What do I need to know about turntables?

[iRONic]

If ya dont got the cash I guess so!

Heh heh...

The guy I bought my La scalas from is selling his Merril MS21 with a Haddock 9" 228 export tonearm for $3200.00

Nice TT but I can buy a lot of LPs for that kind of coin.

 

[Oyeve]

Heh heh...

The guy I bought my La scalas from is selling his Merril MS21 with a Haddock 9" 228 export tonearm for $3200.00

Nice TT but I can buy a lot of LPs for that kind of coin.

Looks similar to one I installed in LA Reids office before he destroyed Arista records.

 

[Madwand1]

Nice TT but I can buy a lot of LPs for that kind of coin.

Did anyone read the write-up about the design and manufacturing of this 'table? Is there a specific technical reason for it being so ugly?

 

[iRONic]

Did anyone read the write-up about the design and manufacturing of this 'table? Is there a specific technical reason for it being so ugly?

Meh, s'not ugly IMO.

6moons review

 

[alfa147x]

 

[Hugo Drax]

1200s are definately not collectors items. There is a shitload of them. Its a great turntable, just get a good cart for it.

I have one I bought new in the late 80s I need to buy a new dust cover for it, they are like 30 bucks. The one I have it scratched up but the actual turntable is mint

The FUD from the beltdrive folks is pretty lame. Direct Drive is fine for High Fidelity.

 

[Oyeve]

1200s are definately not collectors items. There is a shitload of them. Its a great turntable, just get a good cart for it.

I have one I bought new in the late 80s I need to buy a new dust cover for it, they are like 30 bucks. The one I have it scratched up but the actual turntable is mint

The FUD from the beltdrive folks is pretty lame. Direct Drive is fine for High Fidelity.

Wow, I wish my dust-cover was that cheap. Cheapest I found is 140.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

they all do the same thing don't they? The quality of the stylii makes the difference IIRC

 

[Oyeve]

they all do the same thing don't they? The quality of the stylii makes the difference IIRC

Nope, tone arm quality, skating force, rumble, damping, etc...

 

[iRONic]

Christmas present to my daughter;

Part of this box set.

 

[Gintaras]

Nope, tone arm quality, skating force, rumble, damping, etc...

http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=THTD158

Thorens - TD-158, $199, should I get this one?

 

[fastcuda]

That's awesome looking, and looks like its good quality, have you considered getting that spatter paint (truck bed kit) for the box?

 

[Gintaras]

Finally, I've got Thorens TD-158 - a very good turntable.
Received today and can't stop enjoying.
Now playing Rick Wakeman -1984(1981 Charisma/Phonograph Records Ltd.) - I like powerful Chaka Chan vocals on that album.

Already played: Jean-Michel Jarre original french pressing on Dreyfus - Equinoxe,

Another, from my Deep Purple LP collection: Hardin & York - "For The World"

Form of Art as Music is, full enjoyment could be received when you have it in original - a painting, a book or a record of music...

 

[Gintaras]

I've ordered this - Groovmaster label saver:

http://www.gallagher.com/clean_records.htm

 

[thelastjuju]

Yeah I went ahead and got a turntable a while back.. just gonna be completely honest and say its really just for novelty purposes, and very rarely gets used. :thumbsup:

Just such an archaic alternative to hard drive digital storage.

 

[dawp]

hmm, maybe I should retrieve my technics sl-1700 from my parents house.

 

[richardycc]

just bought a Denon DP300F with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge combo for $403 shipped after 10% off. I have been looking for a turntable with built-in preamp, nothing fancy or audiophile, just wanted to play some old records that I was growing up with. It's backorder until April thou...I guess it's ok, I don't own a turntable in 20yrs, I can wait 2 more months.

 

[richardycc]

just an update for those that care, I cancelled my Denon order due to I can't wait any longer, and it's driving me nuts looking for a fully automatic one at this price point, and frankly, there is no many to choose from for under $500. A few from Thorens, but they got terrible reviews. so I bought an old "vintage" Technics, model # slq350 for $50 on CL, changed the cartridge to AT 92ECD, and all is well.

 

[Gintaras]

just an update for those that care, I cancelled my Denon order due to I can't wait any longer, and it's driving me nuts looking for a fully automatic one at this price point, and frankly, there is no many to choose from for under $500. A few from Thorens, but they got terrible reviews. so I bought an old "vintage" Technics, model # slq350 for $50 on CL, changed the cartridge to AT 92ECD, and all is well.

Not sure, but most likely, you did what you wanted. No blame.

I'll return Thorens TD-158 - appears to be a $50 worth of TT with no counterweight adjustments, Thorens TD-158 manual misleading about cart changes.
Might never buy again a Grado carts - loud hum.

I do appreciate more and more my old Philips 877 with new AT cart/stylus.

I do enjoy listening LPs after I do clean them:

http://www.gallagher.com/clean_records.htm

 

[richardycc]

I see that AA has a demo TD158 for $179 now. Is that your return? Anyway, since I have the Adele 21 in LP and CD, I did a A-B test of my cheap LP setup against my CD setup, I prefer my CD set up (a PS3 to a music hall DAC 25.3 with mods) better, just the fact even with a new LP, there are still occasionally some snap crackle and pop with the LP playback. I think in order by beat my CD setup, I will need to get a player in the $1000+ price range, and a cleaner machine ($500+) to get rid of the pops. Funny how I didn't care or bother by the noise when I was kid, but it's annoying now that I am used to CD for the last 20+yrs. maybe there is something wrong with my $50 craigslist vintage record player?

 

[NutBucket]

Even a brand-new LP will have an occasional crackle or pop. Its just the nature of the beast. IMHO the quality of the TT itself doesn't have a whole lot do with it unless you're talking about some plastic POS with a ceramic cart.

My turntable is a $25 Onkyo from the mid 80's. I installed a decent AT cart (ATP-2XN) on it but its certainly nothing special.

I remember my first CD-LP comparison was maybe 12 years ago using Moby's Play album. For my friends and I there was no question the LP sounded far superior. Also realize that there's the issue of how the record is mixed/produced. People say that mixing now is geared towards making music sound better on cheaper gear, emphasizing highs/lows and generally making it sound terrible on "better" systems.

 

[abaez]

I have a chance to get a Technics SL-1200mk2 almost brand new for $350. It does not come with a tonearm or catridge.

I was also looking at the Pro Ject Debut Carbon: http://www.musicdirect.com/p-75872-pro-ject-debut-carbon-turntable.aspx which does come with everything for $400.

I'm reading back and forth about the technics saying it's legendary for dj's but not so much listening in the home. Any suggestions on the one I should get? I know I'll have to buy a catridge and stuff with the technics, but I don't mind if it's worth it. I just haven't been able to read anything saying it is....

 

[skriefal]

The "SL-1200 MK2 is for DJs" tripe comes mostly from dealers, and from some audiphiles with mega-buck setups that want to make themselves feel better about their own far more expensive rigs.

The SL-1200 is a fine hi-fi turntable. That's what it was designed for... the DJs adopted it later due to its good build quality and performance.

If the SL-1200 MK2 is truly in like-new condition with no issues, good bearings, etc, and is missing only the headshell (you said tonearm, but hopefully meant 'headshell') and cartridge then $350 is a good price. Not a "killer" deal, but a good one. You could try to talk them down a little, but it's still worth the $350 if they won't budge. Do verify that the tonearm VTA (height) adjustment dial isn't stuck.

You can pick up a Technics headshell on eBay for $20 or so, or hold out for a deal on a used one (Technics or other major brand) for perhaps a few dollars less. There are cheapie no-name headshells avaliable for less than $10 shipped but I recommend avoiding those -- the product quality is poor.

For a starter cartridge consider the Audio Technica AT95E for $40-ish.

 

[NutBucket]

For $350 its sans tonearm, not just the headshell. At that price I'm not sure whether that's a good deal or not.

But, its definitely a good table. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

[abaez]

Yes, I meant headshell not tonearm (a bit new to all of this). I'll have to think about this...