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BEGINNER - need help deciding what to buy!

A

audiopleb

New Member
Hello! I want to get a turntable for my boyfriend's birthday. After hours of research and learning next to nothing about them, I thought I could get some advice here. He's a beginner too, so I'm not looking for anything fancy or expensive. My budget's around $300, and I'm looking for something automatic so he doesn't always have to run and manually lift the tonearm every time a record finishes playing, and ideally upgradeable in case he really gets into vinyl. I've been through my local craigslist and found some that were pretty aesthetically pleasing, could you guys take a look and tell me which one to get?

Dual 1209 w/ Shure Me97HE cartridge- $130
http://toronto.craigslist.ca/tor/ele/4709417027.html

Yamaha YP-66 w/ Audio Technica AT95E cartridge - $225
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/ele/4703811257.html

Yamaha YP-450 - $250
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/ele/4683723241.html

Dual 1214 w/ Shure M75 cartridge - $300
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/clt/4682576382.html

Pro-Ject Debut III - $325
http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/ele/4703803435.html

There's also this NAD 5120 with a Nagaoka cartridge for $225 that looks really nice.
http://vancouverturntableshop.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/img_0211-e1398321545609.jpg

And no, please don't tell me to get a Audio Technica LP60, I don't really like the silvery look :/ Any thoughts or advice?
 
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As a former fellow Vancouverite, please allow me to make a suggestion. Why don't you go check out Lotusland Electronics (2660 Alma, near 10th Ave -- NO AFFILIATION!!)? They have a large selection of vintage (used) turntables and the staff are quite helpful and will hook up anything you may be interested in listening to.

These guys do charge top dollar, but they'll stand behind whatever they sell you and I'm sure you'll be able to find something suitable for under your budget. I find it's always helpful when you can see a whole bunch of options all at once rather than traipsing all over town on what could turn out to be a CL wild goose chase. Just my 0.02.

BTW ... you're a good girlfriend!
 
Moved to TT

Where the experts on TTs should be able to help, and where we'll temporarily ignore the sale links (unaffiliated only), all in a good cause!
 
noogies said:
As a former fellow Vancouverite, please allow me to make a suggestion. Why don't you go check out Lotusland Electronics (2660 Alma, near 10th Ave -- NO AFFILIATION!!)? They have a large selection of vintage (used) turntables and the staff are quite helpful and will hook up anything you may be interested in listening to.

These guys do charge top dollar, but they'll stand behind whatever they sell you and I'm sure you'll be able to find something suitable for under your budget. I find it's always helpful when you can see a whole bunch of options all at once rather than traipsing all over town on what could turn out to be a CL wild goose chase. Just my 0.02.

BTW ... you're a good girlfriend!
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Aw thanks! I'd totally do that except I'm studying in Toronto at the moment so I have to resort to looking for things online and now I'm down to these few choices ): I'll definitely check it out when I go back though.
 
audiopleb said:
Aw thanks! I'd totally do that except I'm studying in Toronto at the moment so I have to resort to looking for things online and now I'm down to these few choices ): I'll definitely check it out when I go back though.
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Bummer! I don't know anywhere in To. but I bet we have some Hogtown AKers who can chime in.
 
I like the Yamaha turntables. I believe the Yamaha YP-450 and the Pro-Ject Debut III are both manual turntable that will not lift the tonearm at the end of the record. If you do use CL, don't be afraid to negotiate.
 
For the price, and assuming it's in the shape as described the 1219 is a no brainer imo. Built like a tank, and one of the better Duals back in the day, it should sound great. It looks great, so if it's clean and operating as it should I think your bf would be very happy with it. A true classic.
 
Not from Vancouver but I can recommend Technics for very good auto performance and upgradable. Not only that but there are lots of there.

SL 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700 (can be basic or mk II)

SL D2, D3, Q2, Q3

All are good sounding and have automation.
 
I'd buy the Yamaha YP-66 with the AT95e as it is automatic, Japanese, and has a beautiful plinth. If you don't want to buy the yamaha I would recommend any technics Turntable.
 
The Yamaha 450 looks like it might have a Denon DL 110 cartridge which would make it a good buy.
 
One of the Vancouver AK member have two turn tables on CL at the moment.

AKAI AP-207 Automatic Direct Drive Turntable - $175 (East Van)
vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/ele/4712842721.html

Marantz Turntable 6270q - $165 (East Van)
vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/ele/4707746091.html

They have been restored and are ready to be enjoy.

He probably have others. :music:
 
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It is quite thoughtful of you to give a gift like a turntable. But you could think of just giving a card with one of those preloaded visa cards and let him pick out the table that he likes.

I say this because turntables are like girl friends, I wouldn't want someone else to pick mine for me. Just look at the threads around here, no one can hardly agree on anything, and I don't mean that in a negative way, just that their are so many different types and styles, new and modern looking, old and vintage looking, that it might be best to give him the funds and spend the time together looking for the one that he likes best. These used CL and ebay tables for the most part, are not like a Target, or Walmart purchase, once purchased that's it!

Anyway good luck with whatever choice you make.
 
Sorry but I disagree with Ken Boyd, the gift of your research and selection is priceless...
You are a good girlfriend! I like the Pro-Ject but I'll defer to others, more knowledgeable.
 
Do you plan on driving back to Vancouver to hand the gift? You can list items in Vancouver but, unless you have someone over there checking them out and buying it on your behalf the item may be gone when you arrive in Vancouver.

I suggest finding some in Toronto (used listings or shops) or as another member said, when you arrive in Vancouver to visit some of the local shops.
 
Ok, to clarify. No, the U-turn orbit is not an automatic table. But they do have cheap automatic arm lifters available for purchase, which are a simple stick-on to the player.

I still think the U-turn is an excellent beginner table, as it comes fully functional and set up out of the box. It has a bit of an upgrade path, should you get carried away. And you avoid a lot of the pitfalls of buying old used gear, old gear is great, but can drop nasty surprises on you sometimes.
 
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