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Best inexpensive turn table.

50.24.74.230
Posted on September 27, 2015 at 12:25:32
Norm
Reviewer

Posts: 31024
Joined: September 6, 2000
 My oldest grandson is off to college and wants a turntable. I really have no knowledge of inexpensive units. Is there something at $300 including tt, arm, and cartridge? Of course, recommendations of an inexpensive phono preamp also are welcomed.

 

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RE: Best inexpensive turn table., posted on September 27, 2015 at 12:46:51
Mr. Dick Hertz
 Looking for new or used? Manual or automatic? Used 'tables from Technics or Pioneer would be worth considering. You need to also consider the need for a phono input in the pre-amp or receiver for the older 'tables.

For new, the Audio Technica turntable would be an excellent choice. It has a built-in phono pre-amp and a USB connection.

 

RE: Best inexpensive turn table., posted on September 27, 2015 at 13:02:54
Uncle Mike
 Check out Craigslist and sign up to access the Vinyl Engine library. Then log onto the turntable forum at AudioKarma.
Some think every turntable is a Technics SL1200 MK II and price accordingly. You will find however a few that are reasonable and if fortunate recently maintained. Remember most of the "plastic fantastic" tables of the 80's and 90's had pretty good specs.
If you have a keen eye most belt drive tables get overlooked and offer a good value. With a motor lube, new belt and a decent but inexpensive cart.
If you live near Philadelphia I can turn you on to a fellow that does nice resotation and sells at very reasonably.

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=28

 

RE: Best inexpensive turn table., posted on September 27, 2015 at 15:11:29
spindoctor
Audiophile

Posts: 1661
Location: Virginia
Joined: December 31, 2002
 If I were heading off to school, I'd consider something like this: http://smile.amazon.com/Technica-AT-LP60-Automatic-Driven-Turntable-/dp/B008872SIO/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1443392750&sr=8-17&keywords=turntable

If he likes vinyl he can them join the rest of us musical "crazies" here in the Asylum.
Sim

P.S. I have no personal experience with this deck but it look like it would work.

 

RE: Best inexpensive turn table., posted on September 27, 2015 at 21:07:30
cjpremierfour
Audiophile

Posts: 63
Joined: August 5, 2009
 I own both the Denon dp300f and the Audio Technica AT-LP120 usb. Both these can be purchased for less than $300. They both have built-in phono amps. The Denon is an automatic where the lp120 is a manual. The lp120 does have an usb option and comes stock with a better cartridge.

 

RE: Best inexpensive turn table., posted on September 28, 2015 at 07:23:22
geezerrocket



$299






 

RE: Best inexpensive turn table., posted on September 28, 2015 at 07:48:18
daleda
Audiophile

Posts: 741
Joined: March 6, 2002
 Go to link below - this is your easiest solution - one stop shop and they get high marks for their design and customer service.

 

Pioneer PL-12D ...., posted on September 29, 2015 at 15:52:53
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 13131
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 Since this is the Vintage Forum, I thought a vintage recommendation was in order ...the Pioneer PL-12D.

This was my first table. Cost me $100. Today they fetch about the same and they run circles around new tables that costs 3 times as much. A buddy of mine did not believe my advice and bought a Music Hall 2.2 ($450) and now uses a Pioneer PL-12D I found for him on Craigslist for $50.

Its a very simple table, so little can go wrong. If you can find one in excellent cosmetic condition than you can reasonably rest assured it was not abused. Change the belt and it will be good to go for another 20/30 years.

See link below.

Best of luck.

Dean.




reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

RE: Pioneer PL-12D ...., posted on September 30, 2015 at 08:07:26
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 I have a PL-115D, which is very similar, and I have seen the PL-12D. I think any of these vintage Pioneer, Sansui, Kenwood, JVC, Technics etc. belt drive turntables would be very appropriate. They are well built, have nice arms, and are ignored by the audiophile community, so they can be had cheap.

Another table to consider is the Technics P-mount belt and direct drive tables. These came out in the late days of vinyl's supposed demise and are much better built than the competition. With a Shure, Grado, Stanton, Pickering or Audio-Technica P-mount cartridge, they can sound surprisingly good. If you can find an NOS Empire, maybe even better. They made a ton of these tables, so they are easy to find and cheap.

Dave

 

+331/3, posted on September 30, 2015 at 08:47:59
merdy
Audiophile

Posts: 1625
Location: New paltz,ny
Joined: July 25, 2001
 yes i have that as well as a sansui sr 212 and an ar xa , i prefer all of them than any new tt under $1000
the tone arms on the japanese tt are really well built , i am rebuilding another sansui 212 it is a real sleeper as more people look for pioneer etc
Silence is golden duct tape is silver

 

Sansui turntables, posted on September 30, 2015 at 09:09:54
spindoctor
Audiophile

Posts: 1661
Location: Virginia
Joined: December 31, 2002
 I have a Sansui FR4060 turntable that I also rebuilt including a new custom plinth. It's and outstanding deck with great sound and reliability. I think the Sansei turntables are a great value and often overlooked.

Sim

 

3rd! (nt), posted on September 30, 2015 at 15:07:37
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001

 

Impossible to answer, posted on October 3, 2015 at 13:18:13
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6599
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 Norm, since you posted in Vintage I may assume you are looking for used. And that is impossible to answer. It depends entirely on what might be found in your area at the time you are looking.

Years ago I was helping friends assemble a system on a strict budget. I happen to find a Sansui (possibly the 212 mentioned by merdy) at a yard sale for $20! It worked fine, including a good belt. So I installed a new Shure or AT cartridge (cost <$100) and they were in good shape.

Does that mean I should recommend a Sansui to you? No! It depends on what you can find: a) from a list of decent tables, b) in good condition, c) for a reasonable price (which only you can determine). You could spend weeks looking for a specific recommended table while other decent candidates were passed by.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

RE: Best inexpensive turn table., posted on October 3, 2015 at 17:21:24
4Play
Audiophile

Posts: 40
Location: WV
Joined: August 20, 2015
 For a manual turntable, a U-turn Orbit will be your best choice. The basic Orbit is $179 and go up to $350 with everything.

For a good automatic, I would recommend the Denon DP-300F. I bought mine through Needle Doctor, and I upgraded the standard cartridge to an Ortofon 2M Red. I would highly recommend getting the 2M Red. Getting the Red, your grandson can buy the Blue stylus and interchange, which will be like having two cartridges for one turntable. I would recommend not using the built in preamp.

A good phono preamp would be the Emotiva XPS-1. I've had mine for over 18 months with no issues. It is compatible for MM and MC cartridges. Comes with a five year warranty and thirty day home trial. This is the best phono preamp for the money.

Either tble and the XPS-1 will last your grandson for many years.

 

RE: Impossible to answer, posted on October 7, 2015 at 07:57:23
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 Great tables are hard to find but decent tables are plentiful. I have a collection of great tables, but I could live happily with a decent table.

Dave

 

At $300 - That's the best Option [nt], posted on October 8, 2015 at 20:30:15
Newey
Audiophile

Posts: 537
Location: Chicago
Joined: December 26, 2012
 g
Severius! Supremus Invictus

 

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