Suggestions needed for a vinyl newbie

Matt715

Matt715

New member
Joined
May 15, 2013
Messages
273
Location
Wisconsin
I think I am ready to jump into the wonderful world of vinyl, but I really have no idea where to start.

What I would like to find out is realistically, how much does it cost to get into a solid entry level setup?

Other than the obvious need of a TT, what else do I need? I am semi-temporarily using an AVR as a preamp, so I would also need a phono preamp. What about a record washer? Is it necessary to have one when you’re starting out?

As far as a budget goes, is it possible to get into something decent for $500 or less? If not, what do I need to spend? I have no issues buying new or used, current or vintage. In fact, I think some of the older tables really look great especially when they’ve been well taken care of. I am also very patient when it comes to waiting for the right deal.

I’ve been watching my local Craigslist for the last year or so and researching what few turntables come up for sale. So far everything that I’ve run across is either grossly overpriced or isn’t well reviewed. There always is the slight chance that I might run across something on there, but I'm not optimistic.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
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.
 
Buy more than you can afford right off the bat. If you dig vinyl and think it's something you'll get into big time, you'll be looking to upgrade from a $500 budget quickly. I'm going through that right now! You don't need to go crazy to get good sound, but get something you'll want for a few years. Read reviews, scour forums, immerse yourself in all of it to get as educated as you can. THEN, go forward with your purchase.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Congrats for deciding to get back into vinyl!!
I just saw a couple tables in the $350 range on my daily
Scan through audiogon. Lol
Music hall mmf5
Rega rp3
Project 1.3(I think)
All were $350 I don't know much about any of em. Except I had a music hall for a few weeks to listen to and it was a good table for the money.
All you need is a table with a cartridge, small phono box, and some records!!!
 
Hey..I heard my name...LOL

Let me offer this first...Define a budget.

You will need:
Turntable
Cartridge
Phone Pre

So based on the budget you give me, I can help. Base minimum (recommend) will be $500 - But you are talking low end - Above the Walmart Crosleys and such but definitely ENTRY ENTRY level.

Get a budget of say $1500 and we can really move up the chain. Get the idea ? LET US KNOW !!
 
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...

These days AVRs don't have phono stages until you get in the $1000 range on average. However, even at that the phono inputs on AVRs are mere after-thoughts just thrown on with no real planning and from my experience, are pretty bad and can severely limit one's choices of carts, etc. Sadly, because of that, a separate phono preamp is a must these days. It's nothing like it was in the early 70s and before when receivers were seemingly built around the phono stage.
 
Matt, my suggestion would be to purchase everything used from someone who is moving up to a better TT or from someone that is getting out of vinyl. That way you won't have as much invested and when you sell (since you are moving up) or (getting out of vinyl because you don't like it) that you should be able to recap what you paid. I was out of vinyl for many years but I am back with a vengence and loving it.
 
MusicDirector said:
These days AVRs don't have phono stages until you get in the $1000 range on average. However, even at that the phono inputs on AVRs are mere after-thoughts just thrown on with no real planning and from my experience, are pretty bad and can severely limit one's choices of carts, etc. Sadly, because of that, a separate phono preamp is a must these days. It's nothing like it was in the early 70s and before when receivers were seemingly built around the phono stage.
Click to expand...

True Eric; phono inputs are disappeaing real phast from modern AV receivers.
Only few budget ones still include a MM phono input.
And not all of them are created equal, like you just said.

There are alternatives for a phono stage preamp:
1. A vintage Stereo receiver that you can get at your local Thrift Store or Salvation Army, etc., for only $10 or less.
2. Get a separate phono preamp; some are very inexpensive, like $60 (street, for the Audio-Technica AT-PEQ3).
...And there are several more from Musical Fidelity, NAD, Pro-Ject, etc., in the $50-100 range (street).

3. Or a used one, like the Bellari VP129 (distributed by Music Hall) that you can get for roughly $100 only ($250 retail)!
The Bellari VP129 is made in the US by the Rolls Corporation. ...It's a MM phono preamp, and includes a headphone amp into a single chassis. ...Highest recommendation from Michael Fremer. ...Reviewed in Stereophile: Vol.29 No.2
-> This phono preamp is a Class B unit from Stereophile; in the same category as some which retail for $4,000+/- :audiophile:


When there's a true analog desire there's always a way.
 
PMCH said:
Matt, my suggestion would be to purchase everything used from someone who is moving up to a better TT or from someone that is getting out of vinyl. That way you won't have as much invested and when you sell (since you are moving up) or (getting out of vinyl because you don't like it) that you should be able to recap what you paid. I was out of vinyl for many years but I am back with a vengence and loving it.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with you Paul.
 
NorthStar said:
True Eric; phono inputs are disappeaing real phast from modern AV receivers.
Only few budget ones still include a MM phono input.
And not all of them are created equal, like you just said.

There are alternatives for a phono stage preamp:
1. A vintage Stereo receiver that you can get at your local Thrift Store or Salvation Army, etc., for only $10 or less.
2. Get a separate phono preamp; some are very inexpensive, like $60 (street, for the Audio-Technica AT-PEQ3).
...And there are several more from Musical Fidelity, NAD, Pro-Ject, etc., in the $50-100 range (street).

3. Or a used one, like the Bellari VP129 (distributed by Music Hall) that you can get for roughly $100 only ($250 retail)!
The Bellari VP129 is made in the US by the Rolls Corporation. ...It's a MM phono preamp, and includes a headphone amp into a single chassis. ...Highest recommendation from Michael Fremer. ...Reviewed in Stereophile: Vol.29 No.2
-> This phono preamp is a Class B unit from Stereophile; in the same category as some which retail for $4,000+/- :audiophile:


When there's a true analog desire there's always a way.
Click to expand...

Great suggestions Bob. I almost got the Bellari you mention, but decided against it for reasons I forget. The thing one needs to be careful of with the sub $100 phono preamps is the load. Of course, an adjustable load is the ultimate way to go but not found on sub $100 preamps. A decent vintage late 60s to mid 70s receiver is a great way to go if one desires. Those things were built for vinyl record playing. I never needed anything for my vintage system to play vinyl, just hook the TT up to the receiver and go. Sounded just as good as some $3k high-end phono preamps out there! Many of the receivers of that era could handle any cart without any dip switches, knobs or adjustments of any type. Not clear how they did it, but they did. Great stuff back in that day and built like a brick chicken house. (I love my Sansui 8080db)! However, I must also state that cost for one of those vintage jobs varies by state and town. If thrifts in your area have them then it can be as little as $10-$20. Where I live, vintage receivers are now rare and not below 3 digits and not found in thrift stores.
 
I'm here! I've got to work to be able to find this hobby, you know. :P Great responses so far. $1500 is just more than I can afford at this point. I could probably up my budget to $750 but that's tops and that will probably push my purchase out a few months unless it's something that I can't pass up.

I would love to find someone who is upgrading their setup and pick their old equipment up at a decent price. That pretty much describes my whole system. I've been patient and pieced it together as funds allow and deals are found.

To answer Bob's question about my AVR, no it doesn't have a phono stage built in. I am still limping along on a oldish H/K until I figure out the direction of my system. So far I'm leaning toward 2 channel but I am still undecided.

I guess I have a bit of research to do before I make any decisions.
 
Hey no sweat Matt; we got all life living and working and waiting and retiring and talking and music listening. :)

* Just follow your heart. :heart: ... Here we're only good to give you the directions.
And some of us always have stuff for sale; it's only a question of finding out your own accommodation in your own price territory.
 
Matt715 said:
I'm here! I've got to work to be able to find this hobby, you know. :P Great responses so far. $1500 is just more than I can afford at this point. I could probably up my budget to $750 but that's tops and that will probably push my purchase out a few months unless it's something that I can't pass up.

I would love to find someone who is upgrading their setup and pick their old equipment up at a decent price. That pretty much describes my whole system. I've been patient and pieced it together as funds allow and deals are found.

To answer Bob's question about my AVR, no it doesn't have a phono stage built in. I am still limping along on a oldish H/K until I figure out the direction of my system. So far I'm leaning toward 2 channel but I am still undecided.

I guess I have a bit of research to do before I make any decisions.
Click to expand...

Okay, now that helps....I needed to know your budget.

So how about we keep it under $600 ?

3 turntable suggestions
Amazon.com: Music Hall MMF 2.2 Belt Driven Turntable with Cartridge, Gloss Black: Electronics

Amazon.com: Pro-Ject Debut - Carbon w/Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge - Black: Electronics

Amazon.com: Audio Technica AT-LP1240-USB Direct Drive DJ Turntable: Electronics


First two have pretty decent cartridges..and should be your first look

As to phono stage...You cant beat this ($47) unless you go over $250 , so why do it ? This is an awesome phono stage ! I own one my self and have done significant testing. I also own a $600 phono stage which is better but never liked ANYTHING in between

http://www.amazon.com/ART-II-Preamplifier-Outputs-Switchable/dp/B000AJR482


If you go for table #3 (which requires a cart) then the cart I recommend for it is the At120
Audio-Technica AT-120E AT 120E AT120E,Audio-Technica AT-120E AT 120E AT120E cartridge,Audio-Technica AT-120E AT 120E AT120E phono cartridge,Audio-Technica AT-120E/T AT 120E/T AT120E/T phono cartridge,Audio-Technica AT-120E AT 120E AT120E phonograph c

But even better the AT440Mla
Audio-Technica AT-440MLa,Audio-Technica AT 440MLa,Audio-Technica AT440MLa,Audio-Technica AT-440MLa cartridge,Audio-Technica AT 440MLa cartridge,Audio-Technica AT440MLa cartridge,Audio-Technica AT-440MLa phono cartridge,Audio-Technica AT 440MLa phono

Finally, when you are ready to setup your turntable, watch my video
Basic Turntable Setup
 
NorthStar said:
Awesome Rob!
Click to expand...

Thanks...If someone gives me a budget..I can build them a phono setup...Had he said the $1500, it would have been different...BARE minimum I can build is about $320...

sincerely ,

The Price Negotiator
William-Shatner-Slapping-Himself.gif
 
Yes, thanks for the great suggestions. I did have a $500 budget in my first post but I can adjust it as needed; it just will take longer to get what I want. If that phono stage is basically the best I'm going to get on the cheap, what would be the next step up in terms of tables? As I said before, I have no problem buying used so I might be able to do better for less.
 
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