Turntable / Record player recommendation

[jimmy156]

Hello all,

I have just bought a Denon D-M41DAB Micro Hi-Fi system, and would like to be able to play the occasional record through it. Any recommendations? Does spending more £ get your better sound or just more features?

Cheers!

[RedCarsAnonymous]

I recently got a Lenco L-3808 for 2nd setup duties & an quite impressed with the sound quality for the money (£156 for the grey version from Bax Music)

[P700DEE]

Spending more money usually gets you less features
Gettting the sound from a record is a mechanical process. Better engineering better sound.
Project, Rega offer entry level don't buy a "cheap" plastic lump because it offers digital out.

[Tony1963]

Op,

You really need to decide on a budget, then people can help.

Just bear in mind that if you buy a turntable that sounds worse than your other sources, you'll be unlikely to use it.

Edited by Tony1963 on Sunday 1st April 00:03

[C&C]

P700DEE said:

Spending more money usually gets you less features
Gettting the sound from a record is a mechanical process. Better engineering better sound.
Project, Rega offer entry level don't buy a "cheap" plastic lump because it offers digital out.

Agreed - even if on a budget, don't get some sub £100 thing with a USB port on it - the type of thing sold in Argos.

The very least you should do is get the bottom of the range model from Project or Rega. At least it is still a "proper" turntable.

[jimmy156]

Thanks all,

Has a look at that Lenco one, it seems to be geared towards digitising records? Is this the right thing for what i am looking for?

I am realising i am rather ignorant when it comes to this! Budget in mind was £150 +/- a bit. Is that going to be enough for something good?

Cheers, Jimmy

[jimmy156]

So i see there is the Pro-ject Essential 2 at richer sounds for £149

or

The Project Primary for £169.

My understanding is that the essential 2 is a higher end model, but one that has been replaced by the essential 3?

Will both of these just plug into the micro system i have bought (Denon D-M41DAB)

[SS2.]

jimmy156 said:

Will both of these just plug into the micro system i have bought (Denon D-M41DAB)

The output from almost all turntables will need to be run through a pre-amp to get it to line / analog input level.

Unfortunately, your Denon system doesn't appear to have a built-in pre-amp / phono stage and, as such, you'd need to purchase a standalone device to do the job.

The connections would be turntable >> pre-amp >> Denon analog input.

If you're looking at Pro-Ject turntables from RS, I'm sure one of their sales guys will be able to advise a suitable pre-amp.

[jmorgan]

I spent well back in 99 or so and it is still doing very well. Not a huge amount but not felt I had the need to upgrade at any point for what I am happy with. It has an on/off switch. Is that a feature 33 to 45 is a changing the belt to another cog but don't be put off with that.

Keep it simple and spend as much as you can on a good basic deck. Obviously seem you need a phono stage as well.

[jimmy156]

Thanks guys... The Project Primary is available with a built in phono stage, but is around £250 or so.

Maybe a trip to richer sounds is the best bet!

[jmorgan]

Always handy for a mooch through whilst waiting.
https://www.whathifi.com/products/hi-fi/turntables

[miniman]

I did pretty much exactly this with my Denon M39 (predecessor two or three times removed from yours).

I went for a Project Essential III turntable and Project Phono Box - https://www.richersounds.com/project-phono-box-bla...

I have subsequently upgraded the amp and speakers so if you wanted to make me a cheeky offer for the phono box...

[jmorgan]

Get a dust remover as well, nothing worse than a dusty/hairy record and needle. I use a brush with a carbon fibre bristles just to lift the dust for a revolution or so.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Acc-Sees-Antistatic-Carbo...

[miniman]

jmorgan said:

Get a dust remover as well, nothing worse than a dusty/hairy record and needle. I use a brush with a carbon fibre bristles just to lift the dust for a revolution or so.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Acc-Sees-Antistatic-Carbo...

You're saying I shouldn't be using this?

[jmorgan]

snigger.

Seriously though, whatever floats your boat. I used to cringe at the state of some records, all greasy finger prints and never a duster in sight and the needle was the one thing collecting the fluff. I understand there are record cleaners with baths and all.

[SS2.]

jmorgan said:

I understand there are record cleaners with baths and all.

Indeed.

When I resurrected my vinyl after it had spent more than a decade in our loft, I found manual cleaning wasn't good enough so I treated myself to a Pro-Ject VC-S.

It's a bit of a brute (and certainly isn't the quietest of gadgets), but it does a great job of shifting muck and bringing records back to life.

[RedCarsAnonymous]

jimmy156 said:

...

Has a look at that Lenco one, it seems to be geared towards digitising records? Is this the right thing for what i am looking for?

...

It _can_ do that (it has a USB port & comes with a CDROM with Audacity on it) - but it also has a built in preamp & so will plug straight in to the red & white RCA ("analog (sic) in") sockets on the back of your Denon ... also seemed like a decent match to your probable budget, but there are more choices out there than you can shake a stick at

[Crackie]

There were some very good press reviews for that Lenco. It was recommended in a couple of similar threads late last year.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...