Turntable recommendations?

[Platypus]

So I don't need anything crazy here, this will be used solely for home listening.

I am looking for a decent turntable that is around 200 bucks and has its own phono preamp as my receiver does not have one. There is a lot of cheap crap out there from my research and I want to avoid that kind of thing so if anyone here has one they like please let me know.

 

[Canai]

I'm in a similar boat... the old beater table I picked up at a garage sale kicked the bucket recently

 

[Throckmorton]

CD player

 

[Epic Fail]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
CD player

ipod

 

[Ns1]

marked; this used to be one of our clients

http://www.axissaudio.com/turntables/turnTrans.htm

 

[Platypus]

Try to keep the cunted worthless responses to a minimum please, lads.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

it's either cheap crap, or rediculous crap.

http://www.musicdirect.com/category/21

you might catch your fish in the AV forum

 

[flunky nassau]

Oh this is easy.

The only turntable you'll ever need.

Technic SL-1200, the most popular turntable ever. Direct drive, meaning it turns via magnets, not belts which can stretch & wear over time.

"Since 1972, more than 3 million units have been sold. It is widely regarded as one of the most durable and reliable turntables ever produced. Many of the models manufactured in the '70s are still in heavy use. Rappers have referred to the turntable as "1200", "Technics", "Tec 12" and "ones and twos"."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_SL-1200




You can find used once all over eBay & craigslist. Mostly sold be aspiring DJ's who discovered that they had no skill.

 

[funkymatt]

we got a numark tt-usb, i think ION makes the same one. it works for what it does, but it's belt drive. I was playing with the USB support, but realized i already have all the music on CD or mp3 that i have records of. works fine as a record player, though I replaced a cartridge with a shure. I think i was able to get it for about $130 a couple years ago.

 

[mshan]

Audio Technica AT-PL50!

Yes, the chassis is made of plastic, but the thing produces a highly musical sound.

You can usually find it for between $60 - $70 brand new on eBay, Amazon, Buy.com, etc.

 

[Throckmorton]

Musical sound??

 

[dawp]

Originally posted by: flunky nassau
Oh this is easy.

The only turntable you'll ever need.

Technic SL-1200, the most popular turntable ever. Direct drive, meaning it turns via magnets, not belts which can stretch & wear over time.

"Since 1972, more than 3 million units have been sold. It is widely regarded as one of the most durable and reliable turntables ever produced. Many of the models manufactured in the '70s are still in heavy use. Rappers have referred to the turntable as "1200", "Technics", "Tec 12" and "ones and twos"."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technics_SL-1200




You can find used once all over eBay & craigslist. Mostly sold be aspiring DJ's who discovered that they had no skill.

I have one of these at my parents house. should go ahead and pick it up.

 

[Platypus]

Do some of you guys just completely ignore the original post before replying?

 

[dawp]

i did link to ebay. and if necessary you can by a preamp separate. and technics are one of the best turntable you can by.

 

[rocadelpunk]

Technics sl-1200 from craigslist, etc.

I really like my audio technica at-pl120

lots of positive reviews on amazon as well. http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Te...&qid=1220732692&sr=8-1

 

[Platypus]

Those of you who recommended the Technics 1200 please re-read my original post, then read it again.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
Technics sl-1200 from craigslist, etc.

I really like my audio technica at-pl120

lots of positive reviews on amazon as well. http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Te...&qid=1220732692&sr=8-1

How is that AT one?

I read a lot of good stuff on it but a lot of people say they can hear a low hum because there's no ground wire.

Furthermore it's direct drive and I don't want to hear any cogging with the music.

 

[mshan]

Unless you've got pristine quality records and are meticulous about cleaning your records, I suspect the Audio Technica AT-PL50 would serve you very, very well. (I've never heard the AT PL-120, but I bet it would also be very good choice).

I got one for my dad and I've heard no hum. Don't know what cogging is, but no extraneous noises stand when I listen to it.

I'd say unless you are going to spend at least $300 - $400 (entry level audiophile, say Pro-ject, Music Hall, Rega, etc), how a particular turntable is voiced is what you should be looking for.

That Technics turntable is very well respected over at Head-Fi, but primarily as great value for the money if you are willing to do a lot of mods to extract the potential of the turntable itself. Plus, you may just end up with a frankenstein, instead of nice turntable that was voiced as intended right out of the factory.

It's not going to extract every little bit of detail from those grooves (may not emphasize clicks and pops as much also), but it's got a full bodied, perhaps slightly dark (tonal balance) sound that is above, all else, just plain musical. Plug it in, toss on a record, and just enjoy the music! It's aligned and calibrated right out of the box, so you don't have to worry about that, either (replacement cartridge, which basically clips into place, is $10 - $15 I think).

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Platypus
Those of you who recommended the Technics 1200 please re-read my original post, then read it again.

I don't know of many tables that have a phono preamp built in. You can get small high quality phono pre-amps for not a lot of dough if you want to change your requirements.

 

[Rubycon]

It's going to be very hard to get an "all in one" solution at that price point. If you're critical about rumble, speed accuracy, and musicality the price starts jumping exponentially. A high quality turntable is going to have an output requiring a phono preamp. There are probably gems to be found - folks no longer using a Dual or Thorens with a black widow tone arm or if you're really lucky a Linn. Sitting in the closet collecting dust because of those pesky silver discs.

 

[rocadelpunk]

Originally posted by: Platypus

Originally posted by: rocadelpunk
Technics sl-1200 from craigslist, etc.

I really like my audio technica at-pl120

lots of positive reviews on amazon as well. http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Te...&qid=1220732692&sr=8-1

How is that AT one?

I read a lot of good stuff on it but a lot of people say they can hear a low hum because there's no ground wire.

Furthermore it's direct drive and I don't want to hear any cogging with the music.

I've never noticed a hum (24 so my hearing shouldn't be that bad...)

I have it hooked up to a marantz 2245 receiver and sennheiser hd 497 cans.

Sounds great! I don't know what cogging means :0

 

[flunky nassau]

Originally posted by: Platypus
Those of you who recommended the Technics 1200 please re-read my original post, then read it again.

I suggest you just ignore your own original post & take everyone's suggestion.

 

[herm0016]

I have a B&O 1900 from e-bay that i really like. I would watch ebay for a dennon, marentz or other well known vintage TT. I picked my B&O up for 100. and then spent 50 on a preamp. www.phonopreamps.com. the tc-750 is one of the best bang for buck pre-amps on the market. with separate preamp and TT you will be able to upgrade either one very easily.