Record player

[biggestmuff]

Anyone have suggestions for an decent entry-level record player? I'd like comments and suggestions from actual use. The player will be added to my HT setup in the living room. It'll be wired into my Onkyo 806.

 

[Billb2]

I'd start out picking a phono cartridge, then an arm for the cartridge, then a base for the arm.

Or you may want to look into one of the USB turntables in order to be able to digitize your records.

Short of that, $200 at any where that sells turntables (the Egg/BB/Tiger/etc. or perhaps a local HiFi shop).

 

[biggestmuff]

I'll add that I'm looking for my first record player. I know nothing about them. I just want opinions and suggestions for a decent entry-level model.

EDIT: I'm not interested in USB or digitizing records.

 

[Slick5150]

This Audio Technica player is generally considered to be a good entry level model:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Te...&qid=1244382733&sr=8-6

 

[Tiamat]

Rega P1 is a pretty good entry level turn table. Make sure your receiver has preamp for the turntable otherwise it will be too quiet. Depending on if the cartridge is moving magnet or moving coil, the receiver may only support one or the other, so check that out.

 

[mshan]

I would second Slick5150's recommendation for the Audio Technica AT-PL50.

It does have a plastic chassis, but it is surprisingly musical and probably matches clean solid state well (it seems to have a slightly dark, full sound that even sounded good through the integrated sound chip on my dad's computer). No real set up adjustments needed, everything is pretty much automatic via front panel buttons and a couple switches, and cartridge needle tip snaps out if replacement needed (I think replacement costs $10 - $20).

It has an integrated phono preamp, and RCA out is a captive cable about 6 inches long, so if you don't want to use any sort of extension cable, you would probably need to put it above or below Onkyo on an upright hi-fi rack. Motor does make some noise (not too loud and not particularly annoying), but if your hi-fi rack is right next to your listening position, it might be an issue for some.

It is obviously not going to extract every bit of information encoded in record grooves, but it is also probably not going to accentuate every tick and pop from records that haven't been taken care of and cleaned meticulously.

Probably next big jump up is to $300 ish turntables like the Rega mentioned above, Music Hall MMF, Pro-ject Debut III, etc.

edit: captive RCA cable looks like it actually about 1 ft. long, so could probably also place it side by side to avr / preamp.

 

[Billb2]

Perhaps if you posted the rest of your audio system people would be able to advise better.

"entry level" scares me..........

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Billb2
Perhaps if you posted the rest of your audio system people would be able to advise better.

"entry level" scares me..........

Yeah, entry level has different meaning to different people. I figure entry level to be between 300-500$ for the source players as this is typically the first price level bracket found for most audio manufacturers.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: mshan
I would second Slick5150's recommendation for the Audio Technica AT-PL50...Motor does make some noise (not too loud and not particularly annoying), but if your hi-fi rack is right next to your listening position, it might be an issue for some...

I would never purchase a turntable with audible motor noise...

That absolutely screams cheap POS, not affordable entry level. I've owned Technics, Duals, and Garrards, and none of them have had a motor you could hear without putting a stethoscope directly to the plinth.

edit: expanded quote.

 

[CallMeJoe]

double post

 

[herm0016]

vintage is nice. I have a mid 70s B&O that is great, but the cartridges are very expensive. the vintage duels and marantz players are usually a great deal. I also recommend a separate pre-amp. I have a tcc-750 from phonopreamps.com that sounds as good as much more expensive models. you may as well start out with good gear, you will enjoy the process of taking care of it and listening to it more. vinyl is about the sound as much as it is the process.

 

[biggestmuff]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: Billb2
Perhaps if you posted the rest of your audio system people would be able to advise better.

"entry level" scares me..........

Yeah, entry level has different meaning to different people. I figure entry level to be between 300-500$ for the source players as this is typically the first price level bracket found for most audio manufacturers.

I'm looking for true entry-level. I own no records right now, but I've been thinking about picking up some of my favorite albums on vinyl. I don't even know if I'll follow through with buying a player, but I wanted to get opinions and suggestions on entry-level players. Thanks.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: Billb2
Perhaps if you posted the rest of your audio system people would be able to advise better.

"entry level" scares me..........

Yeah, entry level has different meaning to different people. I figure entry level to be between 300-500$ for the source players as this is typically the first price level bracket found for most audio manufacturers.

I'm looking for true entry-level. I own no records right now, but I've been thinking about picking up some of my favorite albums on vinyl. I don't even know if I'll follow through with buying a player, but I wanted to get opinions and suggestions on entry-level players. Thanks.

Then definitely go with that Audio Technica one I posted. It won't break the bank and will allow you to intro yourself to the idea of owning music on Vinyl again and see if it really even interests you. If it does, then you can eventually step up to better equipment, if not, you're not out a big investment in the process.

 

[sivart]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
I'll add that I'm looking for my first record player. I know nothing about them. I just want opinions and suggestions for a decent entry-level model.

EDIT: I'm not interested in USB or digitizing records.

Now I feel old....does Fisher Price still make the "My first record player"...seriously, follow the suggestions of others and you should be happy.

 

[MadScientist]

Have you tried fleabay? Search under record turntable. B&O, Audio Technica, Technics, Garrads, and Dual made some good turntables. I still have my Dual 604 direct drive turntable with a Shure V15 cartridge purchased in the late 60's that still sounds great.

 

[Slick5150]

Originally posted by: sivart

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
I'll add that I'm looking for my first record player. I know nothing about them. I just want opinions and suggestions for a decent entry-level model.

EDIT: I'm not interested in USB or digitizing records.

Now I feel old....does Fisher Price still make the "My first record player"...seriously, follow the suggestions of others and you should be happy.

Heh. I used to have one of those. I have fond memories of playing a Sesame Street album over and over and over and over again on it. I'm sure my Mom thought about smashing that record player many many times as a result.

 

[s44]

The Onkyo 806 has a built-in MM phono preamp.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: biggestmuff

I'm looking for true entry-level. I own no records right now, but I've been thinking about picking up some of my favorite albums on vinyl. I don't even know if I'll follow through with buying a player, but I wanted to get opinions and suggestions on entry-level players. Thanks.

Well, it's kind of a waste of time and money playing black vinyl with an inexpensive cartridge. You kind of have to spend a lot of money to truely suck that rich sound out of records. Typical moving coil cartridges start at around $500.

While an entry level table may introduce you to the sound of records, in no way will it reproduce what is there in total. The world of vinyl is quite different than the world of downloaded music and CDs. Take it from someone who's been there, the minimum buy in is around $2k for something to plug into a pre amp and play records. I think you'll be disapointed by entry level. Save your money.

 

[MadScientist]

Here ya go: 6 Turntables for your Vinyl Collection
I like the Montegiro: Legno. Only $13,240 (depending on choice of tonearms).

 

[randomlinh]

man, I was going to pick up some vinyl... but now, I dunno. I want to support the band, but man, seems like any hobby i pick up costs an arm and a leg... and i've run out of them.

For someone that just has a few LP's likely to start.. and a tiny budget.. is it even worth it? how easy is it to find parts for the older stuff? a little hesitant to try fleabay on these

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: Billb2

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
I'm looking for true entry-level. I own no records right now, but I've been thinking about picking up some of my favorite albums on vinyl. I don't even know if I'll follow through with buying a player, but I wanted to get opinions and suggestions on entry-level players. Thanks.

Well, it's kind of a waste of time and money playing black vinyl with an inexpensive cartridge. You kind of have to spend a lot of money to truely suck that rich sound out of records. Typical moving coil cartridges start at around $500.
While an entry level table may introduce you to the sound of records, in no way will it reproduce what is there in total. The world of vinyl is quite different than the world of downloaded music and CDs. Take it from someone who's been there, the minimum buy in is around $2k for something to plug into a pre amp and play records. I think you'll be disapointed by entry level. Save your money.

A Shure M97xE is readily available for about $60; a Grado Prestige Black for about $50 or Green for $60; an Audio Technica AT 440 MLA for around $150. These are all respectable cartridges (if not up to your absurd standards), can be mounted to a decent vintage DD or belt-drive turntable off eBay (Marantz, Dual, Pioneer, Technics, etc.), and will not break the bank.
You could even go to some place like NeedleDoctor and get a Pro-Ject Debut III with an Ortofon OM-5E cart for <$400 and upgrade to an OM-10 stylus for another $50.
Vinyl doesn't have to be nearly as expensive as you imply.

 

[EvilYoda]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
man, I was going to pick up some vinyl... but now, I dunno. I want to support the band, but man, seems like any hobby i pick up costs an arm and a leg... and i've run out of them.

For someone that just has a few LP's likely to start.. and a tiny budget.. is it even worth it? how easy is it to find parts for the older stuff? a little hesitant to try fleabay on these

Aside from the hardware, vinyl can be found anywhere. Try local thrift stores, pawn shops, Goodwill, Salvation Army - I'd say half of my classical collection came from those types of store...and that's including some Living Stereo/Living Presence, Decca, DG, etc. There are tons of good record shops out there, you just have to search. eBay might be a little much, but check CraigsList - there are always people selling off their collections. Most of the time they'll ask for very little money, but you also pay by hauling away the heavy boxes. You might pay $50 for 100 records, of which you only care about 25, but that's still a great deal.

 

[CallMeJoe]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
man, I was going to pick up some vinyl... but now, I dunno. I want to support the band, but man, seems like any hobby i pick up costs an arm and a leg... and i've run out of them.
For someone that just has a few LP's likely to start.. and a tiny budget.. is it even worth it? how easy is it to find parts for the older stuff? a little hesitant to try fleabay on these

Easier than you might think. Places like Garage-A-Records stock a lot of parts for vintage turntables, and you can find knowledgeable people on fora like VinylEngine and AudioKarma to advise on repairs. I've purchased several turntables off that auction site, and my biggest problem was one seller who didn't bother to take off the tonearm counterweight when he packed it up - a loose weight like that can do a great deal of damage in transit from Ontario to South Carolina...

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda

Originally posted by: randomlinh
man, I was going to pick up some vinyl... but now, I dunno. I want to support the band, but man, seems like any hobby i pick up costs an arm and a leg... and i've run out of them.

For someone that just has a few LP's likely to start.. and a tiny budget.. is it even worth it? how easy is it to find parts for the older stuff? a little hesitant to try fleabay on these

Aside from the hardware, vinyl can be found anywhere. Try local thrift stores, pawn shops, Goodwill, Salvation Army - I'd say half of my classical collection came from those types of store...and that's including some Living Stereo/Living Presence, Decca, DG, etc. There are tons of good record shops out there, you just have to search. eBay might be a little much, but check CraigsList - there are always people selling off their collections. Most of the time they'll ask for very little money, but you also pay by hauling away the heavy boxes. You might pay $50 for 100 records, of which you only care about 25, but that's still a great deal.

heh, sorry, I meant a tiny budget on the turntable =) I would have to snag a receiver, and speakers too, as I wouldn't set this up w/ my TV.

given I'm sorta jumping in, it's a bit daunting picking out things.. or attempting to, heh. used scares me as I'm not really looking to invest toooo much time in trying to get something working