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Need help with buying first turntable

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Since it's your first TT don't go all nutsy audiophile. You should be able to get a decent vintage unit with an OK cartridge for less than $100. Make sure you hear it play first and check all the functions. Above all make sure it has a good working cartridge and stylus or you'll be shelling out more $$ immediately. Do your due diligence. If you see one you're interested in Google it for more info. Search the "Dollars and Sense" forum here for that model you might find what someone else paid and what others think of it. Good luck.
 
Actually that JVC unit with new stylus for 55 bucks looks like a good entry level choice for minimal investment.
 
Me personally, I like a table with a suspension; a sprung suspension (like the Pioneer PL-120). That knocks out most of the Japanese direct drive tables. Nothing against them, many are very good. It's just if like most people, and you live in a house with floor joists, you get floor bounce when you walk. With a direct drive turntable (with rubber feet), on a stand, on the floor, floor bounce can cause the turntable to skip. So, I like sprung tables, for that reason. Or you can use a wall mount shelf, which is much better, and prevents most skips too. That would open up more choices.

Good luck.
 
My advice: pick your budget, then research. Google "best turntables under $X and you'll get tons of hits. Spend some time learning abotu the ins and outs and then pick a few you're interested in and come back here and ask about those.
 
StimpyWan said:
Me personally, I like a table with a suspension; a sprung suspension (like the Pioneer PL-120). That knocks out most of the Japanese direct drive tables. Nothing against them, many are very good. It's just if like most people, and you live in a house with floor joists, you get floor bounce when you walk. With a direct drive turntable (with rubber feet), on a stand, on the floor, floor bounce can cause the turntable to skip. So, I like sprung tables, for that reason. Or you can use a wall mount shelf, which is much better, and prevents most skips too. That would open up more choices.

Good luck.
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Thank you! And yes the floor bounce is definitely a factor, too bad the Pioneer one is already sold. I will keep that in mind for my future purchase however.
 
You're welcome. And a belated Welcome to AK as well...! :thumbsup:

Also, lot's of good turntables out there, direct drive, belted, sprung and fixed. It just takes time to read and educate oneself on what to look for. AK is a good place to start for that. Make sure to read the Turntable Forum here. Good stuff there.

Maybe look for a Dual (not sure of exact sprung models), or any of the Acoustic Research AR tables (AR-XA, AR-XB, AR 'The Table', AR Connoisseur, AR-EB101). All suspended, and all very good models. Heck, my Sonographe SG-3 is a really good table, built by SOTA, for Conrad Johnson. It could easily be an all-that-is-needed-table.

Regardless, pick up a cheap table, to learn on. Any of the Technics or Denon's would be excellent for that. Figure out your likes and dislikes. Then upgrade, if needed. And have fun.
 
Oh yea, stay away from those Crosely's, or anything that mentions USB...! :eek: Otherwise, you've got some decent Duals, Sony's, Technics, and JVC's to choose from. Just put them on a solid piece of furniture. That'll help prevent skips. Or build a wall mount shelf.

Heck, you can build your own shelf. Cut 2 pieces of Plywood or MDF shelf's (the size of the table), stain or paint it, and then buy a bicycle inner tube. Set one piece of MDF down, partially inflate the inner tube, curl/lay it one top of that MDF, then set the other MDF shelf on top of the inner tube. Instant isolation shelf! Kind'a like this!

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Rega%20Platforms-1.jpg
 
StimpyWan said:
Oh yea, stay away from those Crosely's, or anything that mentions USB...! :eek: Otherwise, you've got some decent Duals, Sony's, Technics, and JVC's to choose from. Just put them on a solid piece of furniture. That'll help prevent skips. Or build a wall mount shelf.

Heck, you can build your own shelf. Cut 2 pieces of Plywood or MDF shelf's (the size of the table), stain or paint it, and then buy a bicycle inner tube. Set one piece of MDF down, partially inflate the inner tube, curl/lay it one top of that MDF, then set the other MDF shelf on top of the inner tube. Instant isolation shelf! Kind'a like this!

capped.jpg


Rega%20Platforms-1.jpg
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Ah yes, definitely heard bad things about Crosely's. The isolation shelf is a great idea, I will probably try it out once I have my first turntable ready.
 
Welcome to AK - I'd echo the anti Crowley votes but only because you'll get better values for cheap! That said , any point is a good starting point on the slippery slope of audio gear nerdom. I bought my first table, then suddenly saw better decks everywhere.

My wife recently counted nine in my home office and that's actually missing a few.

Enjoy man. Have fun.
 
To OP, as probably realized, if you find a potential turntable, then plug the model number in the search function on AK (whole site not just D&S) and so a search. You may or may not want to search titles only (I find if it is a popular model, a title-only search gets me the best info).

Some turntables have particular quirks, such as parts that break and are hard to replace (yesterday I did a search and learned that the Pioneer PL-50a anti-skate mechanism is a plastic part very prone to breakage). Some, e.g., Duals have complex tricky mechanisms that need cleaning (old grease dries and impairs operation) and lubing. Some tables use proprietary headshells (detachable end of the arm that holds the cartridge) that can be expensive to replace. You can quickly learn about a potential table with a search.

StimpyWan said:
It's just if like most people, and you live in a house with floor joists, you get floor bounce when you walk. With a direct drive turntable (with rubber feet), on a stand, on the floor, floor bounce can cause the turntable to skip. So, I like sprung tables, for that reason.
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On my 80 y/o wood floors it is sprung tables (Dual and Thorens) that have given me the most problem. I have to walk very softly with those. My Technics SL-D2 is much less sensitive to footfall. I'm sure I've read similar reports here and don't think I'm the only one in this regard. (This seems counter-intuitive unless you ask what frequency of vibration are the springs designed to isolate from the platter/arm.)

In my experience working on them (Dual, Thorens, and currently AR) sprung tables are more likely to need service (unless recently serviced) and springs can be tricky to adjust when old worn springs need to be either replaced or tightened. Are you up the service work yourself? To decide, if you search youtube for "dual service" or "AR turntable service" you'll get videos that show you the standard service that is needed and how to do it. On the other hand, with Japanese DD (direct drive) turntables, you likely won't have to do a thing.
 
Technics made many good, and some great, turntables. I have a direct drive linear tracking model. Personally, I like direct drive because there are no belts and therefore less overall maintenance requirements. If you find a quartz-locked model, you don't even have to worry about the speed being off, unless there's a severe electrical problem which can usually be fixed.
 
I'd advise you to take your time.

Check out the ""TT" forum on this site an acquaint yourself with what others have and what they think about this piece of gear..

As others have pointed out don't go overboard $$$wise and keep in in relation to what you have. As you improve your gear, you can do so with the TT as well.

There will always be that proverbial "weak link" in you system, but don't let it bug you as it has others before ya.

Q
 
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