Yet another new table advice thread...

I apologize for making yet another one of these things but I have searched and read everything I can get my hands on for the past several months and I am more confused than ever.

I have a relatively modest budget for a Christmas present for my fiance. She has dozens of old albums that are just sitting in milk crates since her turntable broke several years ago and she never replaced it. I was originally in the $250-350 range but I am willing to look a little higher if it will get me a decent sounding table that will last.

Setup: I have a Denon AVR-988 with phono inputs that I use for our home theater. It is running a Polk 12" sub, Polk Monitor 65T front speakers, Polk Monitor 35B rear speakers, and Polk CS2 center speaker. I knowI do not need a pre-amp but would adding one in-line make the audio quality better? Also, is there a difference in having the receiver distribute the sound to the 5 speakers or should I leave it set to stereo?

Here are my options:

1. AT-LP120-USB - $249. The least expensive and the one I'm leaning towards. Is the AT95E this comes with going to be sufficient for a few months to a year or should I upgrade immediately? I was looking at the Shure M97xE, which still keeps me under $320. My concern here is longevity and quality control issues. These seem to be "hit and miss" in the Amazon reviews.

2. Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC) - $449. I can't seem to find any reviews on this updated model. I was originally turned off by the Carbon because of all the issues with motor noise but I'm thinking this has fixed that? But I can't find any reviews that confirm it. I also wouldn't have to mess with swapping the cartridge. Is there going to be a noticeable difference between this and the AT with an upgraded cartridge? The AT has been getting pretty rave reviews lately....

I've also looked at the entry level Regas and Music Halls and I wasn't impressed.

3. I know it's going to come out, so let's just throw a used Technics in here. I did find a couple on Craigslist in my area that are in my price range but in questionable condition. One is $350, missing a dust cover and no cartridge. The other didn't even have pictures. I don't really see these as options as I don't have the time or money to put into restoring one. Maybe down the line but not right now. Unless I can find one in pristine condition, with a cartridge, ready to go, under $450, I don't want to venture down this road.

Lastly, is there anything else I would need right away? Dust brush, cleaning supplies, track force gauge, etc.?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

el lobo said:

I apologize for making yet another one of these things[...]

Click to expand...

You don't have to....

el lobo said:

Lastly, is there anything else I would need right away? Dust brush, cleaning supplies, track force gauge, etc.?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice!

Click to expand...

I'm going to advise you towards a different direction: ignore the turntable for now and buy or build a vacuum-based record cleaning machine. Clean all of your woman's records the right way; rcm, poly-lined inner sleeves, etc. And after achieving that spending more on a better turntable won't seem like a big deal.

illini said:

You don't have to....



I'm going to advise you towards a different direction: ignore the turntable for now and buy or build a vacuum-based record cleaning machine. Clean all of your woman's records the right way; rcm, poly-lined inner sleeves, etc. And after achieving that spending more on a better turntable won't seem like a big deal.

Click to expand...

Well then what will they play those clean records on? The old one broke and appears to be gone.

Regards
Mister Pig

Mister Pig said:

Well then what will they play those clean records on? The old one broke and appears to be gone.

Regards
Mister Pig

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No use playing dirty records on any turntable. In my experience, the more I took care of my records the more my budget for better turntables and better carts seemed to magically increase. Just sayin.

Well there is another option for you, it might be ble to be done before Christmas. There are a couple of companies that restore/refurbish vintage tables, which are going to be of higher quality than the AT 120USB, the Debut Carbon, or the other ones you dismissed. FixMyDual runs an Ebay auction on his refurb'd tables. Also Kab USA will sell refurbished Technics, and he is a Technics specialist. There are a few shops that carry used gear, and know how to pack, and may have a table in your price range. One of them is Echo Audio in Portland Oregon. There is Hawthorne Audio in Seattle who might do the same.

The other option is to join AK and have access to the Bartertown site. Put a WTB ad up and you will probably find a beautiful and gently cared for table that will be in your price range and be worth owning. It would not be a new table, but it would get you the best value for the dollar spent. That would actually be my recommendation...or one of the refurb'd ones.

The phono stage in the AV receiver is not going to be exceptional, but it should tide you over. I would run the stereo in 2 channel mode for vinyl. There are lots of ways to clean vinyl on the cheap, once you get to that point, those topics can be addressed. The trick is to find a good table now.

Regards
Mister Pig

illini said:

You don't have to....



I'm going to advise you towards a different direction: ignore the turntable for now and buy or build a vacuum-based record cleaning machine. Clean all of your woman's records the right way; rcm, poly-lined inner sleeves, etc. And after achieving that spending more on a better turntable won't seem like a big deal.

Click to expand...

So you would give the lady a record cleaning machine to clean her vinyl. And she would spin it on what? And why would you clean vinyl if you got nothing to play it on? Inquiring pigs want to know. A RCM is certainly a great tool to have, but for someone at this stage of the game, there are other cost effective ways to clean old vinyl. Not as well as an RCM, but we only got so much money to spend.

Regards
Mister Pig

Well, maybe they're not ready for a table yet. The OP has practically apologized for this thread already, so I thought it best for him to get his records in proper order before pursuing a table. He's open to any advice.

illini said:

You don't have to....







I'm going to advise you towards a different direction: ignore the turntable for now and buy or build a vacuum-based record cleaning machine. Clean all of your woman's records the right way; rcm, poly-lined inner sleeves, etc. And after achieving that spending more on a better turntable won't seem like a big deal.

Click to expand...

I like this!
But totally unrealistic, it's Christmas the holiday of instant gratification!

My honest opinion, were I to be in your shoes... Option #1

Gets her going right away and then y'all can gauge how much it's going to be used.

It's like that $800 elliptical in my basement... I shoulda got her a pair of shoes first.

Ben


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Check out the Denon DP-300F at $329 for a full auto TT. Another is the one I bought- a U-Turn Audio Orbit Plus model currently selling for $299 for a manual TT, available in four colors and made in the USA. An Orbit Basic TT sells for $179.

If you tell us your location we can have a look at CL and perhaps give you some local options. Also, there may be an AK'er in the area who can help you out.

polypetalous said:

I like this!
But totally unrealistic, it's Christmas the holiday of instant gratification!

My honest opinion, were I to be in your shoes... Option #1

Gets her going right away and then y'all can gauge how much it's going to be used.

It's like that $800 elliptical in my basement... I shoulda got her a pair of shoes first.

Ben


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Thank you all for the advice. I agree with cleaning the records, but I can't offer that as a Christmas present, with no turntable, and expect not to sleep on the couch that night....

Polypetalous, I like your analogy with the elliptical and that makes perfect sense. Go with the AT-LP120-USB now and see how that goes, upgrade next year if necessary.

Mister Pig - I've only dismissed the Music Hall and Rega because of limited/mixed reviews. I have no doubt they are quality but based on the info I've seen, the Debut Carbon is the better of the threee. I have looked into KAB USA and FixMyDual previously and they're a little out of my budget right now. I'll look into Echo and Hawthorne. Would adding a pre-amp in between the turntable and the receiver improve the phono stage, or is in unnecessary?

sberger - I am in Akron, Ohio. I've looked online and I don't see too much in my area. I might be looking for the wrong thing though.

Just to give a compliment to a really neat store -- Echo Audio was delightful surprise when I visited Portland years ago. A store full of interesting stuff, much of it affordable (thought I consider old audio magazines interesting stuff, and they were an awful lot cheaper than the steamer trunk sized SET amp that was in the middle of the store at the time and cost a substantial portion of the mortgage on my house). And very nice, friendly staff.
But to address your issue: As Sberger suggested -- put an ad on Barter town here -- you'll get lots of offers from people who know how to ship tables, or may even live close to you. A good condition used table is likely to be much better than an entry level current production table of the same price.

U-Turn Orbit.

http://store.uturnaudio.com/

wushuliu said:

U-Turn Orbit.

http://store.uturnaudio.com/

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Definitely one to consider. The plus model comes in at 3 bills with cartridge.
Comes in blue, black, green or white.
I'm all for having clean records too. That could be something to think about for Valentines Day .

I don't like any of your choices. I would recommend going really cheap, going used/vintage, or stepping up and paying a little more.

For cheap (under $200) UTurn Audio: http://uturnaudio.com

For stepping up ($700) Pioneer PLX-1000. http://www.zzounds.com/item--PNRPLX1000

Or buy used/vintage which can be a crap shoot.

el lobo said:

sberger - I am in Akron, Ohio. I've looked online and I don't see too much in my area. I might be looking for the wrong thing though.

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You're new here, so you probably aren't aware of this, but we have an AR turntable expert here named marcmorin. He does great work with old AR tables.
I'm pretty sure he's in Columbus. Shoot him a PM, he might be able to help set you up. Seriously.

I can't comment on his prices, or what he has available, but I'd bet with your budget(and a bit of a road trip) you might end up with something that spanks your other options.

He's an awesome guy to deal with as well.

If can make to Wooster Ohio there is a shop that deals in vintage stereo equipment. He is not the cheapest but he has a tech that restores all the turntables he sells. I made a trade with him once for a fully restored turntable and I could not be happier. I think he is only open on weekends now but it might be worth a trip. I think he advertises on cl Mansfield.

VINTAGE! I recommend a Dual. Use the extra $'s saved to buy an improved stylus after she tells you how you are an incredible man to have come up with such a wonderful Christmas gift. Not really a crap shoot if you listen to it before purchasing.

I just looked him up on the Akron-canton cl and it says he is opening a store in Akron on december first.

Silverman - I know exactly who you're talking about, I JUST saw him on CL this afternoon! I'll definitely check them out next weekend.

U-turn has been on my radar since they were in Kickstarter. I have seen great reviews on them, and I have seen not-so-great reviews on them. Most recently, an article on wirecutter that highly recommended the AT-LP120. It said the U-turn's specs are vastly overstated. Not sure how biased it was though.

I looked into Echo and Hawthorne. Echo didn't seem to have anything used and Hawthorne specifically states they don't ship.

Alright, you guys have convinced me to look into vintage. Any recommendations on decent brands/models? Technics SL-1200 I know, but I'm lost past that.....