• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Purchasing first vinyl player

OP Music

OP Music

Active Member
Hey guys I want to purchase my first turntable, but tbh I have no idea what to look for in a turntable, which brands to look out for etc. I had one of those ION USB turntables, but I gave it to my girlfriend because I'm not really interested in ripping vinyl to my computer, and that thing was a cheap piece of **** anyway. I'm definitely in to vintage equipment, but I wouldn't balk at a nice modern turntable either. I would say my price range is right around $100. I want a nice turntable, that looks nice as well. Do you have any suggestions or advice for me?

I don't know if this makes a difference but the vinyl player will be hooked up to my Marantz 2325 via Phono port.

Thanks for reading

Regards, Alex
 
Register to hide this ad
beatcomber said:
You can get a nice turntable or you can stick to a $100 budget, but achieving both will be a challenge.

My advice is to double your budget and get one of these:
http://uturnaudio.com/
Click to expand...
Damn, that thing is sexy! Thanks for the suggestion! I'll do some looking on that one.
I'm not looking for anything top of the line, and I'm also looking on the classifieds right now. So any general advice is good.
 
Another option that will keep you at or at least very close to budget is one of the late 80's / early 90's Technics turntables that will usually be found on your local Craigslist.

*If you add your location, other members here may make some CL recommendations for you to check out.
 
hi*ball said:
*If you add your location, other members here may make some CL recommendations for you to check out.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion, just did that. I will keep my eyes out for those, I know Technics makes some quality stuff.
 
OP Music said:
Do you think the acrylic platter is worth what they're selling it for?
Click to expand...

I have no personal experience one way or the other... but it looks cooler with the acrylic!

There's a big thread on the U-turn in the archives... I suggest doing a search and reading through it.
 
Could most certainly get a nice little Sony like this within budget, ps lx3.

163058.jpg

But if willing to stretch a bit I see one like this currently on eBay, Sony PS X60

258422-sony_psx60_fully_automatic_turntable.jpg


Martin
 
Last edited:
With a hundred bucks to spend, I'd suggest going vintage Yamaha - specifically the P-(X)50 line - P-550, 750, or a P-20 (a rebadged 550) if you can find one. Those are direct drives, the 350 and 450 are belt drive.

They are great turntables for the money.

They're not the prettiest on the block, but they're tough, quiet, and easy to operate. And they're Yamaha - a brand that doesn't get near the credit it deserves.

image.php


I see a P-751 (like that one pictured above) over on the auction site that would be easily worth the opening bid plus shipping. You'd even come in under budget if it ships to the continental US. There's a 550, too, that'll be just over budget factoring in shipping if you can swing just a bit more.

Either of those tables are great specs and features - both fully automatic direct drive, with the 550 being adjustable servo controlled, and the 751 quartz lock. The 751 also has adjustable vertical tracking angle.

By no means high-end, but a lot more table than what's offered new for more than twice the price.

Ok, my brand loyalty is showing, and I've done my duty suggesting Yamaha. ;) Good luck in your search, and welcome to the forum. :thumbsup:
 
Yea, anymore a hundred bucks is a tight budget for a good record player that doesn't need any work. It might take a bit more experience to distinguish the gems from the garbage in that price range. It may be wise to put that money away until you save a while longer. If you move up to the $400 range there are some new tables very much worth having. Or, for something between $100 and $400 you can find some truly impressive vintage decks.
 
I'd go for a belt drive. They're simpler to maintain, don't have much in the way of electronics to go wrong, and generally have better arms.

Look for AR since you're in the US, they're very good vfm plus spares are easy to find, and there's a lot of info on the net. There also happens to be a real expert on this website.
 
If your a regular reader of AK turntable threads/posts you will see that there have been a good number of AK newbees having dumb luck when purchasing their first turntable for peanuts that it turned out to be a vintage jem that long time AK members would be going crazy over.
 
62sunbeam said:
This is nice and cheap.

https://provo.craigslist.org/ele/5714688569.html

I don't know how far Provo is but it's the deck Reydelaplaya recommended.

Good luck

Eric
Click to expand...

hi*ball said:
If that Yamaha for $40 isn't too far away, I'd grab that for a good first turntable. Especially with an extra cartridge!
Click to expand...

I'd say that 450's a helluva deal. It's a belt drive fully automatic, and it's also servo controlled which can be fine tuned into exact RPM.

Here's the link to the specs on vinylengine: http://www.vinylengine.com/library/yamaha/p-450.shtml.

If you make a free account there, you can download the manual for it as well.
 
You guys are unbelievable! Thank you so much for scouting out the deal! Special thanks to hi*ball for the location add, Reydelaplaya for the quality suggestions and 62sunbeam for putting in the leg-work! I've sent an e-mail to the lady selling the turntable, hopefully she responds!
 
OP Music said:
You guys are unbelievable! Thank you so much for scouting out the deal! Special thanks to hi*ball for the location add, Reydelaplaya for the quality suggestions and 62sunbeam for putting in the leg-work! I've sent an e-mail to the lady selling the turntable, hopefully she responds!
Click to expand...

Sounds good! Let's see how this works out. When you go to check it out, see how the tonearm moves up and down. It's a common symptom of these to have stiffened up a little over the years. It's a super easy fix with just one little twist of a mini screwdriver, so should by no means be a deal breaker (let me know if that's the case, I'll walk you through the fix. I've already worked on a few of these). If that isn't an issue, all the better.

BTW, did you see in the pics that the hinges are still there? Those alone are worth the price! LOL Most have broken/disappeared over the years.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.
 
You can also hit thrift's but honestly good stuff now takes luck and timing to find good deals. I have about four tables that I picked up at thrifts the best being a JVC QL-5YF for peanuts. I really like the table it has worked flawlessly for quite a while now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom