- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
educate me on record players
Posted on 8/3/14 at 5:03 pm
Posted on 8/3/14 at 5:03 pm
So my girlfriend really killed it for my birthday this year, and she wants a record player for hers (coming up soon). I'm an audiophile for sure, but I know very little about record players. I want to get her a nice set up because it's something I'm into too and I've got a bunch of good vinyls that I never get to hear.
My budget isn't strict, but I'm not trying to spend $2500 on a setup. I've been looking at the Audio Technica LP120 and people seem to have a lot of good things to say about it. What else do I need besides the player? Just a receiver and speakers?
My old man has an old Marantz receiver, but I don't know where it is and it probably needs new tubes. I'd rather get her a new one in good shape...but not looking to get crappy Best Buy kind of stuff. Could you guys recommend a receiver and speakers? Or other turntables? I'd really like to get a Sondek...but like I said...little out of my range.
Thanks.
My budget isn't strict, but I'm not trying to spend $2500 on a setup. I've been looking at the Audio Technica LP120 and people seem to have a lot of good things to say about it. What else do I need besides the player? Just a receiver and speakers?
My old man has an old Marantz receiver, but I don't know where it is and it probably needs new tubes. I'd rather get her a new one in good shape...but not looking to get crappy Best Buy kind of stuff. Could you guys recommend a receiver and speakers? Or other turntables? I'd really like to get a Sondek...but like I said...little out of my range.
Thanks.
9
Posted on 8/3/14 at 6:09 pm to bluemoons
Rega puts out a good turntable you should find one you like. If you buy a Rega buy this with it REGA - TT-PSU 2.
If your dad has a tube Marantz from the late 60's early 70's get it refurbished those were really good amps plus it should have a phono in.
edit: If you want natural sound Zu makes very natural sounding speakers I want these Omen Def .
Omen Def [Mk.I-B] Quick Specs
Height: 47” [119.5cm]
Footprint: 12 x 12” [30.5 x 30.5cm]
Weight: 78 pounds [36kg] each
Bandwidth: 30 – 25kHz
Efficiency: 100 dB SPL 1W, 1m
Impedance: 8 ohm
Power Amp Range: 2 – 400 watt
Made In Ogden, Utah—U.S.A.
If your dad has a tube Marantz from the late 60's early 70's get it refurbished those were really good amps plus it should have a phono in.
edit: If you want natural sound Zu makes very natural sounding speakers I want these Omen Def .
Omen Def [Mk.I-B] Quick Specs
Height: 47” [119.5cm]
Footprint: 12 x 12” [30.5 x 30.5cm]
Weight: 78 pounds [36kg] each
Bandwidth: 30 – 25kHz
Efficiency: 100 dB SPL 1W, 1m
Impedance: 8 ohm
Power Amp Range: 2 – 400 watt
Made In Ogden, Utah—U.S.A.
This post was edited on 8/3/14 at 9:56 pm
Posted on 8/3/14 at 6:27 pm to bluemoons
If you don't want to go expensive, then go vintage. I love those little record players in a box w/ built-in speakers. A big part of the charm of vinyl for me is the timeless aesthetic to it.
Google "record player in a box and Target."
If that's too lo-fi and you're ambitious, Google the old Firestone cabinets.
Google "record player in a box and Target."
If that's too lo-fi and you're ambitious, Google the old Firestone cabinets.
This post was edited on 8/3/14 at 6:29 pm
Posted on 8/3/14 at 6:38 pm to bluemoons
Hipster etc...
Posted on 8/3/14 at 6:52 pm to shutterspeed
I really just want it for true analog sound. Can't beat it IMO. So I don't mind spending some money. I looked at the all-in-one deals and they're not really what I'm looking for. Ideally this is something we'd both be able to get into, and I don't want to spend money just to go upgrade soon.
On my phone now, but I'll check out the Rega stuff ASAP.
On my phone now, but I'll check out the Rega stuff ASAP.
Posted on 8/3/14 at 7:35 pm to bluemoons
I've found Craigslist to be a good source for both vintage and current record players.
Posted on 8/3/14 at 8:43 pm to bluemoons
I'm a firm believer that a nice vintage TT is better than anything you can buy today...unless you're willing to dish out about $3,000 for the TT and cartridge. Here's the deal on a vintage TT, stick with a high end Japanese brand and never ever get a belt driven unit ; they usually have a floating chassis and the performance suffers (Direct Drive tables are better).
Best vintage TT you can get for the money is a Kenwood KD990. If you find one in good shape, it should go for $500-$700. This thing blows most $3,000 tables out the water.
As for speakers, I'm partial to a good set of Bose 901s (anything pass Series III) with the equalizer. That's just my taste.
As for amp. I'll go with the another poster who recommended a refurnished McIntosh tube amp/tuner.
Best vintage TT you can get for the money is a Kenwood KD990. If you find one in good shape, it should go for $500-$700. This thing blows most $3,000 tables out the water.
As for speakers, I'm partial to a good set of Bose 901s (anything pass Series III) with the equalizer. That's just my taste.
As for amp. I'll go with the another poster who recommended a refurnished McIntosh tube amp/tuner.
This post was edited on 8/4/14 at 6:43 am
Posted on 8/4/14 at 2:56 am to bluemoons
since no one has said it yet, you either need a relatively expensive new receiver or an old one that has a phono input. Phono outputs will not go into a regular aux inout.
Posted on 8/4/14 at 7:49 am to bluemoons
The tubes on that old Marantz are probably fine, but it may need a good cleaning of the pots. It's really simple. Just take the cover off and a few squirts of de-oxit contact cleaner in the back of all the knobs and switches and it'll be running good as new. I did it to my old Marantz a few years ago.
I'm a vintage fan. I'm running an old Pioneer turntable through a mold Marantz receiver in my basement, and an old Trchnics turntable through an old Pioneer receiver in my garage.
I'm a vintage fan. I'm running an old Pioneer turntable through a mold Marantz receiver in my basement, and an old Trchnics turntable through an old Pioneer receiver in my garage.
Posted on 8/4/14 at 10:29 am to The Spleen
quote:
The tubes on that old Marantz are probably fine, but it may need a good cleaning of the pots. It's really simple. Just take the cover off and a few squirts of de-oxit contact cleaner in the back of all the knobs and switches and it'll be running good as new. I did it to my old Marantz a few years ago.
Listen to this guy. You need to find that Marantz and report back what model it is. It could be worth a lot. I've done repairs and restores on several 70's Marantz receivers. Sometimes all they need is a cleaning, which anyone can do.
Posted on 8/4/14 at 11:37 am to SUB
It's a 2245. It's a good receiver. I just don't know what kind of shape it's in.
Posted on 8/4/14 at 1:46 pm to bluemoons
That's a good one. I would try to salvage it. If you think its in too bad of shape, I can take it off your hands. 
Posted on 8/4/14 at 1:55 pm to SUB
If the Marantz needs work, who can I talk to around Baton Rouge or New Orleans to do some work on it?
Posted on 8/4/14 at 3:14 pm to bluemoons
No idea. I live in Austin. There is a great messageboard that I can refer you to - Audiokarma.
LINK
The people there are nice and have helped me fix several receivers myself, and I'm a novice. It's a good idea to post any issues you are having on there first before bringing it to someone, because it's not cheap to have a tech do it.
LINK
The people there are nice and have helped me fix several receivers myself, and I'm a novice. It's a good idea to post any issues you are having on there first before bringing it to someone, because it's not cheap to have a tech do it.
Posted on 8/4/14 at 4:38 pm to bluemoons
quote:
I'm an audiophile for sure
What kind of gear do you own?
Posted on 8/4/14 at 4:45 pm to Lsut81
Step 1: Don't call it a Record Player unless you are like 85
It's called a turntable.
It's called a turntable.
Posted on 8/4/14 at 7:45 pm to Lsut81
quote:
What kind of gear do you have?
Here is my rig...
The turntable is a VPI Aries 3 with a Lyra cartridge...btw.
Posted on 8/4/14 at 7:50 pm to bluemoons
Just looked at that Audio Technica LP120 you mentioned in your post. If you're going new, that looks like a really nice choice. Well worth the $250 it cost.
Posted on 8/4/14 at 7:55 pm to adono
The Pro-Ject Debut 3 Carbon with the Ortofon 2M Red cartridge is fantastic for the $$$...$400 retail and can be had new for about $350 delivered.
I have one in a second system and it holds its own against some of the big gun 'tables.
I have one in a second system and it holds its own against some of the big gun 'tables.
Page 1 of 4
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News