Suggestions for a compact turntable.

[dbanda23]

Hey everyone, first post on Audio karma!

I’m looking for a more compact turntable which is roughly 14.5”x14.5” with top mounted controls. I am trying to get a small set up which has a compact footprint. I have no preference for vintage or new at this point. If the table is automatic or semi-auto, that would be preferable. Budget: ~$150

I’m going to set this up with the Kenwood-KR-3500 and I picked up some Monoprice MBS-650 for cheap.

I have tried reading other threads on compact tables but most of the suggestions were larger than the dimensions I’m looking for.

Thanks!

 

[squirrelnest]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia!

Dual 1019 has a small footprint and is automatic.

 

[Pio1980]

Technics SL-5.

 

[halkaloogie]

The Dual 1019 itself is small, but the plinth (base) makes it 15.75" x 13.5", the Technics SL-5 is a decent option at 12.5" x 12.5".
If you can come up to maybe 16" the options become much greater. Also what is your budget?

 

[MCM_Fan]

Technics SL-5.

Beat me to it!

Technics SL-5: 315mm x 315mm = 12.4" x 12.4".

It's actually hiding beneath the album cover in that second photo. That's how compact it is! Fully automatic - put a record on, close the lid and hit Start. The turntable does the rest.

Get an AT450 cart from eBay for it and you'll have a surprisingly good sounding turntable despite the low cost and diminutive size.

 

[Greenie]

As Pio1980, most of the Technics based T4P deck produce decent sound with cartridge/stylus options still available.

There are ?technics derived T4P turntables available for little outlay, just check all the electronics are functioning. My favorite little deck remains my Grundig PS-30, just fitted a Sanyo MG29 to it (basically the same as Goldring Elan & Elektra cartridges) which sounds really nice.

 

[dbanda23]

The Dual 1019 itself is small, but the plinth (base) makes it 15.75" x 13.5", the Technics SL-5 is a decent option at 12.5" x 12.5".
If you can come up to maybe 16" the options become much greater. Also what is your budget?

Unfortunately I’m dropping the table into a console and I am limited to the mentioned dimensions. My budget is around $150.

 

[HighFi.ED]

Audio-Technica AT-LP60

They go for under $100 brand new. They are fully automatic.

 

[Aerobat]

Unfortunately I’m dropping the table into a console and I am limited to the mentioned dimensions. My budget is around $150.

Like this?

 

[dbanda23]

Like this?

Yes, similar to that. This is how mine looks.

 

[Aerobat]

Looks like a Technics is the best bet, and they are readily available.

 

[benricci]

Audio-Technica AT-LP60

They go for under $100 brand new. They are fully automatic.

Unfortunately, the controls are on the front. And if he's loading it into a console, that might not be the best solution. I was going to chime in with the LP60, too, but I just saw his space requirements.

 

[halkaloogie]

Yes, similar to that. This is how mine looks.

Actually if you're doing this, finding a table that you can take off the plinth and will fit into your console, might be a good option. As was mentioned the Technics SL-5 and Audio-Technica AT-LP60 have front controls, which may pose a problem when put into a confined space. In that case a Dual might be a good option. You'll have to hunt around a bit to find a good working Dual 1019 for $150, but if you're going to rehouse a table your options will be better.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Technics SL-10. Doesn’t get much more compact or better if the MC310 is still on it and good.

 

[PabloX]

On Duals, it'd be pretty easy to make your own plinth that inserts into the console. I believe all (or most) use the same pattern for the deck to drop into. I have a Dual 701 and the deck might fit into that space.

Otherwise, the Technics linear trackers seem like a good bet but I think they all take p-mount carts.

 

[4-2-7]

Like this?

My parents bought their Magnavox console around 1974-75? As a teen I used to rock the house with it after school. It was always taken care of and used all those years, although I think my brother in law had to change a speaker sometime in the mid 80s, and it had a couple styluses put on it. When they fist got it, they bought a top load cassette deck for the well on the left side, to record records. We where all allowed to use it anytime and my mom loved music and dancing. I remember times I'd be playing something she related to better, as it was really older music but redone by new bands.

Like CCR, cotton fields

She loved my Willy and the Poor Boys album, there was no stopping her from running out into the living room for, It Came Out of the Sky and start dancing

There was no escaping it, from my nephews to my cousin, it was you better dance




I last used it when taking care of my mom, and then played records for her while we where doing hospice for her. I would put on all her records and have it loud enough to hear in her bedroom.

After she passed and we where dividing things up, my youngest nephew said he would like to have the console. He has it it now and it still works, he got into records and has another small system with a turntable. However the console is also in his memories when grandma would take care of him, and make him dance with her.

Sorry, not trying to derail the thread, it's just seeing that console brought memories back.

 

[jbjsr]

I have a small footprint Dual 1226 measures 14.5 W x 12.5 D in the plinth.

 

[Aerobat]

My parents bought their Magnavox console around 1974-75? As a teen I used to rock the house with it after school. It was always taken care of and used all those years, although I think my brother in law had to change a speaker sometime in the mid 80s, and it had a couple styluses put on it. When they fist got it, they bought a top load cassette deck for the well on the left side, to record records. We where all allowed to use it anytime and my mom loved music and dancing. I remember times I'd be playing something she related to better, as it was really older music but redone by new bands.

Like CCR, cotton fields

She loved my Willy and the Poor Boys album, there was no stopping her from running out into the living room for, It Came Out of the Sky and start dancing

View attachment 1840201

There was no escaping it, from my nephews to my cousin, it was you better dance

View attachment 1840219 View attachment 1840220


I last used it when taking care of my mom, and then played records for her while we where doing hospice for her. I would put on all her records and have it loud enough to hear in her bedroom.

After she passed and we where dividing things up, my youngest nephew said he would like to have the console. He has it it now and it still works, he got into records and has another small system with a turntable. However the console is also in his memories when grandma would take care of him, and make him dance with her.

Sorry, not trying to derail the thread, it's just seeing that console brought memories back.

Is that the console behind her in the second photo? Who's dancing with her in the third?

 

[4-2-7]

Is that the console behind her in the second photo? Who's dancing with her in the third?

No on the second photo, that's another direction in the room, similar type of furniture though.
The third photo the stereo is in the dark background, and that's one of my cousin's.

My Mom had two siblings, she was the middle of three girls from an Italian family, they all had 4 kids each. The oldest cousin was a boy, and me the youngest as well, the other ten where all girls.



That's all of us, my youngest cousin Debbie and I where born two days apart, and propped up against each other for the photo

We had a fun family, our parents always got together on the weekend living close together, and no money raising all these kids, so big weekend dinners where the thing. Not to mention all the holidays, birthdays and anything else they wanted to celebrate. When all the kids got older, married and having kids, we got to big to have holiday dinners together in one home.

 

[Ilikevinyl]

Technics SL-10. Doesn’t get much more compact or better if the MC310 is still on it and good.

Budget is $150. If you find a SL-10 for that price you better RUN and get it! Most that I see are $450 and up.