I am interested in purchasing a turntable to play vinyl records on. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about em or had some recommendations I should look into. I dont know anything about them since i'm to young to have ever messed with one..i am reading there are a lot of parts to it that should be looked into to make sure they're quality. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Here's a possibilty! I was given one of these as a gift and haven't hooked it up yet. As someone who has hundreds of LPs, I hope it works. Looks intriguing, and I think you can get them for less than shown here. There are other ways you can do the same thing, but perhaps this makes it easy. (I hope so!) I want to put all my LPs onto CDs and on my iPod. USB Turntable First up, this isn't your typical USB knickknack. At US$225 a pop, it's in a league of its own. Now that we've established that, this USB Turntable actually converts your LPs, 12 inches and singles straight into your laptop. Forget about all the step-by-step guides that teach you how to save your vinyls digitally. All you need with this belt-driven USB Turntable is to plug it into the nearest USB port, fire up the idiot-proof Audacity software, and begin converting. No more wire-tangling adapters, special drivers and mismatched software. Even dear old dad could cop a spin on this without breaking into cold sweat. Elementary, my dear Watson. Price: US$225 Availability: At Firebox Device: USB turntable Basic specs: Adjustable gain, anti-skating control, high-speed vinyl recording function, can also be connected to any home stereo with CD or auxiliary inputs, 33.3/45rpm, 78rpm records can be transferred by recording at 33.3/45rpm and using software to restore to original speed, but you will need to buy a special stylus (not included, but available from specialist retailers) to playback 78s, 3.5mm http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2006/10/18/usb-turntable/
On the lower end, but a quality product, look at Music Hall MMF5. I think they are in the 650.00 dollar range. One of the best values around as you could spend that much on the cartridge alone.
Good god almighty. You have to be joking. On the lower end?? I'm very aware that one can literally spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on audio equipment, but you might consider that a lot of folks here are not even making six figures. If you consider a $650 turntable a low end product, you are probably talking to a rather small audience here. I could afford a $1000 turntable, but I'd rather spend that kind of money on something else.
Turntables are high dollar. They are more expensive that the newest cd players. Why buy a piece of junk turntable? If you are talking about high end audio equipment, 600.00 is very afordable.
I was wondering if anyone knew anything about em or had some recommendations I should look into. I dont know anything about them since i'm to young to have ever messed with one. That's a quote from the thread starter. My impression is that he doesn't have a ton of money to pay for a turntable. I certainly won't argue that $600-700 is not out of line at all for a quality turntable and that one could easily spend a lot more, but I hope some folks out there can recommend some cheaper alternatives that will still do a decent job. The gizmo I was given hasn't even come out of the box yet, and was given to me as a friendly boot in the rear to get me to cut down on my record collection, which takes up a hell of a lot of space. (you can't put them into an unairconditioned garage!) I'm certainly not suggesting it would be an ideal choice, but surely there must be some other alternatives out there for FlyerFanatic. Are they real expensive because of today's limited market? Maybe I'm just out of touch!
haha thanks deckard...true not a lot of $$$..but am willing to save up. thanks for the info what...sooner def ask your friend..let me know, thanks.
Hit the pawn shop and just find a used Technique. Probably under a $100. U might also want to check Guitar Center or just go online and google turntable. Most good DJ's still use them. The Wheels of Steel!
You talkin' about for use as a DJ or to make mixtapes (or screwtapes) or just to listen to old records on. Those are too very different ballparks and could determine how much you wanna spend. You can get the cheap stuff if your just getting it for entertainment.
NEW: Get a Rega Planar 3 and thank me later. Best bang for the buck in new TT's. Also, the Technics SL-1200 Mk II is a freaking tank. USED: You have a boatload of options here. Look at craigslist and the like for brands like Dual, Thorens, Bang & Olufsen, Denon and Acoustic Research. Also, check audiokarma.org for more on used gear.
Roxfan's advice is good. To extend it a bit more: Rega in general is your best bet for "good quality" but "lower end" price-wise. The P1 is about $395 new. What is also right - the MMF-5 is a good one. Check out AudioAdvisor for good deals on new (aside from whatever you have in your area). Also check out audiogon for good used gear.
I can't believe how much old high quality turn tables go for -- especially nice ones from the 70's with metal internal parts instead of plastic.
Nostalgia increases prices of course. The thing is, today's plastics are far gentler on vinyl. So there is not as much of the need for the 60's/70's paranoia of wearing down the vinyl too much and losing sound quality. Also, a general FYI to those interested in vinyl - because it was regulated by the RIAA starting in the mid 50's there was/is a uniform standard of sound quality and equalization. CD's have never had such regulation and, as a result, not only have wide ranges of quality and compression but can be recorded in ways that can actually damage hearing.
i would say a used Dual player from late 70s early 80s in good condition would be your best bet. make sure get a good cartriage as well (buy a new one)
