Purchase new or Vintage TT?

[bwagss]

I've been without a turntable now for over 15 years or more. My original Technics SL1600 MKII that I purchased new in 1979 was neglected along with my small inventory of albums so I sold everything. Now that vinyl is making a comeback and I'm going to retire this year I've decided to add a new/vintage TT to my system.

My price range is in between $400 - $600. I'd like to hear some input on purchasing new or vintage and why? Plus, where are reputable dealers for both to start looking. I appreciate the responses!

 

[tnsilver]

Vinyl is not making a comeback now. The trend had started 16 years ago and now - it's a little too late. While a decade or so ago 4 to 6 'C' notes could score you a decent classic hi-fi turntable, it barely cuts the mustard these days. The new turntable models that are sold in this budget are trash entry level, cheaply made, faint clones of the hay-days legacy models and they are generally overpriced. The new hi-fi units that are worth being called a turntable, are sold for thousands of dollars. Most of the used turntables that are offered on ePray and CL are plastic fantastic POS units or run-of-the-mill nothing to right write home about Pio's, Realistic, Technics and the likes - and if you're not a total noob and possess even a distant memory of how a real turntable sounds - you know these are not for you. To answer your query... I don't think you really have a choice but to wait for the opportunity to grab a real pre-owned vintage turntable. You may have to stretch the budget a little, or you may get lucky, but you're not getting anything new on par with your old Technics SL1600 MKII in this budget.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Ah the ole... vintage versus new topic. Covered many times here and elsewhere. Good to see the topic cycle back around again. Tom nailed it and would be my guidance. In that price range it would be vintage. Something like a Kenwood KD-500.

 

[adnick]

With the 2 above ^^, vintage for sure.....

VR
Andy

 

[Ken Boyd]

My advice is take the input from the posters and make an educated choice that suits your needs.

 

[stereofisher]

Vintage for sure! There are many options out. Patience is key. Try and find something locally. I am blessed with some mechanical ability. Can be a curse. Have six working tables plus three projects. Too bad the OP isn’t local. I would hand him one.

Eric

 

[bwagss]

I didn't realize vinyl albums had made a come back in the last 16 years? I'm really out of the loop (should of pushed the search button). But I appreciate the input to look for vintage over current TT's. There is a vintage hi-fi store less than two hours away that I'll have to make a road trip to soon. Thanks!

 

[Sansushi]

agree with all above. you might try a wtb ad on bartertown and see if a nearby ak member has one they are willing to part with. seems many here have multiples.
i returned to vinyl a few years back and eventually decided to get a good turntable and cartridge. it's not inexpensive, but i have found my love of music and the experience of great sounding vinyl playback again. no regrets here.
but, be ready to let the cash flow if you want good sound and a serious record collection....

 

[Tiver]

6 bills puts you in a very decent consumer deck from the vintage landscape. Of course you will need a decent cart/stylus, so that has to either be part of the TT budget or beyond.

The biggest issue with a used deck is, well, it's used. You can get a lot more value in the "bones" of the unit and that is hard to debate. Still, and not unlike humans, some old bones manage into their 90s without so much as a hiccough while others need a triple bi-pass in their 40s. I only have one deck purchased new and that was in 1981. The other 9 or 10 were all bought used within the last 15 years. 2 have real issues. 1 has required a non-technical nudge. The rest are fully functional.

So my anecdotal survey says you have a 70%-75% chance of getting a used deck that functions fine.....so long as you make a diligent attempt to separate the wheat from the chaff. I'd venture your odds are actually a bit better than that.

Oh, and lastly.......with any used deck, a basic user manual type of disassembly, inspection, cleaning, greasing, oiling and tonearm/cartridge setup would be a required first move. That's the best way to get familiar with the deck anyhow.

 

[jrtrent]

I didn't realize vinyl albums had made a come back in the last 16 years? I'm really out of the loop (should of pushed the search button). But I appreciate the input to look for vintage over current TT's. There is a vintage hi-fi store less than two hours away that I'll have to make a road trip to soon. Thanks!

New turntables of interest to me in that price range are the Rega Planar 1 ($475) and the Music Hall mmf 1.5 ($399). I don't know what vintage shop you're planning a trip to, and I have no first-hand knowledge of any of them in your location anyway, but I did see an outfit called Play it Again Sam about 70 miles from you (14311 Madison Ave Cleveland, OH), advertising, "Play It Again Sam, Inc. Est. 1979, is known as the premier repair shop and dealer of quality, pre-owned home audio equipment in the country. Everything we sell is fully reconditioned and warranted." They also sell new 'tables; I only saw them because they were listed as a Music Hall dealer. The store you're planning to visit might sell both new and used, too. There's a Rega dealer in Toledo called No Noise Records; again, I know nothing about them except they are listed at Rega's dealer locator page.

Personally, I would always buy new instead of used because I like getting a new product with warranty that has its full service life ahead of it. Motors, suspensions, power supplies, bearings, etc., all wear out eventually, so I like getting something brand new with everything factory-fresh.

https://theaudiophileman.com/planar-1/

https://www.cnet.com/news/music-hall-mmf-1-5-turntable-brings-sound-and-style-together/

 

[bwagss]

New turntables of interest to me in that price range are the Rega Planar 1 ($475) and the Music Hall mmf 1.5 ($399). I don't know what vintage shop you're planning a trip to, and I have no first-hand knowledge of any of them in your location anyway, but I did see an outfit called Play it Again Sam about 70 miles from you (14311 Madison Ave Cleveland, OH), advertising, "Play It Again Sam, Inc. Est. 1979, is known as the premier repair shop and dealer of quality, pre-owned home audio equipment in the country. Everything we sell is fully reconditioned and warranted." They also sell new 'tables; I only saw them because they were listed as a Music Hall dealer. The store you're planning to visit might sell both new and used, too. There's a Rega dealer in Toledo called No Noise Records; again, I know nothing about them except they are listed at Rega's dealer locator page.

Personally, I would always buy new instead of used because I like getting a new product with warranty that has its full service life ahead of it. Motors, suspensions, power supplies, bearings, etc., all wear out eventually, so I like getting something brand new with everything factory-fresh.

https://theaudiophileman.com/planar-1/

https://www.cnet.com/news/music-hall-mmf-1-5-turntable-brings-sound-and-style-together/

The store I was referencing is Wooster Vintage Audio in Wooster, OH. I follow them on FB. And I appreciate the heads up on the leads you provided.