Giving vinyl another try

[tubeampking]

So I'm thinking about giving vinyl another try and would like some input on buying a used TT. First, what are the pros and cons of belt versus direct drive? Are linear tracking TTs any good. If I only wanted to spend about $200.00-$250.00 (not including cartridge and stylus). What are some viable options? Any help is greatly appreciated...thanks

 

[rebellovw]

What happened the first time around that was a problem? Both DD/BD are just fine - so need to focus at all on that - you want the most accurate and dead silent table around with a nice arm to get something nice out of vinyl - cart's are simpler - the table is step 1.

 

[aldena007]

Are Linear TT anygood?

I have been trying different types of turntables for the last ten years to see if there was an ideal fit for me. There are so many combinations of tables, arms, cartridges, and styli types out there that it is really a challenge to sort out. After trying many combinations of turntable/arm/stylus options I decided upon the linear turntable for me. I use a Pioneer PL-L800 which is a DD and linear drive that uses an electronic/magnetic motors and a Harman Kardon ST-7 which is belt drive and the Rabco arm is totally mechanical. Some say the linears are too complicated but after fiddling with weights, counterweights, anti-skate weights, protractors, et al, I beg to differ. To get a good turntable that is ready to play will require some homework on your part. The main trouble with turntables are that they are so easily damaged particularly when shipped. Ebay can be a source but finding one that is truly worth buying and getting it shipped without damage is a real crap shoot. The linear turntable is a good solution for me. Good luck with getting back into vinyl.

 

[Catcher10]

I agree, what happened the first go round? Would be good to understand the challenges then.....
Used TT for something pretty nice and in good shape might cost you another bill, then you can start looking into new entry level project, music hall, rega and denon.

Could be some good sales going on now.....have fun!

 

[tubeampking]

So here are the two things that stand/stood in the way of my trying vinyl again: 1: Finding vinyl that is in pristine condition. ( can't stand the clicks and ticks of damaged vinyl )
2: Keeping vinyl in pristine condition.
3: Having to change the disc every 15 or 20 minutes.
OK...so 3 things...
I have my eye on a couple on the 'bay and would like some feedback (input ? Feedback sounds so negative... LOL...pun definitely intended ) before I buy one.
The first is a Lab 400...I had a 420 once, but there was something wrong with it, It rumbled something awful even after I isolated it.
The other is a Dual....can't remember the model #.
So there you have it...I think my attention span may be too short for another investment of any size.

 

[h3ll0]

Well anything Technics is usually awesome and most of the time hassle free compared to other brands in my experience.

If there is something wrong with a Dual they are a hassle to repair (ask me how I know ).

JVC,Sony,Akai, and Pioneer are about the same in build quality and most sound decent.

If you want to buy something new the U-Turn orbit is an excellent choice.

 

[MexicoMiike]

If you want a simple, good TT, get an AR XA. One of those has outlasted everything I have owned over the years, including various 'great' TTs. All the rest of the expensive, allegedly "better" TTs weren't and are long gone...this includes Oracles, Technics, Duals.

As I have posted previously, my totally stock XA with a current Ortofon OM20 will out-track any TT/cartridge I used including $1500 cartridges in my Oracle TT which was SUPPOSEDLY the best TT I ever owned.

 

[E.Man]

So here are the two things that stand/stood in the way of my trying vinyl again: 1: Finding vinyl that is in pristine condition. ( can't stand the clicks and ticks of damaged vinyl )
2: Keeping vinyl in pristine condition.
3: Having to change the disc every 15 or 20 minutes.
OK...so 3 things...
....

1: Don't buy crap wax. If I can do it in country Australia with no shop within 200km you prob can.
2: Don't thrash it. Once it's clean it will stay that way.
3: That's a deal breaker. Maybe it's not for you.

 

[ra7c7er]

Here's my 2 cents...

1. Pristine vinyl is hard to find but it is out there. If a little bit of clicking and hissing is going to stop you from enjoy your hobby then perhaps it's not for you. You're dealing with a hobby where the medium is OLD and used by umpteen number of people who had who knows what kind of turntable. The record that looks pristine might play horrible and a record that looks like a cat used it as a scratching post might play with no problems at all. You never know. Again if you can't deal with that stay away.

2. Clean your records well. Store them well. and don't throw them around. Keeping records in great condition is easier than finding records in great condition.

3. Can't really help you with this. It's kind of the nature of the beast. As I said in number 1 if that bothers you might want to look for a different hobby.

I don't really know what to say. I think from your two posts you might not really be "ready" for the hobby and maybe you'll never be. Pristine records are harder and harder to find. Not to mention getting more and more expensive. No matter how careful you are a record will get a scratch that you have no clue where it came from and you'll always have to change records out.

I'd rather see you stay out of records and admire from afar than to get back into it only to be disappointed in a few months and selling everything off.

 

[mkane]

Ar would be my vote also. Simple, inexpensive, and sounds great with the right cartridge.

 

[NJguy]

So here are the two things that stand/stood in the way of my trying vinyl again: 1: Finding vinyl that is in pristine condition. ( can't stand the clicks and ticks of damaged vinyl )
2: Keeping vinyl in pristine condition.
3: Having to change the disc every 15 or 20 minutes.
OK...so 3 things...
I have my eye on a couple on the 'bay and would like some feedback (input ? Feedback sounds so negative... LOL...pun definitely intended ) before I buy one.
The first is a Lab 400...I had a 420 once, but there was something wrong with it, It rumbled something awful even after I isolated it.
The other is a Dual....can't remember the model #.
So there you have it...I think my attention span may be too short for another investment of any size.

Well things are still the same so maybe vinyl is not for you.

 

[4-2-7]

So here are the two things that stand/stood in the way of my trying vinyl again: 1: Finding vinyl that is in pristine condition. ( can't stand the clicks and ticks of damaged vinyl )
2: Keeping vinyl in pristine condition.
3: Having to change the disc every 15 or 20 minutes.
OK...so 3 things...
I have my eye on a couple on the 'bay and would like some feedback (input ? Feedback sounds so negative... LOL...pun definitely intended ) before I buy one.
The first is a Lab 400...I had a 420 once, but there was something wrong with it, It rumbled something awful even after I isolated it.
The other is a Dual....can't remember the model #.
So there you have it...I think my attention span may be too short for another investment of any size.

Well things are still the same so maybe vinyl is not for you.

^THIS^

Skip playing records it doesn't sound right for you at all.

 

[4Play]

If you are wanting a new turntable within your budget, the U-turn Orbit Basic is your only option at $179., and the price includes an Audio-Technica CN5625AL phono cartridge already mounted on the tonearm.

Your next option would be an Orbit Plus for $299 and comes with a Grado Black phono cartridge. I should mention that a dustcover comes with both models. There are upgrades and accessories available for either table.

If you decide to go vintage, you have two choices. Buy one that is stock that has not played in some cases as long as 10 to 15 years. This table will need to be cleaned and serviced, and will most likely need parts. If you are a DIY person, this would make a good winter project. The other option is to buy a table from a reputable technician who has completely restored the table back to factory specs or better. Option 2 will cost more due to the labor involved. But a table coming from a reputable technician will last you the rest of your life and possibly your children's life as well.

Another factor to consider is shipping. If you buy a table off the auction site, it will be a 50/50 chance for the table to arrive unharmed and no damage. Buying from a reputable technician, you are guaranteed safe arrival. Of course it would be handy if you live close so you could audition the table before you make the trip home.

Something to keep in mind on your decision, the money you spend on a table you restored yourself, or if you buy one from a reputable technician, you would have to spend over $1000 or more to get the same performance from a new turntable.

There is a lot to think about when deciding to buy a turntable. Your experience will either be good or bad depending on which option you choose. There are a ton of threads from members who had a bad buying experience. However, there are threads where the buyer had a good buying experience as well.

Good luck on your journey!!

 

[moinau]

So here are the two things that stand/stood in the way of my trying vinyl again: 1: Finding vinyl that is in pristine condition. ( can't stand the clicks and ticks of damaged vinyl )
2: Keeping vinyl in pristine condition.
3: Having to change the disc every 15 or 20 minutes.
OK...so 3 things...
I have my eye on a couple on the 'bay and would like some feedback (input ? Feedback sounds so negative... LOL...pun definitely intended ) before I buy one.
The first is a Lab 400...I had a 420 once, but there was something wrong with it, It rumbled something awful even after I isolated it.
The other is a Dual....can't remember the model #.
So there you have it...I think my attention span may be too short for another investment of any size.

1:
No problem at all finding vinyls in excellent condition, although you still have to look for them.
Beside, they do sell new one. :thmbsp:

2:
Again, no problem with that. I assume you are now much older , and by that, you will have more patience cleaning them.

3:
As other mentioned already, still the same, every 15 to 20 minutes, unless you get a multi- changer (record stacker) turntables,.
Dual, BIC, Garrard, and BSR, to name a few, have models like that, than, it's only every hour or so.

4:
The LAB 400 is a very good turntable. If you want to go the Dual way, the 700 series models are very good DD TTs, The 701 is highly recommed. I've the 704 since new, 1978.
Some idler wheel drive like, the 1229 is also highly recommed. By the way, the 1229 can also muti-stack records.

5:
You will find fair to excellent tables in all configuration, direct drive, idler wheel drive, belt drive, auto, semi-auto, manual.

Go for it, if you still don't like it, send everything back to me.

 

[Soundnlight]

So here are the two things that stand/stood in the way of my trying vinyl again: 1: Finding vinyl that is in pristine condition. ( can't stand the clicks and ticks of damaged vinyl )
2: Keeping vinyl in pristine condition.
3: Having to change the disc every 15 or 20 minutes.
OK...so 3 things...
I have my eye on a couple on the 'bay and would like some feedback (input ? Feedback sounds so negative... LOL...pun definitely intended ) before I buy one.
The first is a Lab 400...I had a 420 once, but there was something wrong with it, It rumbled something awful even after I isolated it.
The other is a Dual....can't remember the model #.
So there you have it...I think my attention span may be too short for another investment of any size.

I for one can vouch for the U-Turn Orbit Table/Grado combo being pretty quiet and tracking well. Even records that I thought to be pretty noisy on my Technics Table are much quieter on the Orbit... I actually enjoy the few clicks and pops I still get to remind myself I'm not listening Spotify (besides sounding a million times better), haha. For the price, you really can't go wrong, and their customer service is pretty phenomenal.

The only issues I've had were some speed issues (i was one of the original backers and they have since improved the belt/spindle - both of which they've replaced for me at no cost).

One of these days I'd like to see what some higher end tables can do, but for now I'm pretty happy.

 

[moinau]

So here are the two things that stand/stood in the way of my trying vinyl again: 1: Finding vinyl that is in pristine condition. ( can't stand the clicks and ticks of damaged vinyl )
2: Keeping vinyl in pristine condition.
3: Having to change the disc every 15 or 20 minutes.
OK...so 3 things...
I have my eye on a couple on the 'bay and would like some feedback (input ? Feedback sounds so negative... LOL...pun definitely intended ) before I buy one.
The first is a Lab 400...I had a 420 once, but there was something wrong with it, It rumbled something awful even after I isolated it.
The other is a Dual....can't remember the model #.
So there you have it...I think my attention span may be too short for another investment of any size.

I think so too

 

[Condorsat]

IMHO ... and in my experience pops & ticks are part of the nature of analog vinyl media.

Damage? sometimes it's a result of neglect, wear & tear, residue in the microgroove ... etc .... on the other hand some pressings are just noisy even when they were or are new.

If surface noise is an issue (distraction) ... stick with digital media.

 

[Fattner]

vinyl is so rich and 3d in sound that the pops and clicks are easily over looked ,but vinyl isn't for everyone and it sounds like it isn't for you my friend .

 

[Daunia 70]

vinyl is so rich and 3d in sound that the pops and clicks are easily over looked

+1... also,not all records pop 'n click. Many can play completely silent even when buying second-hand... you've just gotta be lucky!
I've purchased two records second-hand this week for only a £1 each in a charity shop (ZZ Top ~ Eliminator and Paul McCartney ~ All The Best). Both absolutely mint and sound totally awesome with no pops 'n crackles whatsoever. In fact,both sound way better than their CD equivalents (although,some of that might come down to the amazing L-07D DD).

 

[majick47]

The OPs analog wish list isn't very realistic with the budet he has, as suggested a CD multiplay unit would be a better choice and a lot cheaper.