Reddit mentions: The best turntables

Part 1 (over 10,000 character limit)

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Ok, let’s first start off with, while you have a very healthy budget, keep in mind, just like with everything else, there are always better/more expensive gear; PSAudio’s BHK 300 pair, two mono amps (only powers 1 speaker each) is $15,000 on its own, and thats only scratching the surface.

However, diminishing returns are very real in audio. Your ear and listening environment is also important, one user I helped went from a pretty good $200 speaker pair to a well regarded $1200 one, yet he said he could barely tell a difference. On the flip side, you have people who can hear stark differences between two speakers who perform almost identically. I personally do not feel I have a “golden ear”, I can tell when a speaker is doing badly, and maybe I can do comparisons if I have both speakers to play with, but I can go from my <$400 self powered speakers to my $4000 towers with a $300 power amp (all bought used) with a MiniDSP for DSP correction, and if I just go room for room, I really don’t hear a staff contrast. They of course do sound different, especially if placed side-by-side, and my towers have more bass, but it’s just that to get “good enough”, you don’t need to spend much.

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Now, let’s start with the turntable; I am a purely digital guy, so no hands on experience, but I did search around for what the most highly regarded models where, from both reviewers and everyday people. Now, since I have no experience, I cannot tell you how much better a ~$100,000 MSRP turntable setup would be from a $100 turntable.

For $500-600, the cream of the crop seem to be:

• Pro-Ject Audio Debut Carbon DC Esprit SB (comes in White/Black/Red)
  
• U-Turn Orbit custom, with the acrylic platter, 2M Blue cartridge, cue lever, no preamp. It comes in 5 base color options with 2 premium wood finishes.
  
  For $2200-2500, the cream of the crop seem to be:
  
  
• Rega Planar 6 Turntable (Ania)
  
• VPI Prime Scout Turntable
  
• Clearaudio Concept Turntable w/ Verify Tonearm & Concept MC Cartridge
  
  Again, no clue how they compete against each other, even if the U-Turn vs Clearaudio. Maybe buy one from each bracket and compare; or maybe even buy them all, pick one, and return the rest 😬.
  
  I would maybe get an isolation pad or stand for the turntable, depending on how sturdy/inert the surface you are putting it on is, there are pads for like $100 and a stand would be like this, check that the turntable would fit of course. Or, a thick/dense piece of a non-resonant material, like a wood block, or even something like granite.
  
  
  
  These turntables need a phono preamp. Now, most stereo gear will have one built-in, but some feel an external one is worth purchasing (depending on the quality of the built-in one of course, if applicable). These can range from $50 to well over $5000.
  
  
  
  For the stereo preamp, the Parasound Halo P5 is $1100 (find a local dealer on their site, maybe haggle down to $1000 😉) and it seems to be unparalleled in that price bracket. It has a good phono preamp built-in.
  
  _
  
  For the power amp, I’m also thinking around the same price as the Halo. There are two options that stick out, the Monoprice Monolith amp (2ch variant) and the Emotiva XPA-2 Gen3. Now, I’m usually quick to recommend Emotiva, and that model has more wattage, but the Monolith has a bit better overall specs, and Audioholics gave it (7ch variant) a glowing review (with measurements); plus, it still has more wattage than you’d need. The reason I included the Emotiva is for two reason, you may like the look more (the Monolith looks cheap) and it has balanced XLR connections (doesn’t really make a difference unless doing like 50ft runs, but some people really want them).
  
  
  
  For speakers, Internet Direct brands are usually the way to go (though large brands like KEF and Revel, who pour a ton of money into R&D and aim for ideal sound, are really good as well). One downside is wait times, some ID brands ship within a week, if units are in-stock, but many of the expensive ones are built to order (as there are just so many finish options, and they don’t have millions of dollars in capital to produce a lot without orders), and these wait times can range from a month to 3-4 months (rarely more). Users here have speakers from all these brands, they are well known for being amazing for the price.
  
  Options:
  
  
• Ascend Acoustics Sierra Towers with RAAL upgrade ($2800-$2900 depending on standard finishes, even more for custom). These speakers are excellent, totally accurate with great imaging and a large-ish soundstage. They get to 41Hz. They ship within a week if units are in-stock.
  
• Philharmonic Phil 3 ($3500 for standard cabinet, I think excluding shipping, and goes more expensive with more expensive veneers, and is $200 more expensive to get a slightly sleeker cabinet, both made by Salk). These get to 25Hz! Email for wait times.
  
• Salk Song3-A ($3900 plus shipping in standard finishes/dyes). All these speakers I’m listing are all great in most every category, so kinda hard to describe differences. They get down to 33Hz. Email for wait times.
  
• Salk Silk Tower ($4500 plus shipping in standard finishes/dyes). They get down to 34Hz, and are a tad less dynamic than the Song3-A, but the drivers are high quality (or should I say, more expensive). Email for wait times.
  
• If you want to come close to that $15K budget, the only speaker Salk has ready to ship is a trade-in model (owner wanted the next model up; finish was re-done and in like-new condition, photos on listing). It is the SoundScape 10 in a premium finish, it is their 3^rd most expensive model. It is $9450 plus shipping, it is normally $13,000 plus shipping for a new one ($12,000 plus shipping in standard finishes). So, if you want a true endgame speaker (without getting crazy by thinking about a KEF Blade or something), this is a real good deal. Now, “How much better is it than the Song3-A / Silk Tower?”, that’s hard to say, I’ll just remind you of diminishing returns (the audible difference between the best $300 speaker and the best $1000 speaker is larger than the audible difference between the best $3000 speaker and the best $10,000 speaker). However, if you really want to squeeze out how much quality you can get for your budget, this is it.
  
  For speakers that you can go and demo (but won’t be as good, but still real good):
  
  
• Focal Aria 948 for $5K. They get to 37Hz.
  
• Revel F208 for $5K. They get to 31Hz.
  
• PSB Imagine T3 for $7500. These are would sound better than the Sierra RAAL/Phil3/Song3-A, obviously a lot more money. Specs state 27Hz, but actual measurements show it’s closer to 40Hz, so I think they were being sly and used the in-room spec. This speaker also needs some dampening behind it due to port noise, but they are great speakers.
  
  

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So you want a turntable huh? Welcome to the world of vinyl, where every sound is captured in its purest form and you can transcend into a previously undiscovered dimension of high-fidelity. There's a few things you need to take into account when shopping for a record player:

• Obviously, your budget.
  
  
• Your high-fidelity listening experience and on what equipment.
  
  
• Your supporting equipment such as speakers/headphones, amplifier, preamplifier, stylus, and even cables when you get into high quality equipment.
  
  When shopping for musical equipment, always start from the bottom up. If you let someone else do all the research for you, you will end up buying very expensive equipment you don't need/won't understand/won't be able to appreciate. My father blew thousands of dollars on hi-fi receivers, speakers, subs, and more based entirely off of what the assholes at Best Buy told him, but he has no idea how any of it works and he has it set up so that the sound quality is of speakers one-tenth the price.
  
  Your listening experience is what should really determine how much you splurge. Switching from listening to mp3s with Beats/iPod earphones to vinyls and hi-fi speakers/headphones is a massive audio transition that your ears will have a long and hard time transitioning to. Don't jump straight in to the deep side of the pool, because you will drown in the depth of the sound. Also, and more importantly, an inexperienced listener won't have the ability to tell the difference between an entry-level turntable and a thousand-dollar feat of engineering. If you don't want to get overwhelmed and you don't want to waste your money, you need to start with entry-level equipment.
  
  Note that by "entry-level" I don't mean cheap or gimmicky. I mean the first tier of the high-quality pyramid. The first step in a new world. Entry-level equipment can still be relatively expensive, but nothing to the dozens of thousands some golden-ear audiophiles shell out for the ultimate listening experience. This is where you need to look at your supporting equipment.
  
  A turntable will be a serious upgrade to your audio experience, but what are you going to hook it up to? If you jam to an iHome or Skullcandy headphones that you bought at Walgreens, you would probably get more value physically eating the money you plan on buying a turntable with. You will not be getting vinyl-quality sound, so again, I say look into entry-level speakers or headphones if you don't have some already. A good pair of headphones will be cheaper than a full surround sound speaker set and subwoofer. You can find out more about audiophile-quality speakers and headphones on blogs and forums such as The Audiophiliac, head-fi, and my personal favorite, Innerfidelity.
  
  I became an aspiring audiophile only a year ago, so my knowledge is limited. Most audiophiles are older men and women with the experience and money to recreate high-quality sound, so I am always pushing my equipment to get the maximum dollar-for-dollar value possible. Here is my progression of equipment:
  
  
• Audio-Technica ATH-M30 headphones. They were $40 when I got them and they were the biggest single improvement in sound I ever made. I listened to them primarily through my laptop, and at first my ears could not process all the different sounds going on in the higher-quality tracks in my iTunes library. Hence my recommendation to ease into the hi-fi market.
  
  
• Audio-Technica ATH-M50. These are the workhorse of the Audiophile world. The most popular and most trusted headphone model, and in the opinion of very many, the best cans you can get under $200 or even more. Being only $60 more than the M30's, these are the cans I recommend starting off with. After six months with them I'm still learning to fully appreciate their depth of sound.
  
  
• Onkyo TX-SR503. This was my first amplifier and also doubled as the receiver for my home sound system. I found it cleared the sound slightly and at high volume keeps the sound clear, along with allowing to play the music at much higher volumes than a laptop, mp3 player, or built-in amplifier can when you just want to drown out your world in a bravado of highs and lows. Amplifiers are the most technical-heavy with a wide array of statistics which allow you to judge their quality, but the numbers side is my weakest side, so I encourage you to research on your own the stats like Ohms, Watts, etc.
  
  
• Audio-Technica AT-LP60. Buying a record player was the best choice I ever made in improving my listening experience. Of course I'm biased, but I find that the AT-LP60 is as good as it gets for any turntable under $200, and it's only $80. My first record was a pristine copy of "Bad" by Michael Jackson. Hearing that record for the first time through those ATH-M50's was a turning point in my life. No longer was I content with 192kbps torrents. The crystal clarity; the thumping lows and chiming highs; the sheer bliss of hearing MJ's "hee hees" and "shamonas" as if he was in the room was fucking righteous.
  
  
• Denon AVR-989. Just like the Onkyo, this is an audio/video receiver that also functions as my amplifier. I did not get this to improve sound quality (which it does although), I got this because it was donated to Goodwill by either a Saudi oil tycoon or an elderly citizen who was intimidated by it and it was selling for $40, so I wasn't turning down that opportunity. If you are just looking for a sound amplifier though, I encourage you to look into a tube amplifier. They look and sound incredible.
  
  After this there are all sorts of other improvements you can make to your listening experience such as purchasing custom styluses and cables, but trust me when I say that will be unnecessary for a little while. I recommend starting with a basic stack of turntable, amplifier, and speakers/headphones. My personal recommendation is the ATP-L60, ATH-M50, and a solid tube amp or receiver. If you are curious about other headphone options, here is a beginner's guide to buying headphones, and here is a ridiculously in-depth review of 107 different headphone models, along with a chart with the review statistics.
  
  I think this is enough to get you started and hopefully I've spawned the quest of an aspiring audiophile! High-fidelity sound can change your life. It can heighten your senses and alter you view of life. I know it definitely has for me. If you have any other questions you can of course message me, but I recommend posting on those forums where audiophiles with 40+ years of listening experience and a vast wealth of technical knowledge are always looking to help new listeners like us.
  
  TL;DR Know your shit. Don't get ripped off.

You could easily Pro-Ject your way up for £1000, and have a great sounding set-up going on! (I know, because I just went full Pro-Ject after browsing, checking and listening to tons of TT's)

• I can't recommend the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon enough. This will set you back £300, but it's worth every pence. And it comes with an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, so you're pretty well off there. (Although I went for the Ortofon OM 10 personally)
  
  
• Hook it up to a Phono Box II, and for an additional £70 you're even pre-amped! Or, use a pre-amp, dependent on the amp you're going to use. The pre-amp is with its £123 a tad more expensive, but those extra pounds could come in useful. (Whether or not the amp can adjust volume. If not, like the one listed below, you'll need this to be able to adjust the volume)
  
  
• Power it up with an Amp Box DS, and for another £300 you're done!
  
  A great set-up for under £700!
  
  Of course, you can always use some speakers as well. I don't know how big you want to go, but if you want to keep it compact and clean, you can't go wrong with a pair of JBL speakers. These will set you back for £150.
  
  So for under £850 you have yourself a truly great brand and spanking new set-up.
  
  If £1000 is your budget, you can even squeeze in some upgrades.
  
  
• The Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter is a good purchase for £100! Looks beautiful on the TT, and gives you less resonance, so a better sound. (But more importantly, you can leave the stock felt mat aside. How much I like Pro-Ject, that felt mat is crap!)
  
  
• The Speed Box is another great upgrade for some £100. This one will let you switch between 33 and 45 rpm, without having to manually change the belt. It also equalizes the power from your outlet, resulting in a guaranteed playback speed of 33 or 45 rpm.
  (Do check compatibility, though. Not all power supplies are compatible. For the BE power outlet, I had to go for the Speed Box SEII. That one will set you back a bit more, but I heard that Pro-Ject is releasing a new one this summer that supposedly will be 'budget')
  
  So it's possible to have an upgraded set-up for just over £1000. And I guarantee you'll be very happy with your set-up!
  
  I know this relies heavily on Pro-Ject. But what can I say... I'm a fan. I'm sure there are other possibilities and options out there that are just as good (and if you can score some great vintage finds, even better). So, I'm not saying you should absolutely go for this set-up. Do as I do. Snoop around. Listen and compare. Just wanted to give you an idea of a great new set-up within your budget.
  
  EDIT: expanded on the pre-amplification.

Why not spend the $50-$100 its going to take to put a headshell and decent budget cartridge on the Gemini? That's cheaper than a night out, and you'll get a lot of hours of enjoyment out if it (setting the turntable up, tinkering/learning, and playing records). Even if you upgrade later, it's better than letting the Gemini collect dust or throwing it in the dumpster and raising the amount of perfectly serviceable and fun e-waste rotting in our landfills.

Edit: You will need to fix the speed adjustment slider and buttons on at least one of those though. That's very important for a record player.

Audiophiles are very picky and tend to invest a lot in their equipment (especially if they're buying brand new high end manual turntables, which is what this subreddit has a fetish for). Yeah the Gemini and the Sony look like shit if you sit them next to a brand new Rega, but why should you care?

Your Sony is cheap to buy, very simple and cheaply made, therefore to an audiophile it must be bad. It is also nearly impossible to tinker with (which is probably what is causing your dissatisfaction). That being said, it plays records and plays them pretty well. Your new turntable(s) won't give you much improvement in audio quality, but it will give you a ton of room to have fun with the hobby.

The Gemini is what is referred to as a Technics SL-1200 clone or Super OEM, and your assessment of it is mostly correct. It looks almost like an SL-1200, and it functions almost like one, but it has NONE of the refinement. Nice price though. It's actually pretty comparable to an Audio Technica AT LP-120, which costs a lot more than $15. Like I said, the Gemini probably won't give you much in terms of an audio improvement over the Sony. It will require a phono preamp if you don't have one yet (the Sony has a built-in preamp, the Gemini does not).

Changing headshells is a huge part of the fun of vinyl, and definitely something you want to get into if you're wanting to get technical with the hobby. The AT95e is one of the best budget cartridges and the Ortofon OM10 is the other. Since you specifically said you want to tinker, I would not buy the preassembled cartridge. I would buy a seperate headshell and an alignment protractor and do the installation myself. It's slightly cheaper than spending the $60 for the ready to install kit, and you'll learn more that way. If you're intimidated, there are A LOT of youtube guides on how to do this.

The Ortofon 2M Red and Shure M97xe are slightly classier budget cartridges, but they won't offer a big performance boost over the good budget option (the Ortofon Red sure is pretty looking though...). You'll need to spend >$200 on a cartridge before you start to see a significant upgrade over the budget options.

edit:
Quick links -

Budget headshell - https://www.amazon.com/ADJ-Products-TT-HEADSHELL-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B0002E51V2

Alignment protractor - https://www.amazon.com/Turntable-Phonograph-Cartridge-Alignment-Protractor/dp/B079ZBLJ4M

AT95e - https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-At95e-Phonograph-Cartridge/dp/B004NRVUMI/

Ortofon OM10 - https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-Super-OM10-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B000CCEQM4/

Ortofon 2M Red - https://www.amazon.com/Ortofon-2M-Red-Phono-Cartridge/dp/B000WMCEKK/

Shure M97xe - https://www.amazon.com/Shure-M97xE-Performance-Magnetic-Cartridge/dp/B007ZC2EYQ

AT LP-120 - https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/

I am an audiophile. I had binders and binders of CD's when napster had just begun. Then the digital revolution, Mini-Disk to Ipod, 56k song downloads to torrenting discographies.

But I was born too late for vinyl.

I find myself at a friends house for after work drinks and dinner. She has just started collecting vinyl. And when I say just started, she had maybe ten albums lined up on the wall. Kind of on display, but also just sitting on the floor. We threw on Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti, my pick of her acquired albums.

Now I am a huge Led Zeppelin fan, and Physical Graffiti is a rocking album, but it was like I was listening to the album for the first time. I have listened to the album countless times, but something was completely different. The warmth of the sound, the quality, the character. This was cool.

I was so intrigued that I couldn't shut up about it when I had returned home. My dad told me that although he didn't have a turntable, he still had quite a few of his records. I made him dig them out of our storage closet.

I spent the next couple of hours looking through some 75 records. Some christmas albums, and bill cosby comedy albums. Some like an original pressing of The Beatles - "The White Album" that my dad had drawn a self portrait on. I know this totally devalues the selve, but I love this album more for it. This album has a piece of my father, it's beautiful.(I'll post a photo when I get home). Luckily my father took care of his records, so they are all in great playing shape.

I was also gifted a few that where once my mother's. An original pressing of Michael Jackson - Thriller. It, like most of her albums, was not taken care of, so it doesn't really play. I have since purchased a copy of thriller(25th anniversary picture disc), but I can't throw out my mom's which doesn't play.

So after spending hours just sitting on the floor looking at these records, I bought a turntable. I usually research electronics purchases, this time not so much. I didn't foresee my vinyl addiction to be the monster it has truly become. I just wanted to rock the small the collection I had just inherited. I bought the Audio Technica AT-LP60. I lucked out with an awesome starter turntable.

Now I find myself drooling over furniture to store my collection. (Anybody have these?) Researching turntables to upgrade there. My collection just keeps growing. I received in the mail today Soulive w/ Karl Denson - Spark, Lettuce - Fly, and Burial - Untrue. I love my albums.

TL:DR; I love vinyl.

Hello! First off I want to thank you so much for this contest! That is an awesome thing to do! I hope my comment doesn't get too buried but here we go.


I am listing items that somewhat define me as a person. This might help you learn a little more about me and maybe even help you find something of interest. These items are entertainment, music, coffee and beer.

1. [Amazon Fire TV](Amazon Fire TV https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U3FPN4U/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_sewOwbZ2BH5MS) - Entertainment. TV, games, movies, I am all about entertainment. We have cut the cord in our house so this would really help with entertainment.
   
   
   
2. [A record player](Audio Technica AT-LP60 Fully Automatic Stereo Turntable System, Silver https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GYTPAE/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_LiwOwbZXCJCTP) - Music. I am very passionate about music and I recently have gotten the idea to get into vinyl. I like the idea of having the records for music but also to be able to display them as art.
   
   
   
3. [Luwak Coffee](Luwak Star Gourmet Coffee, 100% Arabica Sumatra Gayo Luwak Coffee from Indonesia (or Kopi Luwak) Whole Beans, Medium Roast, 100 Gram (0.22 Lb) Bag, Roasted in the U.S https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OCU80Q/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_blwOwbHR0DSYH) - Coffee. There's almost nothing I love more than a good cup of coffee. I love trying different coffees from all over the world. This coffee that I have listed is one of the most exotic and expensive coffees in the world. If you are not familiar with this coffee, here is some info. The cherries of this coffee are eaten by a wild cat like animal in Indonesia. Farmers then collect the feces of the animal and pick the coffee beans out. Supposedly the mix of the coffee cherries and stomach acid enhance the flavor of the coffee. I absolutely must try this coffee someday!
   
   
   
4. [Beer Home brew kit](Monster Brew Home Brewing Supp Complete Beer Equipment Kit (K6) with 6 Gallon Glass Carboy, Gold https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01467U8KY/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_YswOwb3CG9E9B) - Beer. I took my love of beer to the next level and started home brewing my own. The problem is that it is a very long process, 6-8+ weeks. So I wait 2 months for the beer to finish and then after I give some to friends and family and drink a few (okay a lot) myself it doesn't last very long. With this kit I would be able to double the amount I make at a time so it would last longer.
   
   
   This last one is actually something for my wife. [Jawbone activity tracker](o UP2 by Jawbone Activity + Sleep Tracker, Gunmetal Hex (Dark Gray), Lightweight Thin Straps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01649SM6O/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_XwwOwb78E30GT) - like many people my wife has made a resolution to shed some pounds and get back in shape. This would be very useful for her to help accomplish her goals.
   
   
   Thanks again for doing this!

I started back in with vinyl earlier this year - it can be a little expensive, but if you have some spare cash and need a hobby, it's definitely something to get into. I love the larger album art, but what I really respect is the technology - with everything being digital nowadays, it's pretty fucking cool that something as analog as a needle (scratching a groove and making music) is still around and relevant.

When I was younger, I had an old record player from a garage sale and used records (pop/rock like Led Zeppelin, Boston, AC/DC, etc...) were anywhere from $.25 to maybe $5 tops. With the resurgence of vinyl recently, used records are still fairly cheap (maybe $5-10, higher depending on rarity), but new records can set you back $18-40 (depending on number of pressings, colors, etc...).

I've since bought an Audio Technica LP-120, cleaned up and pruned (ditched anything too far gone) my old collection, and started my new vinyl metal collection - I love it. To be honest, I wish I stayed with it when I was younger, as I probably could have built quite a collection (especially with metal) in the time I was away from it.

Records make you appreciate full albums instead of playlists or single songs. It might get a little annoying to have to flip/change a triple LP (metal bands especially have longer songs that don't fit on a single LP anymore), but that's what makes you appreciate the whole album.

It's the perfect time to get into it - Led Zeppelin is re-releasing all their albums on remastered vinyl (and they sound incredible), modern bands do vinyl releases (usually with download cards to get digital copies), and I'm sure it will be continue to be relevant for a long time to come.

Some tips:

1. Check out record labels (Earache, Inside Out, Century Media, etc...), as they regularly do "free shipping" promotions, and you can get much better prices buying directly from the label instead of some douche bag reselling records through ebay at higher prices. Also, check out local record shops - http://www.recordshops.org/ can be helpful.
   
   
2. Don't bother with colored vinyl if you have the choice - it looks cool and all, but sometimes you wind up paying more for it, and it doesn't sound as good as black vinyl (or so they say). Picture discs are cool for display, but tend to have horrible sound quality.
   
   
3. Don't cheap out on a record player, especially with the tonearm - you want to be able to adjust how much weight you're putting on the record, so as to not ruin them.
   
   
4. Buy sleeves for your records - they stop the covers from warping, and (obviously) protect them from dirt and whatnot. Inner sleeves are also a good idea, as some records ship with paper inner sleeves that can actually scratch them.
   
   
5. Make an account on discogs.com, and use it to organize your collection/wantlist - it's probably one of the best places to get used vinyl online.

I'd stay away from something like this. A lot of these console players don't have the best components, and if you're spending good money on records, you want to play them on something good. Some of the console style players come with great turntables and receivers, but a lot come with cheap stuff. For instance, the turntable could not have an adjustable counter weight on the tone arm, or not have pitch control so you can accurately set the speed. It could have something other than a standard mount cartridge too. Plus, things that are this old are prone to breaking, so if something goes out, it might be hard to fix or flat out impossible.

That being said, vintage isn't a bad route to go, just go with a dedicated turn table and receiver from a reputable company. r/vinyl has a lot of great guides for buying your first set up and what to look for as far as vintage gear. Just make sure you've got an adjustable counter weight and pitch control as I think those are the biggest factors in having a good turntable. With receivers you have a little more leeway, but you basically just need something with a phono input. Just test whatever you buy before you buy it. Remember, a lot of these things are 20/30/40 years old at this point and not everything is going to work properly. A vintage tube receiver from the 70's will sound incredible if you get one that it's great shape, but something solid state from the 80's or 90's will be just fine and much more affordable. Speakers you can probably find pretty cheap. Again, I'd recommend trying them before you buy them to make sure they're not blown, but typically if they're made my a reputable speaker brand, you're usually fine.

If you go new, I'd recommend getting one of these Audio Technica's. It's got all the features you'd need and it's got a built in phono preamp so you don't even need a receiver right away (you can buy a nice one down the line and improve your sound a ton). $250 for the turntable and drop another $100-200 on speakers and you'll have a badass setup, and the peace of mind that your gear isn't decades old and prone to breaking.

​

Edit: Again, I just want to drive home the main point I want to make. If you spend $20-30 on a single record of something you really love, don't cheap out when it comes to what you'll be listening to that expensive record on. I have a few friends who spend good money on new records, but play them on cheap $100 record players with horrible speakers and I think they're kind of missing the point. You don't have to drop thousands on a crazy audiophile setup, but why spend money on physical music if it's not going to sound good? Your smartphone through a $50 bluetooth speaker shouldn't sound better than what you're playing your $30 records on. I hope that makes sense.

If you're only seeing large dust particles on the surface but not hearing much in terms of popping and crackling, then I'd go with just a basic carbon fiber brush like this AudioQuest one. If you're new to vinyl and don't already have one, it's a good thing to pick up anyway. It's good practice to brush each side before each spin. While these types of brushes won't clean a truly dirty record, they'll help your clean records stay clean.

If your records are noticeably loud and noisy then you'll probably have to go the route of wet cleaning. I see kits like this one a lot but I don't think they're really worth the money. You can do a better (and cheaper) job with:

• Microfiber Cloths - Run them all through a cycle in your washing machine (just water, no detergent) to get rid of any fuzz.
  
• Isopropyl Alcohol & Distilled Water - Put a solution of 1 part alcohol and 2 parts water into a spray bottle. You could even use as little as 1 to 4, I don't think it makes a huge difference. Make sure to get 90% plus alcohol and avoid any types of additives like menthol.
  
  You can lay one cloth flat to set the record on, spray it down and scrub around lightly with one of the cloths (it can help to dampen this with the distilled water). Personally I like to then dry the record with another cloth, spray it down with just distilled water to rinse it then dry again and repeat on the other side but you can find a method/system that works for you. If you're being super particular about it then remember to flip and replace the cloth the record is on so as not to contaminate the side you just cleaned. Also if you're worried about getting your labels wet, car applicator pads like these actually cover a label almost perfectly and they can also be used in place of a microfiber cloth to scrub the record, they work great.
  
  If you plan on sticking with vinyl for awhile though it's worth it to save up for a SpinClean. I was a skeptic for a long time but I'm glad I finally got one, it really is worth the money. It does a good job, it's well built and it's stupidly easy to use. If $80 seems too steep for a yellow plastic trough (which it really is, unfortunately) there are cheaper models such as this. Doesn't have a lid and comes with different cleaning fluid but it doesn't seem like a half bad option.
  
  Whichever option you go with always make sure you're putting your newly cleaned records into clean inner sleeves. If they were dirty in those sleeves it's very likely those sleeves are dirty too. Also remember to keep your turntable mat and stylus clean.

I mean if you don’t care THAT much about like “hmmmmph the Bass has to be strong and the treble needs to be just right and there needs to be a wholesome sound”
And are instead looking for an affordable way to play records and enjoy the aesthetics of owning and listening to records, I have this player and apparently (according to a friend) it’s not the BEST quality but I (not a connoisseur of music, but a musician myself that understands nice sound) I think it sounds fine enough to enjoy

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UMVW4VA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ydM3BbC13E43Z

Nice things:
It’s got a nice lil handle and comes with a power cable and built in speakers and can use those speakers to play audio from Bluetooth, the turntable, or an aux cord, has three speed settings, and automatically stops (if you don’t want to play the speakers loudly there’s always the headphone port as well)

Breakability:
As a side note if you do buy this one, be careful with the lever that you can use to lift the stick that holds the needle (pardon my terminology) because I actually broke mine pretty quickly (it’s not bad quality or anything, I was just an idiot and like latched the needle down on its stand (because it has a latch for the needle for travel purposes) and left the latch closed and then used too much force to try to push the lever that lifts it and now I can’t use the lever and I have to manually lift it when I want to take it off a record which I think is less safe for records but OH WELL

All in all this record player is acceptable quality for leisurely usage and I recommend it but with a little bit more care than I’ve put into mine; best of luck and anyone else that reads this can argue if they’d like, I think it’s a nice and one of the most affordable solutions for someone like me (or at least it was when I was shopping around for a player)

Well, you've got a healthy budget, which is always a plus.

This is my recommendation, but mine only. I only recently got into vinyl myself, so if I screw up I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than I can correct me.

TT: Pro Ject Debut Carbon DC. Stylish, minimalist, and it includes an Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, which sells by itself for $100. You can upgrade the stylus quite a bit if you find you're wanting something more.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IIMXATU/ref=psdc_3003611_t1_B000CDHQK2

Preamp:U-Turn Pluto Phono preamp

This can be a tough one, because the preamp is one of the most important parts for vinyl. I'm shaving a bit of the budget for other things, because this is a very simple and elegant unit that does what it's supposed to do and no more than that.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018WK56JE/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B018WK56JE&pd_rd_wg=yhwxX&pd_rd_r=E8GA6CB25VQS5H5JS2Y7&pd_rd_w=Oh2rh&smid=A1FEN8WPYFT9YE

Amplifier: You'll have to take this one as a personal choice. It may not be for you. But I have read nothing but good reviews for this amp from a number of different sources. It's analog, and it's great for all formats, but especially good for vinyl. If I could ever stop upgrading my current setup and save a bit of money, I would have one of these;

https://www.amazon.com/Push-Pull-Integrated-Amplifier-Without-Protect/dp/B012CSK30E/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1523002033&sr=1-3&keywords=Yaqin

Not only is it supposed to sound much better than it's price would indicate, but it's also a work of art. There are caveats though. No surround sound. No remote. No subwoofer output. Exposed tubes will burn fingers! This is a simple tube amp that is made to play music. It does that one thing well, and nothing else.

Speakers: The most important part of the system. Some would say that these should occupy the bulk of your budget. But with no subwoofer needed, I'm going for great sound on this one.

Dynaudio Emit M10's. Super well reviewed. Small, but able to fill a room, and your room is quite small for footage. I gravitated to these because there is every indication that these speakers sound capable, and fun to listen to.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075MNM2DL/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B075MNM2DL&pd_rd_wg=UX29t&pd_rd_r=BQE9JHJX0NTV8VQJQZSY&pd_rd_w=69aAf

Outside of some stands and a few different cables, that's about it. This system, to me, starts to creep into the true "audiophile" ranks. It's simple, attractive without being too gaudy, and most importantly should sound excellent.

As before, these are just my opinions. I'm sure others will lend theirs as well. Good luck in whatever system you decide on!

I was in your position not too long ago. I really wanted to get into the hobby but didn't have enough money to buy anything decent. The first thing I did was look for a job. This is easier said than done but once I found one I was surprised as to how quickly I could make money. One of the first things I bought was a nice pair of headphones. I bought the Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT, but the cheaper version without bluetooth looks just as good. I also started to collect records. It did feel pointless at times with no way of listening to them but I still appreciated the artwork. After that I decided to buy some nice bookshelf speakers, the Edifier R1280T's. Although the price was cheap, I absolutely love these speakers. Even though I didn't have a turntable yet, it made listening to Spotify more enjoyable. Additionally, I knew that I would have a nice pair of speakers for whenever I could afford a turntable. These speakers have two inputs so I can have both my PC and turntable plugged in at the same time which is really nice. Once I had enough for a turntable I had a little trouble picking out the right one. I almost settled for a lp60 but I'm glad I didn't. For me, it was between a U-turn Orbit, AT lp120, and Fluance RT81. All of these are great turntables but I ended up choosing the Fluance model. The wood look, large number of features, and good reviews made this the best turntable under $300 for me. That's my story! Please don't buy anything cheaply made. It won't sound any better than Spotify will for you and will be a little disappointing. Also, don't give up on trying to sell the PS4. I gave up video games around 6 months ago and I've had so much more free time to work and enjoy other things! Good luck!

You'll need a record player, wether that is by means of free or purchase, you most likely need an amp also, and speakers.
I would recommend the Audio Technica AtLp60. It's cheap at 100 bucks but gets the job done. Next get an amp. For both of these, look to Amazon. Pick up a used or open box Sony Strdh190. If you don't have one, get an Amazon card, use the gift card to help defray the cost. You could get a beans new amp for less that 100. I recommend this one cause it has a phono input. The AT60 I recommend has a preamp I believe, so you'll actually want to hook it up to input 1. But, this allows you to upgrade your turntable if you come across something better at a thrift store or from a friend later. Not all turntables have preamps, if they don't, hook it to the phono input. If they do, line 1.
If you choose to get into cassettes or CD, you also have inputs for those decks as you come across them cheap.
Speakers. With this setup, you'll want speakers that can handle the newer power levels of a modern amp. 100watts. 6 or 8 ohms. Something like a pair of Klipsch bookshelf speakers. The RM 15 I believe is a affordable, new, good sounding speaker. Or some Polks of the same power.
All this, and your set. This isn't going to be everyone's setup, but it gets you started, listenable sound, and upgradable. All this can be had relatively affordable. 100 for the turntable, 125 for the speakers, and less than 150 for the amp if you buy it new. Until you understand more about turntables, avoid used is my suggestion, buy affordable new, nothing to do but follow the instructions.

Sony STRDH190 2-ch Stereo Receiver with Phono Inputs & Bluetooth https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078WFDR8D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_hgWnDb8R2HGM2


Audio-Technica ATLP60 Fully Automatic Stereo Belt Drive Turntable - (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008872SIO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_hhWnDbN5KDF61


Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers (Pair, Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00192KF12/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_CiWnDb6W6STNP


Klipsch R-15M Bookshelf Speaker (Pair) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LMF41IY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_WjWnDbS7BKBQS


These are all direct to Amazon links. Look in the used sections to get a deal on some of these and save a few bucks.
Someone mentioned it already also. Do this to love the music. Don't collect records to collect records, it's a rabbit hole of money. Just but the bands you like. Listen to an album online before you buy it to see if you'll like it if you don't know who they are. About the elusive 1dollar bin at the record store. Those records may or may not be in great shape, and do you REALLY care about polkas greatest hits from 1963? All your dad or uncles what they listen to and look for some of those records to rock out to.
Good luck. Hope this helps.

PS, my prices mentioned and names of equipment were approximate, go with what's in the links.

Here’s why:

It actually DOESN’T sound good. Normally, I’m the kind of guy who goes “if it sounds good to you, it sounds good to you”, but Victrola/Crosley/etc brand turntables have incredibly INCREDIBLY cheap components, cheap speakers (that are part of the unit, which I’ll explain why that’s bad in a second), and a bunch more stuff, crammed in an ugly form factor for like $60.

Let’s break all that down:

Cheap components - depending on the model, the Victrola is either $60, or $110, frequently on sale for much less. We must also keep in mind the laws of economics, these machines are cheaper to make then they sell for. Let’s give a conservative estimate of $70 for the 8-in-1, and $40 for the 3-in-1.

The Audio Technica AT95E NEEDLE, not even a whole turntable, not even the cartridge it goes onto, just the needle costs $35, and that’s a cheap entry level needle.

Now ask yourself: if buying a needle is nearly as much as the whole turntable costs to make... how good are those parts? Probably not that great. In fact, the needle on most cheap turntables use ceramics, rather than diamond tips. Ceramic needles not only are harsher on records, but have a poorer quality sound overall.

Then we look at the motor, we need an even speed for playing back records, and with quartz crystals or belts, that’s fairly easy, but those systems are $$$, so we have a cheapo motor that can’t handle a constant speed leading to “wow and flutter”, fluctuations in pitch and sound caused by speed differences. Now, unless you have a really really high end deck, some amounts of wow and flutter are to be expected, but the Victrola has a high amount.

Then, the tone arm. Generally speaking, the needle shouldn’t be pressing down on a record more than 3-4 grams or so, depending on the needle/cartridge you are using. Because these things are portable, they need a solution that doesn’t get goofed up when you move it, so weight from the tone arm varies BY UNIT to 10+ grams. That’s CRUSHING your record, and actively wearing out the grooves. Now, yes, records DO wear out over time, but that’s after hundreds if not thousands of plays.

And lastly, the speakers. These are contained IN THE UNIT, meaning if you are playing loud, they are shaking the whole unit, and thus the needle, and thus reducing the sound. As well as the fact that these speakers are usually quite small, and as stated before, quite cheap.

The rest of the buffalo- So that’s just the turntable! Then you’ve crammed a cassette deck, a CD player, a radio (am and fm with antenna), a aux in, and a Bluetooth receiver in there, and you have to assume the cost of those parts are as cheap as well, so you really have a $20 turntable, $10 CD player, $10 radio, $10 cassette deck, $5 aux input, $10 Bluetooth chip, and $5 for plastic assembly and now you’re realizing you’ve paid $110 for a $70 Machine that promises too much and can’t fulfill much of what it claims to do very well.

Ugly- And then this is down to personal taste: dude, that shits just ugly. Faux wood paneling, a “retro” design that never really existed, disks and buttons everywhere. I’m not saying the LP-120 looks good, but it’s leagues better in comparison.

So that’s why it’s dumped upon.

So why would you spend $110 on a $70 machine, when you could save up about $100 more, and get a DRAMATICALLY BETTER MACHINE. Yes, it's made in China like the rest of the Victrola/Crosley tables, and yes, it has a plastic body, BUT!

It has:

• A proper Quartz Lock mechanism keeping the speed constant
  
  
• A good, starter quality needle and cartridge (the above mentioned AT95E), with the ability to CHANGE IN THE FUTURE (you can't do that on a victrola)
  
  
• A tone arm weight you can set yourself, making sure weight distribution on your records is at needle manufacture recommendations
  
  
• MUCH higher quality audio components, leading to a crisper sound
  
  
• USB out, so you can record your records
  
  
• and a built in pre-amp, so all you need is a pair of cheap bookshelf speakers, and the table, and nothing else.
  
  Or, how about only $60 more, and you could get a U-Turn Orbit. It's belt driven, so if you wanna run a record at 45 RPM you'd have to move the belt, but still, DRAMATICALLY better than the motor driving a Victrola, and again, DRAMATICALLY better parts for audio. Sure it's missing a Phono preamp, but that's only $13.
  
  In short: why would you buy a $70 machine for $110 if you could save up a bit more and get something so so so much better

I was just getting into vinyl when I was your age, and I initially found it hard navigating the most basic technical information about how to decide how to purchase and set up a turntable. Here is the most relevant stuff you need to know:

1. By default, turntables do not output sound at "line level." Basically, their signal has to be amplified by a preamplifier before it is plugged into an amplifier/receiver. However, many turntables are shipped with preamplifiers built-in (the one you have linked is one such model). This means you can plug it in to any amplifier/receiver input that accepts line level input. If you see an amplifier/receiver input labeled "phono," this input is for turntables that do not have preamplifiers, and it is probably the case that your amplifier/receiver has a phono preamplifier built-in to it.
   
   It is embarassing how many people do not understand the need for a preamplification system so please take note of this: If you ever are playing music through a turntable and it is coming through really quiet, that means you do not have a correctly operating phono preamplifier. Phono preamplifiers can be external add-ons that are placed in between your turntable and receiver/amp, internal features of your reciever/amp, or internal features of your turntable. At some point in your set-up, a preamplifer must be present.
   
   
2. Turntables power the rotation of the platter by one of two means: belt-driven mechanisms or Direct Drive motors. Belt-driven turntables rotate the platter at the same speed as Direct Drive ones, but their torque is weaker. This means that any physical restriction on the platter of a belt-driven turntable will seriously impact playback of the record and will probably physically damage the turntable. One very important consequence of this is that belt-driven turntables are thus not very useful for live DJ'ing, which frequently requires placing a lot of stress on the movement of the platter. If you're only concerned with placing a record on a platter and listening to it all the way through, then don't worry about it. There are a number of other things to consider in the belt-driven vs. Direct Drive distinction, but this is probably the most important one. The turntable you've posted is a belt-driven table.
   
   
3. Cartridges and needles come in many different types. There are two primary distinctions that must be established when talking about cartridges and needles: A) Cartridges can be either Moving Magnet (MM) or Moving Coil (MC), and B) Needles can be either conical or elliptical in shape. There's a lot of cool physics and stuff to consider here if you ever really get into vinyl, and you might start with wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_cartridge . For now, just know that these distinctions exist, and be conscious of the type of cartridge and needle you need to buy if you ever have to replace the ones on your current turntable. I believe the turntable you've posted comes shipped with a Moving Magnet cartridge and conical stylus.
   
   
4. Turntables can be "automatic," "semi-automatic," or "manual." Automatic turntables take complete control of the operation of the tonearm. You press a start button, and the tonearm moves by itself and plays the exposed side of the record. When it's done, the tonearm retracts and returns to its resting place by itself. Manual turntables require you to operate the tonearm. You must place the tonearm where you want the record to start, and you must return it when you want the record to stop. Semi-auto turntables come in a few different forms, but generally they allow some manipulation of the placement of the tonearm while retaining the ability to automatically return the tonearm to its cradle when the record is finished.
   
   
   
   Now, to answer your actual questions:
   
   
5. Is it a good turntable to purchase? That depends on your desires. Generally, you can divide turntables into three price ranges: Under $150 tables, $300-$500 tables, and +$600 turntables. You have to make a choice between a sub-$150 table and a $300-$500 table. http://www.needledoctor.com/ is a good website to use to quickly browse the many different brands of turntables available. The $300-$500 turntables will come with more features like anti-skate control (the ability to apply a force to the tonearm that pulls it away from the center of the record in case the needle ever starts "skating) and pitch control (the ability to make minute changes to the speed of the rotation of the platter, thus affecting the song's tempo and pitch. If you're just starting out and not planning on DJ'ing, you probably don't need these features.
   
   As for my personal opinions on brands, I think Audio Technica's turntables are not amazing but they're acceptable, and at $80 you can't really complain. This would be a good "starter" table, if the bug catches you like it did me you can always upgrade later. If you are willing to go the $300-$500 route, look into turntables by Technics, Vestax, Music Hall, or Pro-Ject. Be cautious about the brands Stanton, Numark, Gemini, and Ion when it comes to $300+ turntables.
   
   
6. Do you need a receiver to connect headphones? Your turntable will not have a headphone jack unless it already has an amplifier. So you will need a receiver in the sense that a receiver is an amplifier (receiver = amplifier that plays AM/FM radio and has many inputs for other devices). Receivers generally have headphone jacks.
   
   
7. You do not need to worry about 78 rpm records at this juncture unless you're really looking to find lots of music that was made in the early 20th century. Even then, a lot of it has been re-released on 33 RPM records.
   
   
8. Are vinyl records durable? They are certainly less durable than CDs when it comes to playability. Simply put, playing vinyl records is a destructive act. Since pressure equals force divided by area, even the one to two grams of force a typical needle applies to a record is divided by a very very small area (the tip of the needle), thus resulting in a great amount of pressure. Over time, records wear out from being played. Records are more durable in the sense that its a lot harder to break a vinyl record than it is to break a CD, but do know that it's really easy to hear every little scratch and dent on a vinyl record.
   
   Dust is another issue. If you're buying used records, and you will be, fighting dust will be an uphill battle. Most record stores worth their salt will clean their records with record cleaning machines before selling them; flea markets won't. Do your part to minimize the role of dust by using a carbon fiber brush on a record before playing it ( http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Anti-Static-record-cleaner-brush/dp/B0006VMBHI/ref=pd_sim_e_7 ). If you find a record store with a record cleaning machine, they usually charge about a dollar a record to wash your vinyl, or less if you're a good friend/customer. Other ways to lessen the impact of dust:
   a) use outer sleeves and inner sleeves
   b) clean your stylus regularly with a small brush that comes with it in a backwards to forwards motion
   c) use brushes and record cleaning solutions (do note that it is possible to make record cleaning solutions yourself, google it): http://www.needledoctor.com/Stanton-VC-1-Vinyl-Cleaner?sc=2&category=108
   
   Turntables are durable, but since they have more external moving parts than, say, CD players, they are more at risk to damage. The tonearm is your greatest concern. Don't let that thing get knocked around. Belts on belt-driven turntables wear out eventually, but replacing them is pretty easy.
   
   
9. Is the sound quality on vinyl superior? Depends on who you ask--and the context. The question you should be asking yourself is, "Do you enjoy the sound of a vinyl record?" It's a very particular kind of thing; some people like it, some don't. If you are really put off by tiny pops and scratches in your music, vinyl is probably not for you.

Oh hell yea. I have the Fluance RT 82 which is only $300. It has adjustable antiskate and an adjustable counterweight, both which prevents the player from damaging your records. Also a pretty good stylus(needle) and a rubber mat as well which is great since some tables come with felt which causes static and can stick to your records when taking an off. Plus it has a built in speed detector or something like that to ensure the player is playing at accurate speeds, rather than spinning records too slow or fast. Needless to say I'm quite happy with it! It doesn't come with a built in preamp so you can spend that extra $100 on a preamp like the u turn pluto or the schiit mani(it's $129 so a bit more than $100 but I've heard pretty good things nonetheless). It's at the bottom of Fluance's reference table series but the upgrades are just a higher quality stylus and an acrylic platter. The stylus you can upgrade whenever, the platter is said to be available separately in the future as well. Here's the link if you're interested.

https://www.fluance.com/rt82w-reference-high-fidelity-vinyl-turntable-natural-walnut

Disclaimer: the walnut base is sold out but you can still get it in piano black.

Other popular turntables that are quite great include
U Turn Orbit Plus at $298, (you can actually customize your own on their website which is quite cool!) https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-plus-turntable

Now the Orbit turntables don't have adjustable antiskate however it is automatic which is much better than nothing.


Project Debut Carbon which is fantastic from what I've heard at $400. Critically acclaimed as well!

https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Carbon-Turntable-Ortofon-Cartridge/dp/B00IIMXATU

Anyway good luck on your record playing journey, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask! Cheers!

That is a very thoughtful idea for your son! I've been collecting vinyl since I was that age and thank my dad for my interest at a young age.

Unfortunately a lot of inexpensive turntables are poorly made and not only do damage to records but sound quite poorly. If you are unsure of his interest in vinyl and think it might not be worth it in the long run to pay for a more expensive one, then it will most likely be fine. Upgrading is fun and will teach him more about the hobby.

If you think that his interest in vinyl will grow it might be worth it to spend a bit more money for a better sounding record player. If you are trying to buy new, maybe take a look at this one: http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT-LP60-Automatic-Driven-Turntable/dp/B002GYTPAE. This is a pretty good sounding record player for under $100, although since there is no counter weight, you do not know how much force is being applied to the record. Having the option to adjust the tracking force will produce the best sound from your records and keep them in the best condition possible.

My advice would be to consider his interest level in vinyl before you make any big (over $100) purchases, but IMO buying an older used record player would be a better bet. You could scour some local thrift shops/ Goodwills for a couple months and one is likely to turn up there. You could also check eBay/Craigslist/etc.

As for the speakers, if you go with the Jensen, it has 2 speakers built in but also has the option for external speakers without needing an additional preamp. So those should work fine with it. The AT LP-60 has the option of using either an external preamp to play your speakers or using the built-in phono preamp on the turntable.

If you end up getting a used turntable you will likely need to buy an external preamp. Check out the sidebar for more info, hope this helps!

I just bought a pair of Behringer Truth Studio Monitors that are excellent. I believe the listed price is for just one monitor so to get two you'd need to spend around $300.

Right now, I also have an Audio Technica LP-120 connected straight into the monitors. Because the monitors are powered themselves you won't need a pre-amp or DAC but I will warn you I currently have very little volume control. (There is a +/- 6 db on the monitors themselves but that's as much volume control as you're going to get).

They are plenty loud as they are and the sound quality is excellent. I got mine used from a buddy for $150 total so I got a screaming deal but $300 for two of them is definitely going to last you a long while.

The cords are 1/4 inch cable cords like you would use to plug your guitar into your amp but they have adapters that can convert them to just about any cord you need. Before I got my record player, I had the monitors hooked straight into my TV via the adapater turning the two 1/4" cables into on Aux cord to plug in to my TV's headphone jack.

While we're on the subject of TV's sound, I would also like to suggest a sound bar I recently purchased that's in your price range. The LG I picked up from Best Buy for roughly $200 is also excellent for what I use it for. I have a desktop tower hooked up to my TV so I use the sound bar for everything from TV shows and movies to playing music and it's really great. I like the addition of the subwoofer to really drive home some of the bass sounds.

While the Truth Studio Monitors offer a great range of sound, they do not have the kind of ooomf on the low end that a subwoofer can carry. That being said, I'm satisfied enough with the monitors to not feel a pressing need to invest in a subwoofer for the time being.

hey, cool. you have a lot of options then.

Teac TN-420 - a great aesthetic if you're into it. belt driven but speed is controlled by the turn of a knob.

U-Turn Orbit Custom - this is the one I would recommend the most. great sound, minimalist, built in the USA. You have to adjust speed manually but it's a great table. pick the color you want. for cartridge, go for the Grado Black1. upgrade to the acrylic platter as well, and get the cue lever. another benefit of the U-Turn is that it will come set up, so you won't have to worry about adjusting anything like you would with other turntables.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon - another great choice that comes with a really nice cartridge - the Ortofon Red.

let me know what you decide to go with - I'm always interested in seeing what newbies decide to do. all of these turntables will have very similar sound and all are of pretty much the same quality - the u-turn still gets my top recommendation though. Their customer service is top-notch. let me know if you have any questions :)

In this case an all-in-one player would be just fine.

If nothing is priceless, the player doesn't need to last many years, and sound quality isn't the most important thing, go for an all in one. The Crosley's with built in speakers would probably work well enough.

These won't have the best quality or durability, but if you need something quick and easy, with external speakers (they might sound a bit better than the internal speakers) you can look into this or this. I don't have personal experience with them, but they might work well for the cause.

If you're looking to spend a bit more, an LP60 or Sony PSLX300USB might work better. I've used the Sony before and it works pretty well. It has an automatic play feature so it's really easy to use and setup. You'll just need a stereo receive and speakers which might cost a bit too much depending on how much you're willing to spend.

If you were looking to get into records, I'd definitely recommend something better, but there is no reason a Crosley won't get the job done.

I'm very sorry to hear that, and I hope you and your family are doing the best you can at this time.

That one costs 250$, it's an Audio Technica-LP120



I got it on Amazon using Anthony Melonheadtano's affiliate to kick him some money since he's the one that got me into vinyls.



It's expensive I know. The first one i got was a cheapo 40$ one on amazon, but upon reading reviews, and seeing how cheaply built it was, I returned it and just waited a few more weeks to get me the expensive LP-120. In terms of turntables, it's quite cheap and a great price for such a quality turntable.



I'm not into vinyls all that much (I only have 7 records, of which all of them are Kendrick Lamar). But I decided to return the cheap one because of the damage it does to your records. Any turntable under 200$ will scratch your records over time, and it's not worth it.



I'm not a snob either. I hate snobs, but this is probably the lowest end you'd wanna go. It has a counterweight setting for the needle so it doesn't put too much weight down onto the record (which is what separates cheap turntables from the good ones). It's heavy as fuck and has a lot of little fancy doohickeys like reverse mode, pitch settings, different record lengths, and those dots on below the record indicate if the turntable is spinning at a precise rate that you want it to.



I know this is too much information for what you asked, but i'm letting you know why it's so expensive. You can still collect vinyl records without a player. If you don't have 250$ to spend on a turntable, just keep your records on a shelf to look at and wait until you can get a decent turntable so they don't ruin your records.



Another good option is to try and find one on craigslist, ebay, or local garage sales/swap meets/goodwills, but I don't know much about old turntables so I just chose the slightly more expensive route.



One day when I'm older I wanna be able to play Kendrick's albums to my grandkids (if i even have kids) or friends down the line, and if you use a cheap turntable that's under 200 bucks you won't be able to do that without it sounding scratched and skipping over portions of the song.




Believe me I didn't want to spend 250$ dollars on this shit since I don't even have that many vinyl records or play it that often, but I wanted to go the high way or nothing at all.



edit: You also need your own speakers for it. I got lucky and found some very nice logitech speakers next to the dumpster at my apartments. I dont know why someone threw them away but they worked so good and have the best bass i've ever heard in two tiny little speakers. It's better than the speakers I have hooked up to my computer right now lol. They were 140$ logitech speakers that worked perfectly fine and I got them one day just taking out the trash.

I'm not an expert on the matter but I know the basics, hopefully I can help -

First, your last question - yes, a LOT of good music is still released on vinyl. Most records come with a digital download of some sort so if you want to collect vinyl but still have your iTunes library you can do so for minimal cost on top of what you'd already be paying for the digital music anyway.

For a full setup - you don't have to pay as much as some enthusiasts would lead you to believe you also can't expect to get a halfway decent sound out of $60 unit from Target that has built in speakers. At the very least you are looking at $150, and that's if you can make some awesome garage sale scores. If you want brand new equipment you are looking at at least $300-$400.

You will need a turntable, a pre-amplifier, a stereo receiver, and speakers. A lot of stereo receivers like this one have a built in phonograph pre-amp so if you want to knock out 2 birds with one stone go that route. For a turntable, just find something that has a replaceable cartridge (needle), has a stylus counterweight (to keep weight off your record), and is fairly heavy (weight = no vibration). Speakers aren't really hard to figure out - just find some unpowered speakers on Amazon that have a good rating. You don't need some ridiculous setup with a subwoofer and surround sound...two basic floor speakers will sound great.

If you can't afford all of that you can always just get a cheap turntable with USB output like this and some USB speakers like this. It won't sound amazing but it's plenty good enough for most people.

I just invested in this guy, and I'm quite pleased with it:

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-13086-PRO-JECT-DEBUT-CARBON/dp/B007XTE6YW

I'm the furthest thing from an expert, but it sounds and looks great. The motor is dead quiet and the needle that comes with it is very good as well. I've heard that some people have issues with hum from the motor, but that's obviously not been the case for me.

Depending on what you're aiming for, I know that other patrons of this sub will often recommend investing in a vintage turntable, as it's generally possible to get more bang for your buck out of something used that's been kept up well rather than buying new, so if you're interested in going that route, I'm sure some others will have good advice to that end.

Whatever you decide, enjoy the new hardware! I think you'll be very pleased with the improved sound quality. :)

So I'm brand new to the home audio world in general, but for the last couple of years I've been dreaming about starting a record collection and buying a decent stereo setup. Decent here means $1-2k budget tops.

I'm finally settled into a new job and I'm starting to think It's time to make this happen. I'm looking for recommendations for each piece: turntable, amp (integrated or power + pre), and bookshelf speakers to go in my living room. Probably a DAC at some point so I can listen to some of my digital media.

The only thing I am really firm about is a tube amplifier. I honestly just love the aesthetics and the warm sound... I know that my budget won't give me the best equipment, but I can upgrade down the road.

Here's some of the equipment I've been looking at:

turntable

Speakers

Struggling on the amp, but I'm thinking something like this

I'm honestly shooting in the dark here and going mostly off of reviews. Any and all help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

If you're looking to buy a new-in-box player I HIGHLY recommend the Denon DP-300F. The upgraded version from Turntable Lab is pretty much the best deal in entry level tables. If that's a little too pricey, the original is only $250 on Amazon. Both variants have been on sale a few times so it might be worth waiting until the next sale.

The next price range with an appreciable jump in quality will put you in the $700-$1200 range. After that, you're talking $5000+ to hear a difference. And that's only if you play your music through ultra high-end amps and speakers.

You won't need a pre-amp with the Denon but pairing it with something like the Schiit Mani would be a noticeable and relatively cheap upgrade that could come later.

It isn't an audiophile table, but the automatic features make it perfect for the casual collector/listener. It's well built and looks slick too. I expected it to feel cheap but it's a hefty little thing.

I run mine through a Mani to a pair of HS8s and I love it. Out of the box it ran records a little too fast but that can be adjusted. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a new player under $400. Of course, finding a vintage player may be the best option depending on your local used market. :)

Well, that depends. Many people here swear by going used. I'd probably be among them, but after scouring my local Craigslist and pawn & thrift shops in my area, I decided it wasn't worth my time and the money I was dumping on gas everyday and just ordered a brand new one. I'd recommend at least checking out craigslist before jumping to a new table. There is a great guide in the sidebar called "The Cheap Setup Thread". Take a look, it has some GREAT info.

If you want to go new, there are quite a few options:
For bottom of the barrel in price and functionality, there is the AudioTechnica LP-60. This is pretty bare bones, and not a lot of people recommend it. It's about $90 on Amazon right now, but I've seen it anywhere from $70 to $120.

The pros are: it's cheap, automatic (hit play and the tone arm will lift up and set down on your record), and has a built in preamp, so you can just plug into any receiver or even a pair of computer speakers and go. There's a little bundle with the player, a small t-amp, and pair of halfway decent bookshelf speakers on amazon for $170 under the "Frequently bought together" part of the page.

Cons: A few. I had this for about a month and returned it to Amazon because I was unhappy. It's a halfway decent table, but has no adjustable counterweight and no upgradable parts. It is what it is. If you have a record in fine shape, it'll play it just fine. If your record is a bit scuffed, or maybe pressed a bit off center (as was the case with a couple I had), the sucker will skip and skip to no end. When this happens on a regular table, sometimes you can adjust the counterweight and fix the problem. That's not an option here, if you've got a bad record, you're stuck.

Next level up would be the LP-120 from AudioTechnica. This is what I've got. I upgraded the cartridge right away with the Shure M97xe since the stock cartridge requires a pretty heavy tracking force. This is the next model up from AudioTechnica, and it's miles better, but it's over three times the price if you want to upgrade the cartridge. However, you've got a lot more room to upgrade, adjustable counterweight and anti-skate, and still a built in preamp so you can plug into whatever receiver you have, or again, even just a pair of computer speakers. Still not a lot of love for this guy here, but pretty much everyone here, when pressed, will admit that it's a way better option than the LP60, and will admit that it's not a total waste of money.

The last one I've heard a lot about (but have no experience with) is the Pro-Ject Debut. From what I hear, this sucker is awesome right out of the box, no need to mess with cartridges or anything. I don't think this has a built in preamp (I could be wrong), so you'd need a receiver with a phono input or a separate phono preamp, which you can find on amazon for around $20.

In short, you get more out of a turntable with either more money (when buying new) or more effort (when buying used). Check out the sidebar guides and search /r/vinyl for previous discussions, as mine is by no means an exhaustive list, simply two tables I have experience with and one I've heard great things about.

Enjoy! And by all means, if your Crosley isn't driving you insane, stick with that for awhile and save up/look around and get what you want. Take it from me, if you settle for something less than you want, you'll regret it later.

To get quality NEW components, I don't know if you're going to be able to meet your $400 budget, but we can try. As others have said, you will need the turntable (obviously), an amplifier/receiver, speakers and possibly a phono preamp depending on the amplifier/receiver you choose.

On the new front, a solid entry-level receiver would be the Sherwood RX-4109. It includes a built-in phono preamp, so you won't need to get an external one. It's sold at a lot of big-box stores and online retailers (Amazon, walmart, radio shack, etc):

http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-RX-4109-Stereo-Receiver-Black/dp/B000MBUSD6

For speakers, I would recommend any of these:

Klipsch - Reference 5-1/4" Bookshelf Speakers (Pair) (Currently on sale at Best Buy for $125 - regularly $250):

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/klipsch-reference-5-1-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair/6228109.p?id=1219198818817&skuId=6228109

Pioneer BS-22LR Bookshelf speakers (currently on sale at Amazon for $97 - usually $125):

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SP-BS22-LR-Designed-Bookshelf-Loudspeakers/dp/B008NCD2LG

Polk T15 bookshelf (On sale at Best Buy for $50 - regularly $100):

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/polk-audio-5-1-4-bookshelf-speakers-pair-black/8828012.p?id=1207956903491&skuId=8828012


Best bet for meeting your budget on a turntable is the U-Turn Orbit Basic. They had an AMA here and are really committed to customer service. Comes in variety of colors too. They are all hand built here in the USA. With shipping you are looking at around $200 for the turntable. BUT, with the current backlog of orders, it looks like it will be a little over a month to get it shipped, so you would miss the Christmas deadline to get it under the tree.

http://store.uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-basic-turntable

The other recommendation is the Audio Technica LP-120, which is available at a lot of big-box and online retailers as well. It's a little bit more at $250:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q


Of course you can save a bundle on used gear. But, you need to have a sense of what you are looking for and how to spot problems. Technics turntables generally tend to be a solid choice and have a large spectrum of models to choose from. As far as receivers/amplifiers, '90s era gear is were the real dollar/performance value is at. Speakers can be really hit or miss used, so you might stick with new on that.

Let us know if you have more questions.

I'm assuming that you love your records and as such want to keep them in the best possible condition so you can enjoy them for years to come. With that assumption, I'm going to strongly urge you against taking VicTheButcher's advice. Crosley turntables are marketed towards people just getting into collecting vinyl. They use a proprietary ceramic cartridge with a heavy tonearm that will cause excessive wear and damage to your records. When looking for a turntable the general rule of thumb is to go vintage (actual vintage, not 5-in-1 combo stuff). I'm a huge fan of Technics turntables myself, but there are a lot of great brands out there. Head on over to /r/vinyl for some insight into what you should look for. If you aren't looking to spend a lot right now or want something to tide you over until you can afford a nicer setup, I would recommend an Audio-Technica LP-60, which is currently available for $89 on Amazon. It is a great introductory turntable and served me well until I upgraded. Also, check your local thrift shops for turntables and audio equipment, you would be surprised at what you can run across. I've seen a lot of setups put together for a fraction of what you would expect from people hitting up their local thrift stores. Trust me, once you get a decent setup it is all worth it.

The cheap player might do some damage when playing them over time, but there's not much you can do about that one until you can afford to upgrade. Mind you all record players do this, but the cheaper ones will be harder on your records over a shorter period of time.

In the meantime, I'd recommend getting a record cleaning brush (this is just an example, you can buy whichever one you prefer) and use it to gently brush dust and dirt off the record. Even new ones will often have some paper residue on them from their sleeves.

A good idea would be to also buy some polylined innersleeves (again, an example, but these are amongst the best - you can find cheaper ones, just make sure they're polylined and not just plain paper sleeves). Often new (and used) records come in cheap paper innersleeves. These does not prevent static buildup (quite the contrary) and can cause some nasty scuffs on your records over time as well as leaving fine paper residue in the record grooves.

Finally, you can buy some plastic/PVC outer sleeves. These are not strictly necessary, and often they protect the album cover more than the actual album. But they'll keep your covers looking nicer for a longer period of time and reduce the risk of damage in case you spill stuff or, God forbid, your record room floods. There are several types of these and which ones you should use is essentially up to personal preference. Don't store your records directly in these without their cover or sleeve though, as some of these outer sleeves can leave plastic residue on the discs over time.

There are also record cleaning equipment. This is most often used for used albums, but are also good for new ones. I'd recommend googling around for information about that and see what you think is good enough as record cleaning is a new hobby in itself and people can't seem to agree entirely on best practices.

I hope this helps a little bit :)

Finally got me a record player, the Audio Technica AT-LP120BK-USB. Purchased a few records. Took my time setting it up and have been extra careful handling everything. First couple nights went great, but now the start/stop button is doing nothing for me. Powers on but platter won't spin. Everything I've read on others with the same issue seems to be regarding an older model. If anyone can help me diagnose this without voiding the warranty I would be incredibly grateful.... or even point me to the appropriate sub to ask that would be great. I've^been^dying to hear some records.


*UPDATE Pt. II: Figured I have nothing to lose by trying yet another call to Amazon to see if the rep I ended up with would overrule the last one, by allowing me to exchange it (even though I'm a week or two outside the return window). Success, they're making an exception. Kudos to Amazon Customer Service and kudos to you guys for convincing me not to tinker with what must be a lemon. Fingers crossed the replacement doesn't have any issues so I can explore this world still new to me that is vinyl. Thanks!

Great question! So many options.

Used:
I think I would see if I could score an SL-1200, a pair of Yamaha NS-1000s or Pioneer HPM-100s, and spend whatever's left on the best receiver I could find.

New:
TT--Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC Esprit. Or, perhaps better yet (if you're willing to go over budget), a base Debut Carbon DC and upgrade the needle to 2M Blue--no cartridge swap required!

Speakers--SVS Prime Towers from the SVS outlet. These consistently appear on "best speakers under $x" lists and they sound phenomenal for the price. They can be used without a subwoofer, and the trial period + warranty that SVS offers makes it risk-free to audition them in the room where you'll actually be using them.

Receiver--Assuming you've gone the Esprit route, you'd have $50 to play with on a $1,500 budget, which means you're still going to have to go used on the amp. I'd hit up as many Goodwills as often as possible in search of a good receiver. I've found several really solid units for $20-80 at Goodwill and other thrift shops. If you get the base Debut Carbon DC but decide to upgrade to Blue down the road, for about $200 I like the Yamaha RX-V line. Affordable, decent power, sounds nice, digital friendly, and would allow you to expand your setup to home theater at some point if you wish. Of course, that will necessitate the use of a phono pre-amp, but the ART DJpre II can be had for under $50 and it's great.

Well basically a set up is puzzle you can build up over time. Planar 2 is a solid table that you wouldn't need to upgrade for years, don't know if it comes with a cover though. It is a solid table built around delivering the best sound from the cartridge to the amp. Now one big part of how your records will sound is the cart, the one the planar 2 comes with is totally fine for start but you will want to upgrade it pretty soon. I would recommend you to take a look at this Pro-ject Debut Carbon Esprit. Mainly because it is more bang for the buck imo (electronic speed switch and speed control, carbon arm, acrylic platter and a way better cartridge), but that is totally an opinion.

Now for the rest of the set up I would suggest buying the preamp separate. For example this Cambridge phono preamp is a solid starting point. There are two reasons for this, you can easily switch it to a new one down the line and you can get some money back for it.

The second one is that you can start by getting powered speakers, for example these Audio engine A5+ and down the line upgrade to an amp and bookshelf speakers. Powered speakers are a totally valid option nowadays and these will give a detailed sound with the table. They are also way easier to get your cash back when moving forward.

What I linked up there is a pretty solid setup focusing in sound for a pretty rough 1000 when done trough amazon.

So this may be like casting a fishing line into the darkness, but everyone seems helpful enough, so here it goes.

I am thinking of diving into the world of vinyl, and I would like to do it properly the first time around, rather than having to replace items as I go. The purpose of the build would be for pure listening pleasure, to include headphone use. There are other methods of listening to music currently (Sonos wireless setup), so this wouldn't be for daily listening.

For starters this is the relative area that we are working with. While there can be some slight changes to size specs on the amp, turntable, and speakers, I would like to stay as close to stock as possible.

This is the turntable that was suggested to me, as a solid piece of equipment that sounds solid. It does have lots of features that I may not use though, such as the USB connection. There isn't any DJing in my future, just listening and flipping. The price point is about my budget for a turntable.

I have no idea what to look for in an amp, but would like there to be a built in preamp (unless there is a sound quality reason to avoid it) and a headphones jack for the front portion. My budget for this portion would be roughly $500 - $600.

Speakers, I know are a world of pain when it comes to price... or at least they can be. I am currently trying to find the dimensions of the speaker section of this console, knowing this will have direct impact on the speaker choice. The budget for speakers (to include speaker wiring) would be $800 for the pair.

My headphones are reference level from a few years back. They are no where close to me, so I don't have the brand / type offhand. In regards to the new or used department, I am perfectly fine with used, as long as it is good condition and has the desired sound quality.

Thank you for any help, and if you need any more details, please let me know.

Edit: Local Craigslist(ings): http://austin.craigslist.org/ and http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/

I have the Pro-Ject DC Carbon (https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Debut-Carbon-DC-Black/dp/B00IIMXATU), which is even better with the upgraded platter (https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-ACRYLIT-Acryl-It-Platter-Upgrade/dp/B0097CY4NQ).

Absolutely love it, but for the lower price-range the LP120 is where it's at if you want new. My friend has one and it's pretty nice.

As he (Serariron) said, vintage stuff is great and can be found cheap, but then you might need to worry about fixing something up or making sure you have nice pre-amps and whatnot to go with it. So for ease and cost the LP120 is really the best choice.

Disclaimer: I've read through the sidebar threads, but I have probably missed something. I also know NOTHING about electronics.

I have purchased the following things:

turntable: Audio Technica AT-LP60 Fully Automatic Belt Driven Turntable

soundsticks: Harman Kardon Soundsticks III 2.1 Channel Multimedia Speaker System with Subwoofer

It seemed like if I hooked the soundsticks to the turntable I wouldn't be able to get stereo? I got this because it seemed like an easy setup. The turntable has a built-in preamp. I couldn't figure out how to connect these though.

So then I got:

receiver: Sony STRDH130 2 Channel Stereo Receiver

Here's the user manual for the Sony receiver.

Still couldn't figure out how to connect the soundsticks.

So. Sigh. I got these:

bookshelf speakers: Fluance AV5 Powerful & Dynamic Two-way Bookshelf Speakers for Home Theater & Music Systems

And now it looks like I need wires??! And "banana plugs"?? And why do the banana plugs come with so many pairs?? Do I need 12-pair? Why?

I am obviously not an audiophile, but I like the sound of vinyl, and I just want to listen to some records (jazz, classical, pop, folk, etc.).

What sound I do? Should I return some of these things? What do I need next to connect these things and play music?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Hi Zeos, I'm looking for a DAC+AMP combo to replace my current Creative X-Fi DAC.
I would prefer to have just one DAC+AMP unit instead of 2 seperate devices but if you recommend otherwise, I'll be open to that too.


Also, I recently got into vinyl and I intend to line in the LP-60 to the DAC+AMP if possible so I don't have to swap cables in and out.


Could you please recommend some options? Thanks!

PS, I just recently stumbled onto your videos and I absolutely got hooked. Love your review style and your honest opinions on products. Keep up the great work!

I own this table and its a tank!

I have this carbon fiber slip mat that helps bring down static.
http://www.sleevecityusa.com/sleeve-city-carbon-fiber-turntable-mat-p/dm-232.htm

I have this headshell
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001GVJA1C/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419565880&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

This cartridge.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B007ZC2EYQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1419565950&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SY200_QL40

The shure m97xe is a decent beginner cart and it's very neutral sounding in my opinion. I listen to a wider variety of music and it does a decent job highlighting each sound. You can also upgrade the needle down the road to the Jico SAS which I hear is amazing.

I'm sure others can recommend some other carts for you but I only wanna talk about what I own.

Also you're gonna want a record cleaning brush. The audio quest is a great little brush that I've had for almost 2 years now and is great to use before you spin a record.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0006VMBHI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419566312&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40


Any other questions be sure to ask. I know a bit of the technical stuff on this table and I'll do my best to help.

Yeah man it definitely is not the best player I would save for something different.

Audio Technica AT-LP60BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008872SIO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Ze9PBbN8PX02Q

This player is 100 bucks on amazon. I got it on holiday sale for 80 last year. It's far from high end but it will treat your records well and paired with some nice speakers it sounds just fine. It's a great beginning table. I used a player similar to yours for about a year because it was what i could afford before finally upgrading.

Just enjoy the hobby man! I know the struggle of wanting to buy more records instead of buying a better table lol

TL:DR - I think that list looks good, maybe consider a vintage receiver. I hope this is helpful.

Most people around here are probably more knowledgable than I am, but I thought I'd chime in because I was looking at doing the same thing a few months ago. I looked at everything on that list when I was shopping around and they all seem like good options. I ended up buying

Audio-Technica AT-LP120 It was on sale for closer to $200 at the time, but it's about as much as a u-turn. I've been super happy with it and the wirecutter gave it a great review.

I ended up going maybe a bit overboard with my speakers and got KEF Q150's. I'm really pleased with how they sound, and they are a massive upgrade from my cheap old bookshelf speakers, but I think I would have been totally fine with the Q Acoustics, which were my second pick.

My main regret was that I bought a Sony STRDH190. It didn't sound bad or anything, but I just didn't really love the sound, and I felt it looked kind of ugly. I ended up going down the vintage receiver rabbit hole and bought a Sansui 4000. I love how it sounds, and I was able to pick one up for $150 on ebay after waiting a bit for a good option. I spent another $80 bucks getting it serviced. A warning: This is a slippery slope. I now have 2 Sansui receivers, a Kenwoood amp, the original Sony I bought, and one disgruntled girlfriend all living in a 2 bedroom apartment.

The drawback of a vintage receiver is the lack of bluetooth playing your Spotify playists. I bought a Chromecast Audio to handle that. I use Google Play music, but I think it integrates with Spotify as well.

​

​

My 2 cents for a $1500 budget Coffee Shop...

• Simple 4 Channel Pre-amp w/ Phono - $80
  
  
• Apple TV - $100 For your Airplay needs.
  
  
• FM Tuner - $100 (You will need one eventually)
  
  
• AT Turntable - $230 Vintage would also work so look used to save some cash.
  
  
• RCA Distribution Amp - $30
  
  
• Dayton 12 Channel Amp - $500 Expandable later but I assume you will use 8 channels to start.
  
  
• Micca Motion MB42x I recommend four pair (8 speakers) - $320. Even a small coffee shop will be better suited with more, quieter speakers. Demo'd Here
  
  
• Speaker Mounting Brackets - $140 I HIGHLY recommend using the screw holes on the clamps to secure the speakers with small ~1" wood screws. THEN Secure the bracket to the wall with a safety strap. Liability covered.
  
  I recommend mounting these brackets up-side down so you can aim the speakers down at costumers. (presuming you have high enough ceilings to support it)
  
  $80+100+100+230+30+500+320+140=$1500 ON THE NOSE!

I use a LP 60 :

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT-LP60USB-Automatic-Turntable-USB/dp/B002GYTPB8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419546229&sr=8-2&keywords=LP+60

Alot of people here don't like it and think it is shit but it is a great player to start out on. I have never had any problem and the it sounds great. Other people say it skips but the only time it has ever skipped for me is when I play very rough records on it.

Alot of people go with the LP 120:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419546351&sr=8-1&keywords=LP+120

The next time I upgrade (probably this year) I will get this player. Unlike my LP60 the 120 has a better counter weight for the arm which will give better sound and it has a slider to actually speed up or slow down the records more. I just don't have the money for it right now so that's why I have the LP 60. The difference in price is from $109 to $250 and I don't have that cash right now. I do believe that I am going to upgrade my preamp to this though:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0049P6OTI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1419505895&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

It should give me better sound and more control over my bass and treble then I have now and it is only $15. I also do plan on getting better speakers when I move in May.

More often than not, record players that try to become an "all in one" are pretty terrible. My personal suggestion would be to get a separate record player that is dedicated to just record playing, a separate amplifier/whatever for the rest of your needs, and feed it all through speakers.

As far as choosing a record player, it all depends on what you want to spend. These days, you can get a pretty darn good one for ~$99 (see AT-LP60). If you want better sound fidelity, the sky is the limit, but that one is pretty darn good for general use for a beginner.

For the other thing, there are like a billion options. Here is the first one I found on Amazon. It may be worth your time (depending on how much you want to spend), to find an amplifier. They often times have this type of functionality built into them, and would be something that could power speakers, as well as hook the record player into.

Speaking of speakers, they are also kind of up in the air, too. You could easily just run them through a simple set of computer speakers using a stereo to 3.5mm cable, or get a nice pair that you would need to drive from an amplifier. Up to you!

1. What is your budget?
   
   Up to $2000
   
   
2. What are you looking for?
   
   I need a complete system. This will be used strictly for music in a 400ish sq ft family room. I want a turntable and the ability to use Bluetooth to stream music from the kids phones and possibly networked so that we can stream all of my FLAC files from my server.
   
   
3. How will you typically be using the gear?
   
   Mid field most likely. This is a 400 sq ft room. Not looking to blow the doors off the walls, but able to listen clearly throughout the room. Also tile floors if it makes a difference.
   
   
4. What gear do you own?
   
   I don't have any gear for this system yet, but have been looking at Pro-Ject - Debut Carbon Esprit SB turntable and I was also looking at Pioneer Elite SX-N30 receiver. Nothing set in stone and definitely willing to take recommendations. I have an Eddie Current Super 7 headphone amp and a set of HD 800's. I would love to match that kind of sound quality, but probably not on my budget.
   
   
5. What do you intend on using for a source?
   
   Turntable and Bluetooth for now.
   
   
6. What material will you be using your gear for?
   
   Music and as a family we listen to most everything. Classic rock, heavy metal and thrash, old country music, show tunes, musicals, classical, etc, etc.....
   
   
7. Are you willing to buy used?
   
   I don't mind buying new or used, but I live out in BFE and finding good stuff out here would probably be pretty time consuming.
   
   I appreciate any and all help anyone can give.

Hey all, new to the subreddit and recently decided I wanted to make the switch to a turntable and vinyl. I've spent several hours today reading all the great guides from the sidebar, and have been trying to put together a list of components to purchase. Ideally, I'd like to keep the whole setup below $500, and that's including TT, Speakers, and Receiver if necessary.

From the TTs suggested here and what I've seen online, I'm a really big fan of the [TEAC TN-300] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P9WK1BW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1QOPTG1UJ4HLA&coliid=I1R3I3ZMALE47N&psc=1). Looking at the specs, I see that it has a built in Phono Pre-amp, so if I wanted to I could directly plug it in to powered speakers (or at least that's my understanding).. The more I thought about it though, the more I felt like I'd really rather have an actual receiver/amplifier that I could control the volume on, as well as use for other appliances like the TV or my wife's phone (lol).. That led me to this receiver/speaker combo. The receiver I chose from a sidebar guide over on /r/BudgetAudiophile and the speakers had good reviews as well.

As I'm still incredibly nooby to this stuff, does this setup get the /r/vinyl seal of approval? (I'm still not too sure on the compatibility of the receiver/TT and if I need anything else or not.) OR could I find a better setup for roughly the same price or cheaper elsewhere? I'm not really looking for used/craigslist options as I'd much prefer to buy new and anything off Amazon Prime is a huge plus.

I'm getting my dad a turntable for Christmas to play all his old records he's had boxed up for years. He's not big into music so it's mostly a nostalgia gift.

I know he has an Onkyo TX NR626 receiver at his house and I found online that it has a phono jack which I think means a preamp isn't needed? Not entirely sure what a preamp even is. I want to keep it cheap since he might even say to just return it. I'm looking at the Audio Technica AT-LP60 and it says it has a preamp installed. My real questions are:

• Is this equipment compatible? I think so but would like to confirm. Is anything else needed to make this work? I'm looking for as "plug-and-play" as possible.
  
  
• Since the receiver has a phono jack would I be better off with a cheaper TT without losing audio quality? If so, recommendations? Basically, since the receiver has a phono jack I want to make sure I'm not wasting money buying a TT with a preamp when I don't need one.
  
  
  Any help would be appreciated - thanks.
  

Budget: $1000

My friend is starting from scratch and wants an analogue and digital stereo system for a large, converted garage. He is willing to do a bit of room treatment.

Music is the focus of the system, but it will also be used with TV/Movies/Videogames. I was thinking the easiest way to do digital sources is to run them through the TV with an optical out into the DAC.

I've done some preliminary research so I'll list the components that I was looking at below, but feel free to make suggestions about those components as well.

Turntable: I was thinking the Audio Technica AT-LP120BK-USB would be a good starter since it has an internal phono pre-amp but could upgrade to an external pre-amp later. $250

Phono Pre-amp: Not needed with AT-LP120 $0

DAC: Schiit Modi 2 Uber It's reasonably priced, has optical and USB in and has a 2 year warranty, plus I dig the company (I power my LCD-X with the Schiit Lyr 2). $150

Amplifier: The amp should have two inputs. Remote functionality would probably be preferred, but not necessary. $???

Speakers: It's a good sized room so size isn't a big factor. $???

Room Treatment: I don't know how much treating the room will cost. Maybe it would be better to spend money on the components and save up to do some room treatment? $???

I have an Audio Technica AT-LP60BK, and I have noticed that it plays some records perfectly fine, and some records slightly too fast. I usually play new records, although I have a few oldies as well! The oldies seem to play fine, except for my Blondie record, which plays slightly too fast. All four of my King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard records all seem to play fine, also! But, I have a new Washed Out record that plays slightly faster than it should, as well as a Sunbeam Sound Machine record(also new), and they're both quite noticeable to me. But the rest of my new records play fine, alongside most of my oldies, 25 in total. If I gently apply pressure to the middle of the records in question while they are playing, they sound normal! I wonder if it's a problem with the turntable, or the records themselves. I appreciate all help!

$500 with a turntable is a bit low of a budget, but I'll see what I can do.

If you want to ever go surround, it would be a good idea to get a surround receiver now. This one will do the trick. If you don't think you'll ever need surround, this guy will work and save you a couple bucks.

[Audiotechnica turntable](Audio-Technica AT-LP60X-BK Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable, Black, Hi-Fidelity, Plays 33 -1/3 and 45 RPM Vinyl Records, Dust Cover, Anti-Resonance, Die-Cast Aluminum Platter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N3XJ66N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6XaGDbX20EGGZ). If you want a bit more of a "vintage" look, this Teac would be good. It's wood instead of plastic.

Speakers will be tough. I would love to recommend you the Wharfedale Dentons because those are super vintage looking. However, that isn't feasible with your budget.

Something that is feasible would be the Wharfedale Diamond 220 in walnut. I've only seen them in black and rosewood, but I think the walnut would look the most like what you want.

Let me know what you think and I'll see if I can make any changes.

I have an Audio Technica LP60, which I WOULD NOT recommend. It's okay but is missing a lot of features that makes it a questionable choice in the long run. I plan on replacing it soon.

There are 2 turntables that I would recommend:

Audio Technica LP120 - this is the beefed up version of my turntable. All the features my turntable is missing are included here. My friend just got one of these and I am very impressed with it.

U-Turn Orbit - This is another great, affordable choice. Bonus points for being built in the USA. I would recommend the option for the built-in preamp. If you can afford it, the upgraded Orbit Plus model has some really nice components that should lead to better sound. However, if you are just starting out you probably don't need it and you can always upgrade those things on your own later.

There are a few other nice entry-level turntables on the market such as the Fluance and the TEAC but I haven't read up on them enough to make a recommendation.

Avoid stuff like Crosley at all costs. They are basically toys and can damage your records.

I think I've gotten these issues resolved for the most part (see the other comment thread), but this is still really good advice. It turns out the tone arm was badly misaligned, but I fixed it. I have the counterweight up to 5 right now and that fixed the pitch control and sensitivity issues as well. There's still some sibilance but far less than there was initially. This may be related to my (lack of) amp/speaker set up or the fact that it's a DJ table.


The Orbit sounds like a cool table! I wish I had known about it before I got the Stanton. I think for now, this is still a move up from the Numark, for me, anyway. As an aside, a friend of mine was getting truly great sound out of one of these the other day. Apparently his entire set up cost about as much as my Stanton.

What exactly do you have? There might be some adjustments you could do, knowing what tt you're working with could help.

Edit: I saw it's a Crosley. Yeah, sorry man, those things just aren't good. I'll say what the other guy said too, if an album's skipping, don't listen to it anymore, nothing will make that Crosley track it without grinding it like a millstone. It won't hurt your records that play fine that much, unless you use it for years. Check your local Craiglist for vintage turntables, if you post a link to your craigslist I bet some guys here would be glad to help you out with picking one. Check with old people you know, they might have some stuff they're willing to give away, I got the receiver and speakers I'm using right now from a man at church, and another guy gave me a Kenwood tt that would work fine with a new belt and stylus. I hope you can find a kickass setup, but in the meantime, just enjoy what you've got.

EDIT DOS: while I'm giving out advice, I suggest you pick up one of these . They're cheap, and they're great for getting dust off of your records, which can put pops and crackle in them. I always use it before I play mine, just a quick clean.

Yeah at that point you can get a Crosley C100. Crosley gets a lot of hate on here but the brand itself doesn't mean anything, they just rebadge (mostly) Chinese turntables. The company that people actually hate is Skywin, which makes those suitcase record players. Crosley sells a lot of those. But this is a Hanpin turntable, which are much better quality. Granted, this still isn't what I would consider a good turntable. But it's a significant step above an LP60. I would recommend a C100 to a beginner, I wouldn't recommend an LP60. If you go second hand you could get something five times better for half the price.

But in the under-$100 category, I just noticed this thing. It's only $80 and looks comparable to the C100. You'd definitely want to buy a new cartridge for it because the one on there is crap, but otherwise it looks superior to an LP60. While not good, I think it likely is acceptable. But used will be much better.

Ha I get that it's nice to see more people getting in to vinyl. Yes there are a couple

A lot of me friends use this one they are very happy with it and it does sound really good.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GA9COMM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1487696432&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=audiotechnica+record+player&dpPl=1&dpID=41MXvCPFcTL&ref=plSrch

Other wise there is a pioneer one that is also very good and around the same price.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01K1WUS9O/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1487696558&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=pioneer+record+player&dpPl=1&dpID=51FqcyfPEgL&ref=plSrch

They both have built in phono pres to you can go straight to you aux input on your stereo. Also they both have USB out if you want to record you records to you computer to put on an music player. They are both manual so you will have to do the lifting and they are both direct drive and have pitch correction.


Hope this helps.

I recently bought some powered speakers and I'm looking to match them with a turn table in the less than $400 range.
I want to purchase from Amazon but everything there is highly reviewed. I would said $250 to be my sweet spot but I can go a little higher for the right set.
Besides great audio something that doesn't require a lot of maintenance and is aesthetically pleasing would be nice.

Like this or better:
TEAC TN-300 Analog Turntable with Built-in Phono Pre-amplifier & USB Digital Output (Cherry) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P9WK1BW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wN65yb1QPZH20

Thanks in advance!

Depends on where you live but for both Europe as US there are plenty of options. This is for example a nice entry level tt which has everything you need included: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q
If that's still too pricy, get a second hand one but than you have to be careful what you buy cause quality varies a lot (though there's plenty of great second hand deals to be found).
> aux output

all tt have this but not on standard line level which means you need a "phono amp" to connect it to anything with standard line level inputs (standard aux input). an amplifier with an aux input labeled "phono" has this built-in. There are also a few tt such as the one which I linked which have this built in (which means you don't need to buy anything extra). The one which I linked also has a built in analog-to-digital converter with a USB output. I think it would be best if you learned the basics about tt's yourself before purchasing one.

Was looking at /u/guttermonkey

• Favorite item - This is because I have been looking at getting a record player for a while now but normally other items take priority
  
  The gist of his wishlist is he likes music, pop vinyl figurines, minecraft and wears size 11 boots.
  
  I feel like I need to fantasize a relationship that my stalker self would like to have with this person so here we go.
  
  I feel like this guy is some kind of punk/nerd, so as I am a techy nerd would we have met in real like we would totally be BFFFs... Best friends forever... Forever! Hangout all the time and get NACHOS!!!!! NACHOS!!!!!!

The Mod Team decided to place a more structured post on Black Friday deals. A lot of people are already invested in this thread so I will just sticky this here. Deals at some of the major retailers are likely to come and go often so it will be impossible to have this be fully accurate 100% of the time. If you have any deals you want to see in this sticky post feels free to message me(I WILL miss plenty of deals), otherwise you are still free to post below of course. Lastly, these are just good deals off of MSRP and I will generally post regardless of whatever personal thoughts I have on X, Y, or Z product. I will shortly add a few more categories beyond speakers.

Speakers:

Pioneer BS22 for $58 at Frys if you have a coupon code

Sony SSCS5 for $73 a PAIR on Amazon

Klipsch R-14M for $99 a PAIR on Amazon, Klipsch R-15M for $125 a PAIR on Amazon and Best Buy

Jamo C-103 for $129 a PAIR at Amazon KILLER Deal

Fluance Signature Series Bookshelf for $150 a PAIR on Amazon and Fluance. Keep watch for $99.

JBL LSR305 for $99 EACH on Amazon. At BH Photo same price but free isolation pads and no taxes outside of New York!

ELAC Debut B4 for $130 a PAIR on Amazon and ELAC B6 for $200 a PAIR on Amazon

Kef Q100 for $250 a PAIR from KefDirect

ELAC UB5 for $350 a PAIR on Amazon

Monolith K-BAS $180 EACH from Monoprice

Focal Super Bird for $250 a PAIR (BOGO) on Accessories4Les

Ascend Acoustics CBM-170SE for $330 a PAIR from Ascend and CMT-340SE for $548 a PAIR from Ascend

HSU CCB-8 Coaxial Speakers starting at $420 EACH or $764 a PAIR from HSU Research

JBL Studio 590 for $475 EACH direct from Harman Ebay. KILLER deal on these towers.

KEF LS50 for $999 a PAIR on Amazon and KEF Direct

Subwoofers:

BIC Acoustech PL-200 II for $250 from Amazon

SVS SB12-NSD for $400 from SVS Sound

SVS PB12-NSD for $500 from SVS Sound

Rythmik L12 for $509 from Ascend Acoustics and Rythmik Audio

HSU VTF-2 MK5 for $574 from HSU Research

Receivers/Amplifiers:

Sony STRDH130 Stereo Receiver for $85 on Amazon and Newegg

Denon AVR-S530BT refurb for $150 from Accessories4Less. Cheapest HDR-ready receiver you'll find out there.

Really you should check Accessories4Less.com if you're fine with good deals on Refurbished equipment.

Source Devices:
HIFIMAN MegaMini High-Res Music Player for $99 from HifiMan

Audio Technica LP-120 Turntable for $229 on Amazon

Headphones:

Audio Technica MSR7 for $150 on Amazon

HifiMan HE400i for $219 from HifiMan

Monolith M560 for $150 from Monoprice and Monolith M1060 for $250 from Monoprice

Sites to Look At Outside of the typical Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon here are some sites worth checking out for Black Friday deals:

RBH.com (Specifically their sales page is a bit of a goldmine)

Monoprice.com

KEFdirect.com (if you want to “evade” sales tax and check out the whole lineup)

Accessories4Less.com

AcousticSoundDesign.com (Website ain’t the nicest but some great packages)

The most expensive component is my time. It takes me over 40+ hours to make each table from design to delivery. Then there's the raw materials--which aren't cheap. Slabbed wood is expensive, and it also takes a long time digging through bad pieces to find something that hopefully has potential. Then, there's scrap. I've put 15 hours into working a slab before finding some crack or check in the wood that was below the surface, essentially turning it into scrap. I also have a wood shop with expensive machines that require regular maintenance and shop materials like drill bits, blades, and so on. There's also the website that requires design, professional photos, and charges a service fee on sales.

If this were my only job, they'd be priced higher, honestly. I enjoy making the tables as art, and I also enjoy turning people onto equipment that sounds good. The turntables have a minimalist aspect to them, but please don't mistake that for ease of construction. If you're looking for a lower cost turntable, the Debut Carbon DC is fantastic. Buy it and enjoy music, you won't regret it. But if you can't appreciate a Ripcut turntable as a one-off, custom, piece of art that's priced as such--then hopefully you can appreciate the time and effort it takes to make one.

Both are belt driven, have S type tone arms and pretty similar AT cartridges.

I do think the Fluance has a slightly better cartridge but It's still something you could upgrade in the future. I think they may preform pretty similarly. I've never been a big fan of the "DJ" style that the Music hall has, so the Fluance wins in the design category for me. The Music Hall does have a pitch adjustment, if that is important to you.

If I had to decide between the two it would be the Fluance. The looks and the slightly better cartridge win it for me.

If you could sway another 50 or so bucks and like the looks of the "DJ" style tables you could look into the Audio Technica AT-LP120

Denon Dp-300F. The best value when it comes to a good quality turntable that is fully automatic. Extremely easy to use, excellent sound, excellent design. Adjustable counter weight and anti-skate, with a stock cartridge that is decent and isn't going to chew up records. All-in-all, the perfect solution for your mother and other's similarly situated.

I ordered my first two vinyls vinyl records this week. You'll never guess what albums I went with.

So as of now, I'm just getting records for the artwork. However pretty soon I would like to get a turntable. But I have no goddamn clue as to what to look for and what not to look for. I have a couple of videos I want to watch later on youtube about getting a turntable but their 20 minutes each so when I find some time ill watch them.

But for now, I would like your guys' help. Assume I know nothing about turntables (because I don't) and explain how to set up a turntable and that type of thing. Also cleaning records because that seems like a big part of it.

EDIT: I've been researching and it looks like the AT-LP60 is the best choice for beginners. Very good price and I've only heard good things. What do you guys think?

The LP60x costing $99 at Best Buy, I'd love to see your list of "better alternatives" at the price point.

I don't mean to be a dick, but it's a very common "audiophile" move to poo-poo something and say "there are better options at this price point" and never list those options.

The closest turntable with an actual counterweight you will get is probably the Crosley C100. And that costs $136.99 on Amazon, which is significantly more than $99.

Buying this $99 turntable is significantly better than getting a suitcase style player like the Cruiser or the Victrola.

This isn't the turntable you're going to stay with the rest of your life. But it's a pretty good place to start.

Nice receiver! I love the look (and sound) of the old 1970's-era Marantz receivers. Now for some suggestions:

1.) Get rid of the Discwasher. It is completely ineffective and can actually grind dust deeper into the grooves. Consider replacing it with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT6012-Record-Care/dp/B0009IGAPW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343346910&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+record+cleaning+kit

2.) Invest in a carbon fiber brush for cleaning light surface dust before each play. Use it dry, in between wet cleanings. I use one by Audioquest, and it does an admirable job. It is available here:
http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-LP-record-clean-brush/dp/B0006VMBHI/ref=pd_cp_e_0

These two items are the cheapest and most effective upgrade for any vinyl system.

3.) Consider upgrading your turntable. Something like a Pioneer PL-12D will vastly outperform your Sony deck, and it can be found on eBay sometimes for under $100.

4.) New speakers (but you know that already).

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. And good for you for taking the first plunge into vinyl :-)

Ok more money on speakers than source components is usually a general rule.

I just found this and freaked out then posted in another thread on amp versus preamp + amp versus receivers.

Unless you want surround sound or a radio tuner just get a good integrated amp used or otherwise. At your price point?

Cambridge Audio Topaz AM10 Premium Integrated Amplifier with Phono Stage for just $349 fuck that is a good deal.

http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Audio-Premium-Integrated-Amplifier/dp/B003VSFPGW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396975785&sr=8-1&keywords=cambridge+audio+integrated+amplifier

Orbit, Carbon or RP1???

The Pro-Ject deck is great. The Pro-Ject Debut iii last year's model is on sale at MusicDirect for exactly $299 as well. I have this turntable and find it to be excellent and balanced and built solid like a brick wall.
But I wonder with the finicky little anti-skate weight and the changing speed by removing the platter and moving the belt if always suggesting the entry level audiophile choice is the right recommendation to be making to new folks.

I think the MusicHall USB-1 and/or the Audio Technica ATLP120 are totally underrated in these parts, easier to setup and have built in phono preamps as well not that you need that with the Cambridge amp.

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Hall-Turntable-USB-output/dp/B004EDXCFE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396975985&sr=8-1&keywords=music+hall+usb-1

or

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396976017&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+at+lp120

Those are both around $250. What you get is changing the speed with a button without having to move a belt around and easy to use pitch + anti skating controls, removable headshell for changing out cartridges easily and finally yes a cueing lever. They are not built quite as solid as the U-Turn or the famous Debut decks. But they are not cheapo and feel substantial if you ever spent time with them.

So that is $599 so far plenty of good money to buy a pair of decent speakers.

You can come in under budget and get a Stereophile magazine recommended pair of Klipsch Synergy B-20 bookshelf speakers for $179 on newegg here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882780029

That is a good deal.

Or you can max out your budget and go for my favorite small speakers the Paradigm Atom Monitors:

http://www.designeraudiovideo.com/paradigm-monitor-series-7-atom-monitor.html?gclid=CM2D6PKt0b0CFTMV7AodOm8Arg

$199 each.

Or finally finally a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 10.1 speakers at $349 a pair which I have recommended before and tend to get high praise:

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-15476-wharfedale-diamond-101-bookshelf-speaker-pr.aspx

That is my view on building a total under 1k system capable of playing lps.

You got options man but the Cambridge Audio Integrated amp is golden.

If you want to pay for something: Vinyl records(Amazon sells this record player for cheap ), CD's, or concert tickets, gift card to a store he likes.

If you want to make something here's things you can do, and also hip hop related.

Hip Hop Artist Paintings

Framed CD's

I usually do these "boxes" where I just fill it with random stuff. Last week I did two different ones that had things like: 2 or 3 CD's they liked, A T- Shirt(I like giving people wind breakers though), Stickers, a Hip Hop related card. I made one that said "Bish don't kill my vibe" and when you open it it had "because it's your birthday" another one that said "Sorry to interupt but __ had the best birthdays of all time" with tickets to a show/ wherever they like to eat/itunes gift card/or money, a pack of ironlak markers because backpackersss, and essencially rolling papers and little jar of cannabis. (I'm a girl so this is why it's so thoughtful lol) If not just the paintings, I can't draw but I like doing stencils on canvas, they look really nice.

Hi guys, I'm relatively new to playing records. I've had a turntable setup for a year or so, but don't get to use it that much.

My question is, how do you control static pops and clicks? Even on the records I buy brand new, I still get pops and clicks and my turntable sounds nowhere near as good as playing music from my iPod to my receiver. I have:

• Infinity Interlude Il60 speakers
  
• Harmon Kardon AVR325 Receiver
  
• An 80s Kenwood preamp (not the best, I know, but I don't think it should be that weak)
  
• A late 80s Technics home turntable, not one of the nicer professional type ones
  
  I replaced the cartridge with this Audio Technica cartridge, hoping it would help out, but it didn't help much at all. I realize it's a cheap cartridge, but so is my preamp and turntable.
  
  I have used this record washing contraption and this anti static brush, but niether seem to keep the dust off of my records, and pops and clicks develop way too quickly.
  
  I love spinning some vinyl, but when the sound quality doesn't compare to digital music, it really turns me off :(
  
  What do you use to keep your records fresh and clean, and what can I do to control dust and static on my records so I don't ruin them?

How often? Every time you wish to play it.

How hard? It depends! I inherited my grandfather's and my father's record collection when I started collecting. Some of the records were very dirty, so I bought a SpinClean to get rid of the dirt.

I've cleaned all my records with it at least once (even the new ones), and after that I just brush with a carbon fiber brush before I put it on the turntable (to remove static and light dirt, paper linen, etc).

Cleaning with the brush while the record is spinning is easier, but it does not get rid of static, and sometimes it generates more of it (i live in a very dry city), and the same goes for the dust (they cling on the record because of the static).

TL:DR: you should always deep clean your records once (the SpinClean is awesome for this). After that is just keeping them clean with a carbon fiber brush, and that is super easy!

A good entry level audiophile turntable is the AT-120 for $228. If you have a bigger budget, like $300-$400, your options really open up!

Also, you can find some great vintage used stuff on craigslist. /r/vinyl has a good community that can be helpful with beginners.

If you have any questions later down the line, feel free to ask me anything! I'll be happy to help.

I picked up an Audio Technica similar to this one (maybe a model or two higer) as a part of a special at a local record store. Turn table, amplifier, and speakers for $275. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. As a novice vinyl collector/listener it has offered everything I need.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002GYTPAE/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1420517688&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

I would recommend going into your local record store and asking them for a good recommendation for a starter turntable. Also see what kind of bundles they may offer. In my experience, most record store employees are more than happy to offer advice and excited to have another collector of vinyl. Of course I may just have had some great people. So if you have more than one local store, don't be afraid to shop around to find the best price. Hope this helps!

By the way, if you're really interested in listening to vinyl records, you may want to do a bit of research before buying your first turntable. A lot of the cheap (sub-$150) ones are really poor quality, and not only do they tend to sound bad, they can wear out your records much, much faster than a decent turntable would. I personally have a Fluance RT81 which does the job just fine for me, but there are a number of options in the $250-$300 price range that would all probably work well for someone who's new to the hobby or only marginally interested. The cheap players though (Crosley, Victrola, etc.) are just not going to give you a good listening experience and seem to often cause people to give up on records without giving them a proper chance. You can check out the links in the sidebar of /r/vinyl for more advice, and they have a weekly thread over there for general questions such as getting set up.

In my experience, The Dear Hunter sounds great on vinyl (especially acts IV and V), so enjoy! They're actually one of just a handful of bands I've listened to and had a moment of "wow, this actually sounds better on vinyl than it does on CD/digital."

You don't have to buy everything in a package.

Denon DP300 automatic is so so. AT LP120 fully manual is ok if they like the style. Kanto YU4 are smallish 4" speakers that are pricey at $270.

$650 budget:

Better turntable: Fluance RT82 with Ortofon OM 10 $300 which has an external belt drive, auto stop and an optical sensor speed controlled motor for lower wow and flutter and speed variation specs than the LP120 and Denon DP300.

Phono stage/preamp: Fluance PA10 $80 or the popular Schitt Mani on sale B-Stock $110 shipped.

Powered speakers:

• Lower cost 4" speakers: Edifier 1280BD $130.
  
• Larger powered speakers: 5.25" Fluance Ai40 $200.
  
  Or a receiver with a built in phono stage/preamp (no PA10 or Shcitt Mani needed or upgrade to one later) and passive bookshelf speakers:
  
  
• Stereo: ONKYOTX-8140 2-Ch x 80 Watts Network Stereo Receiver $200 refurbished with a one year factory warranty.
  
• Or AV if ever also using with a TV and HDMI: DENON AVR-S640H 5.2-Ch x 75 Watts A/V Receiver w/HEOS $200 refurbished with a one year factory warranty.
  
• Passive bookshelf speakers: Polk Audio TSi100 $90, Pioneer SP-BS22-LR $100, Polk Audio Monitor 40 $100.
  
• Speaker wire: Pure Copper Oxygen Free 16 Gauge 50 ft. and self adjusting wire strippers.
  
  $300 to $550 budget with the AT LP120X:
  
  
• AT LP120XUSB $250.
  
• Powered speakers: 4" Edifier 1280BD $130, or 5.25" Fluance Ai40 $200, or 6.5" Fluance Ai60 $300.
  
• Or passive speakers and a mini amp, $50 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker Pair and Hi-Fi Mini Amplifier Bundle with Speaker Wire.
  
• Or a better mini amp and speakers: SMSL SA-36A $52 with Dayton Audio B652-AIR 6-1/2" speakers $52.
  
  $300 to $550 budget with auto stop belt drive turntables:
  
  
• Fluance RT80 $170 with an AT91 conical stylus.
  
• Monolith by Monoprice Turntable $200 is a clone of the Fluance RT81 and has an elliptical AT100 stylus.
  
• Fluance RT81 $210 in walnut finish with an elliptical AT95 stylus.
  
  Powered speakers: Edifier 1280BD $130 or 5.25" Fluance Ai40 $200.
  
  Or passive speakers with a mini amp: SMSL SA-36A $52 with Dayton Audio B652-AIR 6-1/2" speakers $52 plus Pure Copper Oxygen Free 16 Gauge 50 ft. and self adjusting wire strippers.

Yes.

This is a good entry level model. This is the cheapest new one that isn't shit and will begin to give you the legendary vinyl sound quality that blows away digital recordings.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q

This is a good step up

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-13086-Debut-Carbon-Black/dp/B007XTE6YW

or

http://www.amazon.com/Rega-RP1-Turntable-Cool-Gray/dp/B004B3GELG/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421852438&sr=1-2&keywords=rega+p3

or

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Hall-Driven-Turntable-Cartridge/dp/B001FUF8FQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421852459&sr=1-3&keywords=musical+hall+mmf

This is even better if you're loaded

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Hall-M5-1N-MMF-5-1/dp/B000KOHIO2/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421852381&sr=1-6&keywords=music+hall+mmf

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Hall-Turntable-Pro-ject-Tonearm/dp/B007X579S6

The best option unless you're rich is getting a really nice used turntable though.

Hey guys!
My girlfriend is a music lover and her birthday is coming up so I wanted to surprise her with a new turntable. Her old Crosley turntable crapped out recently after only on year of use.

I am a complete newbie when it comes to this kind of stuff, but after doing a bit of research these are the items I have decided on.

Audio Technica At-LP60BK Turntable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008872SIO/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Micca MB42 Bookshelf Speakers
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009IUIV4A/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_2?smid=AFKH6OU9WWNFS&psc=1


The main issue I am having is picking an amplifier. It seems that I would need one in order to properly connect the turntable and speakers. These are the two I am looking at now, but I'm not sure if they are compatible with my set up or will have enough power. Any recommendations on which one I should pick? My budget is pretty tight.

Seeduck Lepy Mini Amplifier
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01HRR5AWQ/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_3?smid=A1MZW54YOZT6K2&psc=1

Pyle Home Mini Amplifier
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0071HZ5EQ/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

I would appreciate any help, thank you :)

I am going to be using this article plus my own personal experiences in the 7 years I have been collecting: https://www.techradar.com/news/best-turntables


Turntable: Audio-Technica ATLP120USB Direct Drive Professional USB Turntable Price $229.00 (On Sale at the time of this writing) it comes with a built in Pre-Amp so you are good to go. This is one I have been eyeballing myself.


Amplifier: Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver Price $149.95 (On sale at the time I am writing this). This is the one I personally use and I love it. It has multiple channels so you can allow for growth. For example I got a stereo cd player at the local thrift store I am trying to upgrade. I just need RCA Cables to hook it up which I do.


Speakers: https://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-T15-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B002RJLHB8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 Price $49.98 (Sale at the time I am writing this)


Wire from speakers to Amp: AmazonBasics 100ft 16-Gauge Audio Stereo Speaker Wire Cable - 100 Feet Price $13.49


Headphone Adapter (Trust me you'll need this if you want to listen to music via headphones) Adapter Price: $7.99


Subtotal: $450.41‬ plus taxes. I think you have wiggle room on the speakers, but I searched for high rated ones. If you need help setting up your Turntable and Stereo please feel free to reach out and I can help! :D

I'm a big hip hop fan so I always wanted a Technics 1200 turntable growing up. Alas those turntables are pretty expsensive so I settled on an Audio Technica lookalike:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=od_aui_detailpages02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With this turntable I can listen at different speeds (33 1/3, 45, 78) and I can pitch the record up or down as well as reverse the record. I think that will be fun to play with 22 A Million because of it's strange vocal work. None of those features are necessary, however, and with this turntable's cost (a little under $300 now on Amazon. I paid about $200.) I'd recommend buying any turntable in your budget that can play records at 33 1/3, 45, and 78 rpm. Some records I've purchased like some Radiohead albums and Nicolas Jaar singles require the 45 rpm playback.

You'll need a receiver and speakers as well. I had a plan to get a good receiver and speakers, but again, the costs limited me. If you have the cash to spare I'd recommend getting a STEREO receiver with 2 good speakers, not the surround sound 5.1 or 7.1 stuff their pushing nowadays. Most music is mixed for a stereo experience so you only need 2 speakers. I was looking into a 2.1 system. The .1 just means I can add a subwoofer. Also make sure that your system is wired not wireless.

If that's too much for you (which was the case for me) invest in a good pair of headphones and headphone amplifier and you're set.

Hello,

I just wanted some opinions on my setup that I'm asking for Christmas. and yes I know buying used gear is a better choice but I can't expect people giving me gifts to go hunt at thrift stores and craigslist.

Denon DP 300F

Onkyo A-9010 Integrated Stereo Amplifier

Polk Audio T15 Bookshelf Speakers

The Denon has a pre-amp right? So, do I need the Onkyo Amp? If I don't "need" the Onkyo amp would it still be worth the money e.g. improve the sound a noticeable amount?

Is anything I'm buying too cheap or too expensive for my setup? (I'm looking for an entry level setup)

How much more will I get out of a better turntable like the Orbit U-Turn would I, a novice, notice a difference? And if I do get the Orbit (and the Onkyo) should I get the Orbit with or without the pre-amp?

Finally am I making any huge mistakes? Are there any better value options than the parts I've chose?

Upvotes for Pearl Jam!

As far as the standard DC; it's a very minor inconvenience. You simply lift the platter off, move the belt to the 45rpm position on the spindle, and put the platter back on.

You can also get the Pro-Ject Speed Box later on if you went with a non-automatic and wanted to add that capability.

It really all comes down to preference. If you didn't go the route of the the Espirit package, you have more room to play and can always add on the features in that combo later.

For instance, you could go with the following (assuming you have a preference for the Pro-Ject and Ortofon carts:

• Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC: $400
  
  
• Ortofon 2M Bronze: $440
  
  
• Pro-Ject Phono Box S: $150
  
  Total would be $990. You wouldn't have the acrylic platter ($100 to buy separately) and you wouldn't have auto-speed change (noted above, you could get the speed box later if it was too much of an annoyance). But the Bronze is a big jump over the Blue, and I did not find the platter change to give much (if any) of a sound improvement.
  
  Personally, I'd prioritize the cartridge above most other things. Whether that's an Ortofon or something else in a similar range to the bronze.
  
  But, at the end of the day, it's all subjective to each person. If you think the speed control and platter are must haves, and the Blue will be good enough for your system, then that TTL is definitely a good deal with the bonus accessories and it will sound good too.
  
  Hope that all helps a bit!

The record player:
Fluance High Fidelity Vinyl Turntable Record Player:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F2EXIFM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_scaYAbCD5DNXD

So as a music producer and lover of music in general, I have been wanting to upgrade my music experience. My father recommended vinyls, so I purchased my favorite album, the soundtrack to "Ghost in the Shell" and saved up for a actual decent vinyl player. I went on Amazon and thought this player would be good enough. I spent the past few weeks hooking up the sound system that I inherited from my grandfather. After setting it up and finally playing it, I am blown away. It feels like the actual insturments are being played in front of me, I actually started crying because of how beautiful it sounds. I hope this brings me into the audiophile community!

Welcome!

First off, "vinyls" isn't a word. The plural of vinyl is vinyl. Someone is sure to point that out to you so it might was well be me. But it doesn't really matter. It's just a way for people who are really into it to raise themselves above you.

Ok, cheap set up. Here's my turntable. Don't let anyone in this sub tell you that you need anything more than this. This is fine. This does the job. It won't hurt your records and it's really easy to use.

As for an amp and speakers, the ones I use I got from my parents. They hadn't used them in years. I do hear good things about this thing. For speakers I would just recommend the cheapest thing you can find above desk computer speakers. That should do the job.

Have fun!

I just got a new vinyl player for my birthday from my friends, and it's ridiculously cheap and honestly not the best quality. Still, I'd like to know how much mileage I can get out of it because it's from my dearest friends. By this I mean, what's the best sound quality I can get out of it from a nice new speaker setup? Thanks.

What is the max that you are looking to spend? Do you already have speakers or headphones?

It looks like you are going to get the best bang for your buck buying used. I'm assuming you aren't trying to drop more than $150 on a turntable. That's where what is available on your local craigslist comes into play.

Of course, if you don't feel like spending the time hunting equipment down, and are trying to stay as cheap as possible without having anything, just get the AT LP-60, Leipai amp, and Dayton Audio Speakers. Boom. Upgraded, brand new, full setup delivered to your door in two days (Prime members) for under $175. However, you would be much better off getting the LP-120 instead of the LP-60. Of course, you would definitely be even better off getting almost anything vintage and worthwhile for the $100 it costs to get that LP-60

Of course, I absolutely DO NOT recommend that you get any of the new stuff. You can get much better equipment if you take the time to track it down on the used market for $175. It will just take a little time.

4 years ago, I saw this movie and fell in love with it. I bought the soundtrack and started collecting CDs. 100 CDs later, I thought, let's buy some cool records. I bought a shitty Crosley cause that was all the money I had. I worked up slowly from there... Bought a receiver to connect my PC and Record Player too. Bought 2 shitty bookshelf speakers. Upgraded those speakers. Got an AT LP-60 for Christmas.

A few days ago, /u/Sternicus was selling an Audio Technica LP-120. I decided to drive 5 hours today just to buy it from him. It was worth every cent and I love it.

My Setup now...

Receiver

Speakers

Turntable

I use Bose QuietComfort 35s whenever I don't play through speakers. I chose them because of the Noise Cancellation. It works well and is good for travelling.

My desktop is self built, if you really wanna know the specs, ask and I'll get them and post them. And ignore my messy desk.

Thank you once again /u/Sternicus !!!! Thank you for all the records and the amazing turntable! It works great :)

That's honestly a pretty heavy ask on your friend's part, especially on such short notice. Wes Anderson is known for a visual style heavily reminiscent of the mid-20th Century, with rather European bent. Rich textures, vibrant colours, vintage props showcased in loving detail, and symmetry, symmetry, symmetry. Every frame he puts on the screen is a postcard. His movies would honestly be totally insufferably twee if they weren't actually incredibly good.

If you google Wes Anderson style you'll see what I mean.

As for a party... I'd see if anyone you know owns a record player like this Crosley and get some old records from the 40s and 50s (if not soundtracks from Wes Anderson's films).

I have 2 Audio Technica LP60's in my apt along with an older Technics SL. None of them have anti skating feature and play anything I put on there. Flexi disks, 10", 7", 180g, 160g, you name it. If I were you, I'd go with an AT-LP60. You can find it here on Amazon along with some speakers like this. That is the minimum amount of equipment needed to get into vinyl. The whole package is about 200USD so that's still within your budget and more importantly it's all new equipment. As time goes on she can upgrade individual components and add more equipment such as a dedicated preamp, carbon brush, cork board mats, etc. That's what I've been doing for the past 3 years and since then I've gotten a fairly decent setup. You just gotta be frugal and hold out till you find what you're looking for. Hope that helps, best of luck

Great turntable! I'd also recommend getting one of these, which is super handy in keeping the dust off your records once you get started!

RE Amps:

You don't really need that pre-amp if you buy an amplifier with a "Phono" input. This serves the same purpose as a pre-amp, namely, converting the turntable's signal into something the amp can work with.

Something like This, for example. Many modern amps also have multiple inputs for your iPod, CD player, and whatever else you need, which is great! :D


Those pre-amps are useful if you already have an amplifier which does NOT have this phono input, which is often the case with modern stereos.

Just don't get anything with all in one built in speakers.

I Suggest an Audio Technica LP60

https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT-LP60-Automatic-Stereo-Turntable/dp/B002GYTPAE

Or if it is in you budget go for the Audio Technica LP120

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=pd_lpo_267_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=T848DSA2YQ93CZPQTNSS

I started off with an Audio Technica LP120 and still use it to this day. It is about two years old now with no problems what so ever.
The thing to note is that you will need speakers to add to it with to start off with i just used computer speakers until I upgraded my speakers last year. But i reckon the LP60 would be great as well, audio technica are imo a great brand.

Maybe this could be of assistance

https://www.turntablelab.com/pages/beginners-guide-to-turntables

Then the fun addicting part truly begins once you have a turntable to spin all you favourite albums. Plus even though it is gimmicky and less superior to black vinyl (according to people but i see no major difference) there are coloured vinyl which range from all difference fantastic colours from pressing to pressing. They look so awesome!

Example here (from one of my fav bands King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's album 12 Bar Bruise):

https://f4.bcbits.com/img/0004877517_10.jpg


Anyway enjoy Hail to the Thief when you spin as it is my fav album ever and first record I ever owned : ) !!!

Look at the Audio Technica LP60 ($100). Its the only turntable ive ever had, but from what Ive heard its pretty good for a beginner. If u just want something to listen with them on this would work pretty well but u might have other people telling u to just save up more and buy the LP120 ($300).

You will need speaker cable; don't get the super thin stuff. Something about the thickness of lamp cords (18 gauge). When you hook up your speakers, it's imperative that they're in phase - make sure the red terminal on the speaker connects to the red on your amp. Not doing so won't damage your speakers, but one will be pulling while the other is pushing, effectively cancelling each other out. Usually speaker wire has one side with a line or a ridge so you can tell them apart.

You amplifier and speakers can accept banana plugs. They're entirely optional, but they sure do look nice.

You'll want a basic cleaning kit - something to clean your records and discharge static electricity and something to clean your stylus. If you're a cheapskate, or just prefer DIY solutions (I'm both), then you can use a very small piece of a Magic Sponge to clean your stylus. You don't brush it; you just gently lower you stylus onto it a few times.

• A standing mat because standing in the kitchen cooking/cleaning is hard on the back and these mats make it so much more comfortable. It's really amazing and makes life a million times better, especially if you have to stand a lot.
  
• A dehydrator to make dried fruit, fruit leather, jerky, dried herbs... so many possibilities, and everyone will be really impressed when you pull out some homemade jerky. (Can you tell I like making food?)
  
• Record players are coming back into style. Music records won't get lost when your computer crashes, and they'll outlive the singularity. And you can listen to music... while you make food!
  
  All of these are on my Over $30 wishlist.
  
  Thank you for the contest!

If you really want a good record player someday I’d suggest getting an audio technica lp120

I strictly only buy older records (usually 1970’s ish) and the sound quality as well as the way I have the whole time arm set up (which plays the records well and doesn’t damage them) makes the music sound fantastic!

I absolutely love the aesthetic of that player though and I’m happy you got to experience the passing down of records just like I have!

My setup is literally two pieces of equipment. It seems expensive, but if you sell some textbooks to amazon, you can easily knock about a hundred fifty bucks off the total cost. This isn't audiophile equipment, but it's solid, it's a good place to get started, it's relatively cheap, and it'll sound a million times better than whatever you'd get at best buy or urban outfitters for the same price.

Speakers: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0051WAM64/

Turntable: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002S1CJ2Q/

Of course, if you can, go vintage.

Hey Guys, I'm trying to create a some-what cheap and MODERN set up for myself with multiple use (but limited channels in the receiver, so I found a receiver with Bluetooth option) and high convenience... Am I missing anything? Or is there anything I should add?

Cheap Bluetooth w/ Limited Channels Receiver

Turntable, and I really love this one.... Really Jacks Up Price

Speakers that come with wire, but adding a spool from amazon anyways...

Wire and Plugs

Do I need anything else? Hi-Fi amp or something? The turntable comes with a phono-preamp and the speakers look decent and are at my price range. Any tips on how to set this up as well? Including the best way to use the plugs or if I should get different plugs.

With the current prices of this post, the overall price is... $462.88 USD and W/O the turntable, it is $213.88 XD

Replacement Turntable that is affordable which puts the new price at $298.88

Hi there,

I'd like to upgrade my audio setup, which is OK, but not great. Here's what I currently have going on:

Turntable: Pro-Ject - Debut Carbon DC (Black)

Speakers: Audioengine A2+ Premium Powered Desktop Speakers - Pair (Black)

Preamp: BEHRINGER MICROPHONO PP400

I think the Pro-Ject is OK for me right now, but I'm thinking about upgrading my speakers, and potentially purchasing a receiver (as opposed to my preamp into speakers set up right now). I've started buying some cassettes, so would also love to buy a cassette deck at some point and also be able to plug it into my receiver.

Anyone have any tips? I am admittedly still a bit of a novice, so any advice much appreciated. :)

I also have a couple of these: Audio-Technica AT95E/HSB Headshell/Cartridge Combo Kit (AT95E Cartridge and AT-HS10BK Headshell) lying around the apartment. Is it possible to replace my Pro-Ject needle with one of these bad boys / if so, anyone know of a good explainer for how to do it?

Thanks!

Hello,

I'm getting my first turntable and speakers soon and wanted to make sure I was getting everything I needed. I'm planning on getting a Crosley C100a-SI with these speakers. Is that all I would need to play my records? I've lurked around the sub a bit and I think I'm fine but I wanted to make sure. I know these probably aren't the best speakers or turntable but I'm okay with that to start out. Thanks for any help and any suggestions as a first-timer would be great!

> and can play 78 RPM which is nice

yes, though remember that those aren't vinyl, and require a separate stylus as well.

> Any other good recommendations to the LP100?

U-Turn Orbit is oft-recommended in the same price range. Much better preamp.

> Also, can anyone recommend supplies for cleaning records.

I'm cheap. I use: https://imgur.com/a/V3Tbn

> Budget: 700 or less

Whoa...OK. 700 is a considerably more healthy budget than a U-Turn orbit or LP120.

Some to consider:

Thorens: https://www.amazon.com/Thorens-TD-203-Turntable-Drive-Red/dp/B00QYU0HOO/ref=sr_1_26?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1522618105&sr=1-26&keywords=turntable&refinements=p_36%3A50000-75000

Pro-Ject: https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Ject-Debut-Carbon-Esprit-Black/dp/B00AWB6C22/ref=sr_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1522618050&sr=1-2&keywords=turntable&refinements=p_36%3A50000-75000&dpID=41ybMCZj00L&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

REGA: https://www.amazon.com/REGA-Planar-2-Gloss-Black/dp/B01KVLHAS2/ref=sr_1_3?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1522618050&sr=1-3&keywords=turntable&refinements=p_36%3A50000-75000&dpID=41dYWX%252Bcw3L&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

I put together a compact budget system from scratch for a friends teenager about a year ago. I bought all new, budget was a major consideration. The cheapest I could put together new that was decent was around $350.

Here are the parts I went with in case it helps. I know this total is way over your budget. But maybe it will help you shop for used versions for less.

Turntable: Pioneer PL-990

I found it on sale for $99

Amplifier: SMSL Q5 Pro

I splurged a little on this part because I really needed a compact amp with a seperate subwoofer out. You could save some here by buying a used larger amp. Or if your room is not that large and you dont need alot of power, you could get away with an inexpensive little t-amp like this Lapai

Speakers: Dayton Audio B652

I Really like these speakers for the price. If you can afford the bump in price, consider going for the "air" version with improved tweeter.

Dayton Audio SUB-800

The sub is really optional, but it does make a big difference in rounding out the low end.

I had a good coupon for Parts Express when I bought it, and found some of the items on sale which helped my total price. If you are patient, you could do the same and find some good deals.

-


EDIT: Absolute minimum, for about $150 you could go with an entry level Audio Technica with a Lapai Amp and the B652 speakers. For a starter setup, this would not sound bad.

This coupon code "POP5" is still good for 5% off at Parts Express.

Hey guys, first proper audio setup being planned.

I have an Audio Technica LP120 and this Wharfedale Power Cube 10+ Subwoofer- Photo

Looking to get some floorstanding speakers and an amplifier for this living space

Not looking for the loudest setup but want some quality HiFi gear. Also want to be able to play from my phone at times.

Budget for speakers and amp- hoping not to spend more than 600-700AUD all up if possible.

Or am I better off with some active monitors instead?

Thanks in advance!

Such a comprehensive reply! Thanks /u/dfmz . When I get home tonight I'll take a close look at the wires but a custom cable carrying separate threads could explain things. I remember the developer said that in every room with speakers, there is also a wall switch/box where I can add a volume control if I want. He said the wire goes from the basement to the box and then splits from there to the speakers in the room. I'd never heard of a set up like that and don't know what to make of it.

So maybe it's custom multi-threaded cables to the rest of the house and just dumb speaker cables for the basement. Like I said, I'll check.

My assumption for the basement was that 5 speakers are wired and then I bring my own sub, making it 5.1. For the family room, the hookups are arranged: FR, FL, center, RR, RL. But there's only one line for the family room in the basement, so perhaps that's custom cable. All the other locations are twin speakers.

The vinyl player has a built-in preamp, but your point is well taken. Might have to go into the wall for that one.

Really glad to hear that about the ceiling speakers. The surround sound will be suboptimal, but outside the basement I'm more concerned about music anyways. That also allows me to commit to the wired route which, as you point out, will be quite superior.

Your last suggestion is also exactly what I was looking for posting here. I'll probably start with a single Sonos/Heos and multichannel amp, with an eye to expanding to separate zones in the future as needed.

I second the R1280T as a great option for the price. They also come in a Bluetooth enabled version for a little more money, if that matters to you (R1280DB for $130).

You might also consider this turntable - it's basically the cheapest you can buy new, which will sound good and won't harm your records.
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP60X-BK-Belt-Drive-Hi-Fidelity-Anti-Resonance/dp/B07N3XJ66N/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?keywords=at-lp60x&qid=1570418028&sr=8-11

That'd get you a nice beginner setup for $200 ($230 with Bluetooth, which is nice if you have Spotify).

The Fluance mentioned above is probably a little nicer, but the Audio Technica is perfectly capable and the difference in sound quality between them will probably be pretty insignificant.

I'm not a record player expert, so I just googled best intro turntables, finding the audio technica one got good reviews across multiple sites. Ordered off Amazon for under $100. It's been great so far. I know it's not something a true audiophile would get, but as a big music fan, I love it.

If you're buying one now, might as well start the record collection at Encore Records sale going on right now. I usually buy from End of an Ear, Waterloo, Friends of Sound though.

Probably going to get buried in here, but what the hell. I bought my first turntable a year or so ago, that being the very stopgap budget buy of an AT-LP60 Fully Automatic Stereo Turntable (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GYTPAE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

A short while ago, probably around its year anniversary it started to play at funky speeds and after buying a replacement belt and trying the manual speed adjustment it became apparent it was never going to play my records at the right speed again.

I've started a new job and am a couple paychecks in and I am now searching for a new turntable in the region of $400. I've been drawn to the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon DC and was wondering if that would be a purchase that I'd be happy with for a decent amount of time. I won't call myself an audiophile, but I have started a modest collection of records and want to be able to play them on a quality and aesthetically pleasing turntable. Basically I'm asking if this turntable is worth the buy, or if I should think about a different one in the same price range (or even splurge and buy the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit DC at around $600).

I'm open to hearing anyone's experience about these Pro-Ject record players (turntables?) as well as any further counsel on a different option.

Also, I bought these Bose powered speakers with the Audio Technica record player (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CD1PTF0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and wanted to know if they would pair well with a record player in the $400 price range.

Thanks to anyone who reads this and gives me a response, I didn't expect for it to be this long when I started typing.

I just got a Crosley C200a off Amazon for $190ish and, compared to the shitty Jensen ($40) I had, it's amazing. Crosley's suitcase players have a horrible reputation but I read every review I could find on the C200 and it was all positive and overall, for the price, it's a really good pick. No 78rpm setting and not automatic functions are the downsides, but I don't have 78's and I also enjoy dropping the needle. I'll probably upgrade the cartridge soon though. Good luck!

Edit: Here where I got it. And here is a review for it on turntablepros.com

It's a Jensen JTA-230.

It's not the best but it's pretty good for a $50 player. It plays pretty well and doesn't have a bad sound.

/r/vinyl realy helped me out. I've grown my collection to about 70 lp's look at an audio tecnica turntable on amazon. Plays great. Not to fancy just something to start with.

Sound isn't hugely better. It's more of owning a physical copy of the record and checking out the awesome gatefolds that got me in to owning them. My favorites I'll frame around the house because it's somthing I love.

Edit: this is what I have. No need to drop a shit ton of money unless you're an audiophile. Save it to buy more awesome records!

So about two or three years ago I asked for a turntable for Christmas, and I got an Audio Technica AT-LP60. I have seen that this is seemingly a disliked turn table on this sub (or in general), but I am wondering why. Will it hurt my records if I play them on it? Also, will playing records with a couple of scratches hurt the needle at all? Finally, how can I tell if the needle is damaged or not? I think that it isn't, but I would like to make sure, considering it has been so long.


Also, my dad is now seemingly into vinyl too, and he is thinking about getting a record player to use in the house. (Mine is in my room, hooked up to headphones) He wants something that is attractive and pretty well made, and is willing to spend money in order to get quality products, but we obviously aren't looking for anything that is crazy expensive. The RT80/RT81 look like good looking options, but I'm looking for suggestions. We would also need to buy speakers/a pre-amp, and these cant also be too expensive. I would say total budget is around a soft 400/450, maybe 500 absolute max, but anything cheaper would also be great.

Sorry for so many questions! Thanks in advance

Well, if he loves placebo effect, he'll absolutely love listening to records through a cheap DAC and tinny laptop speakers. Tell your friend that he can either waste his money now, or he can save up and make a proper investment that will really do the music justice. $200-$300 could buy entry level components that will sound much better than his laptop ever could.

Receiver

Turntable

Speakers

He'll also probably need speaker wire.

He can get all that for about $260 (plus shipping, tax, etc.). If he just wants to listen to headphones, he doesn't even need the speakers. Note, I did not shop around that much to find the best deals or best hardware. I did not read reviews. However, I do have a previous version of the receiver I linked. It may say Insignia on the label, but if that model is anything like the model I have, it is made by Sherwood and re-branded. I would look into that claim, though, because it is just a hunch on my part.

Ok, so these would be my recommendations for that price range:

Amplifier ($64) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OELGGG/

This is a very reasonable amp for the price. It is pretty good sound quality for this price range. It also has three RCA inputs in the back, and a 3.5 aux input in the front. This allows you to connect up to 4 different audio sources to it. It seems like you want to have several difference sources, so that's good.

This amp provides 120W per channel @ 4ohms. That means for a typical 8ohm bookshelf speaker, you're looking at 60W per channel. That means it can get really fucking loud.

Speakers ($65) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RMPHMU/

These are actually excellent bookshelf speakers for the price and several times better sound quality than the ones you originally linked to. These come with speaker cable, so you don't need to buy that separately.

USB Charger ($11) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LCDJ7LG/

You wanted USB charging for an iPhone/iPad. This Anker charger is very high quality and provides 2.4 amps to each of its two USB ports. That means it will charge two iPads at full speed, and charge an iPhone significantly faster than the cube charger that it comes with.

Bluetooth Receiver ($23) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KXYXXK2/

Pretty self explanatory. It receives bluetooth audio from a phone/tablet/laptop and sends it to the amp. It can be connected to the amp through a 3.5mm to RCA cable. It is also NFC enabled so it can pair with Android phones super easily.

CD Player ($35) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007F9XHBI/

With was actually pretty tough. No one seems to sell stand alone CD players anymore. There is no market for them. You might as well plug in a portable CD player. The next best option is to plug in a DVD player through RCA audio cables (the red and white ones). It might seem silly, but it works just fine. You don't need to plug into a TV at all, since there are playback controls on the DVD player itself, and the small screen on it will tell you track info. Honestly, there is no point in buying a new one. If you have an old DVD/CD player laying around the house or can buy one on Craigslist for $10, go for it.

Record Player ($99) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008872SIO/

Recored playback seemed to be kinda optional for you, so this will take you over budget a little. However, I already mentioned, all-in-one systems with a record player built-in sound terrible and ruin your records. The record player I'm suggesting really is the cheapest decent one you can buy new. It's the one to get if you care about good sound quality and not ruining your records.

This nice thing about this set-up is that it's completely modular. Over the years, you can upgrade or replace individual components without trashing the whole thing.

Let me know if you have any questions about these components or anything else.

The best starter table imo is the Audio-Technica AT-LP120 it has everything you need for a good table (cue lever, adjustable weight, good cartridge) at a good price. Get you some decent powered speakers and you're pretty set for a good vinyl setup

Don't freak, man. Here are a few pointers to start with...

1. Do not touch the record anywhere but on the outer edge and the label. Your fingers carry oil that will get into the grooves and attract dust/grime that effs up your needle.
   
2. Do not touch the needle (also called a stylus). same reason as #1, but also run the risk of bending or damaging it.
   
3. Store your records vertically. Don't stack them on top of eachother...that leads to warpage
   
4. get an anti-static brush. This gets dust out of grooves and will aid in reducing static.
   
5. check out some videos about 'loudness' on youtube. They are good representations about the difference in mastering from vinyl to CD. It may be hard to tell with your punk collection, but vinyl is generally mastered much better than other formats so it really does sound better.
   
6. good luck.

http://www.reddit.com/r/vinyl/comments/2nlmr0/record_player_suggestions/

Has some good suggestions.
Also checking craigslist sometimes depending on your area can net great finds.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=pd_cp_e_0

is a good record play right in your price range. It's formal, will play more than 33s and has some other great features.

Edit: typo

It's a little pricey, but I have this one and it's great. If that's a bit out of your price range, try finding something that at the minimum let's you adjust the downforce on the needle and anti-skate. Best bet would probably be second hand if you wanna go really cheap.

I think a great quality setup would be the Audio Technica AT-LP60 turntable, a Onkyo TX-8020 stereo receiver, and some Philharmonic AAM speakers. The speakers offer an excellent full range, with a slight warmth that lends itself well to vinyl imo. The entire setup listed would probably run $450-500.

But like DZphone said, listing a budget would really help.

hey, i can just offer you some general advice. personally I'd invest in a cheaper tt especially if you're just starting out in the hobby. you can then up your budget on speakers as they will be the heart of any system. you can start off with the u-turn orbit or maybe a Pro-ject which are both great pieces of equipment. the phono preamp you linked is a tube amp as far as I understand and will add some warmth to the sound. some people don't like it, others swear by it. just wanted to let you know. alternatively head over to /r/vinyl. they are a great community and will have some good recommendations.

What's your budget for a TT? Are you looking for something new? Would you like something that matches the era of the rest of your setup? There's quality in every era and something decent in a lot of price ranges with tons of opinions all over the place.

Personally I'll recommend the Audio Technica AT-LP60BK. It's from a respected brand, audiophile reviews are glowing, and the thing is built solidly. There's not much of a better value for something new at $100. You can be up and running in a couple days.

That said, the joy of vintage is finding something old and special for a steal. If you're patient, you can almost always get something better than what you can buy new, and even with all the advances in electronics over the last 45+ years, I still like the sound of my old pioneer TT that I got for $60 over a new one that cost $300. But that kind of find takes time. All depends on what you want.

Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01EMQI2CU/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519841814&sr=8-2-fkmr1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=yahama+stereo+receiver


Audio Technica AT-LP60B Turntable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008872SIO/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519841897&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=turntable&dpPl=1&dpID=41r7Qsa8SUL&ref=plSrch


Polk Audio TSi100 Bookshelf Speakers
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00192KF12/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519841960&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=polk+bookshelf+speaker&dpPl=1&dpID=410nZ6jqYQL&ref=plSrch



Sorry for the late response. This is definitely a budget setup but honestly it sounds awesome. I couldn’t be happier with this setup.

Hi guys, hoping you could help me with a basic setup. My dad passed recently and left me about 200 vinyl records, mostly from the 70's and 80's. I'd like to listen to them, but I do not have any sort of set up.

I looked at the suggested threads / wiki, and it looks like I'll need a turntable, amp, and speakers. There's a lot more I can get, but for now I'm just happy with a barebones setup so I can listen to some old jams.

I live in USA-MI, and my budget is $200-500. A few caveats:

• I live in an apartment complex. I do not need it to be too loud / window shaking.
  
• I have limited space - tall, 3' speakers are out of the question.
  
• I have this desk.
  
• My goal was to put the turntable atop the desk, then find a shelf to put under it if I need an amp / other equipment / storage for records.
  
  Anyways, here's what I found:
  
  
• Crossley C100A-SI, decent turntable for the price.
  
• Edifier R1280T Speakers, seem small enough to politely sit on the desk.
  
  Questions:
  
  
• Is this all I need? Will the speakers plug directly into the turntable? Will the turntable come with a needle?
  
• How much of a difference are the ~$100 turntables vs the 200 / 300? Will I actually notice it, or is it mostly just marketing?
  
• Are there better recommendations for my budget? If so, what would you recommend and why?

He makes a good point. 15 plays is quite an exaggeration, but if you listen to the same album once a week for a year, it will be noticeably less crisp/good sounding

If you do want to use it, you can easily find lots of cool random jazz/swing music at tag sales and record stores (or whatever sort of music you want). Tag sales are dirt cheap but usually poor selection, record stores are pricey but have just about anything you want.

and If you are interested in a less beautiful, but high-quality record player, I have this one and love it: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1380686694&sr=1-1&keywords=Audio-Technica+AT-PL120

(Note: Shop around... I got it for 50 bucks less than that)

Mine is pretty much a knock off swiss army knife. Jack of all trades but master of none. I bought this one because I had a Best Buy gift card and I'm new to the vinyl scene. It was $120 bucks but for around that price you can get a device that only plays records but does it really well. example vs
the player I have

EDIT: added link to my player

Alright thanks for the reply. I've asked around in a number of places but nobody actually answered my question, rather gave vague replies like "try craigslist" or "you need to buy other things too".

Anyways, I have one more quick question, the Denon seems a bit pricey for my first turntable. Would you say the Audio Tech AT-LP60 found here:

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT-LP60-Automatic-Driven-Turntable/dp/B002GYTPAE/ref=lp_3003611_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1405341381&sr=1-2

Do you think that would be a good first turntable? Along with a nice set of speakers? And I assume for speakers I'll be looking for "bookshelf speakers". I don't have much room right now.

Also thanks again for the detailed response.

It uses the same exact guts as this $40 turntable. Like I said, the all-in-ones are really nice and useful, but prolonged use will damage your record and you won't be getting nearly as well of a quality sound as you would on a solo turntable. Like I said, they're made by like two Chinese companies and pawn them off as Vintage quality tables. If you have like a handful of records, it's no big deal, but if you want to keep them in good shape I would invest in something nice.

Not a bad player (my daughter has one) and better than a Crosley. But eventually (immediately?) you will want one with an adjustable counterbalance that will provide better performance and reduced record wear.

Though it costs three times as much and is not automatic, the Audio Technica ATLP120 is a good choice; considered round these parts as the cheapest acceptable TT you won't hate in a few years. Here's a pic of the counterbalance so you can see what we're talking about:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-media/product-gallery/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=cm_ciu_pdp_images_1?ie=UTF8&index=1

Now you know. Happy listening on whatever you use!

I have this turntable: https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT-LP60BK-Automatic-Belt-Drive-Turntable/dp/B008872SIO/ref=sr_1_3 and it works great. It has a built-in pre-amp, which is very convenient.

If you'd like to rip the vinyl to your computer, you'll want the USB version: https://www.amazon.com/AT-LP60BK-USB-Automatic-Belt-Drive-Turntable-USB/dp/B016YYFZS2/ref=sr_1_3


As for speakers, I highly recommend these Edifier speakers: https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R1280T-Powered-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B016P9HJIA/ref=sr_1_1 They are powered and produce a really full sound. You'll even see my review on Amazon, look for the Avett posters. :)

If you want to spend a bit more cash, my friend has the Bluetooth version: https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R1700BT-Bluetooth-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B016PATXSI/ref=sr_1_3

I've been listening with headphones since I've gotten my turntable and I decided I'd like to get some speakers for it as well. I've got a Fluance turntable as well as a Little Dot Mk2 headphone amp. I've been considering getting these speakers. I don't really know what I'm doing, but I'm assuming I'm going to need another amp for the speakers? Any suggestions on a mid priced amp, or will the Mk2 work for speakers as well? Will those speakers work fine with my turntable? Any help is appreciated!

Hey, welcome to the wonderful world of records! Just a note, this is an expensive hobby. So, onto the turntables, for starters, NEVER, EVER, buy a Crosley. As 'cute' as they are they will eat your records and force you to buy more. For a high-quality cheap player, I recommend the Audio-Technica AT-LP60.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GYTPAE/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_2_w
For really high quality with a higher price point, I recommend the Audio-Technica AT-LP120.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/audio-technica-professional-turntable-silver/3321302.p?skuId=3321302
Personally, I feel you should go for the latter, it's gonna cost you more, but it'll REALLY treat you in the long run.
Any more questions you have, feel free to ask!

i'm familiar with the anti-DJ bias; as you can see by my tag, i own a technics 1200, the DJ table. it's rather poorly regarded in audiophile circles for, as far as i can tell, no good reason.

but this particular instance isn't hate. the stanton t.52 and t.62 models have very short straight tonearms. these were originally designed for scratch DJs, to improve tracking. it helps the needle stay in the groove during backcuing. but it does so at the cost of drastically increased record wear, and added distortion. basically, the needle turns too much in the groove, compared to designs with longer tone arms.

but it's mostly a record wear issue. these things are bad for your records. i would go get your money back, and buy one of these instead. same price, significantly better, and safer for your records.

go with a audiotechinca turntable like this one. That has a pre amp.

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP60-USB-Automatic-Belt-Drive-USB/dp/B002GYTPB8/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=audio+technica+turntable+preamp&qid=1555520295&s=gateway&sr=8-

And get a set of Edifier SB880DB if you don't plan on adding a subwoofer. These speakers support bluetooth with APTX for a good stereo 2.0.

https://www.edifier.com/us/en/speakers/s880db

If you think you want to add a subwoofer for more bass one day. Look at a pair of Kanto YU4. If you want more bass. Just get a nice 8 or 10 inch sub down the line for 2.1 setup.. These also support Bluetooth APTX.

https://www.adorama.com/aulp60xusbga.html?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=adl-gbase

Any of these will fill the room with good sound. Give you the better bluetooth performance with AptX. And with the the built in preamp on the turn table. Just plug to the speaker with 3.5 to RCA or usb in the case of the edifier.

I can suggest cheaper, buy you will lose Bluetooth aptX, so the sound form bluetooth won't be as good.

I'm sure there are guides for this but i'd rather have some input from you guys. I got 50 dollars to amazon from my sisters to get a record player for christmas, so I got this guy.. Now at first I thought it was exactly what I needed, since I'm just starting out on vinyl, and I'm not looking for anything super nice, just something to play my vinyls on, for personal listening.

Well after ordering it I'm looking at the reviews and it's looking like people have a lot of problems with it... Basically I decided that if mine ends up being as bad as some others have been, I'll just return it and get a refund.

In that case, what should I use my 50 bucks towards buying? Also, I didn't think of this until afterwards either, but we have an audio technica turntable I can use in my basement, but the phono output is messed up and it only plays really quietly. So maybe I should just invest in a cheap stereo system insted? In that case, what stereo system would be good for 50 bucks?

Do you need speakers too, or just a record player? If you need both, I'd recommend this setup. I have the same record player but a slightly older version of these speakers. It's nothing fancy, but it's all ready to go right out of the box & in my opinion it sounds great. I'm not a hardcore serious audiophile, so I'm sure there are much better options out there, but they're gonna cost you way more than $200.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008872SIO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NXAEPDC/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00NXAEPDC&pd_rd_w=y7bqO&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=lGFOc&pf_rd_r=RR2Q11QK2JZVHPHWXPCV&pd_rd_r=cc3b9316-4e6b-4706-8fae-f33bd7d9f922&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzN0xVUzZGVDlLS0hQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTA0ODczQ1ZBM0xHQlVZSUczJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0MDc3OTgzRFQzVFNHTE5BMFIyJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Stay away from those Crosley's, if you can. If you're looking for a cheap (but decent) entry-level turntable, look into the Audio Technica LP 60. Pair them up with a cheap (but decent) set of powered speakers, like the Edifier R1280T.

Total will be about $200, but you'll be much much much better off.

Edit: I don't know anything about the TT in the last link, but it looks ok. Just steer clear of all-in-one type players. Cheers!

I got an Audio Technica LP120-USB. I love it so far! And I'm mainly interested in almost anything Hip-Hop, current and oldies. I also like Indie, like Arcade Fire, NMH, VW, Radiohead, Animal Collective, Modest Mouse. And some weird stuff, like Boards Of Canada, BSBD, Daft Punk, FlyLo. I just want good websites that'll give me nice info on purchases I may make.

Hey, good link. That Yahama looks legit and 100 watts is good but...

The link you provided says:

• no phono input — to connect a turntable you'll need to add a phono preamp.
  
  This Amazon link explains of your Yamaha better than what I'm talking about.
  
  You will need to get a turntable WITH a preamp. The AT LP120 has one BUILT into the deck. You just switch a button on the back.
  
  If you get a turntable WITHOUT a preamp, you will need something like this:
  
  https://www.amazon.com/Pyle-Phono-Turntable-Preamp-Preamplifier/dp/B00025742A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1527625753&sr=8-4&keywords=phono+preamp
  
  Most NEW turntables being built have a preamp built into it. So if you got the Yamaha and the AT LP120 you'd be good to go. The speakers you have will work with the inputs on the back. What's cool is you can also buy powered speakers and use the AV jacks as well.
  
  Do NOT get a Crosley.
  
  
  

I'm a casual listener, and it works fine for my purposes. I like that it's portable so you can take it to different rooms. It has pitch control, which a lot of cheap turntables don't have.

This review someone posted sums it up well:

The USB output, RCA line level output, and headphone jack all work fine, but sounds tinny and lacking in bass, so playing it through larger speakers really doesn't improve the sound quality that much compared to the small built-in speakers. Even if you try to boost the bass using an equalizer, it still won't sound hi-fi. So the JTA-230 is best used as a tiny, inexpensive, self-contained record player. It's a good beginner turntable for kids or for "crate digging" but won't be good enough to be your primary turntable for serious listening.

Here it is on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Jensen-JTA-230-Stereo-Turntable-Speakers/dp/B00BCA4116/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_23_lp_t_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ACNMEVQTEF1SPM8CWEC7

I don't really know if I need a phono input or a seperate pre amp. I can give you what we have, maybe that would help clear some things up. You sure know more than I do.

Turntable- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002GYTPAE/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Speakers - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009IUIV4A/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

With this info, could you give me some links in that budget on amazon? Thanks much for your help. I really do appreciate it

The one I ordered on Amazon is great, especially for being under $100. With decent speakers it will sound fantastic, and IMO better than hunting on Craigslist when you don't know the condition of the internal belt.

Also, it's upgrade-able by purchasing a better stylus, if you ever find the sound lacking.

Source: Me. I've owned a few more expensive turntables (technics, sony, numark etc..) and I like this one.

Hello, new guy from Chicago, IL

I was looking for some advice with my first entry-level setup, prefer to buy online only.

Looking to keep the overall price under $150.
I am looking for something that can play vinyls with a good sound and quality turntable that wont die out on me within a year.

I want something that doesn't require a receiver just to help keep the price down.

Below is the setup that I am debating buying, please let me know if its good enough or if theres any other equipment that you all suggest.

Audio Technica AT-LP60-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002GYTPAE/

Logitech Speakers -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EZ9XKCM/

Phono PreAmp -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WNLIHJA/

Thanks in advance

I have enjoyed the project line in the past. I had a project essential before. It is a pretty TT and it is simple. It would however require you to buy a amplifier or a preamp. It doesn't have any of the bells and whistles like auto stop and start. I think its around 200 quid.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PRO-JECT-13205-Pro-Ject-Essential-Turntable/dp/B00DKSUHO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425330554&sr=8-1&keywords=project+turntable

Recently I bought a Denon DP-300F Fully Automatic Analog Turntable. It has a built in preamp if I wanted to use it and is fully automatic. I upgraded the needle to a Shure M97E and have fallen in love with it. In a way I enjoy it more then I did my Project turntable for ease of use.

http://www.amazon.com/Denon-DP-300F-Automatic-Analog-Turntable/dp/B000FMNBXG

Not sure if its for sale in the UK.

Personally I don't think you can go wrong with either. I do not have any experience owning a Audio Technica TT. Hope that helps.

I was in the exact same place you are now bout two months ago. I instead spent a little more money for this one: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATLP120-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331855554&sr=8-1

It is more expensive but amazon is free shipping and it has substantially more benefits like a quartz direct drive setup, weighted toning arm, anti-skating and more. It's also quite heavy so their are no vibrations.

also, it will play ANY record type

Audio Technica LP-60 is like as low as you can go if you want brand new and pretty safe. Or save a little more and move into the $250 dollar range for many options. Also the Denon DP-300F is on sale universally right now for $200 and is a pretty easy turntable.
Denon DP-300F Fully Automatic Analog Turntable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FMNBXG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_FmHQzbY2QWVXW

You could go either the new or used route for turntables. Although buying used is tricky since you can't actually test it out, you end up getting a better deal especially if it was made in the 70's.

To start out, I like to recommend the Audio Technica AT-LP60. It's cheap and very functional. The great thing about it is that it comes with a built-in preamp so you can just connect it to a pair of speakers.

I don't recommend Crosleys as you'll likely want to upgrade and the quality isn't that great. I personally use Technics SL1200 which is built like a tank. But you can't go wrong with Audio Technicas as the difference between other turntables is pretty negligible I think.

Super basic Audio technica. I gradually built the system over time, but started with this stereo (used) and these speakers. Later I added some small surround speakers (system doubles as my tv speakers, too) as well as this sub. Granted I don't have a super trained ear, but all together it does sound awesome.

My recommendation is to not go cheap on the stereo side of things. Definitely don't get a record player with speakers built in. If it sounds shitty, you'll never end up using it. If you do want to start cheap with the record player, have it sound decent, but not have to get all the bells and whistles, Audio Technica sells this bundle that has the turntable and two speakers. If you start with that, eventually you can add the stereo receiver, better speakers, sub, etc.

I've been happy with my AT-LP 60. Best feature in my opinion is the built in preamp. I have it on my desk in my room, hooked to a set of computer speakers, and it sounds pretty good, without a stack of equipment. I've also been spoiled by the start/stop buttons. Amazon sells for just under $80. http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP60-Automatic-Turntable/dp/B002GYTPAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372548628&sr=8-1&keywords=at-lp+60

I got one for Christmas as well.

Kid A by Radiohead sounds fantastic, I picked up a copy of it at Best Buy. Lateralus by Tool is also one of my favorites. In the Court of the Crimson King by King Crimson, OK Computer by Radiohead, Insurgentes by Steven Wilson. I ordered the vinyl edition of Takk... by Sigur Rós off of Amazon.com which I should get in the mail soon. I dying to hear it.

Oh, and as a tip; I would invest in one of these.

Thank you for all of the info! Those speakers look awesome and have great reviews.

I have a really dumb question - do we NEED a preamp? My boyfriend said that it's not necessary but I thought they really made a difference. If we go with something like this, should we buy one? If it's not a noticeable difference, we'd like to save some cash anywhere we can (but I don't want to spend all this money and then not take full advantage of the new stuff).

I got these a couple years ago from my grandparents who had a component setup that they rarely used, so they are old(ish) speakers that have hardly been used.

That gouge in the sub is something I need to get fixed, but otherwise, I really like listening to music on these.

My receiver is a Hitachi HTA-4000, as pictured here - note, this is not my exact receiver, but one posted to /r/vinyl a few weeks ago.

http://i.imgur.com/LsDI0MU.jpg

And my turntable, which I got about a year ago (first ever), is here.

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT-LP60-Automatic-Driven-Turntable/dp/B002GYTPAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367422799&sr=8-1&keywords=turntable

It's a beginner's table for sure, and I will hope to upgrade in the coming months.

Thanks!

I currently have this turntable that I purchased probably 3-4 years ago: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GYTPAE/ref=twister_B01BHMYA9Q?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

While mine still works fine, I am interested in purchasing a new one and think I have landed on this: https://uturnaudio.com/products/orbit-basic-turntable

Am I making a solid upgrade or would it be in my best interest to keep looking for something better? Trying to spend approx $200-350

i don't take much stock into user reviews. i mean this terrible table has great reviews.

i don't know the specifics, but stantons are not generally held in high-esteem in TT circles. i'm sure there are reasons for it. thorens, on the other hand, produces some of the best turntables that don't costs tens of thousands of dollars. i'd suggest making a similar post on audiokarma. i find them to be more knowledgeable that /r/vinyl. not that there aren't knowledgeable people here, there totally are, it's just that the sub has 40,000 subscribers and most of us don't know as much as we think.

hey reddit! I have this aiwa system complete with a subwoofer and 5 speakers. I havent used it in forever, but when i did use it it was for cd's, tapes, radio, and it worked perfectly! I was looking into getting either the orbit basic, or the orbit plus turntable without the built in preamp and was wondering if the system i have is compatible with supporting what i need for a turntable, or if i would need to fork out more money for a receiver stereo and speakers.

additionally if someone could share with me their opinions on the two and whether or not the cartridge and vinyl plate on the orbit plus really adds something or if im good with the basic! if all else fails, another player i was looking at is the ever so classic audio technica lp120.

I'm near Philadelphia and my price range is $500-$650. I'm hoping to make sure my beginner setup will work before I pull the trigger(s). Thanks in advance!

Planning to buy the below:

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Fluance RT81 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F2EXIFM/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A1WPEQCN6WJKZG&psc=1

​

Yamaha R-S202BL Stereo Receiver - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078T9R55D/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

​

Q Acoustics 3010 - https://www.amazon.com/Acoustics-Compact-Bookshelf-Speakers-Graphite/dp/B00TR1QOEY/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Q%2BACOUSTICS%2B3010&qid=1554523940&s=gateway&sr=8-1&th=1

​

I'm wondering if there's that big of a difference between the sound I could get from the Yamaha amp verses something like this Lepy (https://www.amazon.com/Lepy-LP-2024A-HA-LP-2024A-Stereo-Amplifier/dp/B00ULRFQ1A/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=lepy&qid=1554556598&s=gateway&sr=8-3)

​

Also, if the Yamaha amp has an output of 100w and the speakers recommended power is 15w-75w, does this make them incompatible?

​

Thanks again.

Hello Reddit,

I am looking to get started collecting vinyl and am saving up for a new turntable, amp & speakers. My total budget is $1,000. Below is currently what I have in mind, but I am open to suggestions:


Turntable:


Pro-Ject Debut Carbon

Open to vintage alternatives, but am still looking for quality


Receiver/Amplifier:


Yamaha A-S301


Onkyo A-9050


What I am looking for in a receiver is also the flexibility to hook up my TV to the speakers I'm buying. Let me know if you have any better recommendations.


Speakers


ELAC B6


Audioengine P4


I am really new to this stuff, but based on the research I have done I believe the choices listed above would be solid. I am leaning towards the ELAC Speakers, but the other parts of my system are very much undecided. Also, would I need a preamp for this set-up?


Here is a link to my local craigslist


Thanks for the help.

This entry level one. My wife wanted me to start cheap to see if I even enjoyed having vinyl, but now we are both hooked!

Now I'm not sure where to even begin upgrading. I know that I need a better turntable, a pre-amp/amp, and some speakers. But what do I even start with first? Should I just save up for a better TT before I even think about amps and speakers?

I had an old Bang & Olufsen turntable that no longer works. I was looking to get a new turntable for around $100 and have a question.

I found this one: Original

Then I found the same one with a $100 modification: Modified

If anyone can explain the $100 value in this modification and give advice on which one is the better purchase, it would very much appreciated! Also if anyone has any better ideas for a turn table around this budget that would be great.

Hi, first time poster here. I'm about to pull the trigger on my first turntable setup, but I feel I need to check in with the helpful people on this sub with the equipment I'm thinking of buying and whether or not its all compatible. Other things like isolation pads for the speakers, better record sleeves, a cork matt, a record brush, gram scale, and a cleaning kit are accounted for. Are any of those things unnecessary?

The following is strictly the hardware. I've been torn between two different set-ups however.

SET-UP 1: Audio Technica AT-LP120 ($299) & the Micca PB42X Powered Bookshelf Speakers ($120). TOTAL: About $419

SET-UP 2: Audio Technica AT-LP120 ($299), Micca MB42 Passive Speakers ($60), and the Yamaha R-S201BL 2-Channel Stereo Receiver ($130) TOTAL: About $489

I'm also unsure about adding a subwoofer for I don't know if one is essential or just a nice thing to include for the complete package. My eye is on this one: Pioneer SW-8MK2 100-Watt Powered Subwoofer ($160)

Any and all advice is much appreciated.

Well I got this mostly because I wanted something decent but not too expensive. Also it was the most recommended TT here that I noticed for that situation. Eventually I would like to get something better but this should be good for now.

To be fair, you didn't give a budget in your original comment. :) How much are you willing to spend? If you're planning on buying new, but $300 is too much, then there are some cheaper options (but not many). Keep in mind that a new, decent-quality turntable will run you at least a couple hundred dollars. Take a look at the Entry-level turntable buying guide if you haven't already.

The bare minimum cheapest turntable recommended by this subreddit is the Crosley C100, which can be found for under $150. Crosley is a brand infamous for it's cheap, lousy, suitcase-style record players and other "toys" usually found in department stores, but the C100 is at least a halfway-respectable model because it contains the features of a proper turntable (counterweight, adjustable tracking force, antiskate, etc). I think it's a fine choice if you're just getting into the hobby.

If you're willing to pay a little more, the Denon DP-300F has recently dropped in price, and would be a step up in quality. It also features automatic playback (meaning that the tonearm can automatically move itself to the start of the record, cue itself, and then lift back up at the end. A nice luxury to have, but not a necessary feature, or even a desired one by many vinyl enthusiasts).

There are more options on that guide, but those are just a couple to consider. If you're really tight on money, you'll have to buy used. Many people on this subreddit are advocates for buying used stuff, since vintage Japanese turntables made in the late 70's/early 80's are renowned for their quality, and you can get lucky and find good deals on them in the classifieds, or at garage sales, etc. But, unfortunately I'm not much of an expert in that area.

Also keep in mind that, if you do go vintage, you will also need to make sure you own a receiver, or buy an audio-preamp for the turntable, since old turntables did not use built-in preamps.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

I think there are many great options right around 50-60, you buy a cartridge once and then pretty much never again, so buy something you are happy with for the long haul.

That Shure and the Grado Black (price fixed at $60) are generally toe to toe, and I don't think any is the clear winner, some claim that Grado is better for rock and roll (vocal and midrange) sounds and the Shure better all around, but I don't have one of each to actually verify that first hand.

Here is a technics owner asking for some comparison http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=32690

Both will work fine, when comparing cartridges we are getting into the audiophile realm where things are very subjective and wishy-washy but I would say 60ish is the entry level option for a table as good as the one you picked up, don't make the mistake of sticking a twenty dollar cartridge on it (as suggested, no offence person) the cartridge is really really important, more than your table honestly. We focus so much on tables here that we miss out that your speakers, cartridge, and grounding is likely doing more to the sound than your table will if it is working properly.

I can't find info on your specific model of receiver, but if there is a "Phono" (Or turntable or record or whatever it got called) input it will have an integrated pre-amp, if not you will need to buy one.

I checked amazon, it looks like Crosley makes a cheap one, knowing nothing about it I would avoid it because Crosley is a hateful company. :) I bought this one and have nothing but good luck with it http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-Anti-Static-record-cleaner-brush/dp/B0006VMBHI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334761206&sr=8-1

I know people reported problems with this one http://www.amazon.com/Carbon-Fiber-Record-Cleaner-Cleaning/dp/B003ZVG60O/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1334761206&sr=8-16 But they look exactly the same! So no clue, differing quality standards? Defects get one label real ones get audio quest label? The reviews of both products seem to confirm something is up.

not sure how much you’re looking to invest but definitely don’t buy anything cheaper than this https://www.amazon.com/AT-LP60BK-USB-Automatic-Belt-Drive-Turntable-USB/dp/B016YYFZS2

it’s the best bare bones and easy to use starter record player. never buy anything with built in speakers

I got this! It's fairly cheap, the onboard speakers work pretty great, and the ability to digitize your albums is great.

Jensen JTA-230 3 Speed Stereo Turntable with Built in Speakers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCA4116/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_.B.oxbTDFEWP4

I use an Audio Technica AT-LP60 turntable, which is a decent entry-level turntable. I'm planning on upgrading eventually, but it's good for the price.

My receiver/amplifier is an old 90s Technics model I got on Craigslist for $50. Works fine.

My speakers are just some Sony bookshelf speakers I got years ago. Don't remember the model number. They sound okay to me, but lack bass. I've heard good things about these Pioneer speakers though. Good reviews.

No doubt, the best turntable for under $100 is the Audio Technica AT LP60. I bought one off of Amazon last month and love it. If you do a search for the best turntables under $100, this one usually tops the list. http://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT-LP60-Automatic-Driven-Turntable/dp/B002GYTPAE