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Best Turntable for Beginners
- Thread starter BillNye
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flavio81
Turntable technician
If you buy an old turntable you really need a knowledgeable turntable user or a technician to assure you all in the turntable is fine. And you'll perhaps need a technician afterwards.
If you are a total beginner, perhaps a cheap (but good) TT could be a great starting point, like the Pro-ject Debut or the Rega P1. Or even (cheaper) the Pro-Ject elemental.
r_brumett61
Well-Known Member
Some questions; What is your budget? What type and models of audio equipment are you connecting the table into? Music type really doesn't matter normally.
I like the at-120usb for brand new
Don't be scared off by vintage. The only way to learn is to get one. You will be surprised how many folks here are willing to help.
Tables like the technics sl220 or slb5 are bullet proof and competent.
Part of the fun is learning as you go
Don't be scared off by vintage. The only way to learn is to get one. You will be surprised how many folks here are willing to help.
Tables like the technics sl220 or slb5 are bullet proof and competent.
Part of the fun is learning as you go
Kit Carson
Active Member
Bill would be helpful if we knew what country state province you live in. Prices can range from $10 at a garage sale to $100,000 at a high end audio salon.
I think your best bet would be a used direct-drive p-mount table from Craigslist. ~100 with a cartridge. No need to fuss with a belt or cartridge alignment (or VTF for that matter). Later, if you decide you like it, you can go down the rabbit hole of upgrades and record cleaning machines.
If flavio81's suggestions seem too high, there is also the Audio Technica LP60X at $129 (current USA price). It's a simple little turntable that's fully automatic and has nothing to set up with respect to arm balancing or setting tracking force and antiskate since everything is factory set. A potential downside is that there is no provision for changing to a different cartridge should you want to, but for a no fuss, inexpensive way to play records it's not at all bad. I have one in my bedroom that's simply plugged into a Bose Wave table radio, and it lets me enjoy records.
Here is a link to one person's experience. I'll only add that playing my records with the dust cover in place has caused me no problems, so I don't necessarily agree with his advice to remove the dust cover.
https://vinylrestart.com/audio-technica-at-lp60x-review-and-sound-test/
I was thinking max like $200, and then I have a reviver that I can plug into, as well as just a normal speaker.
That does sound like a good option considering I don’t really know how to change cartridges yet or anything, so it would help me to get my froot in the door. Thanks for the help!
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Is there any specific ones that I should look for at the price like ones that I should stay away from or ones I should prioritize?
I will definitely take a look at both of those, thanks for the suggestions. Any major things to look out for in the listing?
Does your receiver have a phono stage because if it doesn't you will need that too unless you get something like the at120 that has one built in. A lot of tables, especially vintage ones will not have a built in phono stage. Also a lot of newer receivers will not have a phono stage.
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I haven't owned one, but right at $200 (well, $199.99) is the Fluance RT80. Here's a link to a recent post by a forum member who provides some detailed information and comparisons:
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...turntable-review.1020309/page-2#post-16186678
billyz
Super Member
I like old Sansui’s, Pioneer, Techniques, kenwood, etc. they are pretty easy to tune up.
The Automatic ones can be tricky to get running right. I like belt drives for simplicity and ease of use. My neighbor gave me an old BIC . Had to degrease it and relube . Put a replacement shure stylus on it and it sounded pretty good . My daughter is very happy with it.
The Automatic ones can be tricky to get running right. I like belt drives for simplicity and ease of use. My neighbor gave me an old BIC . Had to degrease it and relube . Put a replacement shure stylus on it and it sounded pretty good . My daughter is very happy with it.
Oooo yeah l’ll definitely have to one to see if it has one or not. Thanks for letting me know about that.
Kodaline
Super Member
P-mounts are fairly unpopular and restrictive. Perhaps you meant an all in one cartridge/headshell like an Ortofon Concorde?
Lol at the millennial article. I close the dust covers on the Wheels of Steel and they all sound excellent. Dude is waxing gloriously over a budget TT. Plus, he says "tho" and "vinyls."
So, my advice for OP"
1. Do not buy a Crosley or Victrola POS like the hipsters use.
2. Decide whether this is going to be a thing for a long time for you, or if you are just checking the "I play vinyls" off the list.
3. If this is just an "any record player will do", get the cheap thing in the review above. If not, do some research and get something that has adjustments and the ability to upgrade. You might have to save a little money NOW to get something SOON that can be upgraded LATER when you have more money, but still sound good when you first get it.
Kit Carson
Active Member
$200 cash goes a long way on Craigslist. Have seller demo record player for function and sound quality. Made in Japan is an excellent starting point for a turntable. Seen whole systems sell for $200 on CL, speakers receiver turntable. Wealth of knowledge on Audiokarma, avail yourself to it before you throw your money away on a table from Amazon.
OldTymeToys
New Member
I got my first "decent" turntable on CL. I had the dude demo it and he was up to talking about audio equipment with me too. I opted for a direct-drive one he had. Then I bought the standard "first upgrade" cartridge (AT VM95E) and watched a bunch of YouTube videos on how to change/align it and other beginner steps to enjoy it. I got a free receiver that had phono input from my brother. It all started there for me. I actually have upgraded, fixed, bought and sold, etc. with pieces from garage sales, CL and Goodwill in a very short time. It's a fun hobby to fix and upgrade, but the ultimate goal is to enjoy the music!
I personally have not had one, but Fluance seems to get a lot of love in the new TT market.
If you want to go vintage, maybe something like a Pioneer PL-12D would be a good contender. You will need a new belt though, but a great TT. Very simple to use and maintain. I have one.
If you want to go vintage, maybe something like a Pioneer PL-12D would be a good contender. You will need a new belt though, but a great TT. Very simple to use and maintain. I have one.
