can anyone recomend a good player for a good price

[TL OWNS U]

Recently I went through some of my grand parents old things and found a couple of records and a player, but it was broken. So yeah, is it possible to get one at a good price? I don't know how much they go for.

[FreddieFerric]

Tables range in price from very cheap (and cheap they are) to extremely expensive. First you need to decide how much you're willing to spend, then the suggestions will come at you fast.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Entry-level Turntables from companies like Pro-ject, Music Hall, Rega, Thorens start at $350.

John

[Big Daddy]

If you are not very serious about turntables and your budget is less than $250, I highly recommend Audio Technica. It is around $220 at Amazon. However, if you search hard enough, you may be able to pick it up for around $200 or less. It comes with an Audio Technica cartridge. I bought one when my vintage Marantz turntable strated misbehaving. I also bought a new Shure cartridge for it and am extremely satisfied with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica...5503278&sr=8-2

[Johnny Vinyl]

I'm personally not a fan of the type of TT that Big Daddy suggested, but it may very well be a solid alternative for you.

Another avenue is to search out a gently used TT over at Audiogon, CanuckAudioMart, Craigslist, Kijiji or some other local resource.

John

[CasualKiller]

Heck just head down to your pawn shop / thrift stores and look for a vintage direct drive. Pioneer, Yamaha, Technics, Micro Seiki, Denon, Sony, all made very great tables back in the day that would make very good starter tables today.

[McCrutchy]

How are Technics decks, specifically the oft-praised SL-1200MK2) and which phono pre-amp should I consider if I'm going to hook it to my Onkyo?

[richteer]

Originally Posted by McCrutchy

How are Technics decks, specifically the oft-praised SL-1200MK2) and which phono pre-amp should I consider if I'm going to hook it to my Onkyo?

Personally, I wouldn't go for the Technics decks. They're rugged and dependable for DJing, but IMHO they weren't designed with sound quality as a high priority.

There are several recommendable phono stages in the $100 to $200 range.

[DougMac]

Originally Posted by richteer

Personally, I wouldn't go for the Technics decks. They're rugged and dependable for DJing, but IMHO they weren't designed with sound quality as a high priority.

There are several recommendable phono stages in the $100 to $200 range.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but your post seems to imply that the Technics decks were designed for DJing. Actually, they were designed as high quality home decks with sound quality a very high priority. Their ruggedness and reliability became legend and that's what attracted the DJ's to select them for their use. It's as if they've been sullied by their association with the DJ's.

To the OP, if you're deligent you can find some nice turntables on your local CL or even at thrifts. Avoid purchasing from ebay because most sellers don't know how to pack a TT properly. Avoid Audiogon unless you really know what you're doing because most of the turntables I've seen there are overpriced. If you do buy a used turntable, immediately replace the stylus. I would never play my records with an unknown stylus. It may be chipped or worn and will ruin your records. I also suggest you head over to http://www.audiokarma.org. They have a great Turntable forum with lots of helpful people.

I own a Technics SP-15 and a Technics SP-25. These are both professional decks and are sought after. I use them for transcription work, especially the SP-15, which I use for transcribing my 78 collection. I also own a Technics SL-1500 MKII, which I purchased from a local thrift for $25. It was covered in dust from storage and had a little pitting from moisture, but was structurally in great shape and worked flawlessly. An evening's worth of cleaning and TLC had it looking and performing wonderfully. It is now my main listening turntable.

The Audio Technica photo preamp is well regarded and can be had for around $50: http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merc...egory_Code=C2D

[richteer]

Originally Posted by DougMac

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but your post seems to imply that the Technics decks were designed for DJing. Actually, they were designed as high quality home decks with sound quality a very high priority. Their ruggedness and reliability became legend and that's what attracted the DJ's to select them for their use. It's as if they've been sullied by their association with the DJ's.

I've been into high-end audio since the late 1980s, and I don't recall the Technics decks ever having a reputation for great sound quality in the audiophile sense. In fact, I don't recall the Technics decks being on audiophile radars, period. I used to work part time in a hifi store and Technics was one of the brands we carried. We rarely sold their TTs, and their amps at the time were pitiful too.

To the OP, if you're deligent you can find some nice turntables on your local CL or even at thrifts. Avoid purchasing from ebay because most sellers don't know how to pack a TT properly. Avoid Audiogon unless you really know what you're doing because most of the turntables I've seen there are overpriced. If you do buy a used turntable, immediately replace the stylus. I would never play my records with an unknown stylus. It may be chipped or worn and will ruin your records.

I agree with your advice about replacing the stylus, and echo your caution about buying a used TT online. I've not looked at Audiogon much, but I get the impression that most people there have a fair idea of what stuff is worth.

The Audio Technica photo preamp is well regarded and can be had for around $50: http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merc...egory_Code=C2D

Audio Technica used to (and perhaps still do) make fairly decent cartridges, but I'm not familiar with their phono stage. That said, I'm not sure how good a $50 phono stage would be.

[DougMac]

Originally Posted by richteer

I've been into high-end audio since the late 1980s, and I don't recall the Technics decks ever having a reputation for great sound quality in the audiophile sense .

Emphasis mine. I'm well aware that so-called "audiophiles" have a long history of looking down their noses at Technics turntables.

The OP is looking for, as he put it "a good player at a good price".

The entry level offerings from the likes of Pro-ject, Music Hall, Rega, and Thorens should certainly be considered, but so should the AT recommended by Big Daddy, IMO. Certainly the Technics SL-1200, being in the same price range as the entry level "audiophile" offerings, should be considered. If the OP ever wants to move to the esoteric, the SL-1200 has great resale value.

I guess there are two approaches to turntables. One is to buy an audiophile turntable that's essentially hand built from a very small company. The other is to buy a turntable that's the result of mass production using a design that's been proven to be reliable. At the price point of the Technics SL-1200, I have yet to hear or read anything that convinces me that one approach is audibly clearly superior to the other. There are other factors that make the Technics route a better choice for me.

BTW, my dad's best friend opened up a high end audio shop in the early 60's. I spent many an hour listening to the best the time had to offer: McIntosh, Klipsch, Bozak, Thorens, Revox, Garrard, Elac, etc. It seems every demo included playing Brubeck's "Time Out", Morton Gould's version of "Bolero" and a selection or two from "The Best of the Dukes of Dixieland".

[Arkadin]

imo the Rega TTs are great starter rigs.
http://www.rega.co.uk/index2.htm
P1-- http://www.audiolab.com/ProductDetai...ductCode=REGP1

[Johnny Vinyl]

Any news on the TT front?

John

[househead]

For an affordable way to get into vinyl just pick up a Technics 1200. You can get them used for $200.

I have one leftover from DJ'ing and compared to my entry level Project Debut III the Debut is just that....entry level. Don't get fooled into thinking you're getting a much better turntable because it's a Project, Rega, Music Hall, etc.

The 1200 sounds just as good as the Pro-Ject (in my setup), was cheaper, and you know the Technics will hold up over time. Plus you don't have to be so light handed with the Technics. If you put the lid down too hard on the Pro-ject you'll nick up the painted piece of MDF - and that will PISS you off.

The 1200 is also customizable. Check out KAB. So basically you can get in cheap and upgrade it down the line if you feel the need.

We're talking <$500 turntables here. If we wera talking about a $5k, $10k, $30k setup I'm sure you'd want to go in a different direction. But we're not.