Getting into Vinyl, cheap vinyl.

[Gautama]

For Christmas I'm thinking about picking up an Audio-Technica PL120 turntable. Tell me about it, its strengths, its flaws, what I'll need. www.needledoctor.com sells them for $300, but I see them on ebay for $160ish. Are the ebay versions legit? I'm an analog noob, so tell me about the vinyl chain.
LP->Turntable->Phono->Amp (My LDII++ should work in this position shouldn't it?)->Headphones
Whats a good cheap phono as well?
Also, please tell me about record maintence.

EDIT: I read that the PL120 has a built in phono, so I guess I wont be needing that.

 

[bigshot]

I'd suggest looking for a nice Dual or Technics used. You can get a much better turntable for a lot less money. They turn up at swap meets, yard sales and ebay all the time. Not a good idea to have used turntables shipped to you though. Buy one locally if you can.

See ya
Steve

 

[Gautama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd suggest looking for a nice Dual or Technics used. You can get a much better turntable for a lot less money. They turn up at swap meets, yard sales and ebay all the time. Not a good idea to have used turntables shipped to you though. Buy one locally if you can. See ya Steve

Any specific models?

 

[jwilldermood]

Check out the new lower end Rega TT. It is cheap and comes with a cart.

 

[zipdisk]

I agree that a used TT can be a better deal, but shipping one is an absolute NIGHTMARE! Keep an eye on craigslist for something within driving distance. Additionally, check ebay using the distance filter (eg within 60 miles). If you find something that interests you, then do an internet search. Also, check around to see if you can locate someone locally that works on them and will set one up for a reasonable price. They're still around. If you know nothing about them, knowing someone to go to is invaluable. Best of luck!

 

[esuko]

I would also recommen Dual, 505 series does their job very well.
Pro-ject's turntables can be also found for nice prize.
http://www.project-audio.com/

For phono amps used NAD PP-1 and Creek OBH-8 are cheap choices.

I think you can stay bellow 200$ making system combining above components.

Happy vinyl hunting

 

[Gautama]

How is the Esoteric Restoration TT? Theres one on ebay locally right now for cheap.

Scratch that, its only for 78s.

 

[3x331m]

Look for a used Technics SL1200 (mk2, 3, or 5). The black model is SL1210. It's a rock solid TT and replacement part is readily available. If you want to improve the SQ, you can swap the tonearm later. I found resale value for the SL1200 is very good. I had mine modified with an upgraded Rega RB250 tonearm, and I can send the $1000 TT run for their money.

Enjoy your new endeavor. I enjoyed mine.

 

[britishbane]

A used Denon TT would also be a good place to start. For $300 though I'd look into technics. Or if you get lucky, like I did, you may be able to find a Music Hall MMF-5 for around $300. Keep your eyes open for people trying to unload audio gear fast on Audiogon, some people have lots of money and dont mind taking a hit pricewise in order to sell an item quickly.

 

[Gautama]

$300 isnt my budget , under $200 is. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[3x331m]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gautama /img/forum/go_quote.gif $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.

Otherwise, you'd rather stick with redbook cd's.

Sorry for your wallet.

 

[jpelg]

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.

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3x331m /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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.

See ya
Steve

 

[goldenratiophi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpelg /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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.?

 

[Gautama]

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.