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Turntable suggestions?
#339349 02/21/11 08:00 PM
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I'm thinking about getting back into vinyl collecting and listening (of course) ever since I got my little M50s (such great speakers for the $!) and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a nice sounding, reliable turntable for a reasonable price (define "reasonable"? under $500 wink

I have seen glowing reviews of the Rega P1, the Music Hall MMF 2.2 and Pro-Ject Xpression III (which is slightly high priced for me but there are SO many good reviews).

If anyone has some input it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance! smile

Re: Turntable suggestions?
fibreoptik #339456 02/22/11 04:16 PM
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I think all would be fine. Pro-Ject makes the turntables for Music Hall ( I think) , not sure if they make the Rega's too.

You are starting down an expensive slippery slope! The turntable is just the beginning. The cartridge, the phono amp can be expensive too.


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M80
Re: Turntable suggestions?
Lampshade #339458 02/22/11 04:20 PM
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Sounds kinda like building a HT room. Expensive slippery slope, that is.

Re: Turntable suggestions?
CatBrat #339480 02/22/11 06:35 PM
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Look at Audiogon for used.

Re: Turntable suggestions?
CatBrat #339482 02/22/11 06:38 PM
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I just found out that the Pro-Ject Debut is pretty much as good as the Xpression III and about half the cost (around $360). Many people are saying that even the included, moving magnet cartridge on the Debut is just great. Lots of recommendations to get the Speedbox to switch speeds easily and keep it consistent (via microprocessor control). Which is another $150 heh...

I've seen cartridges for $300+ and TTs for up to $40k so I know what you guys mean by slippery/expensive slope lol

In other news, I picked up a factory sealed Kind of Blue 180 gram LP off Ebay yesterday for $33 shipping included! Woohoo! Pretty much my favorite jazz album so far (I do have a lot more listening to do still but that one has my vote so far).

Re: Turntable suggestions?
fibreoptik #339486 02/22/11 06:49 PM
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I bought a Technics 1200 a few years ago for business needs. It's more of a DJ-style TT as opposed to a audio-enthusiast-style TT, but I figured as long as it had good isolation and a good cartridge (Shure M97xe) it would do well.


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Turntable suggestions?
MarkSJohnson #339494 02/22/11 07:02 PM
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Heard lots of great stuff about them but always in the context of DJing. Seems they are built very, very solid but the output (regardless of components) is more "thumpy" then balanced, which is ideal for the club scene but unfortunately not so great for listening to classic jazz recordings in my living room. Thanks for the suggestion though smile

Re: Turntable suggestions?
MarkSJohnson #339564 02/22/11 11:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: MarkSJohnson
I bought a Technics 1200 a few years ago for business needs. It's more of a DJ-style TT as opposed to a audio-enthusiast-style TT, but I figured as long as it had good isolation and a good cartridge (Shure M97xe) it would do well.


Excellent set up.


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: Turntable suggestions?
Wid #341171 03/08/11 04:57 PM
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Wow! That cart is $140! Then again... I have seen others for over $300 (which is probably what I will spend on the TT itself)

Re: Turntable suggestions?
fibreoptik #341173 03/08/11 05:07 PM
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The cartridge is what makes the sound. The turntable only has to rotate the record while isolating it from external vibrations. The tonearm only has to track said cartridge with as little mass as possible.

Going with a cheap cartridge on a nice turntable is like hooking up a $2000 Denon receiver to $75 Radio Shack speakers.

Wait.

Better yet, let me offer a car analogy..... grin


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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