My girlfriend bought me a vinyl record for my birthday, as I had told her that I wanted to collect them. However I don't have a player/turntable yet. Does anyone have some suggestions? Definitely under $500, but preferably around $300.
Thanks :)
Looking for a good bang-for-buck vinyl turntable.
nuttapillar on 24/09/2019 - 15:29
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I’d actually recommend the Audio Technica LP2X over the LP120. Much better headshell and build quality, and still within OP’s budget.
EDIT: Please ignore this - was thinking of the LP60, not LP120.
What an awesome girlfriend!
There are a lot of options depending on what you want to do with your turntable but I recommend one with a 1/2 inch mount universal headshell so that you can easily change the cartridge (needle).
Are you mostly planning on casually listening to records or would you like to experiment with DJing?
Other nice options are these days are built in Bluetooth transmitter and built in preamp so you don’t need a separate amplifier with a phono preamp to use the turntable.
It will just be casual listening, hooked up to speakers. bluetooth sounds handy, and so does the preamp. but im guessing that's gonna get pricey?
The models with Bluetooth are usually $20-50 more than those without.
Having a built in preamp is pretty much standard now as many people don’t have an amplifier with a phono input.
For listening, go fully automatic so that the needle is automatically lifted off the vinyl and parked at the end of a record.
The Audio Technica LP2X has all the above features and can be had for $379 or less on sale. Best price would be when Store DJ or DJ City are included in an eBay sale.
Not sure how it's awesome. It's akin to giving a kid a pack of batteries and no radio controlled car…
well to be fair, I wasn't very helpful when asked what things I like, haha. And most things I want are way too expensive for her to buy me, like a 40tb RAID 10 NAS server.
Im in exactly the same boat and dont have a clue about stuff like this.
Ive done fair bit of research and the Audio Technica 120 that Ryanek suggested is frequently recommended.I was considering this https://www.vinylrevival.com.au/collections/project-audio-sy… but I'd have to buy a preamp too.
Ive seen another AT model thats got a built in preamp which is a bit cheaper than the 120 https://urbanrecords.com.au/collections/audio-technica-brand…
Highly recommend pro-ject turntables! My first turntable was a very old technics that was about $15 on gumtree. I bought a (then) $30 Behringer preamp which did the job. A lot of people might advise against this in favour of splashing a lot of cash on a preamp or proper amp but I honestly felt this was fine. Behringer PP400 Preamp is about $45-50 these days but still pretty good for the money.
I see them recommended a lot too, but I wonder if that's because they're good - or if it's just because they were the only brand still available at JB Hifi years ago, LOL.
I have a bunch of rare still-sealed LPs, where I want to get the first recording right: a high quality result the first time. So I'd hate to get the A.T., resell the LPs to recover most of their expense, then discover there were far better turntables available with less rumble, that 'expand out again' the audio better (RIAA equalisation I think it's called?), etc.
So I keep putting it off… for about 15 years now. ;-D
I read that the Uturn Orbit turntables cant work on Australian voltage
https://www.stereo.net.au/news/boss-hunting-wants-you-to-buy…
Ah wasn't aware of that, thanks…
Look at a Rega P1 or 2. Can't go too far wrong. Rega make great products. And of vinyl is your journey great place to start.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NAD-C556-turntable-new-Warranty-…
$266 for a Nad C556 (basically the same as the Rega P1 as far as I'm aware)… (opened - never used)
Bloody good deal.
EDIT: Turns out these some great 'as new' players on ebay for really a nice price. Wish there was so much selection when I bought one a few years ago.
Speaking from experience with vinyl years ago, the cartridge is one half of the two-sided coin.
I would recommend Ortofon or Shure as cartridge brands.
The Ortofon 2M Red / 2M Red cartridge only is a solid recommendation on a budget.
Here is a quick summary of the 2M cartridges I found on the internet:“The 2M Red is an all-purpose cartridge that delivers open, dynamic sound with a slight touch of warmth. 2M Blue adds more dynamics and resolution, sounds more open and reproduces more details. 2M Bronze adds even more details and resolution but in a very evenhanded way that pays respect to all elements. The 2M Black is the best of everything, true to the groove with resolution and accurate insight into each recording.”
From a quick search: the Ortofon 2M Red is often bundled with some turntables, so after comparing turntables & calculating you may be able to save some money by finding a bundle with 2M Red.
Here is an example: https://klappav.com.au/products/debut-carbon-dc-gloss-black-…
Although I have never heard or used a ‘Pro-Ject’ turntable. Seems like a new brand.
Damn, so many options to choose from. I wish I could make a Poll on here…
https://djcity.com.au/product/reloop-rp-2000mk2-direct-drive… According to DJs and producers reloop is great entry level with scratching abilities USB out. I've used some adaptors and converted the plug to 3.5mm. comes with a great cartridge in the box. It's been really amazing for me. Audio Technica is overpriced in the entry level models and this trumps them for value and quality.for entry level.
So It's good just for listening? I'm not into any DJ activities.
Yeah I mostly use it to listen.
Have a quick read of this concise write-up by Denon.
https://www.denondj.com/kb/2241/Direct-drive has its many advantages so I would say it is suitable for a modern world.
There is little wrong with belt-drive however, only you may need to replace the belt once every few years depending on use.
After some quick research as if I needed to buy a modern turntable for listening, I arrived at this Audio Technical LP2X for $379 Delivered
Also available at JB HiFi for $399 if you are worried about postage and would like to pick it up locally.It is a fully-automatic belt-drive turntable, with built-in switchable Phono Pre-amp (Line out / Phono) and uses a conventional head-shell so any (moving-magnet) cartridge can be fitted.
Fully-automatic means it will put the needle down for you and bring it back to its original-position when the record is done playing (you can still do it manually if you wish).
The built-in Phono Pre-amp allows you to plug it directly into the Line-input of active speakers, or an amplifier which is missing a Phono input. Being switchable, if you would like to purchase an external Phono pre-amp in the future, you can switch the turntable back to ‘Phono’ and use it with an external Pre-amp.
Belt-drive means you will have to adjust the belt (which is straightforward / easy and quick) if you want to change speed between 33 1/3 rpm & 45 rpm. Also after a few (4-5) years (depending on use) you may need to replace the belt (which is cheap and straight forward).The AT-LP2X with an Ortofon Red Cartridge would be a solid step into listening to Vinyl IMO.
Also very important is the initial setup when getting your turntable.
Off the top of my head some of the adjustable settings are:- Cartridge positon on head shell
- Tone-arm height
- Counter-weight balance
- Anti-skate strength
- Possibly more
I imagine modern turntables come included with setup instructions inside, if these settings are missing from the manual you will have to look up online on how to initially setup a turntable.
What are your thoughts on Bluetooth versions? Is the sound quality really noticeable?
OP, this deal was just posted.
Please do your research on the ‘Pro-Ject’ Debut Carbon Espirit SB, if it turns out good then this may be a bargain.thanks, but that's a lot of money. I'm not sure.
Yeah it includes the Ortofon 2M red cartridge ($135), so you are paying around $460 for the turntable.
Kind of a bit much for a beginner I admit.Otherwise the Audio Technical LP2X that i linked in the comment above is a more feature packed turntable (auto-play / internal phono pre-amp etc) for $379.
You could just pick that up and use it with the included cartridge.(StoreDJ had a $50 off $250+ spend code recently, forgot to let you know about it, would have brought the LP2X down to $329 Delivered)
Another user mentioned this $50 code comes around regularly, maybe you can keep an eye out for Black Friday / Christmas).cheers, that's a good idea.
@nuttapillar: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/491425
Here’s the link to the code, expired 27 Oct.
Click on dot dot dot on Store DJ under ‘related stores’ under the post and you can subscribe, so you get an alert whenever something with the store is posted (should be very few alerts since deals at that store are scarce).
ALDI had one recently
Alternatively op shops are good