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Turntable Recommendations?

Posted on 11/18/16 at 1:32 pm
Posted by BigOrangeVols
Knoxville
Member since Jul 2015
3082 posts
Posted on 11/18/16 at 1:32 pm
I'm currently looking to upgrade players as the one I currently have (a target-brand crosby look-alike) skips like crazy on any new albums I buy which is absolutely infuriating.

I've looked into a few brands (Audio technica lp60, Stanton, etc) but am finding so many different mixed reviews online. I'm looking for a table that produces good-quality sound and that first-and-foremost tracks well and won't skip. I'd like to keep it at/under $300, any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!
This post was edited on 11/18/16 at 1:38 pm
Posted by lacajun069
franklinton
Member since Sep 2008
2198 posts
Posted on 11/18/16 at 1:38 pm to
Go to PSSL>com and look at the new Numark that is a Techniques know off. I believe Denon cameout with one last year also.
Posted by moon
USA
Member since Dec 2010
2703 posts
Posted on 11/18/16 at 1:52 pm to
I'm a DJ and own 4 Technics SL1200. They are all direct drive.

I hear audiophiles say belt drive TTs are better for the listening experience.

It all depends on how anal you are.

All of my 1200s are dead silent for what I'm listening on and listening to.

Pioneer just came out with a knock off of the SL1200. It's decent.

Just make sure you buy a good cartridge to go along with it and you'll be fine IMO

Look at Ortofon regarding that. I've been using them for 20+ years.
Posted by HebertFest08
The Coast
Member since Aug 2008
6568 posts
Posted on 11/18/16 at 1:59 pm to
Go to music direct. Look at the Pro-Ject debut carbon. May be able to find one for that price.

I researched the frick out of this. I'd spend a few more dollars and get the pro ject
Posted by logjamming
Member since Feb 2014
8313 posts
Posted on 11/18/16 at 3:37 pm to
LINK

That thread has some good advice. You'll see input on gear from various price ranges.

Personally, I have the U-Turn Orbit plus. It was right around $300, you'll need a phono input on the receiver, or a preamp. U-Turn makes a cool little one for $99.

The base model and preamp will set you back right around $300.


Also, the Project Debut seems to be the standard entry level table. I don't have experience with it but I've heard nothing but great reviews.
Posted by SUB
Silver Tier TD Premium
Member since Jan 2009
26319 posts
Posted on 11/18/16 at 3:48 pm to
This may be a dumb question, but have you tried adjusting your counter weight to see if that helps with the skipping?
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
96252 posts
Posted on 11/18/16 at 9:56 pm to
quote:

I'm a DJ




In all seriousness, Technics never stopped making turntables. I'm with you, too - if it's up to me, I would go direct drive all the way.

quote:

Pioneer


Also would be my second choice of brand.

quote:

Just make sure you buy a good cartridge to go along with it and you'll be fine


Yep.

quote:

Ortofon


Or Audio-technica.

Either one and you're good to go.
This post was edited on 11/18/16 at 9:59 pm
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11880 posts
Posted on 11/18/16 at 10:30 pm to
As far as tables go, ProJect Debut Carbon.

Why?

First...Well, it is a well built table with some heft--something I preach ad nauseum in the vinyl thread. A light table will pick up spurious vibrations from the vibrating air as well as from the furniture it rests upon. A more massive table will tend to be better damped and better at dissipating these vibrations. Also, being a belt drive helps with this somewhat--not to say direct drive is not good--hell, some killer tables in the uber range ($20k-$100k) are direct drive/idler drive/rim drive, but they are massive--100 lbs plus! They have the mass to overcome minute vibrations. The technics 1200 is also a very fine table, however, I prefer the Project in an audiophile set up a little more.

Second...the tonearm is carbon fiber. How does that matter to you? CF has a way of being extremely rigid (a must for a tonearm), but also damps minute vibrations from traveling up the tube causing resonances. Some of the extreme priced tonearms are now moving to CF now too, because of this attribute.

Third...Project has sold somewhere in the neighborhood of 500,000 of thes tables!! It is now in a third generation model and has been perfected for the price range it falls in. Also, ProJect has been making audio gear for decades--it ain't their first rodeo.

Fourth...the cartridge, the 2M red, while not a giant slayer, is still pretty good for its $100 retail price. Also, you can change the cart in a year or so as funds become available and that table will easily bring out the finer attributes of a better MC cart in the $400-$800 range if you so desire to go that route.

Fifth...there are numerous accessories available for this table such as the Puck-It center weight, Pro-Ject speed Box/Motor Controller, Outboard Power Supply, acrylic platter option--should you fancy small tweaks. Not to say that these cant be done to other brands of tables, but they cater to this table as they have produced so many over the last 5 years.

And finally--no matter what table you decide to go with, PLEASE go read the vinyl thread and see my suggestion regarding having a granite slab cut for the table to sit upon. This, along with the correct number of VibraPods under it will work wonders for vibration control--it may set you back about $70, but will make a world of difference. A couple people in that thread have done this with excellent results.

Also, remember that the cartridge is what makes the music while the tonearm and table are just the mechanisms for "holding" the cart in place and allowing it to deliver all it is capeable of delivering.


Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11880 posts
Posted on 11/18/16 at 11:27 pm to
Here is the page with a pic and some info that river_man did with a granite base--scroll down to bottom of page...



Here is another pic of river_man's rig---notice the granite slab under the Pro-Ject table, and if you look closely, zoom in and you can see (barely), the thin VibraPod isolation feet under the granite slab (they are only a few millimeters thick)...




Hope this helps...
This post was edited on 11/18/16 at 11:42 pm
Posted by BigOrangeVols
Knoxville
Member since Jul 2015
3082 posts
Posted on 11/25/16 at 9:34 am to
Will there be a whole lot of difference between the ProJect Debut Carbon and AudioTechnica LP120? The ProJects im finding online are all close to $400 and the LP120 is closer to $200.
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11880 posts
Posted on 11/25/16 at 10:32 am to
In a word...yes.
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11880 posts
Posted on 11/25/16 at 3:42 pm to
This TEAC table looks like it could be decent for $300.

But at that point, you may as well pony up the extra $50 and get the Pro-Ject.

ALSO--remember, if you ask the folks at Music Direct or ElusiveDisc to work with you, they probably will.

You should be able to get the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon for $360 delivered.

Posted by JumpingTheShark
America
Member since Nov 2012
24864 posts
Posted on 11/26/16 at 8:43 am to
Per the usual, Marco is our turntable god - heed his word
Posted by Marco Esquandolas
Member since Jul 2013
11880 posts
Posted on 11/26/16 at 11:00 am to
Shark---I was supposed to be in your neck of the woods the last 3 days, but I missed my flight to Dallas on Wednesday, so I just stayed here.

I missed my annual pilgrimage to Forever Young Records...(if you haven't been--go--11,000 sq. ft.!!)


Posted by JumpingTheShark
America
Member since Nov 2012
24864 posts
Posted on 11/26/16 at 11:20 am to
I still haven't been there but I might go out there this weekend. I go to good records a lot because it's so close
Posted by CaliforniaTiger
The Land of Fruits and Nuts
Member since Dec 2007
5330 posts
Posted on 11/26/16 at 10:15 pm to
This is what I want from Santa too. I still have all of my old albums
Posted by BigPapiDoesItAgain
Amérique du Nord
Member since Nov 2009
3530 posts
Posted on 7/27/17 at 9:57 am to
So I'm wanting to pull out the old vinyl - have to invest in a new turntable, my old 1983 Technics is unfortunately long gone. I am pretty sure I've decided on the Pro-ject Debut Carbon. I have an old Pioneer amp with a phono input and a set of Definitive Bookshelf monitors with a sub that I will be repurposing to at least get started.

For now, the TT would sit on top of the console pictured below with the speakers placed on either side of it (on the same surface). The console is very heavy and that is a real pine plank floor with a subfloor underneath it. My question is am I going to get distortion/vibration noise etc. from the speakers and this TT being on the same surface, and if yes, will it be so bad as to not even bother with it, or will it be pretty discreet? That console top is 67" wide, BTW.

This wall is unfinished, and a TV is going on that wall and I was thinking prob a SONOS sound bar underneath. If I don't give up on vinyl and stay interested, I would put some floor speakers on either side of that console likely, but I'm not going to drop a huge chunk right now in case I lose interest. A

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This post was edited on 7/27/17 at 10:03 am
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