Turntables

[Too Tall]

I've got me a real live workout studio in the making. We have finally cleared out our addition and I've re-discovered a darn nice integrated amp. so it's time to bust out my record collection. Unfortunately, I've long since given away my Thorens turntable :(
Recommend a reasonable turntable that is < $300 and speakers to go with for < $500 It's a challenge right?

Here is what I'm coming up with for a turntable: Audio-Technica LP120 USB Turntable.

Save me from myself.

[Britishbane]

I've got me a real live workout studio in the making. We have finally cleared out our addition and I've re-discovered a darn nice integrated amp. so it's time to bust out my record collection. Unfortunately, I've long since given away my Thorens turntable :(
Recommend a reasonable turntable that is < $300 and speakers to go with for < $500 It's a challenge right?

Here is what I'm coming up with for a turntable: Audio-Technica LP120 USB Turntable.

Save me from myself.

TT, are you willing to look for a used turntable? Or you looking for a point and click solution?

Also, I've never heard a USB turntable worth a damn. If you're looking to archive your records there are other options that'll do a better job (ATMO) for little money. Again, if simplicity is what youre after get I get it.

[NYCfixie]

I've got me a real live workout studio in the making. We have finally cleared out our addition and I've re-discovered a darn nice integrated amp. so it's time to bust out my record collection. Unfortunately, I've long since given away my Thorens turntable :(
Recommend a reasonable turntable that is < $300 and speakers to go with for < $500 It's a challenge right?

Here is what I'm coming up with for a turntable: Audio-Technica LP120 USB Turntable.

Save me from myself.

I sold mine a a few years ago but it was amazing for the price:
http://www.rega.co.uk/rp3.html


(I am a recovering audiophile snob)

[xjoex]

It is by no means high end, but man I loved this Numark PT01 PORTABLE TURNTABLE | Numark - Cutting-edge professional DJ equipment . Nothing fancy, it does have an integrated amp so you don't need to put it in the turntable inputs on your amp. It looks like it is discontinued. The new one has USB built in. Once again.... not high end. But Take Five by Brubek sounded great on it.

-Joe

[MarkC]

The U-Turn orbit looks kinda neat. Haven't heard one though.

Pro-Ject is always good at the low end.


There is a butt load of fun little speakers out there. I've always liked the little Warfedale's. Been thinking about a pair of the little Audioengine powered speakers for the pain cave here.

[FSonicSmith]

I know tables. All in all, the Rega RP-1 is the way to go. It's a hundred bucks more than your budget but just do it. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is at $350 but the Rega has a better tonearm and motor. Just keep this in mind-with turntables and novices, it is critical to level the table and set up the cartridge properly. Buy from a bricks and mortar store that really knows tables and you will come out ahead. Have them set up your table for you and show you how to do it next time. Buy Mikey Fremer's video.

[jonathanb]

If you go to audio advisor.com, you can find both a good turntable and nice speakers that will be within your budget. If I were you, I'd increase the turntable budget by $100 in order to get a nicer deck. Then I would rationalize that increasing the overall budget by $100 is no big deal and get ~$500 speakers.

[NYCfixie]

If you go to audio advisor.com, you can find both a good turntable and nice speakers that will be within your budget. If I were you, I'd increase the turntable budget by $100 in order to get a nicer deck. Then I would rationalize that increasing the overall budget by $100 is no big deal and get ~$500 speakers.

From what I remember in my audiophile days, they always said budget should be spent up front on inputs and the least on speakers: crap in = crap out.

Most = turntable
Medium = amp
Least = speakers

A great turntable will make decent speakers sound best but a crappy turntable will make great speakers sound like junk.

[NYCfixie]

There is a butt load of fun little speakers out there. I've always liked the little Warfedale's. Been thinking about a pair of the little Audioengine powered speakers for the pain cave here.

So interesting, this thread is pulling together my first audiophile system (pre-CD):
- Planar 3 turntable http://www.rega.co.uk/rp3.html
- Creek Audio integrated amp Creek Audio's range of integrated amplifiers | Creek Audio Ltd
- Wharfedale Diamond speakers Diamond 10 | Wharfedale Hi-Fi
And really good cables.

All following the model:
input(s) = highest cost
Amp(s) = medium cost
Speakers = lowest cost
Cables = percentage of other equipment costs


I love trips down memory lane.

[maunahaole]

Can we start to talk about monster cable now?

[alexstar]

I've got Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s and they've been great for the last decade. Not much to speak of in the lower register, but they fill a room just fine and the high end sounds fantastic. Can't go wrong with them IMO.

For a turntable, I'd buy the Rega, but the Pro-Ject and Music Hall stuff looks pretty good too.

[NYCfixie]

Can we start to talk about monster cable now?

I assume this is a joke. No self-respecting audiophile would use monster cables.

[spopepro]

Toots, what's your integrated? Do you happen to know the gain on the phono stage? Probably doesn't matter at this price point, but it's worth keeping in mind. Also, are you looking for floor standing speakers, or bookshelfs? Also, do you only want to play 33 1/3s, or will you also need 45s or even 78s? Also...

Generally speaking, the best setup on a budget I think is Pro-ject debut 3, which comes with a nice cartridge and even has both pullies installed for 33 and 45rpm. It's kind of what the budget regas used to be back when rega made legitimately budget stuff. Can be found for $325 without too much effort.

For speakers... here's where I'll blow peoples minds. Get these: Pioneer 4" Bookshelf Speakers Pair SP-BS22-LR - Best Buy for bookshelves and Pioneer 514" Floor Speaker Each SP-FS52 - Best Buy for floorstanders. Yes, that's a link to best buy. Yes, they are $130. They are *awesome*. Turns out Pioneer, through the connections of the parent companies, got Andrew Jones to design a set of the best he could at a price point and to make it up in volume. You can read about his $30k speakers here, which is his more standard circles. You will have to spend much, much more to get something as nice as these are.

As always, spend the rest on music. I just got the beatles mono vinyl box. It's really amazing, and fun to listen to.

[Jklash]

If you're looking to go new, its hard to go wrong with Rega, Pro-Ject, or Music Hall. They're easy to set-up, all essentially variations on the same design, and sound great for the price. If you don't want to make a big deal of it, just pick the one that fits your financial and aesthetic criteria/restraints and enjoy it. I'm listening to Blood on The Tracks on one of these as I type this:

xpressionc_1.jpg

On the other hand, if you want to maximize the your sound quality for your dollar, used is probably the way to go. You can likely find a replacement for your Thorens for a similar price. It'll likely take a quite a bit more time and effort, but depending on your perspective, it might be worth it.

[Too Tall]

Every reply rocks my world thanks. I'm willing to spend for a better turntable and am very intrigued with
spopepro's speaker recommend. I've got some very old Avid's that need rebuilding. If I can find a local to do that I might go that route.
Actually the USB is not something I need.

[jitahs]

I've written about the Andrew Jones stuff here before...I have the sub, it's a tight musical piece, not a boomy show piece. Bill Evans and Charlie Haden on it right now, zero complaints on this November night.

[Jklash]

Given the focus of the forum, when it comes to speakers, I feel compelled to offer up a good, handmade option.

Blumenstein Audio

Blumenstein makes lovely, sustainably handmade speakers out of Seattle Washington. I don't own a set, but I've auditioned a couple of pairs and they're on my short list for my next speakers. To my ears, they have a very pleasant sound and they're even more beautiful in person. Plus, much like when you're buying a handmade frame, you're also buying a little bit of Clark and Molly Blumenstein, who struck me as kindred souls.

Orca Deluxe.jpg

[Gattonero]

I've got me a real live workout studio in the making. We have finally cleared out our addition and I've re-discovered a darn nice integrated amp. so it's time to bust out my record collection. Unfortunately, I've long since given away my Thorens turntable :(
Recommend a reasonable turntable that is < $300 and speakers to go with for < $500 It's a challenge right?

Here is what I'm coming up with for a turntable: Audio-Technica LP120 USB Turntable.

Save me from myself.

Try to find a used Rega P3 with an RB200 at least.
I do not see any point in spending little money now, and upgrading next year.
Also, it is vital to go in the direction of the music you listen more frequently.

Rega or Pro-Ject make good stuff, pair them with a Grado or Stanton or Shure cartridge, to extract the best from your vinyls.

I don't know how much can it end up with US prices.
For me, the minimum to survive is dictated by the lack of space in London's dwellings. Whenever I will move and have more room, will think about an upgrade.
I bought everything used, and I think I've stayed within £500:
-Rega P3 with RB300 tonearm
-Grado Gold (mm) cartridge
-DIY cables (thanks to TNT-Audio, btw the director is a keen cyclist)
-Rotel RA921 integrated amp
-Mission speakers
-Decca carbon-brush for the vinyls
-last but not least: I cannot think of setting up a turntable without the Hi-Fi New Test LP, it is absolutely essential for a good cartridge and tonearm alignment.

[TTX1]

So glad I read through before responding. I was about to unload re: USB.

Here's $0.02 instead of a full $0.05...

Check out the Numark TTX1 (ahem) - it was one of the first, if not the first, deck available with digital out (SPDIF).

Depending on what you're trying to achieve, it might be worth a look as these decks trade well below their original SRP on craigs and fleabay these days.

Audiophiles will scoff at the mere suggestion of a direct drive TT, but these decks are full of dampening material - very heavy - and have a very, very high torque motor with fine pitch control. Construction is robust and many a pro DJ has used these in studios and clubs around the world.

The TTX1 is the Gualzetti Corsa of TTs, atmo... If you can make use of the SPIDF optical output, it might be worth a look.

Numark also offered/offers USB decks, but typically de-featured the overall spec relative to the TTX1 in later models.

[Gattonero]

Why an optical output, unless doing a certain amount of Analogue/digital conversion? Why the need of a pitch control?
It all sounds like those carbon frames full of blahblahblah and funny tubing shape; when you can achieve the same (if not better), with a simple design of frame and tubing?