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Looking for a $200 or so record player

post #1 of 58
8/14/11 at 9:55pm
Thread Starter 

I wanna see what vinyl is all about. I need recommendations for record players. I'm willing to spend up to around $200. Look at my signature for my other components. What do you guys think? Thanks!

 

 

 

Ram

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post #2 of 58
8/14/11 at 11:04pm

It may be difficult to find satisfaction from a $200 record player; probably the cheapest you should go is a used Technics 1200 direct drive on Craigs List (~$300) and splurge for a new cartridge (~$50-100). 

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post #3 of 58
8/15/11 at 4:19pm
Thread Starter 

These are quite expensive. So, cheaper turntables are just really bad? What makes Technics 1200 direct drive so good? Thanks.

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post #4 of 58
8/15/11 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 

Does anyone know a hifi store in Houston, TX? Other than guitar center. A place where they sell headphones like Beyer, Senn, and etc? Also a place where they sell technics turntables.

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post #5 of 58
8/20/11 at 6:36pm
Thread Starter 

OK, so the search is over. I ended up finding a Technics 1200 mkII for $303 after shipping and tax from guitar center. Can't wait till it comes in!! Which cartridge should I pair with my 1200? Thanks.

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post #6 of 58
8/21/11 at 9:50am
Thread Starter 

Anyone?

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post #7 of 58
8/21/11 at 10:00am

Well, naturally, the question is how much can you spend?  And do you have a phono stage yet?

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post #8 of 58
8/21/11 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 

     Quote:

Originally Posted by Eee Pee View Post

Well, naturally, the question is how much can you spend?  And do you have a phono stage yet?



As a rule of thumb, what percentage of the price of a turntable should I spend on a cartridge? My turntable cost $303. 

 

P.S.: Is the cartridge the same thing as a stylus or a needle?

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post #9 of 58
8/21/11 at 11:20am

The cartridge is the whole thing, the stylus or needle is what makes contact with the record.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_cartridge

 

My personal rule of thumb is spend as much as possible.  tongue_smile.gif

 

Some may disagree with this, but with turntables, et al, you actually do have to spend more to get more.  Greater definition, greater transparency and so forth.  But, the cheaper stuff can be musical also.  And also, like headphones, different cartridges have a different flavor of sound.  I highly suggest finding a price point and manufacturer you like and reading as much about everything as possible before you plunk down any cash.

 

Find a price point you're comfortable with.

 

And again, do you have a phono stage?

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post #10 of 58
8/21/11 at 11:27am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eee Pee View Post

The cartridge is the whole thing, the stylus or needle is what makes contact with the record.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_cartridge

 

My personal rule of thumb is spend as much as possible.  tongue_smile.gif

 

Some may disagree with this, but with turntables, et al, you actually do have to spend more to get more.  Greater definition, greater transparency and so forth.  But, the cheaper stuff can be musical also.  And also, like headphones, different cartridges have a different flavor of sound.  I highly suggest finding a price point and manufacturer you like and reading as much about everything as possible before you plunk down any cash.

 

Find a price point you're comfortable with.

 

And again, do you have a phono stage?



Sorry. What's a phono stage? Lol.

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post #11 of 58
8/21/11 at 11:33am

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

 

You need to place a phono stage between the record player's cartridge and the amplifier.

 

Your wallet is gonna be hurtin'. biggrin.gif

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post #12 of 58
8/21/11 at 11:41am
Thread Starter 

How does this look?

 
 

Edited by KB24 - 8/21/11 at 11:53am
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post #13 of 58
8/21/11 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 

I meant this: http://www.needledoctor.com/Needle-Doctor-Phono-Preamps-and-Stereo-Phono-Preamps-1-800-229-0644-Audio-Technica-PEQ3-Phono-Preamp

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post #14 of 58
8/21/11 at 12:09pm

Sure, and maybe pair it with this: http://www.needledoctor.com/Audio-Technica-95E-Cartridge

 

Should be fun to play with.

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post #15 of 58
8/22/11 at 7:06pm
Thread Starter 

What do you think about this preamp? Will it work with the technics 1200?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAQIN-MS-11B-MM-RIAA-Pre-Amplifier-preamp-turntable-/290601447307?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a9322f8b#ht_4609wt_806

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