Beginners budget turntable.

[ihatesissycars]

Hi all,

I'm on the look out for a cheap, 2nd hand turntable.

I've had suggestions of Sansui sr222's, Pioneer pl12's and if I'm lucky some of the base pro-ject tt's.

Any others anyone can recommend?

I like the look of some early JVC units in particular a JVC QLA2 which I'm looking at.

I basically have a budget of about £40 (I'm a student before you set the hounds on me!) which I know won't go far but, it must get something that can play a record half decently or atleast be a base for upgrading?

[Mr E Driver]

I would look at some of the Direct Drive t/t something like this.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Classic-1970s-Technics-SL320...

[blueg33]

Try and find a Dual 505-3, it was highly regarded for a budget turntable when new in the early 90's. I still have mine and it is excellent, I use it when I want a smoother less harsh sound than a cd. Mine is over 20 years old and has never been serviced but still works fine. Try and get one with a low mass cartridge (they were designed for these) otherwise you may have tracking problems. Ortofon still make low mass cartridges

Here is one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dual-CS-505-3-Belt-Drive-Tur...


Also good and a similar age is the Rega Planar 2 or 3 but may be a tad pricey

Edited by blueg33 on Thursday 2nd December 20:17

[Nuisance_Value]

Thorens, either a 160 or 166 can be found quite cheaply though if they have an SME arm they will start to get more expensive. My first proper turntable was a TD160B mk2 with an old SME 3009 arm on it and it lasted me years.

Maybe this one? Looks good.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/THORENS-TD160-MKII-FANTASTIC...

Just trawl through a Thorens search on eBay and you'll find quite a few, though £40ish is bottom end price.

[telecat]

The "Classic" one is the Rega Planer 2, Supplied with a Rega RB250 arm and paired up with a AT95 cartridge. I'd avoid D/D turntables unless you plan on restoration work or can find a restored one. Most didn't find their way to decent homes and fell from favour quickly meaning they tend to be unused or abused. The Technics 1200 are a good DJ "deck" but only "cut it" when the arm and cartridge are replaced.

[Beardy10]

telecat said:

The "Classic" one is the Rega Planer 2, Supplied with a Rega RB250 arm and paired up with a AT95 cartridge. I'd avoid D/D turntables unless you plan on restoration work or can find a restored one. Most didn't find their way to decent homes and fell from favour quickly meaning they tend to be unused or abused. The Technics 1200 are a good DJ "deck" but only "cut it" when the arm and cartridge are replaced.

I'd second this...I still have mine which is sadly in a box at the moment. When we move home it'll be coming back out.

[shirt]

you are exceptionally unlucky as i have just thrown away a dusty, cartridgeless but otherwise ok dual 505 and a pro-ject debut with a broken tonearm.

i'd hunt a pro-ject debut. they are a very simple design but comparable sound quality to the others mentioned in a budget set-up and they look a hell of a lot better than something like a dual or thorens.

also consider the goldring lenco gl-75. very popular with the modifying crowd due to the fact the platter is something like 7-8kg. they can be had on ebay for £30. head here to see how just how easily they can be modded to great effect:

http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php

[ihatesissycars]

Aww bugger, trust my luck! there are a few cheap items on bay at the moment I'm now watching thanks to your sugegstions so wish me luck!

Also, phono stages, I'm looking at some of the base pro-ject units which seem to have a good reputation, a good choice?

I was also considering the diy approach.. I investigated some diy valve amps before wimping out and buying a fatman itube (Coupled with some Q-Acoustic 2020's) and remember a number of valve preamp kits, any auggestions in that dept?

Thank you again everyone for you time and help!

[Pupp]

Certainly nothing wrong with the Pro-ject phono stages...I use one with a Michell Gyrodec in preference to far more exotic fare... look at the Sumiko Blue Point Special for a lively MC cartridge but watch out for canti damage as they are very exposed

[telecat]

The Fatman isn't bad. I'd look into better "Tubes" though. I have an All Mullard set in my Audio Innovations 500. The Pro-Ject turntables are pretty good but might be a bit new for the 2nd hand market. Good Alternatives are the Ariston Turntables. I had a RD20. Good but limited on Upgrade paths. The Ultimate Basic turntable is probably the Linn Basik with the Akito Arm and K5 cartridge. I always thought very highly of the AXIS with Akito and K9 or K18. Even a good Moving coil cartridge went well on those. The Problem is getting one.

I wouldn't rule out a good DD or even a Linear Tracking T/T. The trick is getting a "good one".

Edited by telecat on Saturday 4th December 00:54

[andy_s]

I'd pick up a Rega Planar 2 s/h and go from there.

[blueg33]

andy_s said:

I'd pick up a Rega Planar 2 s/h and go from there.

tricky at £40

[ribbit]

Many good suggestions so far: CS505, SR222, Planar 2, TD160. I would add to that list the AR turntable, Revolver and Systemdek. With patience you should find a serviceable example of one of these somewhere around your budget.

With respect to the phono stage, you may find it cheaper to simply buy an older integrated amp with phono stage. Plenty of suitable candidates out there for similar price to the Pro-Ject box. Rotel, A&R, Pioneer, etc.

[Nuisance_Value]

Pupp said:

Certainly nothing wrong with the Pro-ject phono stages...I use one with a Michell Gyrodec in preference to far more exotic fare... look at the Sumiko Blue Point Special for a lively MC cartridge but watch out for canti damage as they are very exposed

I'd agree about the phono stages, there is a Phono Box SE is on eBay for 99p starting price at the moment and another for a tenner, a bargain in my opinion. I even have one here sitting redundant as I don't use it. A Sumiko BPS is a £200 cartridge though and on a £40 turntable might be a bit underused I would think. Better going for a cheaper new Shure, Goldring or AT?

[ihatesissycars]

Lots of advice!!

Well, ive landed a cs 505 for £15 thanks to eBay so now I'm looking for a phono stage.

After some research it seems the NAD 3020 amp is a good contender for replacing the fatman, worth a try?

Is there any setting up or upgrade tips for the tt you could give at all?

I intend to service it where necc' and set it up on something level and heavy too.

Thanks again for all your help!

[shirt]

google cartridge protractor for setup advice. vinyl engine has several you can print out with instructions for use.

no idea on the nad sorry.

[ribbit]

The NAD 3020 is a decent basic integrated with perfectly adequate phono stage. A very good choice, and readily available at bargain basement price. Also has decent headphone out, which might be of interest to you.

As mentioned above, Vinyl Engine is an excellent resource for turntable owners. Check the condition of the stylus, and replace either stylus or cartridge if you have any doubts. Dual turntables are pretty much plug-and-play, but it's worth taking some care with the location. They are sensitive to vibration, so if you have suspended wooden floor a wall shelf will be a great advantage.

[andy_s]

Yup, the NAD was well rated in its day and is a good choice.

[Workshy Fop]

blueg33 said:

andy_s said:

I'd pick up a Rega Planar 2 s/h and go from there.

tricky at £40

I bought a 10 year old one twenty years ago for £70. Took it home strapped to the pillion of my bike. Still going fine!

[blueg33]

Workshy Fop said:

blueg33 said:

andy_s said:

I'd pick up a Rega Planar 2 s/h and go from there.

tricky at £40

I bought a 10 year old one twenty years ago for £70. Took it home strapped to the pillion of my bike. Still going fine!

Still about the same price