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Vintage Entry Level Options

Keep in mind, the phono preamp isn't really optional in your case. Which one you choose is, but it is going to be required.

There is a recording format that record companies use to record records called RIAA.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

Without that preamp to decode that format, the sound from the turntable/records will be very distorted and almost inaudible. So a phono preamp is a necessity.

Older receivers and amps usually have one built in with 'Phono In' as an input on the back.
 
Changing the stylus is usually pretty easy.

Empire-S906E-stylus-md.jpg


The old piece like this pulls off the front, and then you just slide the new one back in.

This image, borrowed from lpgear.com, is the stylus for the empire 2002.
 
Depends on whether you're replacing just the stylus, or the entire cartridge.


image.php

Image: vinylengine

The cartridge is the rest of the metal body you see above that has wires plugging into the back of it. See the screw and nut? There are a pair of them, usually at 1/2 inch mount - mostly standard.

There are some limitations called 'compliance' which determine the best match for the arm(tonearm) on the table.

Which pioneer were you considering? Is that the one that already has that empire on it?
 
Bryan Davies said:
Would you consider the stylus replacement as a necessity or just an idea?
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It would be a wise thing to do, but you could at least see what condition the one that's already on it is in. Unless they're abused or played at too heavy a weight, they tend to last around 500+ hours playtime. Sometimes even more.

Ask the seller if they know roughly how long the stylus has been in use. They may or may not know/be honest with you - unfortunately.

If you can, have the seller demonstrate the table before you buy. That'll give you a chance to hear for yourself the ballpark condition of the stylus. Of course, if it's an Internet purchase, you probably don't have that luxury, in which case, replace as soon as possible is probably best.

If it's an Internet/shipped purchase, there's another consideration involving packing the turntable to be shipped. If that's the case, let me know and I'll point you to a thread we have here on how to best pack a turntable so that it (hopefully) arrives undamaged. They're pretty fragile, so you kinda need to be careful about that.
 
If you make a free account over at vinylengine, you can download the owner's manual and related documents they have available there for the pioneer.

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/pioneer/pl-12d.shtml

Have a look at them to get an idea of how it works.

Also consider yet another minor expense: a belt.

It's a belt drive, so if the belt that's on it is kinda old, it may need to be replaced as well. The seller should be pretty upfront about the condition of the belt if you ask.
 
Thanks! This has helped a lot. I found out the pl-12d is fully manual, which scares me. If a side of a record finishes playing on a manual player, will the needle go right down to the label and become ruined?
 
Bryan Davies said:
Thanks! This has helped a lot. I found out the pl-12d is fully manual, which scares me. If a side of a record finishes playing on a manual player, will the needle go right down to the label and become ruined?
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No. You'll be fine. There's the end of the record called the runout. It tracks the stylus in the groove into a perpetual loop at the end of each side. You'll want to pick it up once it gets there (no falling asleep on the couch listening to music) LOL, but a few seconds/minutes riding around in there isn't going to do anything to hurt it.

Is the pioneer the one in Michigan by any chance?
 
Yes it is! I'm gonna shoot the guy an offer, his current buy now seems steep. The table does look like it is in outstanding condition for its age though.
 
Bryan Davies said:
Yes it is! I'm gonna shoot the guy an offer, his current buy now seems steep. The table does look like it is in outstanding condition for its age though.
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I would agree. It does look to be in very good condition.

Now, that means it's going to be shipped, unless you happen to live nearby and are going to pick it up.

Shipping a turntable is a little tricky, and certain things need to be done properly to prevent disaster - like, for one, having him remove the platter(the metal plate that the record rides around on) and pack it securely underneath the base so it doesn't come loose and break everything. The platter is somewhat heavy and can cause a lot of damage if it isn't removed. They're easy to remove and reinstall.

If he accepts your offer, help him get the turntable ready to be shipped. This can be a delicate subject, and some sellers can be a little put-off questioning their ability to pack and ship, but to ensure its safety in transit, it must be done. He may already have experience in shipping turntables, in which case, he probably already knows the ropes. But at least find out.

Gimme a sec, and I'll link the thread on how to pack a turntable for shipping. Be reading that over so you understand and can help him get it boxed up if needed.
 
I'll ask him a question or two about shipping, he does have a note at the bottom saying that he regularly ships large/fragile audio equipment. Also, he accepts returns which is a big + if something where to go wrong.
 
Here is the thread on how to pack a turntable.

http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/how-to-ship-a-turntable-safely.440622/

I checked through the seller's recent sales, and it doesn't look like he's sold a turntable recently - this might possibly mean he may not know how to pack one up to be shipped. The platter has to be removed and put all the way underneath the turntable in the packaging.

To remove it, unhook the belt and just pull straight up. It does look like he's replaced the belt, so he probably knows how to remove the platter anyway.
 
Bryan Davies said:
I'll ask him a question or two about shipping, he does have a note at the bottom saying that he regularly ships large/fragile audio equipment. Also, he accepts returns which is a big + if something where to go wrong.
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Ok, well that's at least a good sign, but remember - platter underneath.

Sorry to keep repeating that, but if it ships with it intact, it could(will) come loose during shipping and bang around under the dustcover and essentially destroy everything.

Removing the weight on the back of the tonearm and lightly twist tieing the tonearm to its stand/rest is another rule.

Don't worry that it will be disassembled for shipping, once you receive it, get back on here, and we'll help you get it put back together and set up.
 
I will definitely send him that link if he asks how I would like it to be shipped. Also will stress to him the platter needs to go underneath.
 
If he responds with a firm understanding of how to pack it I'll just leave him to it. BTW, do you have any other pre-amps in mind or just that one?
 
Bryan Davies said:
I will definitely send him that link if he asks how I would like it to be shipped. Also will stress to him the platter needs to go underneath.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the way I'd word it would be something like:

Thank you for accepting my offer, I appreciate it. To ensure that the turntable safely arrives, please do me the favor of securing the tonearm to its rest and pack the platter separately underneath the base so that they don't come loose during shipping. If i can help in any way in the remainder of packing it up for safe transit, please feel free to ask me. Thanks again.

Something along those lines should be delicate enough to not offend.
 
Will probably take that word for word, thanks! I will let you know if we get to a number we agree on. I greatly appreciate all the help, and hopefully we can get to the next step on this.
 
Bryan Davies said:
If he responds with a firm understanding of how to pack it I'll just leave him to it. BTW, do you have any other pre-amps in mind or just that one?
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These other two were suggested to me as options when I was researching a preamp to go with the turntable I got my parents for Christmas.

luvvinvinyl said:
This: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000A36LQ4?keywords=phono stage&qid=1448666624&ref_=sr_1_1&s=electronics&sr=1-1

or, this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YEK1AQ?keywords=phono stage&qid=1448666726&ref_=sr_1_4&s=electronics&sr=1-4
...
Click to expand...

It turned out, though, my parents had a receiver with a built in phono input, so I didn't end up needing to get any of them. They all seem to have good reviews though.

@luvvinvinyl - hope you don't mind I quoted your suggestions from before. Thank you! :thumbsup:
 
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