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First-timer: Help w/ Local CL Options

wushuliu

wushuliu

Super Member
As I stated in my first post (thanks hakaplan, et al for the info), I am looking to purchase my first turntable. Audio quality *is* important to me, but I'm not looking to go full-blown with my first investment and preferring ease-of-use, I am considering the Technics SL-BD20D as the next step up seems to be in the >$350.

However, I'll cover my bases and see what may be available locally. Thing is, I am very much in the dark as to the relative price/performance value of turntables. There are four or so listed close by:

A Dual CS 1264 for $65

A Technics Direct Drive SL 1600 for $99

Marantz TT140 for $49

Philips 312 w/ Shure M91E for $149


Most of them seem kind of pricey compared to what I read other folks are paying for used tables.

Do any of these seem worth passing up the SL-BD20D? My budget is pretty firm at 250 for table, cart, and phono preamp and I'm okay with spending more later for a better table in the future if I really get sucked (insert forum diabolical laugh here), but I don't anticipate that happening for a while.:no:

Please remember I am totally new to TT set-ups and configuration

Any thoughts?

thanks much

w
 
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That SL-1600 or the 312 look like the best candidates to me. Whichever one is in very good, working condition. I like the 312, better; comes with a decent cartridge that you can easily find styli for - Shure M91E - I believe even upgraded ones. Looks like quality, too.
 
unless you are chompin at the bit for a TT and can't wait, if I were you I'd keep lookin around the LA CL. I'm up in San Jose and many TTs come up at better prices than you are showing and for good TTs, technics, marantz, phillips, sony, pioneer etc. I got all mine off CL, technics sl3000, sl 1350, pio 518, all nice TTs in perfect cond all less than 100(sept the 1350). So, think about it.
 
Listing for the Technics has been removed.

I'd hold off also. The Philips is the best one listed, but you can probably do better if you are patient.
 
If you're in a hurry for some reason, see if you can talk the seller down a bit on the Philips. Otherwise, be patient. I got a very nice Craig for free on Freecycle recently, and a JVC belt-drive linear tracker with an extremely nice Digitrac 280 cartridge for $7 at the DAV, just needing a belt.
 
Patience is definitely a virtue because being in a hurry tends to make one buy something that they later regret :no:. I haven't paid over $50 for my 3 turntables and they all worked well and had decent cartridges. IMHO I'd WAIT and get a good working TT for less $$$ and pay a little more for a NEW cartridge. :thmbsp:
 
greenmark59 said:
Patience is definitely a virtue because being in a hurry tends to make one buy something that they later regret :no:. I haven't paid over $50 for my 3 turntables and they all worked well and had decent cartridges. IMHO I'd WAIT and get a good working TT for less $$$ and pay a little more for a NEW cartridge. :thmbsp:
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Thanks everyone. Yeh, I'm in no hurry and this is a good excuse to find all the local thrift stores.
 
Wushuliu....enjoy the hunt....you can always use google as your guide. Google often shows threads at audiokarma as a result of a search for audio equipment.
 
titan57nl said:
Wushuliu....enjoy the hunt....you can always use google as your guide. Google often shows threads at audiokarma as a result of a search for audio equipment.
Click to expand...

Or you can use the built-in Google search under "Search" on the AK menu bar. Or use the "site:www.audiokarma.org" language as part of a search on the Google page... :thmbsp:
 
Sam Cogley said:
Or you can use the built-in Google search under "Search" on the AK menu bar. Or use the "site:www.audiokarma.org" language as part of a search on the Google page... :thmbsp:
Click to expand...

THANK YOU! That site: function makes things SOO much easier since I dont have to worry about weird model numbers with hyphens being ignored by the regular search...
 
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