Turntable Recommendations

Alfred · 09-20-2011, 04:06 PM

I recently got an old turntable from my grandpa (made in the 1970's), but I found that it plays records a few RPM too fast. I looked the problem up on the internet and found that a common cause for this is belt shrinkage.

Since my turntable is a moderately cheap one from the 1970's and seems to be a pain to take apart, I figure I'm better off just getting a new, decent turntable for a low price (less than $150 would be ideal). So far I've found the Audio-Technica LP60, which runs for around 100 bucks.

Are there better alternatives? Should I just try my luck with an older, used one? If so, what are some brands or models to keep an eye out for?

GuitarBizarre · 09-21-2011, 01:03 PM

Pioneer LP12, or if you can get hold of one, a Rega Planar 3.

Accept no substitutes. There are no better budget turntables.

s_k · 11-05-2011, 08:08 PM

I have new favourige budget record player!
The Sansui SR-222 MK-I or MK-II. Add in a cheap Audio Technica AT95E cartridge and it will shine!
I can honestly say that the SR-222 comes closer to the (Rather expensive) Rega P3 than to the cheap 'n Cheeful Pioneer PL-12D. And don't get me wrong! The Pioneer isn't half bad!
Furthermore any Technics with an S-shaped tonearm is fine.
And don't forget the oldie but goodie Technics SL-1200/1210 MK-II. It may be a DJ turntable, but it makes a great hifi turntable too!

The Audio Technica you suggest is utter crap. Please buy second hand.
If you want to buy a new player, look for a cheap NAD (they used to make a nice budget table back in the day, I'm not sure if that is still available) or a Pro-ject. I'm not saying these are great, but they at least aren't complete crap, wheras the AudioTechnica you mention is.

I'm absolutely sure, without knowing what you got, your old record player will do better than the Audio Technica.
What are you using now?

Freebase Dali · 11-05-2011, 08:17 PM

Also, you'll probably want to get a direct-drive table, instead of a belt-drive, regardless of what brand.

But yea, s_k's Technics recommendation is a good one. It may be pricey, but you could probably pick up a used one for massively cheaper than they sell for new. They're the industry standard of sturdiness and reliability.

s_k · 11-06-2011, 04:57 AM

I should admit, to be completely honest, that my Sansui SR-222 is showing my SL-1200 who's boss. The arm on the Sansui is really really brilliant. The Technics is obviously the better turntable to live with, but sound-wise, the Sansui just wins my miles. So if you want to go second hand, check out that one.

But when it comes to new, an SL-1200 is probably a very safe bet.
Note: Be sure to get the MK-II. Not a newer version!
The MK-II has remained unchanged since 1978 and there's a very good reason for that!

Can I just ask; What amp and speakers will you be using? If these are crap, it's useless to buy a good record player

s_k · 11-06-2011, 05:01 AM

Oh, also; You pop off the platter, install a new belt, put the platter back.
It's not hard to replace a belt

.

LoathsomePete · 02-09-2013, 08:15 PM

So I've been wanting to get back into vinyl for quite awhile now but forces that be have conspired against me. I was looking at either a Numark TTUSB Belt-Drive or a Stanton 5.50X Belt-Drive, both of which have fair reviews and will suffice with what I want from my turntable. Thing is I'm pretty rusty on everything else, what kind of preamp I would need, and what kind of speakers. Any recommendations or tutorials would be greatly appreciated.

Paul Smeenus · 02-09-2013, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

Also, you'll probably want to get a direct-drive table, instead of a belt-drive, regardless of what brand.

If you intend to DJ then I would agree with this. Almost every audiophile home-stereo table will be belt driven, however. They won't measure as well in a laboratory setting but will sound vastly superior connected to an amp and speakers.

I got the impression that we're discussing light-budget tables here, I'd look into players by Music Hall, Rotel or NAD at around $300, less if you score a deal or pick one up second hand. They will all come with a decent cartridge (when new) but you can do a little better with, say, a low-end Rega or something along those lines. That's what I was using (I had the NAD, those 3 are practically the same tables) before I upgraded to the Rega P25 (with a Rega Exact cartridge).

Freebase Dali · 02-10-2013, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Smeenus

If you intend to DJ then I would agree with this. Almost every audiophile home-stereo table will be belt driven, however. They won't measure as well in a laboratory setting but will sound vastly superior connected to an amp and speakers.

I got the impression that we're discussing light-budget tables here, I'd look into players by Music Hall, Rotel or NAD at around $300, less if you score a deal or pick one up second hand. They will all come with a decent cartridge (when new) but you can do a little better with, say, a low-end Rega or something along those lines. That's what I was using (I had the NAD, those 3 are practically the same tables) before I upgraded to the Rega P25 (with a Rega Exact cartridge).

I'm not sure why that would be, since the drive mechanism is ultimately only dictating the torque of startup and the consistency of the speed of the platter rotation. Whether it's belt drive or not is not going to affect the audio quality, so if "audiophiles" really do prefer belt drive over motorized, I'm not sure why they do, except for maybe a mistaken assumption resulting in placebo effect...

Paul Smeenus · 02-10-2013, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freebase Dali

I'm not sure why that would be, since the drive mechanism is ultimately only dictating the torque of startup and the consistency of the speed of the platter rotation. Whether it's belt drive or not is not going to affect the audio quality, so if "audiophiles" really do prefer belt drive over motorized, I'm not sure why they do, except for maybe a mistaken assumption resulting in placebo effect...

The belt driven turntable isolates the platter, spindle, record and pickup from the motor assembly. Again a belt driven turntable is utterly worthless for DJ work, but I have demonstrated to DJ's I've known that a belt drive turntable sounds better. I'm too new to post links here but I found an excellent article on the topic, "How to buy a turntable" by Steve Guttenberg on CNet.

09-20-2011, 04:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Alfred one big soul Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 5,096	Turntable Recommendations I recently got an old turntable from my grandpa (made in the 1970's), but I found that it plays records a few RPM too fast. I looked the problem up on the internet and found that a common cause for this is belt shrinkage. Since my turntable is a moderately cheap one from the 1970's and seems to be a pain to take apart, I figure I'm better off just getting a new, decent turntable for a low price (less than $150 would be ideal). So far I've found the Audio-Technica LP60, which runs for around 100 bucks. Are there better alternatives? Should I just try my luck with an older, used one? If so, what are some brands or models to keep an eye out for? __________________ LAST.FM / VINYL COLLECTION / RYM

11-05-2011, 08:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	I have new favourige budget record player! The Sansui SR-222 MK-I or MK-II. Add in a cheap Audio Technica AT95E cartridge and it will shine! I can honestly say that the SR-222 comes closer to the (Rather expensive) Rega P3 than to the cheap 'n Cheeful Pioneer PL-12D. And don't get me wrong! The Pioneer isn't half bad! Furthermore any Technics with an S-shaped tonearm is fine. And don't forget the oldie but goodie Technics SL-1200/1210 MK-II. It may be a DJ turntable, but it makes a great hifi turntable too! The Audio Technica you suggest is utter crap. Please buy second hand. If you want to buy a new player, look for a cheap NAD (they used to make a nice budget table back in the day, I'm not sure if that is still available) or a Pro-ject. I'm not saying these are great, but they at least aren't complete crap, wheras the AudioTechnica you mention is. I'm absolutely sure, without knowing what you got, your old record player will do better than the Audio Technica. What are you using now? __________________ Click here to see my collection

11-06-2011, 04:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	I should admit, to be completely honest, that my Sansui SR-222 is showing my SL-1200 who's boss. The arm on the Sansui is really really brilliant. The Technics is obviously the better turntable to live with, but sound-wise, the Sansui just wins my miles. So if you want to go second hand, check out that one. But when it comes to new, an SL-1200 is probably a very safe bet. Note: Be sure to get the MK-II. Not a newer version! The MK-II has remained unchanged since 1978 and there's a very good reason for that! Can I just ask; What amp and speakers will you be using? If these are crap, it's useless to buy a good record player __________________ Click here to see my collection

11-06-2011, 05:01 AM	#6 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	Oh, also; You pop off the platter, install a new belt, put the platter back. It's not hard to replace a belt . __________________ Click here to see my collection

02-09-2013, 08:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	So I've been wanting to get back into vinyl for quite awhile now but forces that be have conspired against me. I was looking at either a Numark TTUSB Belt-Drive or a Stanton 5.50X Belt-Drive, both of which have fair reviews and will suffice with what I want from my turntable. Thing is I'm pretty rusty on everything else, what kind of preamp I would need, and what kind of speakers. Any recommendations or tutorials would be greatly appreciated. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

11-05-2011, 08:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Freebase Dali Partying on the inside Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5,584	Also, you'll probably want to get a direct-drive table, instead of a belt-drive, regardless of what brand. But yea, s_k's Technics recommendation is a good one. It may be pricey, but you could probably pick up a used one for massively cheaper than they sell for new. They're the industry standard of sturdiness and reliability.