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First Ever Turntable... What should I buy?

Radagast1963

Radagast1963

New Member
Hi all. I recently picked up a few nice (and near mint!) LPs from a local charity shop, and am now looking for something to play them on, ideally for less than £85. However, I have virtually no knowledge on the subject, and online reviews have only served to show me what not to buy! What would you suggest? What should I be aware of? I've looked at some of the Crosley turntables, but there are complaints with the Cruiser and Executive about them damaging the records. And just a quick note - while built in speakers would be nice, I do have a small speaker system already, so it's not essential. Also the turntable doesn't have to be brand new - if a second hand would be a better choice, that's fine!!
Thanks in advance!
 
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Radagast1963 said:
Hi all. I recently picked up a few nice (and near mint!) LPs from a local charity shop, and am now looking for something to play them on, ideally for less than £85. However, I have virtually no knowledge on the subject, and online reviews have only served to show me what not to buy! What would you suggest? What should I be aware of? I've looked at some of the Crosley turntables, but there are complaints with the Cruiser and Executive about them damaging the records. And just a quick note - while built in speakers would be nice, I do have a small speaker system already, so it's not essential. Also the turntable doesn't have to be brand new - if a second hand would be a better choice, that's fine!!
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...


Welcome to the AK turn table forum.

Go back to the charity shop and see if they have any used turn table within the £85 budget.

Post back the models available and the members here should be able to help with selection.

Best of luck. :)
 
At your price, you will need to stick with a vintage turntable. Anything new at that price point is a waste of money. Also, I'm not going to be alone in saying "avoid crosley like the plague"

Also, you should try and avoid all in one combined speaker/turntable/receiver models. Speakers introduce feedback to turntables via vibration. They are fine for total novelty purposes but not ideal. Not going to sound great.

I'd look for an old Technics to get started. One of their cheaper direct or Belt Drives should be in your range like an Sl-23 or SL-3200. Then you have to start thinking about preamps and carts.
 
Balifly said:
Welcome to the AK turn table forum.

Go back to the charity shop and see if they have any used turn table within the £85 budget.

Post back the models available and the members here should be able to help with selection.

Best of luck. :)
Click to expand...

Ah, that's a good idea. I'll take a look tomorrow and get back to you!
 
In your situation I would 3rd what Balifly said. As far as what I would agree vintage but maybe something a little on the newer side. Picked up a nice Sony unit for my nephew for $75US that had an internal preamp that could also be bypassed so it could be used with a line level aux input. Otherwise you are looking at having to have an amp/stereo that has a phono input or buying a separate preamp. First table though I would try to keep things simple until you have had time to absorb the vast amounts of knowledge here on AK.
 
Jeez, lots of makes/models to choose from. Hope you have a receiver that can play vinyl; make sure it has phono out otherwise that will be the starting point unless you can purchase a newer one with a built in pre amp. I'd have to say look around and see what is available second hand & take pics of what you are considering. You can post the pic here and get lots of different responses.

If you want a newer TT you could take a look at the AT-LP60; it has a built in pre amp, belt drive, and is a decent intro TT. If you want vintage it's more a matter of either looking for a particular make/model & waiting until you locate one or finding what is available and deciding from what you can get now. I'd say see what is available and go from there. Take into consideration the cartridge and stylus; if you have to purchase either, that is an added expense. IF you find this is something you want to stay in after your initial purchase there is always the possibility of upgrading the TT to a better one later on.
 
lildoug said:
At your price, you will need to stick with a vintage turntable. Anything new at that price point is a waste of money. Also, I'm not going to be alone in saying "avoid crosley like the plague"

Also, you should try and avoid all in one combined speaker/turntable/receiver models. Speakers introduce feedback to turntables via vibration. They are fine for total novelty purposes but not ideal. Not going to sound great.

I'd look for an old Technics to get started. One of their cheaper direct or Belt Drives should be in your range like an Sl-23 or SL-3200. Then you have to start thinking about preamps and carts.
Click to expand...

Brilliant. That's really helpful, thanks! Definitely given me some direction. My Dad has a pioneer turntable which he says is fairly decent?
 
I doubt things are much different in the UK than in the USA/Canada in that there are yard, garage, thrift, charity sales which would be a good place to look for reasonably priced if not outright cheaply priced decent vintage audio equipment. Maybe your dad might want to pass his Pioneer turntable on to his son and good chance he probably has a 2 channel receiver/amp and speakers that match. Your father would also be very helpful re setting up the equipment.
 
You're not going to want built in speakers. Avoid any units with built in speakers.

With used turntables you can find something in your budget. Don't forget to factor in the cost of a record brush, stylus brush or Moongel, a phono preamp or compatible receiver, and a new stylus (probably). Not to be a downer, but there's more to it than just buying the turntable unfortunately. That's why we're here to help.

I would first look for the turntable and report back here with what you found.
 
Welcome to AK, your a bit ahead of yourself in that you have purchased records prior to purchasing something to listen to them with. Usually you start with an amp and speakers, then a source, CD player, tape player, turntable, tuner, or for some a PC. You need to work at getting a receiver or integrated amp and some speakers. You can find cheap CD players at most all thrifts, and used CD's are common, or you can buy a DVD player as they play CD's as well. If you buy an older receiver it usually has jacks that say phono, you need to look on the back of what ever you buy to verify that it has inputs for a phonograph, if not your going to need to also purchase a separate phono amp.
 
[QUOTE="67dylan, Hope you have a receiver that can play vinyl; make sure it has phono out[/QUOTE]

To clarify:
I believe Dylan meant "make sure it has a phono in (not phono out)".
 
Balifly said:
Welcome to the AK turn table forum.

Go back to the charity shop and see if they have any used turn table within the £85 budget.

Post back the models available and the members here should be able to help with selection.

Best of luck. :)
Click to expand...

Right. I had a look today. There was an Aiwa 5600 for only £10, but Dad thought I could do better for my budget. The low price was on account of the space it took up, and the owner wanted it gone. The bass dial was damaged, and the cartridge may have needed replacing, though.

I also found a Sony PS-LX40P that was part of a sound system. That isn't for sale yet, as it needs testing, but with the system could be about £45?

Of course, my eyes are on eBay and Gumtree, but a friend of mine is lending me their Bush turntable to try on Monday, so I shall see what that is like! Please keep the pointers coming, and thanks for all your help so far!
 
Radagast1963 said:
Right. I had a look today. There was an Aiwa 5600 for only £10, but Dad thought I could do better for my budget. The low price was on account of the space it took up, and the owner wanted it gone. The bass dial was damaged, and the cartridge may have needed replacing, though.

I also found a Sony PS-LX40P that was part of a sound system. That isn't for sale yet, as it needs testing, but with the system could be about £45?

Of course, my eyes are on eBay and Gumtree, but a friend of mine is lending me their Bush turntable to try on Monday, so I shall see what that is like! Please keep the pointers coming, and thanks for all your help so far!
Click to expand...

Since you are in UK, this could be a good option:

http://www.ukaudiomart.com/details/...-top-of-the-line-full-package/images/1226510/
 
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