Will any vinyl player do the job?

Unfortunately, no.

They all do the same thing - roughly - but some are better at it than others.

Because the sound depends so much on mechanical components, you must have good ones. I don't think you're going to find that at BestBuy, unless they carry the Technics SL1200. That's a good deck, and you can often find them used at reasonable prices.

The other entry-level deck I like is the Rega Planar 3/P3. Terrific arm and you can endlessly mod them with aftermarket parts. A good place to find them is on Audiogon.

You might also want to read through the articles by the Vinyl Anachronist. (Google him.) there's plenty to read and you'll come away with a good understanding of what you need to know.

As Erik has said the turntables are all very different and the quality of the good ones is very much better than the bad ones. Unfortunately very many bad turntables were made in the 80s and 90s and I see them being used a lot.

 

Buying second-hand I wholehearted agree with Eric that a Rega Planar 3 is a very good idea. This turntable is simple but high quality design. It is still in production. It is easy to set up and if you really want you can upgrade parts of it at a future time. However, the standard Rega Planar 3 will give very good sound quality indeed.

The 1200 is awesometoast.

I'd have to agree with Uncle Erik on the Rega 3, nice entry level turntable with a very nice arm. I did buy my 14yr old step son a project table and put a Shure M 97 XE cart. on it and it rocks, I picked up the project 3 used/ excellent shape and a NOS Shure on Audiogon for around 300 bucks......It's not the quality of the rega but still gets the son into vinyl at a reasonable price..He want to get parts and build his own......Just like an audiophile, ready to up grade...Good luck with your hunt for a table!!

I can't believe anyone would rec. the Rega 3. Yes it's simple but the ball bearing used has to be of the lowest quality. Take it out and roll it - it will move like a drunk - all over the place. As for the standard RB300/RB250 arms - what a joke, do them up any tighter than loose, yes I did use the word loose and they sound awful.

 

The Technics SL series are in another class as standard. I bought a Rega 3 and there was so much noise from the crap bearing that I initially wasted good money buying an external PSU. Then one day whilst buying s/hand an excellant pair of Heybrook Sextet Mk 1V speakers, the seller persuaded me to buy an old Technics SL120 for a knockdown price. 

 

I only bought this because my partner had lots of 45s she liked to play and it there was no stupid having to remove the platter to move the belt  from 33 to 45 as with the Rega.  One rainy day I decided to set up the Technics and was shocked - by the silent playing. The external PSU is now used with my CDP.

 

Look for a s/hand one and definately not one which has been used for DJing - it will serve you well and there are lots of mods to improve it that you may never look for another one.

The bearing was fine on my Rega.  I pulled it a couple of times to clean and oil it.

 

If your bearing has a flat spot, you can get a new one for $10 to $15.  Any machine shop will have one or will order it for you.

 

And now we return to the continuing saga of the SL1200 vs. anything Rega...

 

To the OP - if you get the chance, listen to them both and let your ears decide.
 

I also had a Rega Planar 3/RB300with a duff bearing, (still have it in an attic in England)  I assumed they were all like that,  it was what made me go digital, very noisy, also Regas are prone to speed problems often clocking in at 1% fast. If that seems trivial ,well think about all the folks agonising about 50ps of jitter

Thanks for your explanation! I understand this part.

If you mean the ball you can buy silicon nitride ceramic balls which will never go flat, and are said to be rounder from the factory then commonly available steel balls from McMaster Carr for ~$8 (+shipping) for 2.  While your there buy some superthick silicon o-rings to use as tube dampers to make shipping worthwhile. 

 

http://www.mcmaster.com/#silicon-nitride-balls/=9ncxva

 

I dont recall the exact size but it is posted somewhere on the web My gut instinct is that its a 3/16" ball but measure your own ball for a sure answer.

 

IME its normal for the rega main bearing spindle to get a little divot in it.