help a vinyl noob plz!

[MeViaTheInternet]

the first time i heard my parents old vinyls on their record player i was blown away. in my opinion you lose something when you go digital...that earthy feel.

so i'm trying to invest in a cheap turntable. the problem is i am broke D: and cant really afford to spend more than 200. ive researched some turntables and many people recommended the numark tt200
my questions are, are these turntables suitable for listening to the type of music i like ? (trip-hop, dnb, dubstep, downtempo, electronica in general)

and also, do i need to invest in anything OTHER than the turntable? i heard i might need a cartridge. but can i expect that vinyl sound for around 200 bucks? or even 150 would be better

whoops, forgot to mention...its also important that i can hook the turntable up to my speaker system

 

[ssportclay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeViaTheInternet /img/forum/go_quote.gif the first time i heard my parents old vinyls on their record player i was blown away. in my opinion you lose something when you go digital...that earthy feel. so i'm trying to invest in a cheap turntable. the problem is i am broke D: and cant really afford to spend more than 200. ive researched some turntables and many people recommended the numark tt200 my questions are, are these turntables suitable for listening to the type of music i like ? (trip-hop, dnb, dubstep, downtempo, electronica in general) and also, do i need to invest in anything OTHER than the turntable? i heard i might need a cartridge. but can i expect that vinyl sound for around 200 bucks? or even 150 would be better whoops, forgot to mention...its also important that i can hook the turntable up to my speaker system

You have to go used for anything listenable in that budget. Look for Low Budget Vinyl Source written by Memepool on this forum and try to find a used model from the list.

 

[TheKisho]

I'd probably look for good condition used turntable from 1980s ($20-35) [Direct drive might be a better bet unless the belt has been replaced or you verified it's not slipping]. Get a high quality low cost RIAA pre-amp [I'm sure someone can recommend one, I can't think of one off hand]. Personally I'd spend as much as you did for the used turntable of a good quality cartridge upgrade (I'm a fan of the Audio-Technica AT-90, but my current cheap ass turntable to hold me over doesn't have a mounting bracket... modern entry level crap). I'd stay away from the DJ turntables, and stay away from things like ion/numark (they don't sound very good and have little to no room to upgrade). That should leave you enough room to acquire a sizable music collection on vinyl. Personally CDs sound better to me (MP3s is another story [MP3 vs. Vinyl, Vinyl always wins]). But a quality cartridge, good quality vinyl, and a well cleaned record (don't forget cleaning supplies) can sound just as good. Degeneration is the real problem that bugs me about analogue.


P.S. You can connect this setup to your regular line level RCA input on whatever speaker system you have. BTW look for a good used record store (you can find real gems there, and cheaper then the crappy represses. New albums your stuck buying new).

 

[memepool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheKisho /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd probably look for good condition used turntable from 1980s ($20-35) [Direct drive might be a better bet unless the belt has been replaced or you verified it's not slipping]

I'd say be a little wary of direct drives on a first outing unless you can test they are working, or return if not, or are getting one for next to nothing so the risk is minimised.

Technics are a pretty safe bet followed by Denon but usually you find other direct drives don't hold their value so well as there is simply more stuff to go wrong with them and in most cases the parts arn't available any more.

Additionally plinth designs on cheaper direct drives are often perfunctory and mar the sound to the degree that the extra speed stability is outweighed by poor build quality and this is especially true of cheaper DJ turntables so these are best avoided as stated. Other than Technics, Vestax is the only brand that is pretty safe, the others are far more hit and miss, probably 90% miss.

With belt driven designs replacement belts are available for as little as 10USD from somewhere like turntablebasics.com so this isn't such an issue. Also cheaper belt drives are simpler electronically so poor build quality doesn't generally mar the sound as much.

You might also come accross idler drive decks going back into the '70s and before. Dual is a good one to look out for. These are kind of half way between the two and slightly harder to maintain than belt drives if the idler wheel is worn. Don't let that put you off though as these are also a fine 2nd hand buy, generally much better made and often passed over for being too old fashioned looking. Idler tyres can be resurfaced easily enough too.


For under 200USD the only new turntable worth mentioning is the Technics / Panasonic SL-BD20 which you can often find discounted on Amazon. Otherwise 2nd hand is the way to go as advised above. Here is the list I made which Ssportclay mentioned.


Decent budget phono pre-amps can be found here or else look at a vintage reciever or integrated amp with a built in phonostage and if you do go for a 2nd hand deck also expect to spend around 50USD on a new cart or replacement stylus.

 

[TheKisho]

If it's an an automatic return turntable then make sure the the mechanical or the hydraulic system is in working order. The turntable I was using before [a nice Sony PS-212 direct drive turntable] currently has hydraulic problems (the arm now sits to low when raised) which caused me to stop using it.