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Turntable Purchase

A Casual Fitz

Diamond Member
Hello all,
I am looking into getting my very first turntable to start a collection of LPs. I'm just looking for a solid entry level unit and I was thinking there were some record lovers on these boards that could help me out. Keep in mind that I know absolutely nothing about record players and I just need one that will play my records smoothly. Definitely a digital model that I'll plug into my stereo.

- Shane
 
Yeah, the idea behind turntables (now) is to keep the signal analog from the vinyl to the speakers. There would really be no point to one that converts the signal to a digital one, if any even exist.

Plugging one into your stereo reciever simply requires a phono pre-amp to boost the signal coming from the turntable. Some turntables might have this built in, and some receivers will, but you can also get an external one that goes between the turntable and the receiver.
 
I have no idea about the turntable market these days. I guess that about all that's left any more are cheap low-end and the stratospheric high-end. I have a friend who pretty much is Eminent Technology that makes an excellent, linear, air-bearing tone arm that would run you in the vicinity of a grand... Next you have to find a turntable to mount it on and a phono cartridge worthy of it.

This Technics might be decent w/o breaking the bank.

.bh.
 
If I could afford it, I'd probably get something nicer used, perhaps a Rega, with a new cartridge. Turntable setup can be a little tricky, so probably the best option is to find a semi old-school stereo store that has some used gear and someone on staff who can advise you on a cartridge and do the set up for you.

Setting up a Rega isn't going to be in the same class of difficulty as e.g. setting up an Oracle with an ET arm, but the contact and positioning between the stylus and the groove is still critical, and affects the record life, stylus life, and sound, so it's worth some effort to get this "right". Note however that there is no perfect setup; one of the main problems with records is that they're not perfect -- with undulations, curvature and variations, there are no perfect azimuth or height, etc., only good approximations of the average. It is also under dynamic conditions due to warpage, etc., that the quality of the tonearm especially matters.
 
Originally posted by: Zepper
I have no idea about the turntable market these days. I guess that about all that's left any more are cheap low-end and the stratospheric high-end.
But there's also some great old used stuff which doesn't go for very much. Just look at audiogon.
 
Yeah, sorry...as I said I know nothing about record players. Basically what I meant was a model that I could plug into my stereo, probably a standard feature now.
 
Originally posted by: A Casual Fitz
Yeah, sorry...as I said I know nothing about record players. Basically what I meant was a model that I could plug into my stereo, probably a standard feature now.

Does your stereo have a phono input?
 
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