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Vintage Entry Level Options

B

Bryan Davies

Active Member
Just looking for some opinions of what would suit me best as an entry level. Was considering going new but budget is pretty tight. Here are some options that have caught my eye:

Pioneer pl-12d ii
Pioneer pl-512
Technics sl-1500
Technics sl-d3

Thanks
 
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Welcome to the forum, Bryan.

First off, though you've got a nice selection there, we should know if you've got a receiver with a built in Phono input. If not, that's going to require a phono-pre, which is going to cut into your budget a little (or a lot).

What receiver do you plan on hooking this up to?
 
I have some mediocre powered speakers, would i still need a pre-amp or no? Or can i not use powered speakers with a vintage table at all?
 
Maybe.

You'll definitely need a pre-amp to go that route. And if the powered speakers have RCA Line Level Input, it'll probably work.

What powered speakers are you working with?
 
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Ok, cool.

Now that we see the line input, another question. How do you control the volume? On the speakers themselves, or on the input device? (eg. iPod volume control)
 
Bryan Davies said:
what type of pre-amp would you suggest considering what tables I'm looking at?
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It kinda depends on your budget. There are good entry level ones in the $40 +- range, and I'm sure you could find some well over $1000 if you tried.

One of the more popular starter preamps is the ArtDjPre ii. It's got good ratings around the net. You may check Amazon for that one.
 
Theoretically, yes.

By using powered speakers, you're bypassing the need for an amplifier/receiver, so there really shouldn't be a problem.

So say you've got around $40 in that preamp, does that still leave you the budget for all four tables? Or does that rule any out?
 
All are in the ballpark still, which do you think is the best all around? or if you have any other suggestion I'm definitely open to ideas considering I'm very new to this.
 
Other than just quickly scanning what the net has to say about the models you listed, I really don't have any direct experience with any of them.

But, there's a neighboring site called vinylengine.com that pretty much all of us use as a reference for specs and manuals and stuff.

The Technics SL-D3 seems to have a few good reviews over there. The pioneer PL-12D II looks really nice, too.

Another thing to consider is a new cartridge, or at least a new stylus(needle).

Most likely, if these are used/vintage turntables, if they come with a cartridge/stylus, it's probably not new unless the seller states it in the ad.

Generally, you can start by just getting a new stylus for whatever cartridge is on it when you get it. But that's a personal choice. You may also consider replacing the cartridge/stylus with a new set just to have a new set.

Do any of the ads talk about what cartridge or stylus is on the table?
 
All of the turntables I've worked with/owned are Yamaha. Though from personal experience with them, I'd absolutely recommend them, I'm not suggesting that they're any better than what you've already listed above.

But, that said, adding Yamaha to your search opens up even more options.
 
Ok, good.

To replace just the stylus on that cartridge would run around 34 bucks or so.

Like I mentioned before, it is wise to at least replace the stylus with a new one, because if the old one is old and worn, it can permanently damage your records.

So, now we're up to an additional $74 total, how's your budget still looking?
 
the sl-d3 is pushing out of the range and i also noticed some poor reviews for the 512. Leaning toward the pl-12d. Is changing the stylus difficult?
 
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