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$300 isnt my budget , under $200 is. Sorry for the confusion.
Frankly, if you inherited a collection of records and want to buy a TT to make use of it then anything will do. However, if you want to try vinyl, you might want to give it some budget. IMO, vinyl is my choice and preference to CD, but if you start out with less competent gears, you might have a wrong perception.
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Audio-Technica PL120 turntable is pretty loaded with desirable features, not the least of which is a 78rpm speed that is pretty rare these days (its usefullness is dependent on your record collection).
More importantly, it has a phono-stage built in. So you would save a bit of cash up front on that, making the A-T an even better value. Plug-&-play.
Probably its biggest shortcoming is that its build-quality is not up to the classic Technics SL1200 workhorse after which it was clearly modeled. But for the money, you can't really fault it, imo.
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However, if you want to try vinyl, you might want to give it some budget. IMO, vinyl is my choice and preference to CD, but if you start out with less competent gears, you might have a wrong perception.
$200 should buy a nice Dual or Technics used with a new cartridge and phono preamp. A setup like that will perform as good as new turntables that cost three times as much.
Audio-Technica PL120 turntable is pretty loaded with desirable features, not the least of which is a 78rpm speed that is pretty rare these days (its usefullness is dependent on your record collection).
More importantly, it has a phono-stage built in. So you would save a bit of cash up front on that, making the A-T an even better value. Plug-&-play.
Probably its biggest shortcoming is that its build-quality is not up to the classic Technics SL1200 workhorse after which it was clearly modeled. But for the money, you can't really fault it, imo.
I've always heard very conflicting opinions on the PL120, which is why I decided to jump up to the Rega P1. How do you think it compares to the entry level "audiophile" options from Rega, Pro-Ject, etc.?
That's only for specific versions... the old, heavy-plinthed ones that are hard to find.
I suggest you get a technics SL1**0 and a nice cartridge for it. I got one for 60 bucks and spent 70 on a Shure M97xE cartridge, and it sounds so good I'm hesitant to mess with my vinyl setup ever again.
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That's only for specific versions... the old, heavy-plinthed ones that are hard to find.
I suggest you get a technics SL1**0 and a nice cartridge for it. I got one for 60 bucks and spent 70 on a Shure M97xE cartridge, and it sounds so good I'm hesitant to mess with my vinyl setup ever again.
How is the Pioneer PL-400 as a very cheap option? I saw somewhere that it is the deck equalivlent of the Technics Sl1700/1900.
I've got this TT, and I was wondering how it stacks up. My dad has one, and I was just wondering if it's worth it to build a new phono-stage to go with this TT.
How is the Pioneer PL-400 as a very cheap option? I saw somewhere that it is the deck equalivlent of the Technics Sl1700/1900.
Originally Posted by bperboy
I've got this TT, and I was wondering how it stacks up. My dad has one, and I was just wondering if it's worth it to build a new phono-stage to go with this TT.
Hey... I own a PL-400, too!
It's a great little turntable, and while it doesn't have a lot of the adjustments that one might expect from a higher-end turntable, it does have a quartz-based automatic pitch control. I'll never get a table without one. I built a budget vinyl rig around it a few months ago and eventually settled on an Audio Technica AT440MLa cartridge (~$85 + shipping from LPGear) after agonizing over the decision for quite a while. IMO, upgrading the cartridge is a must, as it's similar to a huge DAC upgrade.
With the new cartridge, and before with the old worn-out Empire that was on it, it sounds surprisingly good. It's resolving and impressive for a budget setup. Just remember that with vinyl, your budget will quickly expand. Plan on spending as much on accessories and upgrades as the initial turntable purchase.
The AT PL120 is an inexpensive option for vinyl newbies who may be unsure whether they'll appreciate the format. It will give you the bare minimum to taste the "flavor" of vinyl. The Pioneer PL-990 is a similar table. Neither is bad, but realize that they don't approach a vintage or mid- to high-end new turntable in any way; tonearm, motor, cartridge, build quality, suspension, etc. Plus, the built-in phono preamps are not as good as even the cheapest standalone solutions, or the ones built into some integrated amplifiers and receivers.
I started with a budget of about $125, and ended up spending roughly $250. This will probably be your average budget for a decent turntable ($100), new cartridge/stylus ($100), and accessories ($50).
I highly suggest you look into a either a Technics SL1200 or a Thorens TD-160. After you get one of those, look into getting either the AT 440MLa cart or a Shure97Xe. You'll have a quality vinyl rig on the cheap.
Here is a little known fact:
When a master tape has been lost or is too damaged to work with, some companies do needledrops from the original first pressings. I know this because I know an engineer who does this for big record companies. His choice, and many others as well, is the Technics SL1200 and AT 440MLa combination. Interesting, huh?
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