i've already picked up a couple LPs, so i really need to add the table soon or i'll die with anticipation! i don't have much to spend (< ~$200), and i have a couple units that i'm considering right now, all essentially local to me. i'd appreciate some advice. i don't want to give anything other than very rough prices lest this get moved to D&S, and i also don't know where the auctions will end up. the prices don't matter than much, i mostly want to maximize my performance. also, if there are any other tables i should be looking out for that show up fairly often, i'd be interested in hearing about those, too. thanks!

Dual 1228 - from an AKer, at the high end of my range but it has been very recently refurbed and skillfully set up, very nice condition.

Dual 704 - set up and in good condition, Pickering xv-15, low current high bid.

Micro Seiki MB-18 - AT 440ML OCC cart, clean and sharp, middle of my range at the current bid.

Denon DP-51F - looks great, good condition, sumiko blue pt. cart/stylus, current high bid is low.

Fisher MT6225 - from an AKer, a decent Shure cart, decent shape, low end of my price range.

This is an instance where it might be worthwhile to do a search here on AK for threads on these turntables. For example, I know there is one specifically on the Fisher where it is discussed quite a bit. Also there are manuals for some of them over at vinylengine.com.

I'm not familiar with the Micro, but the others are all good performers. It probably comes down more to features and conveniences. For example, the Fisher and Dual 704 are direct drive. The Denon adds quartz lock and is full auto with electronic arm damping. The 1228 is a full auto changer, but idler drive. The Fisher uses a bayonet headshell, which is easy and inexpensive to find if you wanted to mount additional cartridges and be able to easily swap them out. The Dual cartridge adapters are expensive and sometimes hard to find. Those are just some considerations you might think about.

Current bid will not likely hold. You need to know what they go for regularly at final selling price. And then there is shipping with all the bad results unless the seller really knows what they are doing. Buying from a fellow Ak'er will be more likely to get it there in one piece.

Hak laid out the rest of what you need to consider :)

This is an instance where it might be worthwhile to do a search here on AK for threads on these turntables. For example, I know there is one specifically on the Fisher where it is discussed quite a bit.


that's actually the one i'm looking at ;)


I'm not familiar with the Micro, but the others are all good performers. It probably comes down more to features and conveniences. For example, the Fisher and Dual 704 are direct drive. The Denon adds quartz lock and is full auto with electronic arm damping. The 1228 is a full auto changer, but idler drive. The Fisher uses a bayonet headshell, which is easy and inexpensive to find if you wanted to mount additional cartridges and be able to easily swap them out. The Dual cartridge adapters are expensive and sometimes hard to find. Those are just some considerations you might think about.

thanks for summing up the differences. i don't know a lot about the relative (dis)advantages of some of those features. i've gotten some previous advice to stick to belt-driven tables as opposed to direct-drive, but i know that it's not that simple. my main concern is that my turntable isn't completely outclassed by the rest of my system.

i realize that the auctions are anybody's guess in the end, but with the economy i'm thinking that they might stay low. plus, they're all local, so no worries about shipping.

that's actually the one i'm looking at ;)
thanks for summing up the differences. i don't know a lot about the relative (dis)advantages of some of those features. i've gotten some previous advice to stick to belt-driven tables as opposed to direct-drive, but i know that it's not that simple. my main concern is that my turntable isn't completely outclassed by the rest of my system.
There are excellent and poor examples of idler, belt and direct drive. Personally I and a lot of members here prefer direct drive. Most of what you read about the disadvantages of it are pure bunk. And direct drives always had the best noise and speed accuracy specs. Quartz lock is nice because you don't have to adjust the speed--it's locked in dead accurate. I agree that the Fisher is a nice model.

myself, I'd bypass all those and go with a Technics SL-1200

Bang for the buck, and a life long lasting table.

myself, I'd bypass all those and go with a Technics SL-1200

Bang for the buck, and a life long lasting table.
Except I think that would exceed his budget.

If he were going that route, the most prudent alternative would be an SL-1600MK2, 1700MK2, 1800MK2, essentially the same as the 1200MK2, but probably not abused by DJs and available for much less.

So true...Not sure about Iowa city, but her in this area, if you wait, you can find a nice 1200 on CL for pretty cheap. They seem to be a dime a dozen in this area. Always one or five for sale every day.

out of the ones listed, I would forget all but the Micro seiki and the denon.

but in all honesty, with a little patience, and persistence you could do better on CL, without he hassles and risk with shipping.

picked up my rotel with an AT125ml for 100$ that way, ok, the dustcover is cack because of a solvent used in an attempt to clean it, but it works wonderfully.

It all depends on where one lives; there's never any turntables on Craig's List around here in northeast TN.

Several years ago, when I decided I wanted to step up from my old cheap black plastic turntable (Technics SL-BD22), I thought in terms of features. Having some experience with better turntables (former radio DJ), I decided I wanted direct drive, semi-auto, and removable headshells with a standard mount (nothing esoteric). After doing some research, I decided I wanted a SL-1700Mk2, as I heard lots of good things about them, and liked the controls-outside-the-dustcover layout (one of the few things I liked about the SL-BD22).

I was fortunate, and able to get a pair of less-than-perfect SL-1700Mk2s off eBay for less than $100 each with shipping, and able to put the good parts together to make one great turntable (and still have a parts unit). Unfortunately, used turntable prices have risen since then.

Anyway, my advise would be to figure out what you want in a turntable, do some research to narrow down your search to some select models, before starting to shop online.

The other option is to start frequenting thrift shops; I never found anything good there as far as turntables (but one that turned out to have a bad motor did have a great cartridge worth well more than I paid for the table), but the market may be better where you are. At thrift stores, the prices are generally good, you may be able to try before you buy, and you don't have to worry about damage in shipping.

i had a shot at an SL1200 or SL1600 earlier this summer, and i knew at the time that it would've been a good buy, but we were in between living arrangements, so it was a bad time.

well, it sounds like the fisher might be a good starting place while i learn more about turntables in general and decide how much i like LPs versus CDs, keeping in mind of course that there are much better tables out there. i'm going to keep watching the denon and micro seiki auctions, though. again, every table in the OP is basically local to me, and i don't plan on dealing with shipping, at least not until i know my way around a table well enough to fix any minor issues that could arise from rough handling.

on another note, thrift shops around here suck for electronics. they're decent for vinyl, but otherwise everything is always BPC. the only nice piece i've ever seen was a cassette deck, and those are not my thing.

thanks for all the advice so far.

chris

Iowa City!!! Im from there, more or less, I miss that town.

Get yourself a Technics mk2 model. Theres a 1700 on the bay right now.

We've got a member in Des Moines that repairs and sells Dual turntables, he might be able to help you out. Bohhey's website is at http://www.fixmydual.com/.

i ended up going the route of the micro seiki :tresbon: the included cartridge, an AT 440ML, seems to be pretty well thought of, and i found a bit more positive info about similar models in the MB-1# series. i was probably going to pick up the fisher tonight if i didn't win this, but it came with a Shure 2215 which the seller wasn't impressed with, plus it had some minor feedback/isolation issues which would no doubt be worse with my QLS1s that can hit 20Hz flat. a new cart would've put the fisher above the micro in price.

thanks again for the advice. i'm sure i could've done better with a little patience or a little more money (i decided to spend only ~$100 to keep the wife happy), but i have a good feeling about this. i'll let you know what i think of it after i get it hooked up. i know how to set up a TT now, but any other advice for a vinyl newbie would be appreciated!

cheers,
chris

I'm going to be fixing up a couple Thorens TD165s. When all is said and done, they should be a little less than $200 or so. Right now, they need belts/cartridges/minor work.

I'm going to be fixing up a couple Thorens TD165s. When all is said and done, they should be a little less than $200 or so. Right now, they need belts/cartridges/minor work.

when it rains it pours - i just got an offer yesterday from an AKer for a similarly priced TD165. i may regret not bumping up to one of those - i know they're not regarded as one of thorens' best efforts but that they are very moddable. i'm hopeful that i made the right call, though. the micro should at least get me through the current financial crisis, and when i've tripled the $100 i saved by investmenting it in the market when it's really low, i'll get me a super nice deck :thmbsp:

so...i really should have been patient :nono:. today i picked up a Pioneer PL-610 in great condition off CL for $40! i think it was a pretty good deal - basically TOTL at the time, right? it only has a crappy AT90 on it right now, so i can hopefully switch over the AT440 when i pick up the Micro later tonight. i'm super excited now!

i'm listening to Willie Nelson - Pretty Paper right now to test it out, and it's pretty nice. the only problem seems to be that the left channel is stronger than the right, and it don't know if it's the preamp or the cart or what. any ideas?

chris

Get a Pioneer PL-630

Get a Pioneer PL-630
The PL-610 is the same as the 630 only semi-auto.

so...i really should have been patient :nono:. today i picked up a Pioneer PL-610 in great condition off CL for $40! i think it was a pretty good deal - basically TOTL at the time, right? it only has a crappy AT90 on it right now, so i can hopefully switch over the AT440 when i pick up the Micro later tonight. i'm super excited now!

i'm listening to Willie Nelson - Pretty Paper right now to test it out, and it's pretty nice. the only problem seems to be that the left channel is stronger than the right, and it don't know if it's the preamp or the cart or what. any ideas?

chris
My guess is it's the stylus. See what happens with the 440.