Wanted: Entry Level Turntable

Matt193 · Nov 22, 2013

I'm looking for a nice starter turntable so I can give vinyl a try. Since this is my first foray into this, I'm not looking to spend a fortune. I've been watching my local craigslist, thrift, and pawn shops for quite some time but have come up empty handed. Vintage or newer, working or not, I'll consider anything.

Matt

Bruce B · Nov 22, 2013

Here are 3

VPI Traveler
Clearaudio Concept
Rega 3

If those are too rich for your blood.... just look at Pro-Ject or Music Hall

These come with arms/cartridges.

rockitman · Nov 22, 2013

Buy a better table than you think you want. Provided a good setup on your first table, you will end up wanting a better one including carts, tonearms, phono pre's...You save more money in the long run buying better than what you think you need. The Clearaudio Concept is a good option for a first table. You have been forewarned...

Bruce B · Nov 22, 2013

I'd also suggest a TT that can be upgraded.

mep · Nov 23, 2013

rockitman said:
Buy a better table than you think you want. Provided a good setup on your first table, you will end up wanting a better one including carts, tonearms, phono pre's...You save more money in the long run buying better than what you think you need. The Clearaudio Concept is a good option for a first table. You have been forewarned...

I think the AF1 would make a great entry-level turntable.

garylkoh · Nov 23, 2013

I would suggest a turntable with a suspension - because what you then put it on matters less than with a non-suspended turntable. If you have a proper rack to put it on, then want to go through trying different things (look at what Johnny Vinyl has done with regards cheap tweaks to make a turntable sound better), then non-suspended should be OK.

The cheapest suspended turntable I have direct experience with is the Thorens TD295 Mk II. For a couple of hundred bucks more, the TD209 is much better.

Disclaimer - I showed with Thorens during the recent RMAF, so you should regard Thorens as a friendly manufacturer to me.

Matt193 · Nov 23, 2013

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have a small budget (~$500) so most of your suggestions are well out of my reach at this point. I was hoping someone had an old turntable sitting around that they were willing to sell, so I don't have to resort to ebay and hope the seller packs it correctly.

From what I've been reading, most new budget turntables are pretty mediocre, so I think my best bet is to find a nice vintage table or a newer second hand model.

The Thorens TD295 Mk II is a gorgeous table and I would love to find one. I'll put it on my list of contenders.

Johnny Vinyl · Nov 23, 2013

I paid less than $850 for my Nottingham Analogue Horizon SE that included a Grado Reference Platinum cartridge. The TT itself was only 2 years old and listed for $2,000, plus the Grado was $350. I got lucky I'll admit, but there are really good deals out there if you're willing to invest the time and effort into finding one.

Matt193 · Nov 23, 2013

Johnny Vinyl said:
I paid less than $850 for my Nottingham Analogue Horizon SE that included a Grado Reference Platinum cartridge. The TT itself was only 2 years old and listed for $2,000, plus the Grado was $350. I got lucky I'll admit, but there are really good deals out there if you're willing to invest the time and effort into finding one.

It sounds like you found a great deal! I'm rather patient when it comes to finding good deals on audio equipment. If I run across something that is too good to pass up that's a little more than my budget, I'll consider it. As I said before, I really don't want to spend a ton because I'm not sure that I'll get into it or not; my guess is that I will.

Johnny Vinyl · Nov 23, 2013

Matt193 said:
It sounds like you found a great deal! I'm rather patient when it comes to finding good deals on audio equipment. If I run across something that is too good to pass up that's a little more than my budget, I'll consider it. As I said before, I really don't want to spend a ton because I'm not sure that I'll get into it or not; my guess is that I will.

Glad to hear that you're patient, because I am as well and it's paid off for me. Since you are patient and you already suspect that you'll get into it, I'd set my budget a tad higher than the $500. Once you find something you can do some things to make it sound even better for a few extra dollars.

mep · Nov 23, 2013

Here is a list of tables currently selling on Audiogon within your budget:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/turntables-cj-walker-cj-55-turntable-2013-11-23-analog-37179

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tu...original-2013-11-23-analog-04092-westbrook-me

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/turntables-rega-rp1-open-box-not-used-2013-11-18-analog-33601

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/turntables-thorens-td-158-free-shipping-2013-11-13-analog-95014

Matt193 · Nov 23, 2013

Thanks Mep! I was literally just eying up that CJ Walker and doing some research on it. It sounds kind of interesting but so far I'm finding very little info about it.

mep · Nov 23, 2013

One of those tables is a Rega which they claim has never been out of the box. For the money, I don't know how you could go wrong.

Matt193 · Nov 23, 2013

That one is an auction with 2 days left. I will keep an eye on it, but the seller does have a reserve that hasn't been met at it's current bid of $328+ shipping (new retail is $445).

Sauerball · Nov 23, 2013

Matt193 said:
That one is an auction with 2 days left. I will keep an eye on it, but the seller does have a reserve that hasn't been met at it's current bid of $328+ shipping (new retail is $445).

Good luck, you can't go wrong there (assuming a fair seller). Ask more questions, people here want to help.

JackD201 · Nov 23, 2013

Did you ever consider a Technics SL-1200 Mk2? Weak link is the mat but that's something easily replaced. Slap on an Ortofon 2M variant and you should have some fun times with Jazz, Rock, Blues, R&B and Pop. You may miss a lot of nuances for more intricate compositions but you'll have a great deal of boogie on tap.

Matt193 · Nov 23, 2013

Yes I have. There was a really nice one listed somewhat locally for $250 that I missed, and I'm still kicking myself for not picking it up. The guy was also selling a reel to reel, which come to find out, was an incredible deal. Since there really isn't anything available locally, I would probably have to source one from ebay. Again, I'd rather not buy off of ebay since it is such a risk that the seller is being honest with the description and then packing the table correctly.

jn229 · Nov 24, 2013

There are a number of after market upgrades/modifications available for the Rega 3/300.

Matt193 · Nov 25, 2013

I ended up finding a mint, one owner Pioneer PL-530 semi-locally to me on Sunday for a good price. The owner was gracious enough to throw in ten vintage rock LPs to get my collection started. While it's no SOTA turntable, I think this is just the ticket to get my feet wet. Once I retire this table, it should pair perfectly with my Pioneer SX-780.

I am visiting some family in the city for Thanksgiving where I plan to check out a few record and used book stores to see if I can start expanding my LP collection.

I appreciate everyone's input, and I'm sure I'll be back when I look to upgrade.

mep · Nov 25, 2013

Matt193 said:
I ended up finding a mint, one owner Pioneer PL-530 semi-locally to me on Sunday for a good price. The owner was gracious enough to throw in ten vintage rock LPs to get my collection started. While it's no SOTA turntable, I think this is just the ticket to get my feet wet. Once I retire this table, it should pair perfectly with my Pioneer SX-780.

I am visiting some family in the city for Thanksgiving where I plan to check out a few record and used book stores to see if I can start expanding my LP collection.

I appreciate everyone's input, and I'm sure I'll be back when I look to upgrade.

Good luck Matt. Let us know how it sounds when you get it set up.

Wanted: Entry Level Turntable

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