Record player / audio system

[smithyithy]

Morning all, I figured this relates to Hi-Fi more than anything.

Can anyone give advice on a vinyl record player?

I used to mix on a pair of decks, mixer, massive stereo etc but have sold it all.

That all took up a lot of space (and plug sockets) though.

We're only after a single turntable, but also need some advise on speakers. My old setup, the decks were Numark - none of the USB HDMI MP3 stuff, just basic direct drives wired to a 3 channel, wired to a pair of speakers.

What's the best option nowadays? We were shopping in Birmingham on Saturday and came across those 'portable' players that are in sort of old-fashioned travel cases, one was about £160 and had a 12" platter, the other didn't have a price (I'd guess around £100) and was a 7" platter that allowed a 12" vinyl to overhang.

These only had built-in speakers which I'm guessing aren't great..

So, any advice?? Can a traditional turntable be connected to a Hi-Fi or a pair of monitor-type speakers? Are any of these portable players good enough in terms of sound quality?

Any advice welcome!

ETA: even thinking about combining a USB turntable with a soundbar or Sonos type device? not sure if that would work.. We saw some lovely Marshall ones in Selfridges but I can't recall what connections they had.

[mikees]

Cheap turntable from Richer sounds, 2nd hand amp and speakers off the bay. Done.

[The_Burg]

Turntable with onboard preamp, which many do these days and active speakers / soundbar would do the job if you aren't too fussy.
Otherwise as above, 2nd hand HiFi.

[smithyithy]

Cheers guys, two good options to investigate

[telecat]

Any Idea on Budget? The cheapest "good" turntables tend to be from Pro-jekt and Rega. Both at this price have arms and cartridge. That's £150 to £300. £130 will get you a new amp and Speakers are £40 up new. Second hand I'd ask advice but if you stick to established names you can't go far wrong. I would listen to the setup before parting with your cash though. Do not forget Cables.

[smithyithy]

Not sure on budget to be honest, I think around £200, I don't mind buying used. You're right though I definitely wouldn't buy without hearing.

Crosley were the ones we saw in the shops, I've found out:



They do a lot of different styles, but not sure how they'd sound..

[telecat]

smithyithy said:

Not sure on budget to be honest, I think around £200, I don't mind buying used. You're right though I definitely wouldn't buy without hearing.

Crosley were the ones we saw in the shops, I've found out:



They do a lot of different styles, but not sure how they'd sound..

It will play a record. And that's probably all you could say. If the Budget is tight then there are a few Turntables that are cheaper usually badge engineered by such as TEAC, Sony and Marantz.

Second hand you will find good Turntables do fetch a good price but it will still be less than new for such as the Michell Syncro, if you can find one.

[The_Burg]

Occasionally a car boot bargain turns up. Picked a Projekt for £1, yes £1. Lid scuffed and battered. A couple of marks on the plinth. Works perfectly. Never expected it too actually work.

[kingston12]

I personally wouldn't want to play my records on a Crosley-type deck. When you look at the quality of the arm and cartridge, I can't help thinking it would damage them fairly quickly.

Apart from that, the sound quality would become annoying fairly quickly.

As suggested above, something from Project or Rega would be much better and can be picked up for not much more on ebay.

[smithyithy]

Richer Sounds have a Sony deck for £99, seems decent, although as you say I could probably get a used one for less.

I'll do some eBay watching and see if anything catches my eye. I'm sometime tempted to pick up a pair of direct drives and a decent mixer and start up again, just as a hobby.. Still have a box of about 50 drum & bass records in the loft