need advice on purchasing a record player.
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
need advice on purchasing a record player.
I was hoping for some suggestions on what would be the best place to purchase a vinyl record player for personal use. Sound Quality matters, so I will probably want something newer rather than a 1970s antique. As always, I want the best "bang for my buck."
Thanks
Thanks
#2
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the Technics SL-1200MK2 Turntable is widely held as the "best" turntable on the market. it is known as the djs turntable (for djs that still use vinyl). brand new it is very expensive ($400-$500). i recently sold 2 used ones in the $300 range.
here are some reviews:
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Turntable...splay_~reviews
here are price comparisons:
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Turntable...~latest_prices
here are some reviews:
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Turntable...splay_~reviews
here are price comparisons:
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Turntable...~latest_prices
Last edited by dollfins1; 05-15-05 at 02:58 PM.
#5
Administrator
Originally Posted by dollfins1
the Technics SL-1200MK2 Turntable is widely held as the "best" turntable on the market. it is known as the djs turntable (for djs that still use vinyl).
#6
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You can't get a good turntable for $120 or less. You probably need to look at spending at least $300-$400 for something of reasonable quality (if that matters). If it's for very casual, non-serious listening then maybe you can get a $120 model but it's kind of like thowing money away on junk IMO.
You may want to look at a used Technics 1200 (they are very durable).
I don't know much about Thorens but the higher end models ($1000+) seem much better than the lower end $300 models according to this review:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr...1525&read&3&4&
You may want to look at a used Technics 1200 (they are very durable).
I don't know much about Thorens but the higher end models ($1000+) seem much better than the lower end $300 models according to this review:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr...1525&read&3&4&
Last edited by namlook; 05-15-05 at 06:02 PM.
#7
Administrator
Originally Posted by namlook
I don't know much about Thorens but the higher end models ($1000+) seem much better than the lower end $300 models according to this review:
#8
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by namlook
You can't get a good turntable for $120 or less. You probably need to look at spending at least $300-$400 for something of reasonable quality (if that matters). If it's for very casual, non-serious listening then maybe you can get a $120 model but it's kind of like thowing money away on junk IMO.
#10
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by digitalfreaknyc
I wouldn't agree with this at all. I got a turntable recently from J&R and am more than happy with the sound quality. I'm using it to put my vinyl onto CD and it even has pitch control on it (which helped A LOT). You don't need to go high end to get the quality you want. Not throwing money away at all.
Here's a nice review of the Technics SL-1200Mk2:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr...0514&read&3&4&
#15
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i purchased a sony ps-lx250h a couple years back after reading nothing but positive reviews. it's automatic, and plays 45/33 with ease. i found it cheapest for $89. it's been very well worth it, and extremely easy to put together/use.
#19
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,632
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by dirtrat
You do realize the better turntables are all Belt drive?
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NEW YORK, NY
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A lot of the $1000+ turntables have bullshit features like automatic song selection. A laser finds the grooves in the record so you can put the switch on song 2 and the needle will go to song 2. Most of those Ultra highend players play no better than The Technics SL1200.
What is very important is the quality of the needle you get. The better the needle the better the sound!
What is very important is the quality of the needle you get. The better the needle the better the sound!
Last edited by SWR 1; 05-18-05 at 12:39 PM.
#21
DVD Talk Special Edition
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by SWR 1
A lot of the $1000+ turntables have bullshit features like automatic song selection. A laser finds the grooves in the record so you can put the switch on song 2 and the needle will go to song 2. Most of those Ultra highend players play no better than The Technics SL1200.
What is very important is the quality of the needle you get. The better the needle the better the sound!
What is very important is the quality of the needle you get. The better the needle the better the sound!
I agree that the best bang for the buck is the Technics SL1200. It's a quality machine that is built like a tank and will last forever. It's not an audiophile quality table but it will meet the needs of the vast majority of people out there.
The
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thought I'd resurrect this thread.
I'm needing something similar to the type of turntable shown above. I don't really need the CD or tape player that are usually integrated into these models. Just a stand-alone record player that won't be hooked up to my primary stereo system (i.e. no external speakers). They don't have to be the old-fashioned wood cabinet look.
The prices I've seen on these are usually $100 or $300. Does anyone have any of these they'd recommend? Or know of any good deals? Is there a particular brand that's better than another, or they all pretty much the same. Obviously, I realize the integrated speaker isn't going to be the best thing in the world, but are the $300 players that much better than the $100s?
Thanks for any advice.
EDIT: Or would I be better served with something like this:
I'm needing something similar to the type of turntable shown above. I don't really need the CD or tape player that are usually integrated into these models. Just a stand-alone record player that won't be hooked up to my primary stereo system (i.e. no external speakers). They don't have to be the old-fashioned wood cabinet look.
The prices I've seen on these are usually $100 or $300. Does anyone have any of these they'd recommend? Or know of any good deals? Is there a particular brand that's better than another, or they all pretty much the same. Obviously, I realize the integrated speaker isn't going to be the best thing in the world, but are the $300 players that much better than the $100s?
Thanks for any advice.
EDIT: Or would I be better served with something like this:
Last edited by FrozenMetalHead; 04-20-06 at 04:23 PM.
#23
Member
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
300 players are better than $100 players. Some people prefer belt over direct drive. If you aren't scratching it really doesn't matter. The moden tables all have good speed control.
Some recomendations:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--NUMTT1600MKII
Some recomendations:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--NUMTT1600MKII
Last edited by handle; 04-20-06 at 04:19 PM.
#24
Member
Join Date: Jul 1999
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by handle
300 players are better than $100 players. Some people prefer belt over direct drive. If you aren't scratching it really doesn't matter. The moden tables all have good speed control.
Thanks for those links - I wasn't thinking about getting something like that, as I already have a decent player hooked up to my main stereo system in a different room. However, I'm very intrigued by the ability to connect it to your computer via USB. I have been wanting to transfer several albums, and I could use my computer speakers (fairly decent) for day-to-day output.
Have you had any experience with the USB hook-up? Do the recordings sound pretty good?