Vinyl / LP Record owners

ficklefins · Nov 17, 2011

I started collecting LPs a few years back to get in touch with the nostalgia aspect of music that MP3s and CDs don't provide. Fast forward a few years later and I'm digging those bad boys out of storage now but I have a dilemma... I don't have a turntable.

Are there any members out there who could recommend a budget turntable (70's - 80's) that would do the trick of bringing the big sound out of these 12" monsters?

Also, if you have any pics of your vinyl or turntable setup I'm looking for some setup inspiration.

Thanks,

Luciano

bigmikey · Nov 17, 2011

Whats your spending limit? Alot of djs are now starting to turn to digital mixing boards instead of the turntables since its alot easier lugging a laptop around instead of a couple crates of records. You can probably find a great deal on a set of technics 1200s on cl or something. Imo still one the best turns out there.

bct15 · Nov 17, 2011

Technics 1200s sell for about 1400 a piece...most djs that used turntables still use turntables on serato. If you are looking for an inexpensive but decent turntable look into Stanton. Remember, it is the needle that dictates how your record sounds though, a turntables main purpose is to rotate the record, however the tonearm will come into play in sound quality. Below is a pic of my technic 1210mk5g, they are expensive but your best price will be on djdeals.com. I got mine after hurricane Katrina when I sold my 1200 mkII and upgraded, they were not near as expensive as they are now.

bigmikey · Nov 18, 2011

1400?!?!?! I guess I was lucky cause the set I had costed me 600. It also helps when your close friends are djs as well. Anyways bct15 makes a good suggestion with the stantons.

bigmikey · Nov 18, 2011

I forgot they discontinued the 1200s. Now the $1400 makes sense. Wish I would have waited before selling mines off.

ficklefins · Nov 18, 2011

I guess I should have clarified: I'm looking for something to listen to, not spin/mix with. Think more Beatles, CSNY, Hendrix and not House or Trance.

From the searches I did online these Technics turntables are a bit too Professional for my needs. I want to hit start or drop the arm on the edge of the record and walk away.

mainereefer · Nov 18, 2011

dont laugh but try to find an older (80's) fisherprice turntable! IMO- it is one of the best sounding turntables there is

Raptor · Nov 18, 2011

I was never a big fan of vinyl. I came from the end of that era. A tip is you will need a player that has the adjustmets you need on the player since they don't come standard on recievers any more. If i were you i would look at a newer model that is an all in one. under a hundy Sony PS LX300USB Turntable

Amazon gas a lot of diff record players. Just make sure it has the stuff you need on it. Heres a basic unit. Like i said i don't know your needs so this is just a couple stabs.
Sony PS LX250H Turntable - Dark gray

bct15 · Nov 18, 2011

ficklefins said:
... Think more Beatles, CSNY, Hendrix and not House or Trance.

Funny you would assume that because I have two turntables hooked up I have only trance and house records...that couldn't be more far from the truth as most of my records are classic rock, jazz, and most of the classic "breaks" records like James brown etc.

Anyway, like I said earlier, look into a Stanton turntable...you can find one with everything you need with a nice S style tonearm for relatively cheap and will have the necessary controls to reduce record wear (anti skate, contact angle, counter weight, etc). Then get yourself a good high fidelity needle, I like shure needles personally. Also, be sure to get a direct drive turntable, the belt on a belt drive will permanently deform over time and will cause warble and pitch issues overtime.

ficklefins · Nov 18, 2011

Raptor,
I've looked at those Sony products recently and I'm reserving that as a "if all fails" option if finding an old record player doesn't work.

Mainereefer,
I haven't really thought of a fisher price item before, but I may look into it. I bet they can also take a good beating without breaking, which is always a plus.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'm going to see if i can find an old pioneer or technics table from the 70's - 80's era and if not, I'll start dialing down my hopes to something more modern.

ficklefins · Nov 18, 2011

Bct15,

Sorry, for the assumption. I might have to give Stanton a more serious look, especially since I'm sure I'll be able to find a used when a decent price.

brahm · Nov 18, 2011

You can still get 1200's for 300-500 a pop on ebay all day. price hasn't gone up that much, but there is no reason to get those unless you are a DJ. There are a lot of great sounding tables out there for way cheaper the main reason the 1200 is so $$$ if because of the direct drive.