Turntable recommendation required herein

http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/80/801074.jpg

I might just disregard all advice and go to Satan Ash.

Relatedly, most audiophiles prefer belt driven tables because you will have less noise contamination from the motor - but belts can break.. DJ tables have a much higher likelihood of being direct-drive

Also

I would agree with the used Thorens advice, but ONLY if you are getting it from someone you trust.. or, if you know enough about it to fix yourself (sometimes on some models, parts can be hard to find)...

ooh or maybe you could get a good deal on a rega?

there is no way you will find a rega for $150-200, as the arm itself is worth more than that- but you might find a used MMF 2.1 for within the price range..

Sumiko Pro-ject turntables are worth looking into since they're fairly inexpensive and sonically excellent. Also consider the quality of the cartridge you're using - I'd recommend a cheap Grado if you're on a budget.

I wouldn't really bother with the Sony turntables. They're pretty flimsy and the sound is crap.

I have a Linn LP-12/Lingo/Ittok/Rega Exact so I've spent a bit more...

Just a phono stage. There may already be one in your amp (is there an input marked PHONO?). Otherwise you need to buy one - they generally come in three flavours: moving magnet, moving coil or MM/MC switchable. I think you'd almost certainly want an MM stage (I presume that's the sort of cart that comes with Pro-Jects), but check.

The QED Discsaver and NAD PP2 (MM/MC switchable) are around forty quid. Moving up from that there's the Musical Fidelity X-LP (a cute cylindrical block) for about £100. I've a feeling Maplin might do a very cheap battery-powered phono stage which would do as a stopgap.

I see Sean couldn't resist listing his fancy rig, so, buoyed by Radzinski's equaliser, I will too: Michell Gyro SE/Rega RB300 [Cardas/vdH rewire]/Ortofon MC25FL/Nene Valley Audio phono stage. I've bought some daft things in the name of audiophilia over the years but the Gyro wasn't one of them. The cart is reaching the end of its useful life but I can't afford to replace it. In fantasy money-out-the-ass world, I'd bin it for a Lyra Clavis da capo, swap out the NVA for a Trichord Delphini Mk2 and, oh, what the hell, upgrade the Gyro to quasi-Orbe status and stick a Graham ceramic arm on it. And then I'd still buy mostly CDs. Ha!

i love looking on here. and i love that their price range goes from a hundred bucks to 25,000. some of them are just so cool looking.

I think I put the Kuzma Stogi back on the shelf, but I can't remember...

I have an old turntable, a Sony circa 1972. I love it but it's finally hitting the end of its life, I believe. I can't seem to ever get it set just right, and when I do it gets all borked in a week. Needle drags across the vinyl when it returns, the table's a little warped, etc.

Anywho, I'm looking to buy a new one (new for me, I don't mind used) but only have about $150 to spend on it, but could wait a couple weeks and go up as far as $200. I won't spend more than $200, though. I'm not interested in DJ type stuff (scratching, etc.) I'm looking for something durable and care more about sound quality than gee whiz features. My reciever/amp has a proper phono input so I don't need anything in that department.

I saw a Technics SLBD20D for $180, and was wondering if anybody had any opinion on it. What do you all think of TEAC's models, or the Denon DP 29F. Also saw the Sonys offered at Best Buy. How do they compare?

I was suprised to see it cost $180, because I bought mine at Circuit City for about $110 (of course this was about five years ago).

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/c.ACCT106601/sc.2/category.352/.f

Is there anywhere you could get a Pro-ject Debut for under $200? New they are $249-$299 which is unfortunately outside of my price range. I've only been able to find damaged Pro-ject 1.2s used. I don't know if its the same guy everywhere or if they had some motor buzzing problem. Anyway, I'm not interested in a broken turntable. I already have one of those.

Oh and fortunate hazel, I don't think you're going to find that state-side. You can see the models offered in the US by Sumico (their US distributor) here:
http://www.sumikoaudio.net/project/idx_products.htm

Have you got a pic? It's not for playing records designed for jukeboxes?

The instructions make no mention of it whatsoever.

http://www.musonic.co.uk/accessories/o-tfg.JPG

I'm not sure what those numbered divots are (1, 2, 3).

.. cos when you have to take the beast apart to reset the table speed it becomes somewhat annoying !

oh, and i never messed with the Bottle Opener .. couldn't figure it all out, and so far no skating has ever happened ..

I find it strange that there is no way of adjusting the tracking force - what if I want to use a different cartridge? And why include the bottle opener?

i guess i'm looking for something under $200.

my old turntable really needs to be trashed.

I think I'm going with the debut; I want one in a nice colour though. pink?

I just spent money I didn't have on an adapter for my ibook. this is the third one I've burnded through.

also do these models use "universal" needles or do i need to buy a needle from the manufacturer?

the only thing is, dont you have to lift off the whole plate and all that malarkey just to change the speed to 45? i know, i know, real audiophiles dont need to listen to stuff at 45.

but they are nice. i've had mine for about 6 years with no problems. really the only drawback is the lack of automatic features.

So I haven't had a functional turntable in many a year, but am thinking of investing this holiday season. Only problem is, I don't really have a stereo anymore, and play almost everything through my laptop. Are there turntables I can get that I can play through my laptop, like one of those usb jobs? Would that be worth it, or what? I am obviously very clueless about this whole thing. Help!

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/project/products/debut_usb.htm
dunno if this is too costly but it is a good-sounding deck. i think you would have to get some sort of software to let you listen but that should be available for free. it is a good enough 'table that if you were to get a hifi it would work very well in the context too.

yeah, thanks! though I think that is in fact too costly for me I think, at least at the moment.

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/project/products/phonobox_2_usb.htm

you can get a less expensive deck and then use that as the preamp.

this also just came out. i didnt know about it when i made the above post...
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4724.asp
I havent heard the Denon so I can't say how it sounds but their products are certainly reliable.

There are a bunch of USB turntables that include phono sections. They'll bump up the RIAA curves before sending things into the computer (without a phono section, you won't get much bass, amongst other problems).

But this device seems to be getting good reviews: http://www.amazon.com/Phono-Plus-USB-Preamp/dp/B000BBGCCI

Cheap, lets you hook up other devices too, and it lets you use any turntable so that you aren't limited to the sometimes chintzy USB turntables. It would probably also let you send a signal out to self-amplified monitors, though I don't know that for sure. Still, at $60 you can't go too wrong. Seems to be very flexible/configurable. I'd get the best belt-driven turntable you can afford, then tack this on. Then someday get a pair of modest monitors. Would think that should sound pretty good.

So I'm still holding out on taking the Technics dive. I really want to but money ain't what it needs to be for that. I'm thinking about this direct drive Audio-Technica since I want pitch control, it comes as a complete package with headshell and cartridge, and I've heard good things about A-T. Thoughts? Anybody have one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-PL120-Professional-Direct-Drive-Turntable/dp/B00012EYNG/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1237314316&sr=8-2

Anyone?

Are you hoping to DJ? That looks like a reasonably solid 1200 knock-off (the model # is even 120). It's nicer than my turntable.

Eh, not so much dj as in take it around with me, but yeah sort of something I can at least mess with the pitch and I want the direct drive. So yeah not just for audiophile home listening, something I can fiddle around with.

I'd say pay a tiny bit more and look for a second hand 1200. Even if it’s a bit bashed up I bet it will be running long after the AT has died.

Thanks Chewshabadoo, I'm sure you're right. I had that thought, but I need to find someone with more expertise to advise me in bringing a used 1200 up to speed. No time for learning like the present I suppose. Whenever I've looked into it I'm a bit overwhelmed/intimidated by the cartridge selection, tonearm balancing, etc.

Funny you should mention: I've been camping on ebay ads for second-hand "hardly used, only in my living room, honest guv" Technics 1210 turntable.

Theye go there for about £130-160, otherwise around £500 for newish ones in shops.

Tonearm balancing is a piece of piss – there must be a simple guide somewhere you can follow – but all you have to do is put the cartridge on, turn-off auto-skate, rotate the counterbalance so the arm balances in the air on both ends when hovering over the platter, reset the numeric dial to zero, rotate to the tracking force specified by your cartridge (usually around 1.5, but more is always better than less), and set the anti-skate to the same amount. Shouldn’t take you much longer that a minute after you have fitted your cartridge.

And as regards a cartridge, just buy a reasonable one – unless you’re back-cueing, get a consumer one like an OM5, or OM10, which sound pretty good to me – and I’m sure you’ll be fine. You can always think about buying a more esoteric one in a couple of years time.

Thanks Chews. Just the sort of straightforward take I was looking for.

I had been waffling between a Rega P1 or P2 and the (now discontinued?) Technics 1200, but this thread has pretty much sold me on a Pro-Ject Debut. I am not a dj -- rather just someone looking to get a decent turntable for a home stereo setup.

i love my rega. p1. i'm not very demanding though. it's perfect for me.

i mean, i guess if i had the money to blow i would upgrade to the p2 or whatever, but i really don't feel the need to.

i do need new speakers though. or new old ones. the old warhorse marantz reciever maria got me for free is too good for my old speakers. i'm missing out on better sound.

Alright, any new updates or additions to recommend for a new turntable? I think my upper limit is going to be about $250. Looking for something to replace my (super shitty) Ion USB turntable. This will not be hooked up to a computer, but to my Pioneer receiver.

Lots of potential and interest in this Kickstarter project.

I have a Project III red only played about ten times since 2010. It was an irresponsible purchase, it's clear it has to go.

I was thinking the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon was the way to go (I think I'm willing to up my limit now, after researching). Mount Cleaners, did you not like something about it? Or do you just not use it enough to justify the purchase?

This looks decent & on-budget.

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-9826-music-hall-usb-1-turntable.aspx

Music Hall makes nice stuff

I was looking at that too, but didn't know much about Music Hall.

Audio Technica is well loved. I think their cheapest is around 300, though.

I just bought a Pro-Ject Debut III Carbon. The fussiness of the thing is a bit off-putting — the little "skating weight" hanging perilously by fishing wire, the round weight at the back of the tone arm that needs to be set to precisely 1.8 grams or something (the store clerk set it up for me; I wasn't about to spend an afternoon getting it right on my own).

Sounds great, though.

I have a used Technics sl-1600mkII that was ~$230. I also bought a shure m97xe cartridge for ~$70 that was easy to install. I'm really happy with the Technics. It is automatic, so you can't lift the tonearm yourself to queue up tracks. But you also don't have to mess with an adapter to spin a 45. I bet you'll need an adapter for a new budget table in a fancy color.

it's harder to find the 1600mkII than a 1200mkII, but the 1600 is usually a bit cheaper

You can adjust the rubber band thing yourself to play 45s on the Pro-Ject. Not that I've tried. Also, white ain't that fancy.

I dunno man. Steve jobs would disagree.

I would love to own that table though. I wasn't trying to poo poo on it with my post (lol Z S)

those pro-ject tables are pretty, but (and maybe i am dumb) where is the speed switch?

That's what was being talked about upthread, you have to switch under the plate with a special tool, if I understand correctly.

You move the belt on the motor to effect speed change. Can't recall whether the motor spindle is exposed on the Project or whether you have to lift the platter off to do it. You can get a version of the Project with push-button speed-change (it's the one with the USB output too, I think).

xp

The difference between that $249 Music Hall and a $400 Project is worth saving for. Or a better Music Hall. And down the road, if the manual speed change is too annoying (I think I'd find it so since I go back and forth from 45 to 33 all the time), get the electronic speed controller, which not only makes changing speeds a breeze, it also conditions the current and helps maintain a constant speed, one of the biggest challenges for budget decks.

hi dere I have a manual speed change Music Hall MMF-5, and it really isn't that much of a hassle. You don't have to use the cool little plastic thing they give you, I used a toothpick for a long time because the original was lost behind the shelving. You just have to get a feel for lifting the whole glass plate up off of the turntable to expose the belt, and to be gentle when you switch its tracking to the lower groove. This does make me tend to binge on 45 speed records before changing it back though.

As per Gott Punch on the ILV needle thread, I do not recommend Audio Technica.

I have the Pro-Ject debut as well. It is finicky and takes a bit of getting used to but, I frequently find myself astonished at how great it sounds.

i had a (slightly) more expensive rega p2 for a while but the project craps all over it imo. after getting the rega properly set up on multiple occasions it never sounded terribly nice, always a little dull and slightly distorted.

Well, perhaps I've made a huge mistake, but I went ahead and ordered the Music Hall turntable. I liked the thought of the Pro-Ject (and my wife loved the design of it), but I really couldn't justify the added cost right now. We've got so much other shit we need for the new house that the extra $150 just isn't going to happen now and, honestly, I'm too impatient to wait another year or so to go without listening to my vinyl. I'm also not entirely sure that my current speakers will really do the Pro-Ject justice and I'm looking down the road to a more extensive upgrade to all of it someday. Anyway, I went with the Music Hall and I'm optimistic that it'll do me fine for now.

Lemme know how it is when you get it set up.

I just picked up an Akai AP-D2 from a thrift store for $30. When you get used turntables, is replacing the needle something you just do w/o question? Is there a way to check it to see if it's still in decent condition? I just don't wanna fuck up my wax.

Most of the thirft stores I've been to around Chicago can't seem to hold on to turntables very long, I'm still keeping my eyes open for a decent find.

there's a v sleek Bang & Olufsen for $60 over here just come to phl

re: thrift store turntables. Should you happen to find one by all means purchase a new needle. It's not a big expense and your records will thank you.

I was overeager and jumped the gun :( I hope this Jody Watley record isn't mad at me.

My Music Hall arrived today, just finished setting it up and it sounds fucking fantastic. No, I'm sure its not up to insane audiophile standards, but it sounds 1,000,000 times better than my shitty ION USB turntable ever did.

music halls are pretty audiophile! congrats!

Thanks! I'm enjoying the hell out of this right now. Filles De Kilimanjaro is spinning right now.

insane audiophiles spend $15,000 on a stereo and then listen to spyro gyra on it. enjoy your music hall!

Thorens are, indeed, overpriced, usually.

For sonic accuracy, get something like the Kenwood KD-2055. In the hierarchy of nature/record players, it's a step right below a quality Thorens that you can usually find at a cheap price. Make sure it's clean and fixed up, though.

so is there anything in the entry-level Rega/Project/Music Hall range that has auto-return? I realize it degrades sound quality, but I need a turntable just to play cheaper records on, and I hate having to pick the needle up.

right here:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DP300F-with-2M-Red-Package?sc=2&category=1143

sweet, thanks UMS

that's a nice cartridge too, good deal on the package

i'm in the market for a new turntable, and was hoping to turn to the sensible but rigorous ILM hive mind to help me out. (i have a lot of records, but i've never invested enough money in a good turntable.) there seem to be as many opinions about turntables as there are people with records. the same deck that some people swear by is the devil incarnate to other folks.

basically, I'm looking for something

- in the range of $450–$700
- w/ belt drive
- fully- or semi-automatic (basically one that has auto shut-off at the end of a side)
- preferably 3-speed
- w/ good speed control
- solidly built (won't blow over in a stiff breeze; will last if i take care of it)
- has a dust cover

I don't need one w/ a built-in pre-amp since I have a receiver w/ a phono input (though I do wonder if I should buy a standalone preamp which might sound better than the amp in my 20-yr-old receiver)

I don't give a shit about USB ports or other digital accoutrements (though if a turntable had a USB output I guess I could use it for copying to digital files for sharing)

i'm happy to get a refurbished table / a vintage one from a reputable dealer (as long as replacing the cartridge isn't a huge pain). but it's easier to look for a new one simply because the options are more limited; you don't have to consider a million options.

do semi- and fully-automatic turntables suck compared to manual ones? does the automatic aspect (or auto-return, whatever you call it) really compromise the quality of sound or engineering?

anyway, I was considering this Thorens TD-170: https://www.turntablelab.com/products/thorens-td-170-1-ev-turntable-black

also open to the Denon linked above, but it is on the cheap side, even with an improved cartridge, which makes me wonder...

Qualify your need for 3-speed; playing 78s or half-speed masters? If 78s -- you should use a different stylus/cartridge when playing that format because they can be a bit rough if you primarily play newer/cleaner platters.

The used market appears to be in a bubble, so if you're buying a turntable-for-life make sure your brand choice is one that has established 3rd-party parts outlets.

I prefer semi-auto so you don't have to babysit the unit, and you can go to sleep with a record playing without adding excess wear-and-tear to your needle.

Personally, i have a second-hand Technics that i payed $40 for (20 years ago) and have subsequently outfitted it with a $80 cartridge -- i'd do the same if i had to replace it today (squirreling-away any savings towards better loudspeakers and a higher wattage amp).

...also, since i added better cartridges along the way, i can quickly change to my lesser quality ones when playing ratty vinyl.

do semi- and fully-automatic turntables suck compared to manual ones? does the automatic aspect (or auto-return, whatever you call it) really compromise the quality of sound or engineering?

The auto stuff seems to be well isolated in my old technics 1600 mkII, but I imagine it can be a problem if not done correctly. The mechanical stuff that lifts/lowers the tonearm is also the only thing I've ever had to service on the turntable. A belt connecting the motor pulley to the tone-arm lifting pulley eventually breaks. An o-ring is the cheap replacement. But the o-ring rubs up against some metal in the assembly and probably has shorter lifetime than the original belt. So auto stuff will probably cause at least some issues at some point.

I also generally place the needle manually because I don't have patience for auto-start. But bodacious is otm about auto-return being great to have.

always been very happy with my Rega P1

https://www.musicdirect.com/Store/rega-rp1-turntable-aregattrp1cg?utm_source=googlepepla&utm_medium=adwords&id=63027564162&gclid=CjwKEAjwrvq9BRD5gLyrufTqg0YSJACcuF817u663mSZDX8aaO8pPa5X_3wHK8JrtI-hE8ipFmf_phoCJR3w_wcB

would upgrade cart to Ortofon 2M blue

http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-2M-Blue-Phono-Cartridge

or Denon DL 110

http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DL-110-Cartridge

... agree with Sufjan -- i've never had an auto-start that i could trust; either too fast or poorly aligned... likely to my experience with them on cheap units.

a friend who is a casual vinyl listener asked me for a <$200 turntable recommendation . i've had the same technics 1200 for 10 years and have no clue about other turntables so i don't know what to tell him ... any suggestions? are those basic audio technica tables worth anything?

I have this and it's pretty good for $179:

https://store.uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-basic-turntable

i'm in the market for a home-listening table. i'd previously had a technics SL-QD35 (passed down from my dad years and years ago), which was a p-mount so that always kind of limited my shopping but i liked the darned simplicity of it, and it's the table i grew up with so i was always very attached to the look and feel. it was lost in a fire. farewell; i got many, many, many great years of listening out of that thing, more than my dad ever did.

https://discogslabs.imgix.net/gear/56f9f4dc3e393c001b2f0b6b.jpg?auto=compress&s=4c5998a0cab64cb74d6e83bc7e81ae13

aesthetically it seems like say the audio-technica LP-120 kinda fits that vibe (why must it have a USB though?!). though with my decor it might make sense to get something a little woodier. but none of your "flat floating slab of glossy-painted fiberboard with abstract minimalist controls type stuff. listening-wise: i had a grado red on the technics and it sounded great for most of my listening (generally 60s-80s rock-pop-and-soul and 90s-00s indie, with a growing jazz selection).

i haven't seriously thought about budget but it's hard for me to comprehend spending over idk $500, and really over $300 unless it's seriously like, this is THE turntable that i'm going to listen to and love for the rest of my life. not trying to make y'all do my shopping for me but are there any acknowledged canonical starting-point classics on the market right now? i've never had to buy a turntable before! it's weird!

why not just get another SL-QD35?

otherwise I'd recommend the SL-1200 / 1210 - now there's a turntable for life! No other turntable is as much fun to use or as sturdy + easily repairable

it's not cheap, but it's a solid investment (if you're ever broke it's easy to sell, it's like buying gold imo)

only reason (for me) to get anything else would be audiophile aspirations

I have the SL-1200 but aesthetically maybe the 1210 is even cooler

https://www.thedjshop.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/t/e/technics-1210-mk5.jpg

why not just get another SL-QD35?

Good question! I guess some mixture of, they're thirty years old and P-mount cartridges may not always be available to hand, and it seeming somehow a falsification to get an exact duplicate of this thing that was a family item. But that's kinda silly cause it WAS the right turntable for me for so long. Seems like they can be had for not too much dough, either!

The 1200s are gorgeous, I'll give you that. And the used prices don't seem bonkers (though the ones being manufactured and sold now, holy shit). I have been envious of people with a super clean pushbutton start-stop, which the QD35 did not have. HmmmmmmmMMMMM!