Turntable Questions

You absolutely have to have a phono preamp to use a turntable with the C-2.  Turntables require phono preamps.  Fortunately, you can get some pretty good ones for not a lot of money.  My favorite cheap phono preamp is this one:

http://www.phonopreamps.com/TC-760LCpp.html

However, if you aren't going to use a low-output moving coil cartridge (which you probably aren't), this one is cheaper and might be a better choice, since you could also use it to switch between the TT and a line level source like a CD player:

http://www.phonopreamps.com/TC-753LCpp.html

To be clear, you need a PHONO preamp.  You indicated you had a "preamp", but unless that preamp includes a phono input specifically for a TT, that won't help.

In this case, no phono is NOT another term for RCA.  Some people call RCA plugs "phono plugs" from back in the day when only TT's used them, but the proper term is RCA plugs.  The fact that you have that plug type on the back of the C-2 does not help you.

The role of a Phono Preamp:

1. Provide the additional gain required to bring the very small signal of a phono cartridge up to line-level

2. Provide the RIAA equalization required to have the frequency response of a turntable be "normal", since that same EQ is applied to records when they are made, and without inverse curve being applied by the Phono Preamp, the sound would be totally wrong (all treble and no bass).

Bottom line - a Phono Preamp is required, and the C-2 most certainly does not have this.

The Grado is high-output, so you could use the second of the two choices I listed above (sorry I forgot to put the link at first).

I don't have specific suggestions about entry-level turntables - but there are quite a few threads on head-fi discussing that.  

And yes, there is definitely performance gain as you scale up in price on phono preamps - There are some pretty good ones around $400-500, and again at $1K - and of course you can spend crazy money.  But I suggest not to do that.  Buy the TT, buy something like the TC-753, which will cost you all of $45, and then when you are ready, you can upgrade that

If you're in the market for a budget turntable, look at the Pro-Ject lineup, the Debut or xPression might fit your needs, i have the latter and i'ts quite well built for its price.

I have a Pro-Ject RPM 1.3 (Genie)

IMO the Pro-Ject RPM 1.3 is one of the best, if not the best "entry level" turntable on the market.

I originally was shopping for a Rega P3 when I a local hifi shop introduced me to the Pro-Ject tables. He carries a wide variety of tables including Rega, Pro-Ject, Clearaudio, JA Michell, Transrotor, etc.

During a comparative listening session, to my ears the RPM 1.3 held its own with the Rega P3. With the money saved, I got a pretty decent phono section and an Oracle arylic mat.

I think its definately worth a listen, check it out at a local dealer and hear for yourself.

Pro-Ject USA Distributor:

Sumiko

2431 Fifth Street

Berkeley CA 94710

Send them an email or give them a call to find a local dealer.

In all honesty I was very interested in purchasing the Debut III. 

I was not able to personally listen to the Debut III as the local dealer chose not to keep any demo units. However he descibed the Debut III as a solid budget/beginners table that nothing could beat for the money.

Initially I mentioned the idea of buying a used SL-1200 mk2/mk3 to my local dealer and he laughed. He said great deck, reliable, built like a rock, can sound great with some modifications. He did tell me that an original/stock SL-1200 with the right cartridge would sound decent but he said that an entry level Pro-Ject brand new right out of the box would sound great immediately for much much less. He told me if thats the route I wanted to go then he would help me find a good cartridge and setup...was not pushy at all. He did educate me on the differences.

He carries turntables from various manufacturers. His selection might seem random at first glance however I quickly learned that he had selected turntables at each price point that provided the best price/performance.

He carries tables from Pro-Ject, Rega, JA Michell, Transrotor & Clearaudio. The first table that he considered hi-fi worthy, as an entry level was the RPM 1.3

He insisted that the RPM 1.3 was an entirely better table than the Debut. The price difference is very small and he ensured me that it was worth every penny to purchase the RPM 1.3 instead.

I took his advise. Being part of the hi-fi crowd, I am prone to the upgrade bug just as everyone else. I have learned my lesson, I was not going to settle for the Debut III. So I waited until I had enough cash and bought the better deck. I guess it all depends on how much you will use the table and what you hope to get out of it.

I think going with a used SL-1200, then upgrade the tone arm and cartridge will start getting expensive. Probably better off to just purchase the Pro-Ject RPM 1.3 or the Rega P3-24.

I am not sure how resolving your system is, or how good your ears are...but to my ears the Rega P3 was not vastly better than the RPM 1.3, I could not justify the additional $300.

My local dealer was in agreement with me, said that he mostly keeps the Rega P3 because a lot of people are unfamiliar with Pro-Ject and do not care to listen to it. A real shame. He said if more people were educated about the Pro-Ject line of turntables he would remove the P3 from his demo line. Said that he would still sell it but not actively advertise it. He does admit that it is in fact a better deck, but the difference is very minimal. I could not hear $300 worth of an improvement.

Actually I purchased an Oracle Arcylic mat ($90) and it improved the sound to the point where we both sat there and said the Pro-Ject outperformed the P3-24.

These are just opinions and everyone is entitled to them. Best advice I can give is to try and find a shop that carries both and listen for yourself.

I recently upgraded from a Music Hall MMF 2.2LE to a Technics SL1200-mk2. I was never particularly happy with the MH -- it had a lot of rumble (consistent with different phono sections, room placements, and cartridges) and seemed rather flat and punchless. The Technics is a winner in my book -- mine is the KAB basic model and was purchased in unused condition from its original owner for $400. Paired with a Denon DL-160 cartridge, I honestly think this new deck will stave off upgrade fever for a few years. It's probably not truly "hi-fi," but it's bombproof, relatively easy to set up and sounds great.

I'm using a Cambridge 640p phono section at the moment, and find it to be solid as well.