record players
Moderators: Cleantone, harrymcq, Phrazz
record players
Anyone have advice on how to go about buying a record player? Just looking for it to be functional and able to plug into a stereo system (or even an amp) easily enough.
i guess alot of it depends on your budget. are you trying to buy a new or used turntable? if your system doesn't have phono input you'll prob need a preamp as well (some turntables have them built in). i've been collecting for about 3.5 years now and it's definitely become the biggest addiction in my life.
was hoping to spend less than 200 bucks but my max is prob about $300. I would consider a used one, but i've heard that the used ones can be more trouble than they're worth...need new parts, the needle is old and worn down, etc.
i'm not exactly sure what a phono input would look like. nothing on my amp is labeled as such.
i'm not exactly sure what a phono input would look like. nothing on my amp is labeled as such.
hey there bob,
check out some indpendent electronic/stereo stores in your area. I got a great Dual turntable from the 70's with a new cartridge for $60. If a store will offer you some sort of assurance on a used table, you should be fine....a new decent cartridge can be had for around $70 (I like Grado personally...but only because I trust that company).
Phono input would be labeled as such....the turntable puts out a very low signal, so you need either a phono input which boosts the signal, or a pre-amp to boost the signal before it hits your typical RCA inputs.
check out some indpendent electronic/stereo stores in your area. I got a great Dual turntable from the 70's with a new cartridge for $60. If a store will offer you some sort of assurance on a used table, you should be fine....a new decent cartridge can be had for around $70 (I like Grado personally...but only because I trust that company).
Phono input would be labeled as such....the turntable puts out a very low signal, so you need either a phono input which boosts the signal, or a pre-amp to boost the signal before it hits your typical RCA inputs.
yeah, a vintage can definitely give you the most bang for your buck. you gotta make sure you're getting a reconditioned one from reputable seller though. you don't want something clunking out on you and not knowing what to do with it. i think diesel got a vintage dual from somewhere in mass. maybe he can chime in with that shop's website. if you want to spend $200 and under i'd look into going this route
if you're gonna buy new then i'd suggest staying away from some of those cheaper ones you see like the ones with the usb port. personally i never saw the point of those if your reason for getting a turntable soley to listen to vinyl. the low level "audiophile" tables by pro-ject, rega and music hall are gonna start around $350.
if you're gonna buy new then i'd suggest staying away from some of those cheaper ones you see like the ones with the usb port. personally i never saw the point of those if your reason for getting a turntable soley to listen to vinyl. the low level "audiophile" tables by pro-ject, rega and music hall are gonna start around $350.
im going to make this easy for you. go here:
Audio Pro
779 Mt. Auburn St.
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: (617) 926-8020 / Fax: (617) 926-8707
www.audioproz.com
talk to vince the owner. ask a couple of questions and bring a tape recorder so you can listen to his hour long monologue about analog. if he confuses you ask him to explain, b/c he might think you know what he's talking about.
after doing some research, i bought a dual cs5000 from him and he shipped it to baltimore and i've been happy since.
Audio Pro
779 Mt. Auburn St.
Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: (617) 926-8020 / Fax: (617) 926-8707
www.audioproz.com
talk to vince the owner. ask a couple of questions and bring a tape recorder so you can listen to his hour long monologue about analog. if he confuses you ask him to explain, b/c he might think you know what he's talking about.
after doing some research, i bought a dual cs5000 from him and he shipped it to baltimore and i've been happy since.
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
I know my dad has alot of records he was trying to get burned on to cds, and he went to target. He found a player for about $100 and it plugs into stereo or your computer whatever you want. It looked like a great buy, I was thinking of getting one myself...good luck
Brian
Brian
Thrice you have rescued me from falling grace;
once when I was a beggar and you were the rain on my face,
once when I was crippled and you carried me,
and once when the blindness of others taught me how to see.
.
once when I was a beggar and you were the rain on my face,
once when I was crippled and you carried me,
and once when the blindness of others taught me how to see.
.
Went to audio pro and got a Philips 212 and a preamp. They were super helpful and knew their stuff. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, diesel.
The first album that I put on is Monk in Motian which I got at a place down the street.
Thelonious Monk tunes covered by:
Paul Motian
Bill Frisell
Joe Lovano
so good.
!
The first album that I put on is Monk in Motian which I got at a place down the street.
Thelonious Monk tunes covered by:
Paul Motian
Bill Frisell
Joe Lovano
so good.
!
Last edited by Big Bob on Sun Jun 21, 2009 7:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
