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What is a good entry to mid-end turntables?

Tonoje said:
It may be worth knowing that the SP25 is said to share some of the SL1200 architecture. I don't recall exactly what, but it would be the motor and possibly the circuit board. But I'm not sure I agree with those who say the SP25 is basically just a plinthless SL1200, let alone inferior to it. The SP25 is specifically designed as a BYOY (I made that up: bring your own arm), while the SL1200s are not. The SP25 is broadcast-oriented, so the plinth, if it comes with one at all, is usually custom-made or third party. Then there's the SP15, which, although it looks identical to the SP25, doesn't share much if anything with the SL1200. It usually costs more than the SP25, and its fans would say it's rather better. Any of these decks are worth your consideration, as is the no doubt more expensive but definitely excellent SP10 Mk II.

For a crash course, not necessarily authoritative, on the SP25 vs SL1200, you can enjoy the bickering here:

forums.stevehoffman.tv

Which is a Better Turntable, Technics SP-25 or SL-1200 Mk2?

My oldest brother is giving me his Technics SP-25 in excellent condition. My current turntable is Technics SL-1200 Mk2 which also in excellent...
forums.stevehoffman.tv forums.stevehoffman.tv

Take the first few comments with a hefty pinch of salt. To get more of a balance, you'll probably need to read the whole thread, then look further.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't that be BYOA?
 
Yeeterkeeter said:
I used to have a victrola, one of these things. Its what got me into vinyl, but man oh man that thing was awful. No bass, no mids, only top ends. I am glad I got it replaced. It was 60 something dollars, so it makes sense, but still, not much good.
View attachment 3036473
Click to expand...
No bass, no mids, only top end pretty much sums it up. More than anything it's a function of the amp and speakers and not so much the cartridge or arm.

That has a Chuo Denshi p188 clone ceramic cartridge on it. For ceramic carts to sound any good they need to be run into a high impedence input, like on a vintage tube amp. They can also sound good into a moving magnet phono stage with a couple of capacitors wired in series with the input.

I have been using a couple of these carts into my tube amps and they are surprisingly good sounding with ample bass and midrange. It's all about the implementation, and the Crosley is poor implementation for that cart.
 
I just picked up A Dennon DP -26F used from The flea Bay for a good price that sounds great. It's belt drive automatic. I had to use the magnetic tape inputs for some reason instead of the Mag inputs. I have two 100 Watt Bogen Models CBH 100 with 12AU7 instead of 6EU4 in stage 1 of each and KLH 10 speakers 2 Way. I used really good pre amp tubes in it and USA Output tubes. I run Two Sony Discs -A mini and A regular, A Bogen Tube Tuner and The Dennon TT. My biggest money investment was in the tubes . I have a pretty awesome sound going on and I don't have to run My amplifiers really hard either. Combination is the key ! . I gave my amplifiers a rebuild and then I used different tubes in each one until I found out what they liked the best. I consider my Dennon as a entry level Turntable but it sounds better than A lot of the direct drive expensive ones I had in the past. I'm A Old Jukebox Guy and I have a lot of experience with needles , cartridges and record players. Some just sound better than others even with everything the same. Stay away from The Walmart stuff and get a descent brand. My Dennon takes only Dennon needles at about 25 dollars each, sometimes they are higher depending on the sellers. You usually don't want something that takes too cheap A needle . The better needles and cartridges cost a little bit more and They are moving magnet usually. The cheap ones are almost always ceramic. Once in a while a ceramic will sound very good, but not usually. Direct drive cost more usually and I don't really like them because I can hear the motor noise in my tube amplifiers. Belts have a little flutter they say but I just don't hear it. With The Dennon you will have a speed adjustment on the bottom of it. I haven't touched mine. I understand your delima because they have become pretty expensive to buy. Shop around is my advice. I've heard of people getting lucky and they find good 25 dollar turntables. That's not me, I paid about 65 dollars for mine and the top cover is missing and I have to cue it manually to start the record . I can live with those things to save over 100 bucks on buying it. It costs on sale around 200 New. The world certainly has changed a lot from My First RCA 45 record player in 1964 that was handed down to me with The RCA dog under the lid.
 
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I would strongly, strongly suggest listening to another table to compare with the 1200. Don't just commit to it without listening to at least one other good quality table.
 
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