Turntables

Hey guys, you all seem to know your vinyls pretty well. I'm just starting to get some myself, but I don't have anything to play them on! I'm wondering if I could get some advice on a good quality, decently priced turntable. I'd like something around $100 tops, and not have to buy a pre-amp or anything like that.
Also, I'm told it's a good idea to upgrade the needle if it's a cheaper turntable. Any suggestions on that?

Thanks in advance!

Over here in California, I know Costco sells a turntable with USB application so you can convert Vinyl to digital, its about $100, but I don't know whats over their in Texas o.O

You can check these out

http://www.costco.com/Common/Search.aspx?whse=BC&topnav=&search=Turntable&N=0&Ntt=Turntable&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US

I've seen the ION ones before, but I don't know how good their quality is. Any firsthand experience with em?

none whatsoever

There are some really knowledgable people over at the vinylcollective forum ( www.vinylcollective.com ) or at deadformat www.deadformat.net

I am pretty new to vinyl, so I am hesitant to give my own advice

Thanks, I just might!

I salvaged an old turntable, apparently was a top one in it's day, put a new stylus on it and it works great. Maybe look for second hand ones, may work out cheaper.

Hells yeah, I got a turntable today! Here's the rundown:

Friend of mine gave me an old Hitachi HT-45 TT, but I needed a phono pre-amp. I ordered one off of ebay, but I wasn't sure if that old TT would sound good or work properly, so I hedged my bets and bought a $40 Numark TT1600mkii this morning from a guy on craigslist.
As luck would have it, my preamp arrived early and I hooked it all up today. Sounds WONDERFUL!! I'm so happy

Unfortunately, the Hitachi TT has some kind of issues and sounds bad (may need a new cartridge, but I have no idea). Doesn't matter really, since the Numark works perfectly.
Listening to Here's Lookin At You Kid on it right now. Happy day!

Good that you're sorted tdawg. I have a Hitachi HT-41S and it works fine, but I had to get a new needle for it. Still, $40 seems like a good deal on your side!

Thanks! I think it is. Here's a pic: http://twitpic.com/eb8xc
I still want to get that Hitachi running, so I'm going to see if I can find any places around here that know anything about repairing them. There's a couple of vinyl places in the city, but I hope it doesn't cost too much :\

That looks exactly like my dad's, does it have a usb-connection?

For myself I've got my grandfather's old turntable but it doesn't even have a button for pause! Or is that normal on vinyl players?

Mine doesn't have a USB connection. The model is a Numark TT1600mkii. As far as play/pause buttons, the old Hitachi has an up/down switch (raise and lower the arm), but i don't know enough about turntables to say if that's common or when it became standard.

That description of the Hitachi sounds like mine, with no USB and a up down switch. I got my stylus from just a regular independent electronics shop of that helps- if you root around you should be able to find the gear to get it going.

I've been looking to start collecting some vinyl for quite a while now but have never really had the money to do so. I've got a fair bit of spare cash now and would like some advice on what to buy. I have absolutely no idea on the technical side of things so basically I don't want to spend anything more than £100 ($150) on a turntable and anything I might need with it. That's my limit really for equipment. I don't want one that converts vinyl to mp3 etc. I just want a reasonably priced, good quality turntable that will get me started. What would you guys recommend? Also I'd be grateful for any tips you might have on collecting?

Ryan wrote:

I've been looking to start collecting some vinyl for quite a while now but have never really had the money to do so. I've got a fair bit of spare cash now and would like some advice on what to buy. I have absolutely no idea on the technical side of things so basically I don't want to spend anything more than £100 ($150) on a turntable and anything I might need with it. That's my limit really for equipment. I don't want one that converts vinyl to mp3 etc. I just want a reasonably priced, good quality turntable that will get me started. What would you guys recommend? Also I'd be grateful for any tips you might have on collecting?

Something like this might be something you'd like. Real simple, speakers built in, basically plug and play.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zyon-Wooden-Turntable-Cassette-Player/dp/B001EZPI02/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279497681&sr=8-4

OR

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Steepletone-Norwich-2D-Nostalgic-Turntable/dp/B0015R2YRE/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279497787&sr=8-6


Not sure what sound quality is like on them, but that would get you started.

My first player was a Zenith, I don't even know how old. My grandpa gave it to me before he passed. Still use it all the time. Recently upgraded and bought my own.

Rocking the s1d !
Bought a cheap preamp with cheap jbl speakers i also use for my computer but man this thing sounds great.

Like I said earlier, I got my Numark for $40 from a guy on craigslist. Shopping local and used can get you some good deals.

Other than that, there's this pretty good posting on Dead Format with some advice: http://deadformat.net/topic.php?id=24409

Novella wrote:

My first player was a Zenith, I don't even know how old. My grandpa gave it to me before he passed. Still use it all the time. Recently upgraded and bought my own.

Rocking the s1d !
Bought a cheap preamp with cheap jbl speakers i also use for my computer but man this thing sounds great.

That looks pretty sweet. I'm quite liking the first one you posted, been reading reviews on it and the sound seems pretty good. Thanks.

Thanks for that link aswell Dan. Some useful stuff there.

The ones with everything in one are not very good quality. It barely gets the job done.

PFREEZY wrote:

The ones with everything in one are not very good quality. It barely gets the job done.

I really don't understand all the technical stuff.. But if I just bought a turntable like this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/B-STOCK-Pro-Ject-Debut-phono-SB-Turntable-Black-/200493723555?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item2eae5b6fa3

Would I need to buy a receiver and bookshelf speakers? Or could I just use the speakers I use with my laptop, which are just plugged into an amp which is powered by mains?

Its says it comes " Equipped with internal phono pre-amp" so you should be able to connect speakers directly to it. I'm not sure what type of speakers though from the picture, you could ask the seller to recommend speakers to go with that type of turntable and see what he says and then look for similar but cheaper ones. Or perhaps you'll be able to use the ones you have already.

Novella wrote:

Its says it comes " Equipped with internal phono pre-amp" so you should be able to connect speakers directly to it. I'm not sure what type of speakers though from the picture, you could ask the seller to recommend speakers to go with that type of turntable and see what he says and then look for similar but cheaper ones. Or perhaps you'll be able to use the ones you have already.

I have a few different speakers lying about. Only one good set though so if it won't work with them I don't want to start buying new speakers etc. Suppose I would just have to get the one with built in speakers. I'll message the seller first though. Thanks.

So I've finally completed my search for a new turntable and in doing so spent a LOT more money than I originally planned. Following advice from various sites I decided to buy a Pro-ject Debut turntable which is absolutely fantastic. Sound is unreal and for the price (about £200) it's well worth it. Would recommend anyone buying a new turntable to have a look at it.

Here's my new setup in action:



Whole thing as set me back about £800. Doesn't really bother me right now though as I'm just lying here listening to Sink or Swim in perfect quality!

Is there anyone here that could simply lay out, on a relatively reasonable budget, what I would need to buy? I'm so confused as far as receivers, speakers etc. I have a good set of speakers at home. Can I just buy a turntable and connect them? I've always been so confused and I've just been afraid to buy the wrong thing so I've never really plunged into the vinyl world even though I have a few records just cause they look awesome.

Well as I said in my last post, Pro-ject do an excellent range of turntables that are all good quality. Personally I would recommend one of the Debut models. You can find them on eBay quite cheap normally.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Project-Debut-MkIII-Turntable-Gloss-Black-/390273572274?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item5ade1e1db2#ht_3404wt_1139

You'll need a receiver to send the sounds to your speakers. These range in price from about £40 to thousands. Just have a look around different music sites and you'll find a good one for around £100. As for speakers. Are you speakers powered by mains or do they just plug into your CD player? If it's the latter then they'll be fine to use. If not you'll need to buy some bookshelf speakers. Again you could get a good set for about £100 if you have a look around.