Turntables - TTLG Forums

Macha on 17/9/2009 at 18:35

I've been dying to get my hands on a turntable for a while now but the more and more I read up on it the less I realise I know about them. I've never owned one but I've heard some of my favourite stuff played back on vinyl before and thought the difference to CD was phenomenal, just the depth and warmth that it breathes into the music. I've realised that I could snag one on ebay for about a tenner but I don't wanna buy just anyone, I want to buy a solid, good quality but affordable one. My dad has an old Dual CS505-2 lying in the garage just missing the headshell, but as I don't really even know what that is I'm not sure how to go about replacing it. So does anyone know of any good models that would suit me?

Aja on 17/9/2009 at 21:28

Good entry level turntable:

(http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=debut)

No fancy features, but it sounds great. You'll need a phono-preamp, though, unless your amplifier has one built-in. Project makes good preamps, or you could just buy a turntable with the amp built-in: (http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?prod=debutphsb&cat=turntables&lang=en)

SlyFoxx on 17/9/2009 at 21:42

That Dual is a nice piece. Worth the work if the motor and tonearm are still good.

SubJeff on 17/9/2009 at 21:50

pfffft you whiteys don't know how to use a turntable

stick to cds and crowded house ffs

uncadonego on 17/9/2009 at 22:43

My brother-in-law still has his Empire 698 from 30 yrs. ago. It is awesome. Truly. Don't know if you can find one on Ebay though.

Whoa! Sorry, just checked, people on Ebay are asking between $400.00 to $650.00 for them. Never mind.

theBlackman on 17/9/2009 at 23:04

I have 2 a Technics dual speed and a Numark adapted for a direct USB input for the computer.

I also have a old "picnic" wind-up 78 player. Picnic, as in a 13 inch square case that you could carry around to play your music outside or any place else.

Turtle on 17/9/2009 at 23:39

Whatever you get, make sure you get 2 of them.
And a microphone.

Aja on 17/9/2009 at 23:41

AND BE SURE TO PICK UP A DEVIL'S HAIRCUT TOO

Nicker on 18/9/2009 at 00:33

Linear tracking (even a cheap one) will usually give you better sound than most (more expensive) pivoting tone arm models.

If you can, get a Direct Drive (the platter is essentially part of the motor).

Rim drive will be noisy, as the rubber drive wheel will probably have hardened by now, if it is a vintage machine. Band driven turntables (the ones that use rubber bands to transfer the rotation), often need (hard to find) replacement bands as the old ones stretch or break easily as they age.

Both types suffer from serious slipping and wow, (deviations in the rotational speed - unless that's part of the romantic, low fidelity sound you are about to overpay for).

Then there's cartridges and needles....

Ebay is not the place to get such gear.

But really, why bother? Sorry, the notion that an analogue representation of sound, etched into a plastic disk is better or "warmer" than a CD quality recording at 44.1 KBS, is just that, a notion. IMHO.

Let the flames begin...

Aja on 18/9/2009 at 00:38

Warmer, I dunno. More fun, without a doubt. Records (especially when played on a manual turntable) force you to pay more attention to what you're listening to. You're more engaged with the music; it feels less disposable. But, in general, I find records to be more spacious and open-sounding than CDs.

And the turntable I listed has no problems with slipping or wow; I've been using it for a few years now. Just make sure you buy it from a dealer who'll set it up properly and teach you how to use it.