 can get you a genuine SL-1200 which has a sound deadened platter that is much heavier. Better plinth, better tonearm, better drive too.

Zitro

Ok, thanks for the input; I guess I'll wait because right now I can't afford most of the things you guys have suggested; I only considered this table because of the price.

pearsall001

Buy a better CD player...your vinyl itch will soon be a thing of the past!!

Fongolio

Two words....garage sales. I've found a mid level Kenwood ($20) A really nice Pioneer ($5.00) an excellent Dual ($10) and a Rotel (free) all at garage/yard sales all very nice sounding for entry level tables. My vinyl ripping table I found brand new in box just minus a cover with brand new cartridge ($20) and it a Technics SL600. It has an aluminum platter but I put my Herbie's turntable mat on it and it sounds fantastic. That was found at a local collectors/record store. Thrift stores Salvation Army stores etc. Lots of bargains still to be found on really decent used tables. By the way, all of the above had very decent cartridges on them as well.

heiney9

Zitro wrote: »

I know its just a $150 player (its on sale for $73), but I'm a college student and its all I can afford. It's one of those "either this or nothing" sort of things. I just want to know if its worth just stepping into analog or if its such crap its not worth it. I'm content with CD for now, but I thought it could be fun to try vinyl, and if I can for that price without it sounding like total garbage why not?

Choose nothing..............until you can afford to spend $700-1000 on a decent entry level TT.

H9

Zitro

pearsall001 wrote: »

Buy a better CD player...your vinyl itch will soon be a thing of the past!!

I really like my cd player, I just think having vinyl could be fun. There is a record store by me that sells them used for $1 each, so it could be fun to start a collection.

Fongolio wrote: »

Two words....garage sales. I've found a mid level Kenwood ($20) A really nice Pioneer ($5.00) an excellent Dual ($10) and a Rotel (free) all at garage/yard sales all very nice sounding for entry level tables. My vinyl ripping table I found brand new in box just minus a cover with brand new cartridge ($20) and it a Technics SL600. It has an aluminum platter but I put my Herbie's turntable mat on it and it sounds fantastic. That was found at a local collectors/record store. Thrift stores Salvation Army stores etc. Lots of bargains still to be found on really decent used tables. By the way, all of the above had very decent cartridges on them as well.

I will keep looking; I went to the Salvation Army Thursday and there was a Technics there but the tone arm was missing...guess I just gotta be patient.

hearingimpared

pearsall001 wrote: »

Buy a better CD player...your vinyl itch will soon be a thing of the past!!

:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p Bronx Cheer!

danger boy

look for an old school Pioneer or Sansui or similar from the 70's, early 80's. they are heavier built usually.. they come up quite often on craigslist.

don't waste your $73 on that one.

Zitro

I'm actually looking for a Sansui integrated amp. People don't seem to let the damn things go too often. But yes, I will keep an eye out, maybe I'll get lucky.

Thanks for the advice, you all probably just saved me $73 lol

danger boy

let your friends know you are wanting to get into vinyl.. they in turn may say. "hey my dad has a cool old turntable he is looking to sell or give away" that may land a cool really nice turntable in your lap for next to nothing. seriously, it does work. work those friends.

Paden501

Craigslist is your friend.

I picked up my Pioneer PL-516 for like $30 on CL. A Scott PS-67A just went for $15 here locally the other day.... Of course these players are from the 70s, so they may come with their quirks, but they're much better quality than your entry-level modern plastic tables, and at a much better price!

The Shure M97xe was a great cartridge recommendation for you. I got mine for about $70, and it sounds amazing.

The Technics SL-12xx series tables are also a good recommendation. They can be had cheap on CL also.

billbillw

I agree with Fongolio and others. A good vintage table can be a good start too. However, you need to know what you are looking at and what problems might be there. Audiokarma as a great turntable sub-forum with lots of talk on vintage tables. Vinylengine is also a great source (also check out their sister forum hifiengine).

madmax

Pick up an old used table for nothing and start your collection. Just realize that you won't have an audio experience until later when you can afford a good table, stylus and preamp. Collecting is half the fun anyway and can be done for nothing. BTW, I bought a really great system before having a good collection to play so it wasn't really the best experience it could have been.

Zitro

madmax wrote: »

Pick up an old used table for nothing and start your collection. Just realize that you won't have an audio experience until later when you can afford a good table, stylus and preamp. Collecting is half the fun anyway and can be done for nothing. BTW, I bought a really great system before having a good collection to play so it wasn't really the best experience it could have been.

Very good advice. Yes, this does make sense, and I know I will eventually have a table, so I will start picking up LP's as I find them. Hopefully, with all the things I've read and the economy the way it is, by the time it is my turn to enjoy the Hfi high-end, there still exists a high-end market...

Actually, my girlfriends dad came to visit me (he's got the dedicated vinyl 2 channel system) yesterday and we were discussing LP's, and I found out why he said he didn't want me shopping for a table now. He was hesitant to tell me now as opposed to waiting, but he said when I graduate college, as a gift to me and sort of as a pass down within the "family" (he knows I'll be sticking around for a while and already calls me son-in-law lol), if I buy a Rega RB300 tone arm and a good phono pre-amp (he suggested EAR, I'm more on a NAD budget lol), he would give me his old turntable he doesn't use anymore (his new one is very nice Clearaudio). It is a J.A. Michell Gyrodec What do you guys think of this table? Had never heard of it until yesterday, but I did do a bit of research on it.

billbillw

That would be a great setup for under $500 (arm+free deck+ decent phono stage). Just search around for a decent older table.

madmax

Zitro wrote: »

It is a J.A. Michell Gyrodec What do you guys think of this table? Had never heard of it until yesterday, but I did do a bit of research on it.

My table started out as a Gyrodec and with way too many mods quickly turned into an Orbe SE. It is a very upgradable TT but starts off very good in original form. I have zero problem giving it two thumbs up! It will take you as far as you want to go.
madmax

Fongolio

That EAR would be great but holy canoli they don't come cheap. The Rega arm with that table and a decent pre and you'd experience vinyl sonic nirvana.

billbillw

billbillw wrote: »

That would be a great setup for under $500 (arm+free deck+ decent phono stage). Just search around for a decent older table.

I guess you would also need to get a respectable phono cartridge to go with that setup. You'd probably want to set aside $300-$500 for a good quality cartridge so that its not all a waste.