I am looking for the best sub-$200 direct-drive turntable money can buy. I am going to be using the table for listening to records and sampling. I will not be DJing with this turntable or scratching in any fashion. Something with sturdy construction and a solid feel is very important to me. I've seen a lot of tables that are made of out of cheap plastic and definitely don't feel right. I’m not interested in one of the “LP-to-Digital Recording System with USB” tables either; most, if not all of these tables, seem to be junk. The three models I am considering so far are the following…

Gemini TT-02 MKII
Stanton T60
Numark TT1650
Audio-Technica AT-PL120

I am not very familiar with the reputations of any of the three companies, as this will be my first turntable purchase aside from a pair of a Technics 1200s and I don’t need a 1200 for this particular application. I believe that most of these tables have similar features. From what I've read so far, I'm really leaning toward the Audio-Technia. It really sounds like it is a solid piece of equipment.

One more thing, a cartridge. I am trying to stay in the $40-$50 range. I am considering the Grado Black and the Shure M97xE. Leaning towards the Shure here.

Any comments about the companies or particular turntables/cartridges in question would be a great help. Please feel free to enlighten me about other brands that may be in my price range.

Find a good used Technics SLD1, 2, or 3. You can't miss with the Grado or the Sure.

Welcome to AK!

In reality, almost any vintage direct drive you could find at a thrift shop, yard sale, craigslist would be an improvement over any of those and would be a fraction of the price. With respect to problems of older models, the most common is speed variation, usually fixable with spraying a cleaner on the controls and bad RCA cables, which is an easy fix if you have basic soldering ability. And that's not always the case--just what might happen.

But I can understand wanting something new and not having to worry about problems. Out of the models you've listed, the only one remotely worth considering is the AT-PL120. The first two have straight arms and are therefore only for DJing. The third has an s-arm but is still a cheap DJ knock-off. Keep in mind that the AT does not have a cueing lever, so you have to place the arm on the record by hand. Member BrocLuno has used one and considers them to be reasonably decent for listening and transferring music.

For cartridges, the two you mentioned are fine. Cheaper alternatives would be the AT-95E and AT-71ELC.

Welcome to AK!

In reality, almost any vintage direct drive you could find at a thrift shop, yard sale, craigslist would be an improvement over any of those and would be a fraction of the price. With respect to problems of older models, the most common is speed variation, usually fixable with spraying a cleaner on the controls and bad RCA cables, which is an easy fix if you have basic soldering ability. And that's not always the case--just what might happen.

But I can understand wanting something new and not having to worry about problems. Out of the models you've listed, the only one remotely worth considering is the AT-PL120. The first two have straight arms and are therefore only for DJing. The third has an s-arm but is still a cheap DJ knock-off. Keep in mind that the AT does not have a cueing lever, so you have to place the arm on the record by hand. Member BrocLuno has used one and considers them to be reasonably decent for listening and transferring music.

For cartridges, the two you mentioned are fine. Cheaper alternatives would be the AT-95E and AT-71ELC.

Interesting. Were turntables just built better "back in the day" or what? Also, should I be concerned about the "Grado hum" that some people talk about?

Welcome :) There is a Grado hum database here on AK, so check it out with some tables your considering. I have both the Grado Black and the Shure M97xE. They both are good carts. The Shure tracks better than the Grado IMHO. I also have an AT95E and AT92E and like them both too. You can find the 92 on that auction site for cheap. Well, you could a few months back. But I use my Grado almost exclusively with an SL1300MK2 and it works nicely. Of the 4 tables, I guess the AT would work, but you might watch Craigslist and thrifts for something better.

As for build, now days companies are into profit mainly. Plastic is cheaper than metal or composites, so you get flimsy entrylevel tables. My newest table is from 1980 and it has a fair amount of plastic in it.

Interesting. Were turntables just built better "back in the day" or what?

Howard did say almost any vintage direct drive, and yes, almost any of those would be much better built than those you mention.

Direct Drives from the 70´s and early / mid 80´s were in fact comparatively expensive at the time, and only the passing of time has made them affordable on the used market. To built something remotely similar nowadays would cost a lot more. There are still plenty of well built units today, but those cost a lot more than you are considering.

I lucked across a Realistic LAB-400 'table several months ago at a garage sale for ten bucks. If you want direct-drive, then flea markets, garage sales and the like are the place to go. You will end up with a better TT than buying the ones you are considering new, imo. The Realistic name isn't gonna impress very many folks, but it is a heavy, wooden 'table with S-shaped arm and a strobe with pitch control. However, for the price you are considering new, you could get a pretty darn nice used Thorens belt-drive. I'm still shopping for one, myself.

A little bird just told me he would ship a Technics SL-DL1 that is in very good condition, but has some soil, wear, and scratches (to be expected), to my door for $100. I'm thinking about biting. What do you guys think?

Also, what do you guys make of this...

http://www.audioclassics.com/detail.php3?detail=SLDL1&nav=cat

Seems like a pretty darn low price, even for not all of the functions to be guaranteed working.

Those are linear trackers. I don't know much about those to be honest. 100.00 will get you a pretty nice table on Craigslist IMHO :)

Eh...linear trackers? Looks like I have research to do.

Welcome to AK!

Keep in mind that the AT does not have a cueing lever, so you have to place the arm on the record by hand.


Howard,
I have the AT PL-120 and it actually does have a cueing lever.

Izzy

Eh...linear trackers? Looks like I have research to do.


Here is a link to the info on Vintage Technics
http://www.vintagetechnics.info/turntables/sldl1.htm

And all other Technics tables...
http://www.vintagetechnics.info/turntables.htm

Howard,
I have the AT PL-120 and it actually does have a cueing lever.

Izzy
Sorry, my mistake. I looked at pics from vendors and couldn't make it out.

I'd steer clear of the cheap linear trackers. Seems to me the only linear trackers that were actually any good were very high-dollar. The basic idea of linear tracking is a good one, but execution very difficult.

I'd steer clear of the cheap linear trackers. Seems to me the only linear trackers that were actually any good were very high-dollar. The basic idea of linear tracking is a good one, but execution very difficult.

Agreed. A case in point would be Pioneer´s PL-1000, but I doubt one could be had for $200.

Ok. Linears are out of the question.

Do a search here for "AT PL120" You will get a lot of discussion. I have run one for a over a year as my used vinyl preview table and 78 spinner. It has performed very well. Rock stable and well built, even at that price. As long as you do not use the built-in internal phono amp and just run it straight into your receiver or pre-amp, it is a fine table to get back into vinyl. The switch is under the platter.

The stock cartridge is OK for a while, but it will easily handle anything up to an At440MLa and give you the upgraded sounds that cartridge is capable of. I have done dozens of headshell swaps on mine and the arm is quite happy with generic headshells off the 'Bay :)

I have run my AT150MLX cartridge on this table, but it is really over the tables capabilities. The cartridge does develop better detail and a more refined sound on the JVC QL Y5F which is a fine, fine table. Point is, that the AT PL120 will handle cartridges up to the $150 range and deliver the goods. For instance, it sounds good with any my upscale Shure including the v-15 IV.

No need to fear that it is a lemon. I think it is a bargain :) And, it will spin 78's from any era as it has 20% speed adjust. If you don't want to use the speed adjust, just switch in the quartz lock and you are dead on :) Getting say a Technics 1200 to spin 78's will cost you a couple of bills over and above the initial price of the table :(