I'm not sure why, but the search function is not working for me at the moment. As a result, I will ask for your help in constructing a short list of turntable candidates appropriate for my budget. I'm looking to spend in in the $200 - $250 range, although I would naturally prefer to spend less. If it matters, I only need to play 33.3 and 45rpm records. I understand that Thorens are well thought of and I recall that the one and only turntable I've ever owned - a Technics - was decent and reliable. Other than that I'm lost. As far as the moving coil or otherwise choice, I don't know what to think at the moment, but I expect my research will turn up the answers to those questions. Anyway, if you have a favorite turntable in my price range, or if my price range is problematic, please let me know. Thank you for any and all advice. One last thing: I have a Marantz 1060 and a Sansui AU-6600 as far as turntable ready amps are concerned.

-Steve

Are you looking for new or vintage?

I posted with vintage in mind, but if I can get as good or better value in a new turntable for approximately $250 I would take that option. Now that the search function is working for me again, I'm starting to get a sense of the more popular vintage models, but I would still be grateful for advice narrowing down the choices, new or vintage. On other note: I'm not married to direct drive or belt drive so options from either camp will work for me. Thanks again.

-Steve

this one here; http://www.audiokarma.org/ads/showproduct.php/product/4154/cat/13/date/1202075418

but I'm biased! :)

A Thorens TD-160 would be a candidate, as well as an AR XA and the Philips GA 212/312 tables. A Dual 1219 or 1229 would be nice too.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm off to the Google races with the new names. Coincidentally, I found the receipt for my one and only turntable from my long ago - it was a Technics SL-1100A- that I bought solely based on the advice of a friend. Where does that table fall in the range of desirable and undesirable TTs? Thanks.

-Steve

A Thorens TD-160 would be a candidate, as well as an AR XA and the Philips GA 212/312 tables. A Dual 1219 or 1229 would be nice too.

There's a Phillips 312 in a pile of gear at the GoodWill in north Sacramento for $5. It needs work, but it's all there. I'll try to see if I can snag it Wednesday when I go back up on a work related trip?

OK, onto recommendation - I'd get an Audio Technica PL120 (I did - but I have 3 others too). It does not have the grandest specs, but I'm finding it to be a real underrated work horse. Mine gets used 2 or 3 hours a day to preview stacks of thrift store vinyl from both mine and my wifes shopping trips. Since last fall when I bought it, I have had ZERO issues. It has a nice height adjustable arm, big speed range control and a lot of desirable feature like a storage space for a spare headshell.

I got mine from Amazon.com for $170 with free shipping. They may have gone up some since then. But list price was $399 IIRC? They come with a decent, if not spectacluar DJ cartridge which is just fine for previewing used vinyl. I also have about 1/2 dozen cartridges so I swap them around if I'm doing something that matters (like spinning 78's using the Grado 78c). No hum issues with the Grado, so I'd say you could take the extra $$ in you budget and get a nice Grado RED or GREEN and have a real nice set-up.

The gripes about this table are for it's specs, but I'm now convinced the published numbers are when using the built-in phono amp with modern receivers without a phono section. I don't use that, I use my Yamaha r700 phono section and I have no performance or sonic issues. The noise floor of the amp comes up before the TT adds noticeable background noise. I've been all over it with a stethoscope and it's very quiet mechanically. It will never equal my JVC Y5F, but there are only a small number vintage tables that will better that one.

Anyway, it's an idea. One that would get you up and running for the foreseeable future while you look for a very nice vintage table like a Denon, Yamaha, etc. You will snag a nice vintage table, but it might take a few months of careful shopping? In the meantime you can be spinning LPs :)

OR, you could score something like this and upgrade the cartridge: eBay Item number: 200203989395 And still continue the hunt for a higher end piece :)

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm off to the Google races with the new names. Coincidentally, I found the receipt for my one and only turntable from my long ago - it was a Technics SL-1100A- that I bought solely based on the advice of a friend. Where does that table fall in the range of desirable and undesirable TTs? Thanks.

-Steve

Check out what there going for on ebay these days.
I have one and love it.
The one thing it has over any of the tables mentioned is, it has RCA jacks on the back so trying different cables is a very easy option.

Yup, maybe you can check KAB to see if they have any upgrade options for the one you have? Maybe a service and a new cartridge & headshell so you can tailor the sound to the mood/setting? Starting from where you are, you have lots of options :)

I apologize for the delayed response...

Thank you, BrocLuno and Stanton for the help. Just to be clear, I no longer have the Technics TT. Although it probably won't fit in my budget, I am now waiting on a Denon DP-60L that is just a few minutes away from my house. If the owner doesn't get what he wants for it in the near future, he's offered to me for $325. It's probably an unnecessary stretch of the budget for my purposes, but it is quite the looker.

Thanks again for all the help.

-Steve

for $325, if in nice shape, that's a bar-goon!!

never heard one but they sure look cooL! :thmbsp: