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buying a vintage turntable, plesase help:)

which one would you buy?


  • Total voters
    13
One thing I would like to point out however ... and this is where I don't expect most of the others to agree with me (but it is a fact, nevertheless).

Couple of years ago, I was in the market for a new turntable, myself. And I remember posting a very similar thread asking for the opinion. I knew what I wanted (SL-1200 or the look-alike), and I also knew which technical attributes I wanted to see (Direct drive, S-shaped tonearm, etc), and so one of the most commonly seen & heard recommendations which kept showing around was Audio Technica LP-120.

However, people kept telling me to wait ... because "sooner or later there's going to be a real Technics on sale somewhere, so why bother with the clones when I can buy the real deal, for the same price". In reality however, this NEVER happened. And just to clarify, it's been over 2, closer to 3 years now so you'd expect something to show up during all this time. In fact, it happened just the opposite really - prices went up & through the roof!

Thing is, that the situation in one country differs from other one. So, to someone in United States it is almost impossible to know & predict what's the situation going to be like in Prague, without actually living there & knowing the facts. Also, you need to take into consideration the economy - people losing their jobs & money will result with the increase of sale prices & their decision to maintain the impossible value, rather than what the item is actually worth. And this isn't just for turntables, the same rule applies to just about anything... I keep seeing SL-1200 on sale all the time, all of them locally available. However, the average price for a preserved unit is around 530 & goes all the way up to 900€. Where on the other hand, that same turntable might only be worth 400€ (or less) in the States. Or another example, the famous Audio Technica AT-3600L cartridge, which can be bought from China for around $10 - it's being sold locally for "just" 40$. Why? Because it was removed from a Dual-branded turntable & therefore labeled as "genuine Audio Technica for Dual", even though it doesn't have ANY connections to Dual turntables.

That being said, I don't want to discourage you from waiting & taking a look at the other models. See what else is being offered, check out all the local ads & portals which might have used used HiFi & electronics - but in the end be prepared to go with one of these three turntables IF you can't find anything better &/or to afford higher budget.
Did you put a search in on eBay, or just your local Craigs list? Purchased a pristine SL1200MKII through eBay for a young friend just starting out about 2yrs ago so about the same time frame. Paid $300 and it came with a cartridge and new replacement stylus, pictures below.

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Did I mention it also came in the original box with the owners manual included?

I am grateful for both of your opinions! I think I am going to watch the market for few more weeks now and I will see then. I am probably going to be happy with any turntable for the start, until I gain some more knowledge.

Anyway, thank you all for your advices, I learned a lot!
 
I am grateful for both of your opinions! I think I am going to watch the market for few more weeks now and I will see then. I am probably going to be happy with any turntable for the start, until I gain some more knowledge.

Anyway, thank you all for your advices, I learned a lot!
Glad I could help, good luck! :beerchug:
 
Just to offer a contrary opinion, why not buy the Telefunken if you want it? If you decide it's not good enough you could probably re-sell it for about the same as you paid and move onto another model. They don't sell that brand here in America so I don't know how good it is but it looks like a decent enough turntable to get started. Is the price OK? Can you negotiate the price down?
 
Not knowing anything about your country and audio market there, or history of music availability. But, assuming you have family, friends and co-workers you come in contact with. Mention your interested in vinyl and looking for a turntable. You never know what is lurking, unused or unwanted in someones attic. Or maybe they have local knowledge of a turntable sources. Ask where you find used records, if they know of TTs for sale. Can't hurt to ask around. Maybe you have already thought of this?
 
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No, in my particular case neither Craigs List (not available in my country) or eBay (delivery fees) were possible. I mean sure - you can have it delivered (and/or imported), but it's obviously going to increase the fees, so you might as well buy it locally then (at this point it would cost you roughly the same, depending on a location & asking price)

Well then, being in the EU maybe a schveet Thorens or Dual might be an easier acquisition, the TD166MKII is one of their more affordable models. I have one, picked it up about 5yrs ago for $170 if memory serves.

it's amazing what can show up when you least expect it, I recently scored my bucket list table for peanuts.

If not willing to have a table delivered your odds of finding a particular table are greatly diminished. My last 6 tables were all purchased on eBay and shipped, all were a great deal too. The above Technics was delivered for the price quoted, you just need to set a search and be ready to jump when one comes available at the price you want.
 
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I also would advice to get the Telefunken to get started. That brand to my knowledge is known for good, sturdy quality gear. It is also a manual which means less stuff that can go wrong compared to automatics. And it has a standard headshell that makes swapping cartridges easy.
If you start hunting for alternatives you may get stuck in the "not finding anything good enough"-game and never get to spin records :-).
 
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