Suggestions needed for a vinyl newbie

Rob

Your right anyone "will do", though this one has the advantage of the low platform. As to a MC on the AT, a DL-110 would fit compliance wise and would be a reasonable alternative to the AT cartridges for similar price. Needs to be loaded down though, but then in many systems so do the AT's.
 
Jack said:
Rob

Your right anyone "will do", though this one has the advantage of the low platform. As to a MC on the AT, a DL-110 would fit compliance wise and would be a reasonable alternative to the AT cartridges for similar price. Needs to be loaded down though, but then in many systems so do the AT's.
Click to expand...

Very True ! Not to overwhelm him though and not sure he can do cart loading with the ART DJ since (I think) it will force 47K even with resistor plugs...hmm..wonder what it would do in tandem...:weird:
 
Jack said:
Rob

You can load down with the ART. Just need plugs and splitters like on Daveyw's site. I use the solid body splitters as they have much lower capacitance. Many of the wire ones you find commonly are from 75-150pf themselves, which undo any good you did by loading with an AT.

Parallel Resistive Loading


New RCA Y Splitter AV Audio Video Plug Converter 1 Male to 2 Female Adapter 1 | eBay
Click to expand...

Awesome Jack...was not sure how that worked..so what I am now seeing (light bulb went on) is its really no different than when you load plugged in to phono jacks on an integrated amp..only difference is its external...

Cool...I made a set using Davey's method a while back. Since I have at AT440MLa, may try it again since he recommends 32k...

Again, many thanks !
 
Anytime Rob, just make sure those splitters you have are not high capacitance ones. The ones like I linked on Ebay are sold in sets by multiple sellars. When I measured them they only measured 6pf as opposed to 70pf for the wire splitters.
 
Scale and protractor are on their way!

I were to keep an eye out for a better used table, what would be a few models worth pursuing?
 
NorthStar said:
Matt, your AVR doesn't have a Phono input? ...Many do.

For $500 (or less) you can get a very decent turntable.
Brand new? ... Pro-Ject Debut III - Rega RP1 -
Used? ... VPI Aries Scout - Rega Planar 3-24 - Rega RP3 -

To clean your albums just get a cleaning brush and fluid; about $20. ...From Discwasher.
Click to expand...

Matt715 said:
Scale and protractor are on their way!

I were to keep an eye out for a better used table, what would be a few models worth pursuing?
Click to expand...

Among some others; coming up ...
 
Matt

As much as I prefer Vintage TT's, if this is your first venture into the TT world I would suggest you just start with the AT and if you like what you hear then you can look for a good vintage turntable. Also remember what others recommend as available and with prices in their part of the world may not be possible in yours. For example if you lived closer to me or were willing to deal with shipping I have several spares that are probably better than the AT and in your price range, but again you have to deal with the maulers at UPS and FedEx and no warranty. So for starters, just buy the new AT which Rob and others have used and enjoyed and see what you think of the medium as a whole. As for looking for a "cheaper price or better deal" on the AT, I don't think you will find one and the Amazon return policy is worth more than a few dollars itself.
 
I understand. I guess my biggest hangup is that I was expecting more of, well, an audiophile TT than a DJ table. Apparently I'm little superficial. :S It seems like there is a giant gap in the turntable industry between the entry level offerings and $900+ tables. Don't get me wrong, I like a deal as much as anyone else (ok, maybe even more) but I wasn't really expecting to buy this instant unless I ran across some great deal. That's why I was willing to wait a little while for a price drop.
 
Matt715 said:
I understand. I guess my biggest hangup is that I was expecting more of, well, an audiophile TT than a DJ table. Apparently I'm little superficial. :S It seems like there is a giant gap in the turntable industry between the entry level offerings and $900+ tables. Don't get me wrong, I like a deal as much as anyone else (ok, maybe even more) but I wasn't really expecting to buy this instant unless I ran across some great deal. That's why I was willing to wait a little while for a price drop.
Click to expand...

Don't get into looking for an audiophile TT or preamp or any of it until you know whether or not you'll dig vinyl. Get what you can afford and do it for a while. It will take some time, not 2 weeks, more like months or give it a year if you can. The high-end/audiophile vinyl or analog world is not for the weak (like myself). In general, the vinyl world is a beautiful thing, but you have to be able to handle it. If you can get a good vintage table, I'd go that route. If not, that AT table looks nice (especially the black one).:) As for vintage tables, there are tons of them that are good. Some strong ones I can suggest for consideration are: Pioneer (any model that is not plastic), some of the Technics tables (I would not put too much credence into the DJ ones, they are built like a brick chicken house, but performance is so-so), Yamaha, Kenwood, Marantz (as long is it's not plastic), Thorens, almost any of the Denon DP-f series tables from the 80s to early 90s are great beginning tables (I'd stay in the DP45f to DP60l range. Don't bother looking at the new Denon tables, they are horrid and that includes the $1100+ anniversary one of about a year ago. In fact, many dealers returned them and won't sell them anymore because of all the issues they have). Those are just a few examples. With any vintage table just be sure it's in great working order and do research about known problems as well. For instance, the Denon DP-f or DP-l series tables are noted for the electronic gizmo (I forgot what it was called) going south and they are a royal pain to get fixed if at all possible. However, if you find one of those tables in excellent condition, you should not have any worries for some time to come.
 
MusicDirector said:
Don't get into looking for an audiophile TT or preamp or any of it until you know whether or not you'll dig vinyl. Get what you can afford and do it for a while. It will take some time, not 2 weeks, more like months or give it a year if you can. The high-end/audiophile vinyl or analog world is not for the weak (like myself). In general, the vinyl world is a beautiful thing, but you have to be able to handle it. If you can get a good vintage table, I'd go that route. If not, that AT table looks nice (especially the black one).:) As for vintage tables, there are tons of them that are good. Some strong ones I can suggest for consideration are: Pioneer (any model that is not plastic), some of the Technics tables (I would not put too much credence into the DJ ones, they are built like a brick chicken house, but performance is so-so), Yamaha, Kenwood, Marantz (as long is it's not plastic), Thorens, almost any of the Denon DP-f series tables from the 80s to early 90s are great beginning tables (I'd stay in the DP45f to DP60l range. Don't bother looking at the new Denon tables, they are horrid and that includes the $1100+ anniversary one of about a year ago. In fact, many dealers returned them and won't sell them anymore because of all the issues they have). Those are just a few examples. With any vintage table just be sure it's in great working order and do research about known problems as well. For instance, the Denon DP-f or DP-l series tables are noted for the electronic gizmo (I forgot what it was called) going south and they are a royal pain to get fixed if at all possible. However, if you find one of those tables in excellent condition, you should not have any worries for some time to come.
Click to expand...


Thanks MusicDirector. It sounds like solid advice.
 
Matt715 said:
Thanks MusicDirector. It sounds like solid advice.
Click to expand...

Trust me, I'd hate to see you end up ditching it out of frustration. Spending a ton of money right out of the gate and ending up with something that does not sound good to you or just plain over-spending will kill it real fast. The best thing to do is take it slow and read, study it a bit. Pay no attention to the hyperbole over changing tone arm wiring and cables going from the TT or the preamp or all the RCM stuff and $12k preamps and the 24k gold incrusted cartridges and all that stuff. Just focus on learning the basics first, for now. The fluff can come later on. Once you understand the basics, you'll know what works and what will work for you. Always remember it's your ears, not what the reviewer says or anyone else. You do not have their ears and they do not have yours. (Your wallets are also different I would hasten to guess). You've picked up the basic tools and now to learn them. You will probably find that they will be all you need for a long time.
 
IMO I would visit a few dealers in your area if there are any and listen to some entry level turntables to see if this is a path you want to go down.....having a $500 budget for everything doesn't really represent the vinyl format well......and stay away from those DJ tables there garbage, also be aware of buying vintage tables unless you know what your looking at, many are worn out piles of junk in need of work. If I were you I would save a bit more, $1200-$1500 really allows for a broader range to choose from. Since your just starting out with vinyl there are a few things to watch for.....1. be careful buying a used table, there are good one's out there but also not so good. 2. DO Not buy used cartridges unless you know the history of the cartridge, people seem to have forgotten they put 2000 hours on the cartridge they advertised of having 50 hours on it 3. Phono Stage is the safest out out the bunch buying used but still use caution. Good luck in your journey!
 
NorthStar said:
And that is if there is an audio dealer in his area set up with a turntable rig. ...Not too many of those here in my area; Victoria and surroundings.
Click to expand...

Then it may be worth a road trip, I'm sure there something with in an hour or two from where he is at.....better than throwing money after something that doesn't float his boat. Sorry but about the only good advise in this thread was the mid line Music Hall, Project and Rega tables and of course saving a bit more :) Flame suit is on.
 
A/V Solutions said:
Then it may be worth a road trip, I'm sure there something with in an hour or two from where he is at.....better than throwing money after something that doesn't float his boat.
Click to expand...

The closest dealer to me is a little better than 2.5 hours away in Green Bay. They do list quite a few entry level turntables on their website but I'm not sure of what they carry in stock. A big plus is that they do carry the same speakers I have so I could probably hear a really good representation of what it would sound like here at my house. I've been itching to go over there for years and now I have a reason.

One thing that is actually making me have second thoughts is that a few albums I've wanted to pickup are now out of print and bringing $75-100 on the used market. I could see spending that on one or two special albums but I can't see myself spending that kind of money on album after album.

I think I might take things a little slower and really think this decision over a little more before I buy anything else.
 
Jeff

The AT TT that Rob and I recommended is in my opinion a safer bet than the entry level TT's from Project, Rega and Music Hall as they at least keep accurate speed without add-on accessories and I own a Rega mid-line table that I never use and would love to sell. The Denon DP-300f is a better choice than them. I don't think Rob would own one and recommend it if it didn't work, plus if the OP doesn't like the format he can sell it on and not loose. As to vintage you are correct about that unless you buy from a trusted seller or can find one on CL that you can see and test in person. As a dealer I understand your perspective of buy new, but that is not always the best choice for people on a budget. If it was there would be no Audiogon. We all have different choices and opinion and that is why there are both kinds of markets.
 
Matt715 said:
The closest dealer to me is a little better than 2.5 hours away in Green Bay. They do list quite a few entry level turntables on their website but I'm not sure of what they carry in stock. A big plus is that they do carry the same speakers I have so I could probably hear a really good representation of what it would sound like here at my house. I've been itching to go over there for years and now I have a reason.

One thing that is actually making me have second thoughts is that a few albums I've wanted to pickup are now out of print and bringing $75-100 on the used market. I could see spending that on one or two special albums but I can't see myself spending that kind of money on album after album.

I think I might take things a little slower and really think this decision over a little more before I buy anything else.
Click to expand...

Yep take that road trip best thing you can do!!! Lp's range from about $25-$50 from the internet places....yes there are hard to find or limited or out of print that fetch higher prices. Lot's of private internet sellers and used records stores around and you can find ton's of stuff for a reasonable price. I have a dozen record stores in my area and find stuff all the time for a few bucks on up. Classic Rock and 50-60's Jazz fetch the most, Classical the least, Country or Western they will pay you to take LOL just kidding......Happy Listening
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top