turntable/record player

[jlykos]

Do you have a budget in mind? That would help out a lot.

$12 - $15?

Thousand or hundred? There are options at both points.

[coloartist]

I am in the same situation. Trying to figure out what to buy. I'm sick of my 400 mint albums sitting in my closet. Lot's of "half speed masters" , "Japanese pressings" and "Mobil fidelity's".

I haven't had a turntable in 10 years.

I wanted to spend about $500, but I guess I could go up to a grand.

Are any semi-automatic? I'm not a fan of getting off the couch when the album is done.

I have a Pioneer Elite SC-27. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Home/SC-25_OperatingInstructions0421.pdf

The information I found on the PDF was:

One of the audio inputs (PHONO) is a dedicated turntable input which should not be
used for any other type of component. This input also has a grounding terminal that most turntables require.

Turntables only:
• If your turntable has a grounding wire, secure it to the
ground terminal on this receiver.
• If your turntable has line-level outputs (i.e., it has a
built-in phono pre-amp), connect it to the CD inputs
instead.

Is it better to get a lesser turntable and better stylus. Any input would be helpful.

[bhtoque]

I am in the same situation. Trying to figure out what to buy. I'm sick of my 400 mint albums sitting in my closet. Lot's of "half speed masters" , "Japanese pressings" and "Mobil fidelity's".

I haven't had a turntable in 10 years.

I wanted to spend about $500, but I guess I could go up to a grand.

Are any semi-automatic? I'm not a fan of getting off the couch when the album is done.

I have a Pioneer Elite SC-27. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Home/SC-25_OperatingInstructions0421.pdf

The information I found on the PDF was:

One of the audio inputs (PHONO) is a dedicated turntable input which should not be
used for any other type of component. This input also has a grounding terminal that most turntables require.

Turntables only:
• If your turntable has a grounding wire, secure it to the
ground terminal on this receiver.
• If your turntable has line-level outputs (i.e., it has a
built-in phono pre-amp), connect it to the CD inputs
instead.

Is it better to get a lesser turntable and better stylus. Any input would be helpful.

Here's the solution for end of lp : http://www.thequp.com/ Takes some adjustment, but works great.

Best to keep things in line. A high-end cartridge needs a better arm to shine through. There's plenty of great options at around $200. Above that bang for buck starts to slide unless the rest of the system can keep up.

JAson

[carlbeck]

I am in the same situation. Trying to figure out what to buy. I'm sick of my 400 mint albums sitting in my closet. Lot's of "half speed masters" , "Japanese pressings" and "Mobil fidelity's".

I haven't had a turntable in 10 years.

I wanted to spend about $500, but I guess I could go up to a grand.

Are any semi-automatic? I'm not a fan of getting off the couch when the album is done.

I have a Pioneer Elite SC-27. http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/StaticFiles/Manuals/Home/SC-25_OperatingInstructions0421.pdf

The information I found on the PDF was:

One of the audio inputs (PHONO) is a dedicated turntable input which should not be
used for any other type of component. This input also has a grounding terminal that most turntables require.

Turntables only:
• If your turntable has a grounding wire, secure it to the
ground terminal on this receiver.
• If your turntable has line-level outputs (i.e., it has a
built-in phono pre-amp), connect it to the CD inputs
instead.

Is it better to get a lesser turntable and better stylus. Any input would be helpful.

Another point to consider is the stylus, either MM or MC, more than likely your phono preamp only has enough gain for MM which is fine since there are plenty of choices out there. Jason is giving sound advice, you can easily find something in your targeted range of $500 & be happy. I'd still say a Rega, MMF or even a Thorens for a new choice while in the used market you can find VPI, Rega, Thorens, MMF or AR tables. Lots of options out there fortunately but it can be overwhelming like when you first started taping, it's still fun though & you can go as far as your budget or interest allow.

[coloartist]

Thanks  the Q-Up looks like my answer for picking my needle up.

So should I trust a used nicer table or a lesser price new table?

I figure a new turntable will give me a choice of cartridges.

What Are you're preferred cartridges?

[carlbeck]

Thanks  the Q-Up looks like my answer for picking my needle up.

So should I trust a used nicer table or a lesser price new table?

I figure a new turntable will give me a choice of cartridges.

What Are you're preferred cartridges?

I'd go for a used nicer table personally, you'll need to learn how to set it up anyway so might as well jump in with both feet! I prefer MC carts but you need a lot of gain, I've had both, some modded, some unmodded but really start with something simple like an AT or Dennon so you can start to get a feel for what you're looking for. Both the AT's & Dennon's are popular with good resale so as you start to figure your way through this you won't get hurt, also you may just find exactly what you're looking for & never move again.

[coloartist]

From my specifications on my amp: (I assume that means only MM cartridge or an additional Phono preamp?)

Audio Section
Input (Sensitivity/Impedance)
PHONO MM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2 mV/47 k
Ω
LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 mV/47 k
Ω
Output (Level/Impedance)
REC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 mV/2.2 k
Ω
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF, short circuited, A network)
LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio [EIA, at 1 W (1 kHz)]
LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 dB

[carlbeck]

From my specifications on my amp: (I assume that means only MM cartridge or an additional Phono preamp?)

Audio Section
Input (Sensitivity/Impedance)
PHONO MM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2 mV/47 k
Ω
LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 mV/47 k
Ω
Output (Level/Impedance)
REC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335 mV/2.2 k
Ω
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (IHF, short circuited, A network)
LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 dB
Signal-to-Noise Ratio [EIA, at 1 W (1 kHz)]
LINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 dB

Yes, looks that way to me, it's not at all uncommon for there to be a phono preamp that supports MM only. MC requires higher gain & that's variable so some adjustment in the gain stage is required. MM is fine, there are some serious high end MM choices out there, there's no standard of one being better over the other. It's sort of like Schoeps vs Nuemann vs whatever, it's a personal preference. I'd start with a really nice used higher end table & start having fun with different cheap/basic carts, you'll go pretty far with your current phono stage before you need something better (higher end)

[mfrench]

Do you have a budget in mind? That would help out a lot.

$12 - $15?

Thousand or hundred? There are options at both points.

How about just $15?

Mine:
1963 Bogen-Presto B51 (rebadged Lenco B51) classroom deck, before:


After:
$15 deck + $75 stone stock, + elbow grease and conversion to heavy platter (platter and bearing from donor). I also added a second Lenco platter to the deck for mass and added "flywheel" rotational speed stability:



Because it was so cheap (not cheaply made, just bargain cheap), I added a nice modern arm, by Jelco.  This is a 12" arm; better tracking via better geometry.
Minus the arm, and cartridge, I have less that $100 in the deck.

[StuStu]

^^^Nice job.

[coloartist]

I ended up with this turntable below. I haven't actually plugged it in yet. I decided my listening room needed a thorough cleaning first.

I bought it off http://app.audiogon.com/listings/turntables-rega-rp40-turntable-with-m-m-cartridge-dust-cover-2014-07-26-analog-80503-longmont-co?show_listing=true, locally. He had it since April.  It looks brand new. $825

One question. The rca coming out of it is 3'-4' long. Can I extend it to say 6'-7' with nice couplers and some nice cables? I would just like to move it away from the sub and speakers.

Link just for reference:

http://www.dedicatedaudio.com/inc/sdetail/2647/37352



To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Rega is offering a limited edition turntable based on the award winning RP3! The RP40 Anniversary Edition will be available in a limited quantity supplied on a first come first served basis and will be exclusively available during 2013 only. The RP40 will be supplied with a special edition white Elys40 cartridge, carefully tested to the highest achievable specification offering improved stereo imaging, balance and detail. A new Silicon drive belt exclusive to RP40 is manufactured on a new tool to guarantee a stable diameter over the full circumference of the belt offering improved speed stability whilst reducing flutter. A custom TT-PSU will be included which will be hand tuned to each individual motor before fitting to the deck. (a level of fine tuning only found on the RP8 and previously the Planar 9 turntable). This will maximise the efficiency of the anti-vibration circuit whilst still offering the convenience of electronic speed change.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

^^  She looks nice. 

[bhtoque]

nice. Electronic speed control is a very good thing. Enjoy.

JAson

[StuStu]

Extending the RCA will not be a problem. Congrats on the turntable.

[carlbeck]

Nice deck, congrats! She sure is pretty, let us know how it sounds