Author Topic: Turntable advice. (Read 7754 times)

ts · « **on:** June 05, 2015, 09:45:06 AM »

Thinking of buying a new turntable. Haven't owned one since 1984. It was Dual with an Ortofon cartridge. I have no idea were it is now. Last time I saw was in my parents basement about 15 years ago.

My integrated amp does not have a phono pre. Would like to stay around $300. My daughter will be using it more than me. So far I found this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAJM4NKIQGABP2PIRA&tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B002S1CJ2Q&ascsubtag=WC21239

Thanks!

mfrench · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2015, 10:11:52 AM »

I'm an old vintage guy. But I have seen where people are happy with that deck.
There is a lot of info at www.audiokarma.org (near endless debate).

You should seriously look into U-Turn Audio. http://uturnaudio.com
They're an in-house built deck, here stateside. The decks come in under your budget. They also have a new outboard preamp. As a combo, it will hover at or slightly above your budget; but entirely worth it.

it-goes-to-eleven · « **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2015, 10:33:22 AM »

Quote from: ts on June 05, 2015, 09:45:06 AM

Thinking of buying a new turntable. Haven't owned one since 1984. It was Dual with an Ortofon cartridge. I have no idea were it is now. Last time I saw was in my parents basement about 15 years ago.

Oh yeah. I've been meaning to thank you for that. I'm pretty sure I bought it at your folks' yard sale for $5.
Nice table!

mfrench · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2015, 10:42:41 AM »

Did you pickup my 60's baseball card collection for .50¢ as well?

ts · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2015, 01:31:41 PM »

Quote from: it-goes-to-eleven on June 05, 2015, 10:33:22 AM

Quote from: ts on June 05, 2015, 09:45:06 AM
Thinking of buying a new turntable. Haven't owned one since 1984. It was Dual with an Ortofon cartridge. I have no idea were it is now. Last time I saw was in my parents basement about 15 years ago.

Oh yeah. I've been meaning to thank you for that. I'm pretty sure I bought it at your folks' yard sale for $5.
Nice table!

I'm pretty sure this is the one I had:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-CS-522-Belt-Drive-Turntable-W-Ortofon-Cartridge-Stylis-Nice-/301651972290?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item463bdbd0c2

It might still be in their basement. I last used it around 1987. I guess I'll be going over there tonight.

ts · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2015, 01:36:30 PM »

Quote from: m0k3 on June 05, 2015, 10:11:52 AM

I'm an old vintage guy. But I have seen where people are happy with that deck.
There is a lot of info at www.audiokarma.org (near endless debate).

You should seriously look into U-Turn Audio. http://uturnaudio.com
They're an in-house built deck, here stateside. The decks come in under your budget. They also have a new outboard preamp. As a combo, it will hover at or slightly above your budget; but entirely worth it.

Thanks Mike. That was on the review page I found.

Also this one: http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-13086-Debut-Carbon-Black/dp/B007XTE6YW?SubscriptionId=AKIAJM4NKIQGABP2PIRA&tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B007XTE6YW&ascsubtag=WC21239

Over budget, plus the phono pre.

nickgregory · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2015, 01:58:11 PM »

if you are going to go over budget, it is hard to beat the rega rp-1. I bought one as a gift for a friend who officiated my wedding and he has subsequently bought several hundred records in the past 2 months as it sounds so good....

twatts (pants are so over-rated...) · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2015, 03:38:26 PM »

Quote from: nickgregory on June 05, 2015, 01:58:11 PM

if you are going to go over budget, it is hard to beat the rega rp-1. I bought one as a gift for a friend who officiated my wedding and he has subsequently bought several hundred records in the past 2 months as it sounds so good....

Malarkey??? That's hilarious...

Terry

nickgregory · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2015, 04:58:14 PM »

Quote from: twatts (Where Are My Pants?) on June 05, 2015, 03:38:26 PM

Quote from: nickgregory on June 05, 2015, 01:58:11 PM
if you are going to go over budget, it is hard to beat the rega rp-1. I bought one as a gift for a friend who officiated my wedding and he has subsequently bought several hundred records in the past 2 months as it sounds so good....

Malarkey??? That's hilarious...

Terry

yes...he needs an intervention.

mfrench · « **Reply #9 on:** June 05, 2015, 06:17:41 PM »

Intervention?

From about 6 weeks ago:
I finally got half of them into the house (the LP's and gatefolds). That amounted to about 1200. The other 1200 or so are out in the garage, waiting to be sorted.

robeti · « **Reply #10 on:** June 05, 2015, 06:25:46 PM »

Quote from: ts on June 05, 2015, 09:45:06 AM

Thinking of buying a new turntable. Haven't owned one since 1984. It was Dual with an Ortofon cartridge. I have no idea were it is now. Last time I saw was in my parents basement about 15 years ago. My integrated amp does not have a phono pre. Would like to stay around $300. My daughter will be using it more than me. So far I found this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAJM4NKIQGABP2PIRA&tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B002S1CJ2Q&ascsubtag=WC21239

Thanks!

Glad to see you and your daughter will be spinning vinyl!

I'd say try to get a vintage Thorens TD-160 / TD-160 MKII.
You can't go wrong on those and they are not that expensive. In Europe they are a bit cheaper than in the States.

TD125 MKII would be better, but will cost you more.

If you don't like vintage and prefer to buy new I'd recommend a pro-ject.
http://www.project-audio.com/

Good luck!

ts · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2015, 08:51:12 AM »

So far I'm liking my new TT. Got the AT LP120. Only regret is that all of the after market tonearm lifters will not work with this deck. No space at all between the platter and the tonearm base. Guess I can't fall asleep while spinning.

robeti · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2015, 01:56:28 PM »

Quote from: ts on June 25, 2015, 08:51:12 AM

So far I'm liking my new TT. Got the AT LP120. Only regret is that all of the after market tonearm lifters will not work with this deck. No space at all between the platter and the tonearm base. Guess I can't fall asleep while spinning.

Not a bad choice. But it's very plastic and like you said, you can't tweak it much.

It's never too late for a vintage Thorens td-160

ts · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2015, 02:40:52 PM »

Quote from: robeti on June 25, 2015, 01:56:28 PM

Quote from: ts on June 25, 2015, 08:51:12 AM
So far I'm liking my new TT. Got the AT LP120. Only regret is that all of the after market tonearm lifters will not work with this deck. No space at all between the platter and the tonearm base. Guess I can't fall asleep while spinning.

Not a bad choice. But it's very plastic and like you said, you can't tweak it much.

It's never too late for a vintage Thorens td-160

I view this as my "getting back into vinyl" deck. If I decide its something I want to dive into I may upgrade at some point, but for now this is fine. Just wish there was an auto lift for end of play for those times when the bourbon kicks in before the record ends.

jlykos · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2015, 05:28:49 PM »

Funny all of you mention a lifter. I just bought a Q-Up and installed it today on my VPI Traveler. I fell asleep hardcore on the couch a couple weeks ago and woke up with my needle spinning on the lead-out groove for like three hours. Hopefully this will solve that problem.

Trying it out right now and seems to be working well, but I'll be damned if this isn't the cheapest piece of crap for which I have paid $60 in my life. More like $5, and even that's generous.

ts · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2015, 09:14:09 PM »

Quote from: jlykos on June 25, 2015, 05:28:49 PM

Funny all of you mention a lifter. I just bought a Q-Up and installed it today on my VPI Traveler. I fell asleep hardcore on the couch a couple weeks ago and woke up with my needle spinning on the lead-out groove for like three hours. Hopefully this will solve that problem.

Trying it out right now and seems to be working well, but I'll be damned if this isn't the cheapest piece of crap for which I have paid $60 in my life. More like $5, and even that's generous.

Yea, the Tonal or Levitator are much more robust but neither will work on my deck.

mfrench · « **Reply #16 on:** June 25, 2015, 10:36:59 PM »

Is the Tonal available commercially? Do we have the same thing in mind? I got in on a group buy about 10 years ago for a lifter called a Tonal, built by a cat named Mandy, out of the Philippines. to my knowledge, it was one of like 10 built. Then the guy just disappeared.

bhtoque · « **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2015, 01:32:59 AM »

the q-up doesn't feel very robust, but i've had one working flawlessly for 5 years now and I never rush to lift the arm. Compared to $200ish for the AT safety raiser on e-bay it's a steal.

JAson

ts · « **Reply #18 on:** June 26, 2015, 08:45:41 AM »

Quote from: m0k3 on June 25, 2015, 10:36:59 PM

Is the Tonal available commercially? Do we have the same thing in mind? I got in on a group buy about 10 years ago for a lifter called a Tonal, built by a cat named Mandy, out of the Philippines. to my knowledge, it was one of like 10 built. Then the guy just disappeared.

I used the Tonal as an example. No idea if they are even available. The Tonal seemed like it was very close in size to the original AT 6006. The Levitator also has a small diameter base, still no where near small enough to squeeze between my platter and tonearm base.

acidjack · « **Reply #19 on:** July 09, 2015, 10:53:33 AM »

Those Audio Technica TTs are a pretty decent looking analog of the Technics SL-1200MKII, and that built in phono amp is nice if you want something really simple.

I just bought a Denon DP-300F to use in my office, and I really like it. It's an automatic, has a built-in phono amp, and is belt drive. At Needledoctor you can have custom cartridges put on; I got the Ortofon Red, but you can get anything in their line, all the way up to the Ortofon Black. I know the purists don't like automatics, but if you're in a situation where you want to be sure you won't "forget" to stop the TT or think you might have to leave your listening area unexpectedly, it's a really nice feature. Good-looking and small-profile unit, too.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Denon-DP300F-with-2M-Red-Package

Author Topic: Turntable advice. (Read 7754 times)

mfrench

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