What turntable?

[DriveHard]

If $400 was my budget, this is what I would get.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-lp120xbt-usb

My Audio-Technica is long since been discontinued, but still going strong...great player

 

[burbguy82]

wiky wiky wiky

 

[dubber09]

Yeap, cartridge and preamp make the biggest difference in sound quality, but the table needs to keep speed well too, and you need to adjust tracking force and antiskating one as well. Cart needs proper alignment too.

 

[#18FAN]

I'd give a call to Upscale Audio.

 

[Pablo]

I'd give a call to Upscale Audio.

Trying to avoid upscale!

 

[#18FAN]

Trying to avoid upscale!

https://upscaleaudio.com/collections/turntables
They sell all sorts they would be best to ask but you may be a tic low on budget for something that’s somewhat decent. I believe they setup every turntable sold.

 

[dishdude]

View attachment 261349

I had that as a kid, it fell down the steps at least a hundred times and still worked. The cover broke off but it still played.

 

[shortyb]

Just out of your budget, but a fantastic turntable. I have an external phono preamp so it was plug and play.
https://pro-jectusa.com/product/debut-carbon-evo/

 

[Cujet]

There are truly a number of great options and as many opinions to go along with it. I've had a few good ones.

After all was said and done, the best for my budget was a Techincs 1210 MK5. Once popular with DJ's and now among the strongest 2nd hand choices for those of us who want great performance. Very low rumble, unlikely to have feedback, superb speed control, and very good tonearm. Makes a fine unit for a discerning user. I paid about $300 for one with no lid and no cartridge a few years back. Today about $400 for one in acceptable shape. Many DJ's have moved on to digital and the price can possibly be negotiated.

I like to 'rock out' and the volume is sometimes at 11. My previous units include a TD124 Thorens, A B+O disaster, A lesser Technics, and a Pro-ject lower end unit that was actually made of painted presswood, ugh (and a few others). All had annoying shortcomings. Not so with the 1210.

Exactly like mine:

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Shop around for a nice vintage direct drive turntable by Technics, Aurex, Brahn...etc.

Steal an SL-1200 MK-2 from an older widow’s estate sale for about $300 and a long, awkward hug.

 

[walterjay]

On a lark call around to some pawn shops. You never know.

 

[RaymondP]

Linn LP12.

Pricey but have never looked back. Several options available at different price points, but you should visit a dealer to appreciate the quality of the sound and the differences. Had mine serviced with minor upgrades added. A truly wonderful sound. Recognize it is manually operated.

Been a vinyl enthusiast from day one and my first job. Has never lost the appeal. Friends and family have been amazed how good it sounds, even compared to CD. Probably some good deals in the used market too! Happy hunting.

 

[97prizm]

I have tons of vinyl, boxed and moved. Not for nothing!

I have a 100W tube amp, decent speakers. Need a turntable! (wired, not BT if that helps.

$300-$400 rangish.

If you have a vintage repair shop nearby it might be good to pop in and see what their selection is like and prices. My dad has a Teac stereo receiver and turntable. Pioneer seems to be top notch as well. Sky's the limit on turntable prices.

 

[Hermann]

Mine is the RT-81 and it's equipped with the AT95E cartridge, was thinking about upgrading the cartridge at some point but not sure it's worth the bang/buck.

Unless you're a serious audiophile, a $250 player will sound 99% as good as a $2k setup, so it really really needs to be important to you if you're going to spend that much. Good speakers will make a difference, as the built-in preamp (at least on my RT-81) is more than sufficient power.

For reference, I'm using these powered speakers (I know you said you have some already, just providing for comparison): Edifier 1280

View attachment 261357

As I said, for me, and for being under $350 this setup is excellent. It floods the room with life-like sound and richness.

YMMV

Just upgrade your stylus to a Audio Technica line-contact stylus. Your cartridge is good, your stylus is mediocre. Once you've heard line contact you won't go back. Should greatly reduce inner-groove distortion. Should be around a $100.

 

[Dr_Dr3i]

Just upgrade your stylus to a Audio Technica line-contact stylus. Your cartridge is good, your stylus is mediocre. Once you've heard line contact you won't go back. Should greatly reduce inner-groove distortion. Should be around a $100.

I was thinking about upgrading to the orange cartridge/stylus from AT, since mine came with AT's green one.

Do you think it'll be a huge difference in sound quality?

 

[Hermann]

I was thinking about upgrading to the orange cartridge/stylus from AT, since mine came with AT's green one.

Do you think it'll be a huge difference in sound quality?

What style is the orange? What you have is a Elliptical. Going above that will be the Micro Line replacement styli. You don't need the cartridge just a new stylus, in old fashioned speak "the Needle"

the stylus below will give a nice improvement in your sound quality
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Techni...sprefix=audio+technica+s,aps,128&sr=8-19&th=1

 

[Dr_Dr3i]

What style is the orange? What you have is a Elliptical. Going above that will be the Micro Line replacement styli. You don't need the cartridge just a new stylus, in old fashioned speak "the Needle"

the stylus below will give a nice improvement in your sound quality

Ahh I see, OK then. The orange one I was looking was also Elliptical but supposedly better quality. At a price difference of $50 between the two, the Micro-Line type is in a league of its own.

Thanks for the advice, I'll put this on my list.

 

[Hermann]

Ahh I see, OK then. The orange one I was looking was also Elliptical but supposedly better quality. At a price difference of $50 between the two, the Micro-Line type is in a league of its own.

Thanks for the advice, I'll put this on my list.

After 2 LP's you won't miss the $50

 

[Pablo]

If $400 was my budget, this is what I would get.

https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us/at-lp120xbt-usb

My Audio-Technica is long since been discontinued, but still going strong...great player

I bought this. Thank you - to all. I learned a LOT in this thread.

 

[Pablo]

This turntable is quite good. Everything about it is easy. Provided cartridge is excellent for old vinyl.

Listening to Beatles St Pepper's LHC, bought with money I must have scrounged at 10 years old in 1968. Only one minor pop at the start of "A Day in a Life". Completely amazed this LP has made a 56 year life journey with me. Sounds good.