Seantn

I like record players. They're just cool. I don't know if others agree with me, but there is just something neat about listening to music on a record player. My parents had one as a kid...and I broke it at the age of 3! These days, what is the average price of a good record player? Thanks.

jonnyrocks

I totally agree with you on that...if I enjoy an album enough on CD, I usually will go out and buy it on vinyl (when available).

Turntables comes in all types of flavors...there are the audiophile quality turntables, which can be had for anywhere between $200 to $5000+; there are DJ turntables at similar ranges; and then there are low end consumer turntables, which can be found at places like Best Buy or Circuit City.

If you plan on casual listening, then it wouldn't hurt to get a simple Sony turntable from Best Buy...they might not be the best, but they do their job.

I would personally recommend any of the mid-level Music Hall turntables. The quality of these players are much more stable than a low end Sony, and they are usually a good starting point for future vinyl junkies.

You could probably gather much more info by running a Google search for "audiophile turntables."

Seantn

Great info, thank you very much!

Trigger

Record players vary from 50 bucks to 500 bucks... I guess there are 5000 dollar turntables, but that's rediculous. Now - the needles are way expensive too. I'd say to spend over 150 if you have 150 records or more... spend less than that if you have less. I like Technics - I've owned 2 of them... both a belt drive one and a direct drive one. I've gone through about 7 record players and Technics are the best. Numark makes good turntables for beginner djs... that means they are good for every day use as well. Try a music shop that sells instruments. Don't buy the cheapest needle you can find - and don't spend more than 100 bucks.

I bought a Technics off ebay - it was from the 80s and had a lid. It is a direct drive and automatic. It also has record size auto detect and a pop-up light. i love it.

renaldow

Also keep in mind that most turntables are not amplified, and if you don't have a receiver with phono input, it will remain unamplified. Many of the less expensive turntables are not amplified, and most of the newer receivers do not have phono inputs.

Chances are you are going to want to look for a turntable that has a built in pre-amp. I believe all the Sony's have one, I'm not sure about the Technics. A good turntable and good vinyl will sound better than a CD, IMHO, but requires much higher maintenance. When you buy the phonograph don't forget to buy vinyl cleaner and a needle brush, you'll want to clean both before playing a record.

Here's an excellent vinyl cleaner, I've used this type since before there were CD's:
http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/...7&loc=111&sp=1

Radio Shacks also have a cheaper (cost and product build) version of it, but I reccomend going with the Discwasher one.

Not that I'm pusing Buy.com but they also have a good selection of turntables to browse. Just search 'turntables' and you'll get quite a few.

Mr. Kite!

Try to get one with a pitch control and a strobe light thingie so you can be sure the record is playing at an accurate speed. I got a cheapo $70 Radio Shack special (with no pitch control) and while it actually sounds good enough for me, if I rip a record I always have to adjust the pitch (in Cool Edit Pro) before I burn it to disc. The damn turntable plays a touch fast and I can't adjust it. It gets annoying real fast.

Hollow Man

Yeah, I also second getting something with pitch control. My cheapie Technics plays a bit too fast.

You get what you pay for. Although to some paying $5000 for a tuntable is absurd, I guarantee it will make things sound great. But if you know what you're doing, I bet you can find a fantastic used turntable of audiophile quality for about $500.

-HM

grrrah

You can get a top of the line (or close to it) technics or vestax turntable for around $500. Stanton makes a decent mid-level turntable also.

I highly recommend something with pitch control, and a direct drive.

wendersfan

Reading this thread, I feel very lucky that I have not one, but two Technics turntables for the '70's that are in perfect working condition. I also have a Yamaha receiver and a Kenwood receiver from the same era, both of which work great.

And no, I'm not selling...

POWERBOMB

My friend showed my in a Best Buy two Technics record players. I think the cheapest was $80.

Toka

I'll have to advise against getting a direct drive, unless you plan on using it for DJ purposes...belt-drives offer better overall sound-quality due to fewer/simpler mechanics, and in the lower price-ranges are often more economical.