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I bought an old Sony PS-LX410 a couple years ago when I started getting into vinyl. I didn't want to make a huge investment at that time.
Two years later I realize this is legit, and I am ready to upgrade.
My budget is about $700 including cart. (I realize that is still not a lot of money in the grand scheme of TT's)
My local dealer has the Rega RP1 with performance pack (upgraded cart, drive belt and mat) for $650.
Would I be better off with the RP1 with performance pack or buying something used in the $700 range.
P.S. I would prefer to buy new, but am flexible if a much better sound is available used.
Thanks in advance!
Follow Ups:
looks like a lot of possibilities out there. I can heartily recommend the rega, thorens, VPI and will not comment on the 1200.
Hi,
You will always do better performance per dollar value used. The first owner always takes the hit. Usually used should go for half the average selling price so you can gett better performance for the same or less money.
Lok at the VPI HW19. It is a really good table for what you will pay. Also another good deal is usually on the Sotas. Along with the Basis they are the mainstream deals.
I'm sure the Rega is a good table but for what you will pay it seems like entry level but that's not to say some opf the entry level tabvles aren't as good as the upper models.
Once you get to a certain level of performance the gains from more expensive is usally insignificant unless you go way higher, and that is even suggestive. So, if anyone says that something blows away another, I would tell them to start seeing somebody in white coats to talk to.
Again, just my opinion!
Thanks for all the responses.
The more I research it, the more nervous I get about buying a used tt and having shipped. I know a lot of guys, especially on these forums, know how to properly pack/ship equipment, but a tt just seems sketchy to me.
At this point I'll probably keep an eye out for a local deal (keeping in mind all the suggestions), or save a little longer for the new RP3.
Thanks all...
What is the more accurate location? In Chicagoland, there are local deals to be found where you could inspect the table before paying.
I'm in Wisconsin. Chicago is about an 8 hour roundtrip. Madison and Milwaukee are 40 and 90 minutes, however, and I have been scouring CL.
A guy I know has a friend (I know...) who is selling a pro-ject 2.9 wood with a Sumiko Blue Point No2 cart. I've seen pictures and it is in minty condition. He is from an audio club about 2 hours away from me. I would be able to audition it.
I havn't gotten a price yet, but would that be a good option?
I listened it once in Chicago store and was not particularly impressed, but it was unfamiliar setting.
Blue Point I, II, III and to infinity - Avoid like a plague, he should pay you to take it unless you want your ears bleeding. I am exaggerating, but you got the point.
Going to audition the 2.9 on Sunday. He is looking for $500 with two extra belts and an upgraded slip mat.
What cart would sound better in the $200 than the blue point?
Went with the Pro-ject 2.9 Wood. Very comfortable with the seller and it sounded great in my system. I also really like the look. I know everyone has their tastes, but this was perfect for me and easily in my price range.
Now back to the music.
Thanks all for the thoughts!
a vpi, see link.
...regards...tr
...which BTW I've visited regularly these past horrror-story filled weeks, works fine and hasn't infected my PC. Trading there as well as here requires phone calls to the seller to get a "vibe" and nail down details. No phone call, no trade. If you make arrangements off-site, that's your business (and good sense).
A TD-125 and a Nottingham Horizon, both under $500.
Haven't heard the Nott but the TD-125 I listened to vs. a Scout was a dead heat.
Keep in mind that the table for 450.00 doesn't include an arm. However, the Horizon for 700.00 does. And I agree, that would be a great value in his price range.
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
a Rega 300, which is a good arm. The nott may be a better table though, I am nott familiar with it! I don't know what the noise is about audiogon, virtually every piece of gear in my system is from audiogon, all excellent, very good prices and no problems with any of the sellers, and all bought within the last year. I would recommend audiogon. I also recommend paypal, if you do have a problem, paypal will help to resolve it...
"I am the original owner of this turntable.It works perfectly.Replaced the drive motor a few months ago.Armboard for Rega arm.Used in a smoke free pet free room."
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
Edits: 03/19/12 03/19/12 03/19/12
as the link that tommy provided clearly states Rega RB300, this is the audio asylum ad he has linked...
This would easily beat the RP-1.
Opus 104
The used market will almost always improve the value you get for your money. For example, the price of an RP1 with performance pack would get you something like a P25, if we're talking Rega. You could perhaps get a used VPI HW-19 with no tonearm and put a Rega RB251 tonearm on it and have a nice setup.
Even if you don't get a great bargain on a Technics SL-1200, they're pretty good value. I've seen non-DJ'd examples for under $500 on Craigslist. That would still leave you a decent cartridge budget.
But if you want it for way less see our Audio Asylum Trader.
It is worth that money IMHO.
(Not affiliated with seller and other blah blah.)
But, if you are patient, you can get better for about 700 on the used market. With SL1200 you have to be very careful that it is not beaten up DJ table. And you will need to change at least tonearm wire, otherwise, forget it.
Possibly a used Technics SL1200 in good condition, one that hasn't seen "DJ duty".
Of course not all Technics SL-1200s were bought by DJs. Not all DJs are knuckle-dragging coke-snorting troglodytes who viciously abuse their gear for kicks.
The OP questions whether a used SL-1200 will sound better than a Rega RP1? Depends.... better to trust one's own ears, it's very subjective.
One things for certain, the two turntables are radically different. I own and use a modified SL-1200 and like it for its performance and features:
-Quartz locked speed accuracy
-No discernable wow & flutter or rumble
-Plus/minus 8% pitch control
-Instant start/stop of platter
-Adjustable VTA
-Fast & easy cartridge swapping
-Built in strobe
-Change speed at push of button
-78 RPM capable (with mod)
-Excellent build quality
-Superb sound quality
And the Rega offers???........
Of your list numbers 1,2,3,4,7, and (arguably) 8 and 9 are no never minds.
The Rega definitely has (arguably) 10 and (definitely) 11.
Oz
Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
There's three on my local CL, but they all look DJ'd. I'll keep my eyes open. Would a used Technics sound better than the new Rega?
These things are built like tanks! They can endure a LOT of abuse just fine. Further, for a trivial amount you can replace the tonearm and bearing. Both are very simple to do. I think they both cost $50 each. OR, you could replace them with a rewired tonearm with cardas ($150) and the applied fidelity bearing (I think $250) when your budget allows. Unless the table has really been abused the bearing and tonearm are the only things that wear. Just buy one that looks like its been reasonably cared for, and replace or upgrade those parts down the road. You'll never regret it or look back. In my humble estimation you can do no better than the technics 1200 anywhere near $1000. I've upgraded the tonearm wire, the bearing, disabled the strobe and added a damping trough. All together the mods cost ~$650. I would put my table against just about anything at any cost, and you can add them at your leisure. Eventually I'm sure it would get stomped buy I've not heard a better table yet.
Whatever that is worth.
Nate
You can't cheat an honest man and never smarten up a chump -- W.C. Fields
the question of whether a rega or a 1200 sounds better has been the source of intense wars of words here and elsewhere.
imho, both sound great, are classic and you cant go wrong either way.
-andre d
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