That's not as relatively inexpensive as I'd like.
April 19, 2012 3:23 AM Subscribe
BoingBoing posted two recommendations for "good, relatively inexpensive [turntables]...Music Hall's MMF 2.2LE and the Pro-Ject Debut III". They're $499 and $389 respectively. What models would give 80 per cent of the bang for 20 per cent of the buck? I'm a listener, not a DJ.
Turntables are a specialty item nowadays. I would look to thrift stores and estate sales for affordable and good old turntables. Others can probably recommend brands to keep an eye out for.
posted by rockindata at 4:31 AM on April 19, 2012
posted by rockindata at 4:31 AM on April 19, 2012
New brands whose quality doesn't seem very good: Pyle, Crosley, Ion.
Old brands that you see sometimes that mostly made good stuff (though you kinda have to judge table-by-table), and aren't Technics (lots of great tables there, but it's kinda like Toyotas and Hondas--everybody knows how great they are, so prices can sometimes be inflated a little): Pioneer, Sansui, Yamaha.
posted by box at 4:50 AM on April 19, 2012
Old brands that you see sometimes that mostly made good stuff (though you kinda have to judge table-by-table), and aren't Technics (lots of great tables there, but it's kinda like Toyotas and Hondas--everybody knows how great they are, so prices can sometimes be inflated a little): Pioneer, Sansui, Yamaha.
posted by box at 4:50 AM on April 19, 2012
At $65-75, the Audio Technica AT-PL60 is a solid, reliable choice for people who know what "relatively inexpensive" is supposed to mean. You can hook it up directly to speakers, headphones or your computer to digitize LPs. Very easy to set up, nice sound, cheap - about as "80 per cent of the bang for the buck" as I ever need for listening. Check the 230 Amazon reviews.
Turntables are a specialty item nowadays.
That may or may not be true, but it's still easy to find good, cheap, reliable new turntables below $100.
posted by mediareport at 4:56 AM on April 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
Turntables are a specialty item nowadays.
That may or may not be true, but it's still easy to find good, cheap, reliable new turntables below $100.
posted by mediareport at 4:56 AM on April 19, 2012 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Secondhand is fine. I'd almost prefer rescuing something from landfill than buying a new unit.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 4:57 AM on April 19, 2012
posted by obiwanwasabi at 4:57 AM on April 19, 2012
Turntables are a specialty item nowadays. I would look to thrift stores and estate sales for affordable and good old turntables.
I bought a beautiful DUAL turntrable for $20 from a thriftshop last year. Finding cartridges can be an issue though.
posted by mattoxic at 5:26 AM on April 19, 2012
I bought a beautiful DUAL turntrable for $20 from a thriftshop last year. Finding cartridges can be an issue though.
posted by mattoxic at 5:26 AM on April 19, 2012
If you have any used musical instrument stores in your area, you might want to see if they carry turntables, that's where I picked up mine a few years ago. They'll probably have turntables designed for DJs, so I recommend skipping over any with a straight tonearm.
I've had good luck with Numark for reasonably cheap record players. Some of the newer models have an integrated preamp and line level output, like the TTUSB, but the older ones are more likely to require a phono preamp.
posted by helicomatic at 6:33 AM on April 19, 2012
I've had good luck with Numark for reasonably cheap record players. Some of the newer models have an integrated preamp and line level output, like the TTUSB, but the older ones are more likely to require a phono preamp.
posted by helicomatic at 6:33 AM on April 19, 2012
My advice is to get a turntable with a dust cover. Those turntables you linked to are beautiful, but they will collect dust in every nook and cranny very quickly, unless you live in a level 3 decontamination room or similarly dust-free zone. That dust will collect in your records and make your listening experience worsen over time.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:43 AM on April 19, 2012
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 6:43 AM on April 19, 2012
Check Criagslist. I know in the Bay Area there are always a bunch of turntables on there. Ebay can also have some deals.
I am still really partial to Technics, but I think that's nostalgia. Numark makes some pretty decent stuff.
I also second the dust cover, but also clean your records.
Getting a new cartridge can be a pretty economical way to improve your listening experience. I was just talking with some friends about how turntables for audiophiles are just a whole other level. I could never afford one, and I don't know if my ears could really detect the quality. We just upgraded from a entry level Technics to the 1200 series (used off CL) after 10 years of the first one. I think the upgrade was more about having a fancy new toy for me than really needing a new turntable, I can't tell much of a difference sound wise.
posted by kendrak at 7:21 AM on April 19, 2012
I am still really partial to Technics, but I think that's nostalgia. Numark makes some pretty decent stuff.
I also second the dust cover, but also clean your records.
Getting a new cartridge can be a pretty economical way to improve your listening experience. I was just talking with some friends about how turntables for audiophiles are just a whole other level. I could never afford one, and I don't know if my ears could really detect the quality. We just upgraded from a entry level Technics to the 1200 series (used off CL) after 10 years of the first one. I think the upgrade was more about having a fancy new toy for me than really needing a new turntable, I can't tell much of a difference sound wise.
posted by kendrak at 7:21 AM on April 19, 2012
I have a Pro-Ject Debut III. Before it, I bought three different sub $200 turntables that were all just awful. I have never regretted a purchase less than that of the Pro-Ject Debut III. It's fantastic.
Of the 3 "cheap" turntables, one was a "vintage" in just great shape to outside appearances, but couldn't maintain speed (audio would speed up/slow down). One was a Denon, which I had assumed was a quality brand name, but it sounded awful and the needle couldn't be replaced when it wore out. The third was more of the same, couldn't keep speed and sound quality was bad.
posted by smitt at 9:24 AM on April 19, 2012
Of the 3 "cheap" turntables, one was a "vintage" in just great shape to outside appearances, but couldn't maintain speed (audio would speed up/slow down). One was a Denon, which I had assumed was a quality brand name, but it sounded awful and the needle couldn't be replaced when it wore out. The third was more of the same, couldn't keep speed and sound quality was bad.
posted by smitt at 9:24 AM on April 19, 2012
Despite what most audiophiles will tell you, a turntable really only needs to do three things:
1. spin a record at the correct speed
2. give your tonearm cartridge a decent path along the groove
3. make sure not to fuck up the cartridge's signal on its way to the preampliflier.
Make sure your turntable's tonearm has the correct mounts for the cartridge you want to use. If you're a "listener," then a universal mount cartridge is probably all you need, and it should mount to pretty much anything made in the last 30 years.
If you're looking at second-hand turntables, there are lots to choose from, obviously. Technics has made a bit of a name for itself, by sheer virtue of the fact that their SL-1200 has been the de facti DJ turntable for decades, and they know it. The 1200 is about as bullet-proof as it gets, but they retail their value quite well, so second hand units won't be much of a savings.
The turntables you mention are both belt-driven straight-arm tables. Frankly, I don't quite see what justifies their cost. If there's some feature about them that you like, let me know.
I have a Technics 1200MK2, a Technics SL-1900, and a Numark TT1650, and they all get the job done. If all you want to do is listen, the Technics SL-1900 is very solid (it's a direct-drive table, so there's no worry about worn belts)
An Ortofon cartridge is pretty much de riguer thiese days. The Concorde series is very sleek and in my experience is very resistant to any kind of skipping (if that's any kind of a consideration for you)
You should be able to get an SL-1900 for well under $100, (with whatever cartridge they decide to include) A nice new Ortofon cartridge will be anywhere from 50 to $100. (Stanton would be the runner-up choice as far as cartridges go)
posted by ShutterBun at 10:38 AM on April 19, 2012
1. spin a record at the correct speed
2. give your tonearm cartridge a decent path along the groove
3. make sure not to fuck up the cartridge's signal on its way to the preampliflier.
Make sure your turntable's tonearm has the correct mounts for the cartridge you want to use. If you're a "listener," then a universal mount cartridge is probably all you need, and it should mount to pretty much anything made in the last 30 years.
If you're looking at second-hand turntables, there are lots to choose from, obviously. Technics has made a bit of a name for itself, by sheer virtue of the fact that their SL-1200 has been the de facti DJ turntable for decades, and they know it. The 1200 is about as bullet-proof as it gets, but they retail their value quite well, so second hand units won't be much of a savings.
The turntables you mention are both belt-driven straight-arm tables. Frankly, I don't quite see what justifies their cost. If there's some feature about them that you like, let me know.
I have a Technics 1200MK2, a Technics SL-1900, and a Numark TT1650, and they all get the job done. If all you want to do is listen, the Technics SL-1900 is very solid (it's a direct-drive table, so there's no worry about worn belts)
An Ortofon cartridge is pretty much de riguer thiese days. The Concorde series is very sleek and in my experience is very resistant to any kind of skipping (if that's any kind of a consideration for you)
You should be able to get an SL-1900 for well under $100, (with whatever cartridge they decide to include) A nice new Ortofon cartridge will be anywhere from 50 to $100. (Stanton would be the runner-up choice as far as cartridges go)
posted by ShutterBun at 10:38 AM on April 19, 2012
Oh, I should mention that if the AT-LP60 (not PL60, sorry) seems too bare-bones, the next step up, the Audio Technica AT-LP120 at ~$190, gets equally good reviews but is direct drive rather than belt drive and has more features.
I've found the LP60 works just fine at home, and after a couple years have seen no reason to upgrade, but can understand folks who want something closer to dj-quality. Either one is a bargain.
posted by mediareport at 3:47 PM on April 19, 2012
I've found the LP60 works just fine at home, and after a couple years have seen no reason to upgrade, but can understand folks who want something closer to dj-quality. Either one is a bargain.
posted by mediareport at 3:47 PM on April 19, 2012
If you want to go the vintage route, here's a list of vintage turntables that are considered good-quality.
Head-Fi is an audiophile forum, but I've found them to be very sane and am happy with basically everything I've bought that they recommended.
posted by !Jim at 8:21 PM on April 20, 2012
Head-Fi is an audiophile forum, but I've found them to be very sane and am happy with basically everything I've bought that they recommended.
posted by !Jim at 8:21 PM on April 20, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks all. Plenty to work with here - a vintage list for scouting garage sales, and some great recommendations for new gear if I start to get impatient.
posted by obiwanwasabi at 9:31 PM on April 20, 2012
posted by obiwanwasabi at 9:31 PM on April 20, 2012
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Does your receiver/amp have a phono input?
Is a secondhand table an option?
posted by box at 4:30 AM on April 19, 2012