Help me find a record player.

[DipDipDive]

I have no fucking clue what I'm doing.

I'd obviously like optimal sound quality but don't need anything super extravagant. Aesthetically, I like the looks of thissun here (http://www.7gadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/record-digital-audio-body.jpg). I also love this one. (http://kieselaymon.com/wp-content/uploads/kieselaymon.com/2009/06/Steepletone-Norwich-Record-Player-78-RPM-Dark-Oak_0_0_EJLJ.jpg)

I enjoy the idea of going vintage but am concerned I'll end up with a lemon since I know very little about these devices.

Can I find something nice for $250 or less? Where should I be shopping? Plz to help? :o

[The Notorious LOL]

. (http://www.yelp.com/biz/jerry-raskins-needle-doctor-minneapolis)

[mikizee]

a thing to note -

If you will be connecting it up to a reasonably modern stereo system, chances are there will not be a 'phono' input. (if there is, disregard everything I say below).

Turntables arent like a cd player, you cant connect them straight up to your hifi as they need a phono pre amp to bring the signal up to line level.

So you will need to also buy a separate phono stage, unless of course the turntable comes with one inbuilt, as some cheap ones do.

They do however sound like poo.

Let it also be known that I am a thru and thru hifi snob and regard any separate phono stage under $500 to sound like poo.

[DipDipDive]

Yup. That was pretty much like reading a foreign language. :(

I don't have a stereo system. I'm probably going to purchase a player with built-in phono stage (I think...um...) for space efficiency and cost effectiveness. Like I said, I don't need anything fancy, just something I can use from time to time to prevent the very few records I own from just sitting around collecting dust.

[Dorothy Wood]

sometimes old self-contained school players sound kinda neat. not great, but old tymey. pleasant I think. cort has one.


oohs, get this! http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Deco-Motorola-Stereophonic-Record-Player_W0QQitemZ370233308549QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVin tage_Electronics_R2?hash=item56339ff585&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[Dorothy Wood]

oh this one is what I meant originally though: http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-CALIFONE-1010AV-RECORD-PLAYER-W-CASE_W0QQitemZ150360989514QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVinta ge_Electronics_R2?hash=item2302369f4a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14


the description is hilarious. and the item is in "Burt, United States". ha ha.

[mikizee]

I would not get that ^.

Chances are the belt is degraded and old and more importantly, the needle would be old and fucked, and would damage your records!

The main thing is that when you get one, buy a new stylus (needle) for it. And make sure your tonearm is set up and weighted properly.

You do not want to damage your records!

edit - dorothy's first post was the one I was referring to.

[DipDipDive]

sometimes old self-contained school players sound kinda neat. not great, but old tymey. pleasant I think. cort has one.


oohs, get this! http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Deco-Motorola-Stereophonic-Record-Player_W0QQitemZ370233308549QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVin tage_Electronics_R2?hash=item56339ff585&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Yeah, see, that's the kind of thing I'm after, I just want it to be as mint as possible. I'd be concerned about purchasing a vintage system online because even though a set that old isn't going to sound amazing, I'd still want it to actually, ya know, work.

I bet that thing smells good. Like a grandpa, but in a good way.

I had a player like that but I gave it to a friend. It only cost $25 but I never used it because one of the speakers didn't work and I was too lazy to get it fixed.

[mikizee]

Something like this (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Sony-PSLX300USB-Turntable-with-USB-New-Never-Opened_W0QQitemZ120450514667QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_ Electronics_Home_Audio_Turntables?hash=item1c0b68f eeb&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1|66%3A2|39%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50) would be perfect. Obviously this one is in Australia but you could do a search of the model number on your ebay site.

Oh yeah, do u need speakers and an amp as well?

[mickill]

You'll need an amplifier to plug that first one into. And speakers, of course. That second one looks like it has a built in amp/tuner and speakers. But it probably sounds like an impressive clock radio.

Have you tried craigslist or local second hand stores? Assuming you're neither a serious audiophile or an aspiring dj, you really don't need to spend a lot. If you want to go the components route, you could probably find a new turntable in the $150-$350 range that would be more than adequate, and between the amp and speakers, you should only be looking at another $500 or so. That's for a decent middle of the road system. And you could always add a cd player to that. But again, you could pick all these things up used for much less.

Here's my advice: just pop by your local Best Buy or what have you, go to the section where they keep the stereos and tell them you need something with hi-fi. Just say, Look, I don't need nothing fancy, but it's got to have superior fidelity. And ask for dolby surround sound, so they really know you mean business.

[skra75]

Technics 1200's are good, everyone has them but they are universally servicable and reliable like a CJ-7 Jeep, and are iconic and fly. I have an old American DJ belt drive 1200 clone and it's done me fine for years. I also have a Numark TTX. I know someone who has a Numark PT-01 which is neat-o bc you can put it in a record bag.

It's more important to spend your cash on a good needle and shielded cables than it is to buy a state-of-the-art dj turntable (like a TTX) if you're just casually listening to old vinyl imo

[mickill]

1200s are like $700. She's too thrifty for those.

[Freebasser]

It's all just dead crabs at the end of the day.

[RobMoney$]

a thing to note -

If you will be connecting it up to a reasonably modern stereo system, chances are there will not be a 'phono' input. (if there is, disregard everything I say below).

Turntables arent like a cd player, you cant connect them straight up to your hifi as they need a phono pre amp to bring the signal up to line level.

So you will need to also buy a separate phono stage, unless of course the turntable comes with one inbuilt, as some cheap ones do.

They do however sound like poo.

Let it also be known that I am a thru and thru hifi snob and regard any separate phono stage under $500 to sound like poo.


I usually suggest getting an inexpensive mixer if you don't have a PHONO input.
You can get a mixer with sampling capabilities for about $100 used.

[jabumbo]

i think i've done two of these threads and still don't have one

[Documad]

If you like the records and if they're in good shape, be careful what you play them on. A bad needle can ruin them. I have a good quality turntable hooked up to my old stereo (thank god I invested in this stuff instead of buying the early CD players). I also have a shitty quality all in one box record player that I use to play my dad's beat up records.