Topic: Portable turntables

[acidjack]

Based on what I've read on AudioKarma the answer is a resounding "no", but are there any portable turntables anyone's aware of that are decent?  By "decent" I mean, "plays alright, and stable enough that it doesn't damage your vinyl".  Not that high a standard, I realize

[thunderbolt]

I see no one ever answered this.  I'm not sure what you mean by "portable," but I have a Columbia GP-3 battery-powered Japanese TT. It's fun, you can take it anywhere, and it's definitely a conversation piece.  I wouldn't put my rare jazz LPs on it, in part because it uses a spring instead of a counterweight to keep the table on the arm.  But it is cool for 45s and for crate-digging.

There used to be a little mixer you could buy, to connect two, and you could have a micro-DJ system like this dood:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw1hsGaEEDo

Some people are fetishistic about these TTs.  You should be able to find one in nice shape for $100-150.  They are fun.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

I would talk to a Professional DJ...  Most I'm sure use the Technics 1200 () but that isn't exactly "portable", but can be put in a travel rack, etc... 

There is banter about changing out the cartridges:  http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1294798925

Terry

[thunderbolt]

I would talk to a Professional DJ...  Most I'm sure use the Technics 1200 () but that isn't exactly "portable", but can be put in a travel rack, etc... 

There is banter about changing out the cartridges:  http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1294798925

Terry

Yup, if by "portable" AJ means an all-in-one you can carry in one hand, with an internal speaker, the only other options are the Sound Burger, Vestax Handy Trax, and a poorly-reviewed piece from Neumark.  None of these would be remotely considered "good," but if portable is what you need....

I have a VPI 'table.  I also have a 1200 that was modified to play 78s.  I stuck a Rega RB301 on it and spiked it.  Doesn't sound half-bad.

[acidjack]

I would talk to a Professional DJ...  Most I'm sure use the Technics 1200 () but that isn't exactly "portable", but can be put in a travel rack, etc... 

There is banter about changing out the cartridges:  http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1294798925

Terry

Yup, if by "portable" AJ means an all-in-one you can carry in one hand, with an internal speaker, the only other options are the Sound Burger, Vestax Handy Trax, and a poorly-reviewed piece from Neumark.  None of these would be remotely considered "good," but if portable is what you need....

I have a VPI 'table.  I also have a 1200 that was modified to play 78s.  I stuck a Rega RB301 on it and spiked it.  Doesn't sound half-bad.

Heh, yeah, I was thinking of something relatively portable that at least had a pre in it, so it could be connected easily to a basic stereo system via RCAs.  I just got a 1200mkII... what a thing of beauty that is... but I'd want something more "portable" than that.

There are contraptions like this: http://www.crosleyradio.com/product.aspx?pid=1869 

OR this: http://www.ionaudio.com/products/details/lp2go

That second one looks kind of ideal as a player for the office or something, but I'm assuming it sounds like utter garbage and/or will destroy my LPs...?

[thunderbolt]

Crosley-anything is the absolutely worst garbage imaginable.  Don't let it touch your records.

Hard to find anything decent-sounding, portable, true stereo and won't hurt your records.  This is probably the closest you'll find (and it's a 1200 copy by AT), and it does have a built-in preamp:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDIO-TECHNICA-AT-LP120-USB-DIRECT-DRIVE-PROFESSIONAL-TURNTABLE-WITH-USB-2-Yr-Wr-/321092552252?pt=US_Record_Players_Home_Turntables&hash=item4ac29b863c

[audBall]

For the real O.G.'s

[acidjack]

Crosley-anything is the absolutely worst garbage imaginable.  Don't let it touch your records.

Hard to find anything decent-sounding, portable, true stereo and won't hurt your records.  This is probably the closest you'll find (and it's a 1200 copy by AT), and it does have a built-in preamp:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDIO-TECHNICA-AT-LP120-USB-DIRECT-DRIVE-PROFESSIONAL-TURNTABLE-WITH-USB-2-Yr-Wr-/321092552252?pt=US_Record_Players_Home_Turntables&hash=item4ac29b863c

That's what I figured.  Heh, I had no idea the LP-120 was down to $200.  I know some people who rave about those and some who hate them.  The times I've heard them play they seemed fine, on non-audiophile systems. 

The only other thing I can think of that seems kind of "portable" are those Technics wall-mount SL-10s from the 70s... like this bad boy: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.vinylengine.com/images/model/technics_sl-10.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-10.shtml&h=240&w=300&sz=13&tbnid=RbFcfBIk5jfs3M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=113&zoom=1&usg=__YpLhJLs1CCy9EaI7cRD9CA65BAw=&docid=89BaPbnuUwpCCM&sa=X&ei=wMNMUfK0Fc3h4APx7YGoDQ&ved=0CFEQ9QEwAQ&dur=493

Anyway, I need portable LPs like a hole in my head... as if the various iThings don't hold enough songs...

[Phil Zone]

I haven't heard anything on those players, but Stanton makes a great player if your still looking