Advice for a beginner

P

personini

New Member
Hi everyone,

Very typical newbie here, wanting to take my first steps into the world of vinyl and would really appreciate some expert advice! Apologies for the very basic questions but I've been searching for the perfect entry level turntable for a few months now and am having difficulties deciding what is an acceptable quality for a 1st timer, how to compare specs etc etc.

At a minimum I'd like something that won't damage my records and will last. Low maintenance would be a bonus although I'd happily spend some time on repairs and things once I know what I'm doing.

These are the ones for sale at the moment that I'm looking into. Would love to know if you think any or none of these are worth my time.

Cheaper options
- Akai AP-M5
- Optimus LAB1100

On auction, still considering although may reach prices outside my range
- Technics SL-D3
- Sony PS-LX3
- Pioneer PL-115D


Cheers!
 
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Not sure if this will be much help but under $200 NZD? Everything is considerably more expensive here due to availability so it's hard to compare prices/quality with those I've seen on this forum...
 
I have seen Akai APM-5's at a stereo shop I worked at in the 1980's. It was compact turntable belonging to or an option for a midi size component system. Consequently I never paid any attention to it as I considered such systems "mid-fi". It probably has a linear tracking arm in the lid that would limit different cartridge selection and give another belt/motor system to worry about.

That Optimus looks like a Sony PSLX-300 clone - absolute bottom of the heap.

Anything manual, semi automatic, belt drive, direct drive in a full size JVC, Akai, Sanyo, Toshiba, JVC, Pioneer, Sansui, Hitachi, CEC etc., etc. is worth checking out if affordable. If there are such things, New Zealand department store or chain store "house brands" are worth a look. The chance may be that they are worth having and might not command a high price. Even Lloyds, Taya or Jana if those brands were sold where you are.

You could use overall weight as a guideline or telltale with heavier being better.
 
I am aware that NZ prices and selection can be challenging. I would think that this applies to the records too so best to take care and not ruin a collection that might have significant value.

May I suggest that any B&O turntable in good shape will preserve your records and hold its' resale value should you decide to move on to something different.

Cheap insurance in my opinion!
 
Not sure what the prices are for used are in NZ.

If you can swing the Technics SL D3 that is on auction that would be a fine table. In fact, all three of the ones an auction are decent to get you started.

Do they come with a cartridge?
 
At that price range your probably better off sticking with a CD player, unless you got lucky and something special popped up.
 
Of your listed options, I would go with the Pioneer 115D. I have no experience with this turntable but I am currently using a similar vintage sansui belt drive turntable and I am very satisfied with its performance. I have other much more expensive and better turntables (linn, thorens, vpi) in storage that is better than the sansui but I am in no hurry to replace the sansui.

I like belt drive turntables as I feel they are reliable and easy to maintain.
 
Technics SL-D3 or just about any Technics - depending on what you want to spend. Those used to go for under $100 on Ebay.

The first table is the one with the most decision making.
  • Do I want to spend $xxx and end up not liking or getting in to the hobby?
  • Will I like the way the turntable that I buy untested on the internet sounds and handles records?
  • Do I want to have to tinker with the table to get it to work properly?
If you know or think that you will be listening to records for years to come, I would budget for a $200- $300 USD turntable, $200-$300 cartridge, and another $200-$500 for record cleaning if you will be buying used records.

If you buy too cheap now, you will probably end up paying more in the future for a better table. Stay in the used turntable section until you want to spend $1,000 + on a new belt drive table.

That Pioneer is on the low end of that year's model. Back in the 70's and 80's, the Pioneer series started at the low end model number series of 1's, 10's, & 100's and the high end 9's, 90's, & 900's. They dropped a "0" from the model number as the years progressed. My aunt had that table, it was decent from what I remember. She had bought it in the late 70's.
 
First of all, congratulations to an excellent decision! You will not regret getting into vinyl. I grew up with it, but abandoned records for CDs and later for mp3s. Now, 30 years later and long after I left my Thorens turntable from back then in Germany (aaargh!), I got back into vinyl, and have not regretted it one bit. My first turntable upon "re-entry" into the vinyl world was a Technics SQL-200 (or something like that) that I got used for $75 US. Not a great table, but more than adequate. It sounded really nice. After a year or two I got a bit itchy for something that would allow me to adjust tracking force and antiskate (both of which were pre-set on the Technics), and install a 1/2 inch cartridge instead of a P mount cartridge.

Before long, I stumbled across an old, forgotten and dusted-down record player I found in the attic of a music store that was having a moving sale. I knew nothing about record players, and much less about this particular one, a Pioneer PL-540. Just by looking at it, I decided that it had to be a step up from the one I had and so I asked the store owner how much he wanted for it. Its dust cover was scratched up, it was missing a stylus and the feet had rotted away. Oh, and it didn't turn on, either. Knowing nothing about electronics, I was very apprehensive and almost didn't buy the thing, even when the owner said, "Give me 20 bucks and it's yours." Hesitantly, I bought it, thinking I just threw 20 bucks out the window on a device that was unfixable. Boy, was I wrong. With the help of this forum, I got a hold of resources I didnt know existed, like service manuals and user manuals for vintage turntables, and I delved right into it. Opened that thing up, did some cleaning here, and some poking there, and a bit of jury-rigging there --- and, boom! After a few hours, I have a beautiful, silver-sleek vintage machine in front of me that plays records, and does so beautifully.

Restoring an old record player when you know nothing about the technology, and resurrecting a 45-year old piece of stereo equipment with the help of a community like this one is one of the most rewarding things you can do, in my opinion. So I encourage you to go seek that dusted-down gem that has been sitting somewhere, forgotten for decades, but still capable of bringing you heaps of joy, as long as you're willing to invest a bit of patience and learning experience to breathe new life into it. It's an experience I wouldn't want to miss or trade for any "modern" record player in the world.

And all this to say that I respectfully disagree with those who suggested to not even bother with your budget. I payed about half of what you have at your disposal to bring my Pioneer turntable back to life, and I've enjoyed it for over a year with no issues. It's just a beautiful, highly capable turntable that sounds fantastic.
 
Do you already have a sizable LP collection, or are you largely starting from scratch? Are you generally aware of what prices are like in the NZ used LP market? A few years ago in another thread here, someone in Australia said that even classical LPs were going for $5-10 there, and that rock, blues, jazz, etc. were a lot more. If an inexpensive table is already starting to push up against your budget limit, are you going to be able to buy many more LPs that you actually want?
 
bobins08 said:
Not sure what the prices are for used are in NZ.

If you can swing the Technics SL D3 that is on auction that would be a fine table. In fact, all three of the ones an auction are decent to get you started.

Do they come with a cartridge?
Click to expand...
Both the sony and pioneer come with cartridges. The seller of the technics says the cartridge mounted at present was replaced a few weeks back and suggests mounting your own loved cartridge instead.
 
GPJeff said:
Technics SL-D3 or just about any Technics - depending on what you want to spend. Those used to go for under $100 on Ebay.

The first table is the one with the most decision making.
  • Do I want to spend $xxx and end up not liking or getting in to the hobby?
  • Will I like the way the turntable that I buy untested on the internet sounds and handles records?
  • Do I want to have to tinker with the table to get it to work properly?
If you know or think that you will be listening to records for years to come, I would budget for a $200- $300 USD turntable, $200-$300 cartridge, and another $200-$500 for record cleaning if you will be buying used records.

If you buy too cheap now, you will probably end up paying more in the future for a better table. Stay in the used turntable section until you want to spend $1,000 + on a new belt drive table.

That Pioneer is on the low end of that year's model. Back in the 70's and 80's, the Pioneer series started at the low end model number series of 1's, 10's, & 100's and the high end 9's, 90's, & 900's. They dropped a "0" from the model number as the years progressed. My aunt had that table, it was decent from what I remember. She had bought it in the late 70's.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I'm going for. Used but reliable turntable that won't damage records and end up costing more in the long run. Very aware that this first decision is an important one hence why I'm staying patient and haven't jumped at the first thing I've seen. Really appreciate the advice and information!
 
DesertTwang said:
First of all, congratulations to an excellent decision! You will not regret getting into vinyl. I grew up with it, but abandoned records for CDs and later for mp3s. Now, 30 years later and long after I left my Thorens turntable from back then in Germany (aaargh!), I got back into vinyl, and have not regretted it one bit. My first turntable upon "re-entry" into the vinyl world was a Technics SQL-200 (or something like that) that I got used for $75 US. Not a great table, but more than adequate. It sounded really nice. After a year or two I got a bit itchy for something that would allow me to adjust tracking force and antiskate (both of which were pre-set on the Technics), and install a 1/2 inch cartridge instead of a P mount cartridge.

Before long, I stumbled across an old, forgotten and dusted-down record player I found in the attic of a music store that was having a moving sale. I knew nothing about record players, and much less about this particular one, a Pioneer PL-540. Just by looking at it, I decided that it had to be a step up from the one I had and so I asked the store owner how much he wanted for it. Its dust cover was scratched up, it was missing a stylus and the feet had rotted away. Oh, and it didn't turn on, either. Knowing nothing about electronics, I was very apprehensive and almost didn't buy the thing, even when the owner said, "Give me 20 bucks and it's yours." Hesitantly, I bought it, thinking I just threw 20 bucks out the window on a device that was unfixable. Boy, was I wrong. With the help of this forum, I got a hold of resources I didnt know existed, like service manuals and user manuals for vintage turntables, and I delved right into it. Opened that thing up, did some cleaning here, and some poking there, and a bit of jury-rigging there --- and, boom! After a few hours, I have a beautiful, silver-sleek vintage machine in front of me that plays records, and does so beautifully.

Restoring an old record player when you know nothing about the technology, and resurrecting a 45-year old piece of stereo equipment with the help of a community like this one is one of the most rewarding things you can do, in my opinion. So I encourage you to go seek that dusted-down gem that has been sitting somewhere, forgotten for decades, but still capable of bringing you heaps of joy, as long as you're willing to invest a bit of patience and learning experience to breathe new life into it. It's an experience I wouldn't want to miss or trade for any "modern" record player in the world.

And all this to say that I respectfully disagree with those who suggested to not even bother with your budget. I payed about half of what you have at your disposal to bring my Pioneer turntable back to life, and I've enjoyed it for over a year with no issues. It's just a beautiful, highly capable turntable that sounds fantastic.
Click to expand...
Such a great story, gives me hope! Given my inexperience I wouldn't trust that I could restore a piece to its full glory, added the fact that parts are probably a bit difficult to source here in NZ. But thanks for the advice !
 
U turn Orbit and I'm not so sure tt damage records. Don't drink & play records. That may be harmful to your LP's
 
Johnno_Oz said:
Had a look at Trademe.nz and the Technics looks the best bet.

Cartridge on the Technics looks like a $50 generic unit from Australia.

http://www.soundring.com.au/soundring-d960sr-round-stylus-for-national-panasonic-technics/

I bought one of these Duals as my first. Although it looks to be double your budget but it's got an Ortofon cartridge. Great entry level turntable and easy to work on.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/music-inst...j-equipment/turntables/auction-1377847646.htm
Click to expand...

Must've missed it but I hadn't actually seen that Dual listed before so thanks for picking up on that!
General vibe I'm getting from everyone is I should splurge for either the Technics or Pioneer so might increase my budget. I'll keep an eye on the Dual as well in that case
 
Ken Boyd said:
At that price range your probably better off sticking with a CD player, unless you got lucky and something special popped up.
Click to expand...

Or unless your plan is to get a very basic turntable to get your feet wet with a plan to replace it with a better one when the opportunity and the means present themselves. That being said, your two low cost options aren't worth considering, whereas any of your your three auction possibilities would be good places to start.

John
 
DesertTwang said:
And all this to say that I respectfully disagree with those who suggested to not even bother with your budget. I payed about half of what you have at your disposal to bring my Pioneer turntable back to life, and I've enjoyed it for over a year with no issues. It's just a beautiful, highly capable turntable that sounds fantastic.
Click to expand...

Yeah its going to be a bit difficult for a budget table to ever reach the performance of a simple DVD player found at a local thrift cheap. Top that off with the location where the OP lives, I doubt vinyl is abundant or cheap. If you want a table for the novelty of it fine, but it sure isn't going to out perform what the OP is used to if he has a CD player. And here lies the problem, if you can't hear what a good vinyl system is capable of, it can leave one wondering what all the fuse is about. And add the addition expenses that it takes to get a vinyl system so you can hear the better attributes. Living in New Zealand makes it so much more of a challenge as well.
 
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Ken Boyd said:
Yeah its going to be a bit difficult for a budget table to ever reach the performance of a simple DVD player found at a local thrift cheap. Top that off with the location where the OP lives, I doubt vinyl is abundant or cheap. If you want a table for the novelty of it fine, but it sure isn't going to out perform what the OP is used to if he has a CD player. And here lies the problem, if you can't hear what a good vinyl system is capable of, it can leave one wondering what all the fuse is about. And add the addition expenses that it takes to get a vinyl system so you can hear the better attributes. Living in New Zealand makes it so much more of a challenge as well.
Click to expand...

When I got back into vinyl about 10 years ago I bought a perfectly good turntable at a charity shop for $9.00. As the saying goes, where there's a will there's a way. So, even if you live in NZ (which you don't) and are intimately familiar with the used turntable market there (which you're not), it's simply not possible for you to foresee or predict the results of the OP's search. In the meantime, your negativity is anything but helpful.

John
 
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