Record Player Suggestions & Advice - Come HITHER!

[DrinkMore]

Looking to get suggestions on a record player. Nothing fancy, nothing cheap. Moderate price. I am currently looking at vintage models. I have my eye on a B&O Beogram RX 2 player. I like the clean looks at from what I am reading, it does the job nicely.

Questions is, how much am I going to pay for cartridges/needles? Whats the difference?

Thanks!

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Looking to get suggestions on a record player. Nothing fancy, nothing cheap. Moderate price. I am currently looking at vintage models. I have my eye on a B&O Beogram RX 2 player. I like the clean looks at from what I am reading, it does the job nicely.

Questions is, how much am I going to pay for cartridges/needles? Whats the difference?

Thanks!

Again, we need an idea of budget. What is moderate price to you may be inexpensive or terribly expensive to someone else.

Rich

[Johnny Vinyl]

Like Rich said...budget is an important consideraton, as without one we cannot properly guide you.

In reference to the clean look you like, I'll start off by suggesting that you have a look at the REGA and PRO-JECT line of turntables. They have a very minimalist look to them, which may appeal to you.

Although it's all about the sound, aesthetics play an important role and should be considered.

I'm going to link you their websites..have a look!

Rega
Pro-Ject

This will give you a start.

John

[DrinkMore]

Well, I don't want to seem like a cheap ass but I have to draw the line at $200. I know there are some that go well in to the thousands. I don't listen to music that much and I don't have a pristine setup. Something clean, simple and gets the job done.

Those two links you gave me look great.. however I have a funny feeling they are up there in cost.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Well, I don't want to seem like a cheap ass but I have to draw the line at $200. I know there are some that go well in to the thousands. I don't listen to music that much and I don't have a pristine setup. Something clean, simple and gets the job done.

Those two links you gave me look great.. however I have a funny feeling they are up there in cost.

They start at about $380, but well worth it. For $200 I can only suggest that you look at Audiogon or CanuckAudioMart and perhaps something there might become available in your price range. At $200, used is really your only option.

Remember though, that if buying used, your cartridge may need to be replaced, which would make the investment of a new entry-level Rega or Pro-Ject a much better choice in the end.

John

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Well, I don't want to seem like a cheap ass but I have to draw the line at $200. I know there are some that go well in to the thousands. I don't listen to music that much and I don't have a pristine setup. Something clean, simple and gets the job done.

Those two links you gave me look great.. however I have a funny feeling they are up there in cost.

If you can stretch your budget a bit to maybe closer to $400, you will be much happier in the long run. If your receiver does not have a Phono Pre input for at least a Moving Magnet (MM) or Moving Iron cartridge, you will in all likelihood need to add a separate Phono Preamp to your list of needs.

If you can stretch that budget, consider the following from the NeedleDoctor website:

http://www.needledoctor.com/Pro-Ject...2&category=352

Rich

[DrinkMore]

Your probably right. It would be better to save up and have a good, new item than to fix, piece together something older.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by DrinkMore

Your probably right. It would be better to save up and have a good, new item than to fix, piece together something older.

Smart decison. And don't forget what Rich said about a possible Phono Pre-amp. If your receiver does NOT have a PHONO input, you will require a separate Phono Pre-amp (a.k.a. Phono Stage).

John

[househead]

I purchased an old school Sanyo TP-626 from our local used record/audio shop for around $100 a year ago. It had a new cart & belt and has served me well since then. I upgraded to the Shure M97Xe cartridge for $60 later on and that was a nice improvement. Very happy!

I guess sometimes you can get lucky going the used route.

It's upgrade time and last week I bought a used Pro-ject Debut III for a decent price but it was damaged in shipping When I get the refund from that I'm ponying up and getting a brand spanking new one. UGH!

[liquidice]

Just bought this turntable today at a garage sale, and couldn't pass it up for the price tag. Yes, I know this is totally entry level playback, but it still gives me the chance to dig into my vinyl collection again. Problem is that I really have no place to put this thing in my setup. I was able to hook it up and shove the player under my entertainment center. There is no way for me to place it next to any of my components because of space requirement. My question is, I'd like to open this up, and pull out the RCA cables, and replace them with longer ones. I have a mess of Monster Studio 1000 cable in the basement in a giant tote, and I could use one of my RCA's that are sitting there doing nothing. Is this possible first of all, and second, how long could I make the cable without there being issues? No, I don't want to buy anything else to "boost" the signal, unless it's cheap. I'd also have to extend the ground wire too, and not sure what I would use for that. Thanks ahead of time for info.