School me on turntables

[Suprmallet]

While I'm pretty much set on digital as my main mode of listening to music (can't beat the combo of portability and the quality of a good VBR encode), I still enjoy the experience of sitting down with an album and listening to it with my home theater setup. I have a lot of SACDs that I play on my PS3 and so on, but I don't have a turntable. With vinyl making a comeback, and the accesibility to two good record stores in my area, I feel like I'm doing myself a disservice by ignoring the format (not to mention I have a bunch of 180g vinyl Beatles reissues I would like to listen to again).

The problem is, I have no clue what is considered a good turntable versus a bad turntable and what I should be looking for. I'm not looking to spend over $1000 on a turntable with laser tracking (which I have seen before), but I don't necessarily want a $10 bargain bin turntable either. So I turn to you, fellow DVD Talkers, for advice on what to look for in a turntable, what brands I should seek out, and any other information you have to pass on.

Thanks guys!

[Oliver Clothesoff]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

180g vinyl Beatles reissues

What? I've not heard of such things.

As for turntables, go vintage. You can get a top quality 70s or 80s Technics player for $100-$200. Just get a new cartridge and you'll be good to go.

[Suprmallet]

On ebay? Or is there a better place to find them?

As for The Beatles, their albums were reissued on vinyl...10 years ago maybe? I thought they were 180 gram but I can't be certain. I'll have to dig them out and see what it has listed on them in terms of technical status.

[CRM114]

A PS3 is not capable of playing a multichannel SACD correctly, is it? It doesn't have discrete outputs for each channel.

[Suprmallet]

A PS3 can play SACDs correctly through HDMI.

[Oliver Clothesoff]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

On ebay? Or is there a better place to find them?

As for The Beatles, their albums were reissued on vinyl...10 years ago maybe? I thought they were 180 gram but I can't be certain. I'll have to dig them out and see what it has listed on them in terms of technical status.

Ah, those are probably based off the CD masters, which I think would probably sound pretty disappointing compared to older pressings.

I got one on eBay; a Technics SL-Q3, I think. Great little player. Spent 80 bucks plus shipping.

Most recently, I found a Technics SL-1300 at a local pawn store. From 1979, but it's a tank and works perfectly. Spent $150, but bought a Shure cartridge and a tube preamp to go with it and it sounds like heaven.

[Suprmallet]

I did some research at an audio forum and found that the most recommended 70's Technics for the money are the SL-1200MK2, SL-1600MK2, SL-1700MK2, and SL-1800MK2. Didn't have much luck with the 16, 17, or 18 on ebay. Unfortunately Technics still uses the 1200MK2 model number for new models, so it's hard to find the vintage ones.

The 1300 was listed as good, but according to the guys on the forum the speed wanders too much.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

A PS3 can play SACDs correctly through HDMI.

I was excited there for a moment as I'm looking to get rid of my SACD/DVD-A player and replace it with something that can play Blu-ray. Then I looked it up only to find Sony dropped SACD support from the PS3.

Oh, turntables? I have no idea. I have 300 or so albums I haven't played in 20 years.

[Suprmallet]

Sony dropped SACD support from the PS3? Wow. Just one more reason to hold onto my 60GB, along with the backwards compatibility.

[Suprmallet]

This looks promising.

It's $165 after shipping, but it looks to be in excellent condition. It's not an MK2 but it seems like people are holding onto those, I found none on Ebay or Craig's List for either the 1600, 1700, or 1800 models.

Edit: I bought it. A friend of mine who is a professional DJ said it was a good deal and I should snatch it up. Now I have to figure out if I need a phono pre-amp.

[Rocketdog2000]

Originally Posted by Oliver Clothesoff

As for turntables, go vintage. You can get a top quality 70s or 80s Technics player for $100-$200. Just get a new cartridge and you'll be good to go.

Exactly what I did last time around. Check E-bay, your local secondhand store (Goodwill, Salvation Army...etc.), or yard sales. I got a Technics SL-D202 Direct Drive turntable for around $50. Had to get a new cartridge, but other than that works great.

[Suprmallet]

In case people didn't want to click on the link above:

I ended up picking up a Technics SL-1800 with original box and manual off Ebay for $165 shipped. It's in excellent condition and comes with a new cartridge and a needle low on use hours. I was hoping to find an MKII but there weren't even listings for it. Still, apparently even the regular 1800 models go for much more than I just paid, so I'm feeling good about it. Gonna hit one of the local record shops tonight.

Edit: Also, looks like I'm going to need a phono preamp. What do I need to know about those and how much do they generally run?

[Oliver Clothesoff]

Preamps are all over the map. You can go real cheap (like $40 at Crutchfield) or real expensive.

I got a Bellari tube amp for about $180.

[statcat]

yep agreed, get an older turntable- better quality usually

[Suprmallet]

Jesus, I don't know if I want to spend that much on a pre-amp. I feel like something simple will do the trick for me.

[Oliver Clothesoff]

This will probably work for you, then:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_057ATPE...Q3.html?tp=204

[Oliver Clothesoff]

This will probably work for you, then:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_057ATPE...Q3.html?tp=204

[SoSpacey]

Try not to go cheap on the pre-amp. There are ways to get a nice budget set-up and you saved some money on your TT so spend a little extra on your pre-amp and carts.

It's analog so it will be greatly influenced by your equipment.

I have 2x Technics 1200 M5Gs which is just a slightly upgraded MKII. True vinyl lovers will tell you the Technics is a serviceable table but there are much better out there. I just couldn't justify another one as I use my 1200s for DJing (or used to at least). One now resides in my main listening area.


The Beatles remasters will be released on 09-09-09.

Between Rock Band, the CD remasters and the vinyl remasters, it will be a very expensive Beatles month for me.

[SoSpacey]

Try not to go cheap on the pre-amp. There are ways to get a nice budget set-up and you saved some money on your TT so spend a little extra on your pre-amp and carts.

It's analog so it will be greatly influenced by your equipment.

I have 2x Technics 1200 M5Gs which is just a slightly upgraded MKII. True vinyl lovers will tell you the Technics is a serviceable table but there are much better out there. I just couldn't justify another one as I use my 1200s for DJing (or used to at least). One now resides in my main listening area.


The Beatles remasters will be released on 09-09-09.

Between Rock Band, the CD remasters and the vinyl remasters, it will be a very expensive Beatles month for me.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by Suprmallet

Edit: Also, looks like I'm going to need a phono preamp. What do I need to know about those and how much do they generally run?

Why? I never needed one. Is there no phono jack on your receiver?

[Suprmallet]

Nope, no phono jack.

Edit: For The Beatles I am just sticking to the CD remasters, will probably grab a few of the older releases just to have them on vinyl.

[Suprmallet]

OK, I did end up buying that Bellari tube amp, after reading bad things about the cheaper ones.

[Rocketdog2000]

Well, it is a Tube amp after all. That right there is going to give you a warmer, different sound than a solid-state transistor one would.

[Suprmallet]

Yeah, it seemed like a worthwhile purchase. After all, the point of all of this is to have a really great listening experience.

[Flay]

It's a shame you didn't know someone that runs an audiophile, hardware review site that can easily acquire a sizable discount on turntables and amps for the mere cost of reviewing them.