Technics SL-150?

[dysphasi]

On a bit of a fling, I bought myself my first ever vinyl LP the other day....only trouble is, I've no turntable of my own :s, borrowing a rubbishy modernish sony thing from the rents.

I really don't want to go spending too much right now, but would rather get something that'll last me and I can keep cheaper for now and spend a bit more on upgrading in the future.

Was thinking on a Technics SL-150, ie no tonearm for about £40-50ish, the ones I've seen all have a base plate for the SME 3009 arm, but prices on that are huuuuuge. Is there a cheaper 'ok for now' alternative?

I'm open to suggestions on other tables. It's all very confusing, sooo many dif models out there!

 

[memepool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dysphasi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Was thinking on a Technics SL-150, ie no tonearm for about £40-50ish, the ones I've seen all have a base plate for the SME 3009 arm, but prices on that are huuuuuge. Is there a cheaper 'ok for now' alternative?

Thats a bargain price for a Technics SL150 so I'd jump at it. Don't worry about the SME 3009 as they arn't all that amazing really for the money people pay for them these days.
You can get a Rega RB250 for a lot less brand new and these guys supply a new arm mount soundsupports.

Alternatively if you don't want to spend this much then you could get a Pro-Ject Genie for slightly less than all of this new, although it's nowhere near as good as the Technics / Rega combo.

If you are looking for something really cheap, assuming you are in the UK, seek out a Dual CS-505-2 on Ebay or in the classifieds. These were THE budget turntable of the '80s and are very well made. They cost 500 Euro today but can be picked up 2nd hand for under 50 quid as they sold by the bucket load back in the day.

 

[dysphasi]

Ta for the pointers, I'll def check out those other couple of turntables as well.

The TT/Rega combo may still be a bit pricey, almost tempted to get the 150 now if it is a good price and wait a cpl of months until I can afford the rega tonearm....afterall it's not as though it's going to be replaced in the near future being vintage and all!

Is there a lot of difference between the 150 and the 1200mk2 (aside from a turnarm being included in the latter!)?

I don't want to DJ with the thing, the 1200s are going for about £150 and from what I've read I'd still want to be looking at a tonearm replacement in the future so seems an expensive way to go. Unless of course the 1200 is that much better a table in the first instance.

 

[memepool]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dysphasi /img/forum/go_quote.gif Is there a lot of difference between the 150 and the 1200mk2 (aside from a turnarm being included in the latter!)? I don't want to DJ with the thing, the 1200s are going for about £150 and from what I've read I'd still want to be looking at a tonearm replacement in the future so seems an expensive way to go. Unless of course the 1200 is that much better a table in the first instance.

The SL1200 was also sold without a tonearm as the SL120 back in the '70s, these were the more audiophile option of the time because then you could choose you own arm.

The SL1200MK2 you find commonly today is slightly better built than the SL1500 / 150 but not that much better and if you want it for home use only I'd say it's a bargain at less than a third of the price as you've quoted.

Also bear in mind an SL150 is much rarer, was much more likely to be owned by an audiophile than an aspiring skratch DJ, so is therefore going to be less potentially knackered on the 2nd hand market.

Personally I'd jump at the SL150 at that price so long as it's in good working order. It's a beautifully made piece of proper Japanese engineering and should go on and on. Put your ear on the plinth surface and listen to how it sounds when spinning as it should be pretty silent. Any rhythmic grinding noises and the bearing is most likely knackered so leave well alone.

Also you can often pick up 2nd hand Rega RB250 arms for 80 quid on ebay and they are pretty well made and robust. Again just make sure there are no rattles in the bearings.

An SL150 / Rega combo will smoke most decks you can buy new today under a grand.