First Turntable?

analog music reproduction discussion

First Turntable?

Postby dustinsterk » Wed Aug 27, 2014 1:48 pm

Hello All,
Let me first start by saying that I am looking to start getting into Vinyl so I do not want to spend over $150 just yet for my first turntable.

I have been searching on this forum and online and I have read that the older model Rega, AR, or Technics are the way to go but I cannot find any on CL or e-b@y that are reasonably priced or in working condition.

So my question to you, would a brand new Technica AT-LP60 be the way to go for the price or is there something else I should be looking for?

Thank you!
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Re: First Turntable?

Postby Geek » Wed Aug 27, 2014 4:58 pm

Look for one with a great arm. Sometimes you can find at garage sales an estate sale a table with a SME, Grace or Jelco arm going for pennies on the dollar for their value.

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Re: First Turntable?

Postby nyazzip » Wed Aug 27, 2014 11:00 pm

Look for one with a great arm.


...what are some attributes make a great turntable arm?
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Re: First Turntable?

Postby Geek » Wed Aug 27, 2014 11:49 pm

- Proper ability to adjust the tracking weight finely.
- Height adjustment.
- Anti-skate. The better ones use a counterweight.
- Dampened cueing.
- 5-wire leads (L+, L-, R+, R-, ground)

I personally prefer ones with a universal headshell, but if you get a fixed headshell, make sure the slots allow for full tuning.

There's probably more, but I'm reasonably new to the record shop business ;)
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Re: First Turntable?

Postby dustinsterk » Thu Aug 28, 2014 11:50 am

Thanks for the info. I will keep an eye out for a nice "arm" on an older table. Would any of the new modern turn tables be worthwhile and not risk damage to the records?
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Re: First Turntable?

Postby Shannon Parks » Thu Aug 28, 2014 1:56 pm

I've really considered the AT-LP120:
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT ... B002S1CJ2Q

I think the LP60 looks cheap with a crappy arm, while the LP120 looks like (and is reported as) a poor man's SL-1200. For $250 (over budget I realize), you can't go wrong. If you have to stick to $150 or less, I'd get a locally available used table from Craigslist. Do a WTB and you'll have no problem.

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Re: First Turntable?

Postby dustinsterk » Fri Aug 29, 2014 8:23 am

Thank you all. After doing more research I also really like the following, but way out of my price range :(

Rega RP1
http://www.amazon.com/REGA-RP1-TURNTABL ... B004B3GELG

PRO-JECT - DEBUT CARBON
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-13086-PR ... B007XTE6YW


Shannon,
Just a quick question regarding the link you provided....would the budgie still be beneficial since it does not need a phono input?
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Re: First Turntable?

Postby Shannon Parks » Fri Aug 29, 2014 8:37 am

dustinsterk wrote:Shannon,
Just a quick question regarding the link you provided....would the budgie still be beneficial since it does not need a phono input?


I wouldn't use the built-in RIAA phono preamp, but it certainly could be useful at times.

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Re: First Turntable?

Postby 20to20 » Fri Aug 29, 2014 9:27 am

dustinsterk wrote:Thank you all. After doing more research I also really like the following, but way out of my price range :(

Rega RP1
http://www.amazon.com/REGA-RP1-TURNTABL ... B004B3GELG

PRO-JECT - DEBUT CARBON
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-13086-PR ... B007XTE6YW


I have a nice Technics SL-1700 collecting dust I'd let go of for $150 + shipping. It would have no cartridge for that price, though. But it's a great semi-auto TT if you're interested in that type. Add a good cart. and you'd be set for life.

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Re: First Turntable?

Postby Geek » Fri Aug 29, 2014 12:02 pm

-= Gregg =-
Fine wine comes in glass bottles, not plastic sacks. Therefore the finer electrons are also found in glass bottles.
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Re: First Turntable?

Postby MacL » Mon Feb 09, 2015 2:24 pm

FYI- just found this the other day.
Orbit by U-turn audio.
www.uturnaudio.com
American made turntable starting at $170!
It's making me look into DIY MM preamps now...
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