• 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

Yes, THAT thread again. What turntable to buy?

KevinClaus

KevinClaus

New Member
Hey everyone.

I apologize already. It never feels good asking the most basic question that's probably been answered 100 times before. But hopefully a lot of you understand that when making a purchase that is big (for me at least) you want to base it off actual conversation directed at you, at a near/relevant time period.

I bought a record player a long time ago with 0 knowledge on records, only to find out I bought a straight arm that was apparently made for DJ'ing/scratching. Not specifically listening to music. I also had no amp or speakers, because I didn't know that was a thing. You can laugh, it was dumb, I am dumb.

I sold it to someone for 80% of the price, and still have all my records. XMas is coming and my mom who lives far away wanted to buy me a record player, and she wanted me to find one online. She didn't give me a price range, but I'd like to keep it below $200 after taxes/shipping. I am sure I could go higher but gosh I am not here to take advantage of my mom, and I want to be reasonable.

All my records are classics/oldies, but I do have some new records (like Kanye West, other artists I like to pick up the limited edition record sets of for cheap online) and I wasn't sure if there is any difference that I should be aware of in buying a record player, if new/old records have better TTs available for them?

I really want something classic and simple: I want to play records, and once I have it I will go and buy an amp/speakers separately. I don't want fancy stuff, USB plugins, etc, I just want something that looks nice and works great out of the box (within reason). I have a surface knowledge of things, and I'd like to know more but also buy something that doesn't leave me going "well I need to buy a new one within the first 3 months".

I hope I am not being selfish in asking for this help/advice, it obviously isn't just a clear cut "there is only one good TT" and everyone has opinions, I was just hoping for something simple that she could buy online either on amazon.ca or wherever works.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I hope I haven't bothered anyone with what I imagine has become a tired and overasked question.
 
Register to hide this ad
Also I am canadian, if that is relevant, so that $200 is CAD which is $150 USD, so I hope that isn't INSANELY restrictive.
 
I don't know of any new turntable for that price that I could in good conscience recommend. Don't get a Crosley, or anything sold from bookstores or shoe stores.

Now, if she sent you the cash and you were willing to get a used table, $150 ought to get something pretty nice. If you decide to go that route, post your town so we can help you look. Although many tables from the '70-early '80s were very nice compared to what is available today for even three or four times your budget, they weren't all good so you'll need the help to score instead of getting screwed.

I didn't know the Orbit was still available for such a low price. It might be worth a look, it got a lot of buzz in the months prior to its release. I haven't really heard much about it lately.
 
Shop the used market. I was at my local shop today and ask about a Dual 1019 and my guy said I've got one that has been sitting on the shelf for years and let me pull it out and get it going and I ask how much and he said $200 but give 2 weeks to do. So we will see if he can get it going and Welcome to AK!
 
Thanks for the quick and thorough response guys!

I'll take a look at orbit, but if that's not a viable option I'll just let her know that it isn't viable and that if she wants to give me cash I can source out a good used one.

I keep hearing about how amazing the Crosleys are that I am shocked everyone doesn't own 20+ of them hahaha.

I live in Toronto, so I imagine it would actually be pretty easy to source out a decent one for a decent price used.
 
I have to say the Orbit looks so gosh darn cool, when I have the money to spare I am TOTALLY going to get one of those.
 
I bought a refurbished 1985ish vintage Pioneer PL-514 in a pawn shop for $30, with no headshell or cartridge. Put a $35 Ortofon headshell and an $80 Ortofon 2M Red cartridge on it, and have been quite satisfied with the results. I am sure you could do something similar, assuming they have pawn shops in Canada! But if you just want to go new, another vote for the Orbit. A friend of mine is an Orbit dealer, and says for the money, they're VERY tough to beat. If I didn't already have a decent table, that's where I would be looking.
 
New, $200 is pushing it, buying new. The basic U-Turn Orbit is the only one I could recommend, but I wouldn't buy one without the upgrades that push it up to ~$300, and at that price point, you've actually got lots of choices.
 
I would get my mom to buy the cartridge and then I would buy the table. For a little over a hundred you could get a budget cart. Plus sending a cart is much cheaper than shipping a turntable and good things come in small packages.
 
Yeah I discussed it with her and told her to just give me cash for whatever she had in mind originally in price, and I will find something myself once I am back in late december/January.

Thanks for all the help guys, I am looking forward to posting back here when it's time to find me a machine, then once again to show off my setup once I have it!

I've been so excited for this for such a long time.

I saw the Orbitz is a straight arm, but I had had problems with a straightarm in the past that was made specifically for scratching. How do I know the difference? Or is there really one? I just want to make sure I don't ever damage anything, and I might as well start learning a bit more as I go so when I do go searching for my TT I have a better knowledge!
 
KevinClaus said:
Yeah I discussed it with her and told her to just give me cash for whatever she had in mind originally in price, and I will find something myself once I am back in late december/January.

Thanks for all the help guys, I am looking forward to posting back here when it's time to find me a machine, then once again to show off my setup once I have it!

I've been so excited for this for such a long time.

I saw the Orbitz is a straight arm, but I had had problems with a straightarm in the past that was made specifically for scratching. How do I know the difference? Or is there really one? I just want to make sure I don't ever damage anything, and I might as well start learning a bit more as I go so when I do go searching for my TT I have a better knowledge!
Click to expand...

Hey Kevin, the straight arm on the Stanton (or whatever DJ model, you've got) uses a Straight arm + Straight headshell combination which is a no-no. The orbit and other turntables may use a straight arm, but they use an angled headshell which allows for the correct alignment.

Where in Canada are you located if you don't mind me asking? I know a couple of stores locally (Toronto) that have nice tables in and around your price range.
 
jkilla said:
Hey Kevin, the straight arm on the Stanton (or whatever DJ model, you've got) uses a Straight arm + Straight headshell combination which is a no-no. The orbit and other turntables may use a straight arm, but they use an angled headshell which allows for the correct alignment.

Where in Canada are you located if you don't mind me asking? I know a couple of stores locally (Toronto) that have nice tables in and around your price range.
Click to expand...

Hey JKilla!

You really hit the nail on the head, it was definitely a Stanton. It's frustrating because I bought it from a record shop that specifically advertises it as something to play records with, which is why I sound so fearful in all my posts. Because whenever I go in person to a place people seem so "knowledgeable".

I am actually in the heart of Toronto. Would love to know which ones! I could easily see myself getting one before I head out for Christmas, I am so ready to listen to my albums that I've been sitting on for almost 2 years. Itching.
 
Right on, another from "The 6" as they say. (I'm on the fence about the name, some days I hate it, some days I don't).

So my opinion on the whole matter is, given your price range, going vintage is your best bet. Now it seems everyone around town is selling a vintage table but condition is always a concern, especially for newbies. I can say with confidence that two places come to mind, that sell tables that are vintage, but cleaned, polished, and repaired to excellent condition.

1. Tonality Records at Dundas and Roncesvalles. He also happens to be a U Turn orbit dealer but I think it might be out of the price range right now because of the exchange rates. He has a ton of very very good condition vintage tables here. Theres probably 6-8 sitting there ready to go home with someone.

2. Around Again Records. Over at Baldwin and McCaul (just by St. Patrick subway station) - They don't have a lot of tables, but I have seen on occasion they have stuff right in the 100-200 range. The owners are a bit on the stern side but they really know their stuff and aren't about selling their souls for the sake of a buck. Audiophiles at heart.

Bonus: There's a guy and his wife who run http://www.vintagehomeaudio.com/web/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?Id=435, I've been to their place before (you probably should call and chat to see if you can drop by, they usually are online sales only), very very friendly people. They have a small stock of new, never opened old-stock turntables. The one I linked to you is $200 down from the usual $400. (US dollars according to their listing) Check out their other turntables, it might help to chat with them to see if there's anything that fits your budget. This one is $150 USD might be nice too: http://www.vintagehomeaudio.com/web/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?Id=573

I've bought things from all of them before and I recommend getting in touch with any of these guys to see if there's something that will fit your price and needs.
 
Last edited:
I called Around Again, and they seem to have 4 different machines between $140-160 which is awesome. I am going to go take a look tomorrow.

Anything I should pay attention for, or something I should lean towards in particular?
 
KevinClaus said:
I called Around Again, and they seem to have 4 different machines between $140-160 which is awesome. I am going to go take a look tomorrow.

Anything I should pay attention for, or something I should lean towards in particular?
Click to expand...

Awesome, great to hear! Guess it boils down to what your preferences. I know the Around again tables often have some quality cartridges included along with them so thats a huge bonus.

I'd look at a few things, performance and condition firstly, then I'd look at convenience features and ease of use. Some tables have a weird thing about them that makes them hard to use or prone to mistakes or easy to break something. As far as Direct Drive vs. Belt Drive, it's a toss up. I guess belt drive is easier to maintain as usually not much goes wrong other than changing the belt once in a while. If a direct drive stops working properly, it could be harder to repair.

If you manage to get to see them, and need a second opinion, feel free to post us the model numbers of the tables.

Do you happen to have a receiver that supports turntables or a phono preamp to use btw? I didn't see you mention it in your original post. If you don't you'll need to get one!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom