i have a healthy collection of classic rock vinyl and want to start listening to it again. I have an Onkyo AVR that is pretty high end. Should I buy a "retro" phonograph or a new one? Any suggestions on where to shop in The Burgh is appreciated.
OT: Advice Requested on Buying A Turntable For My Vintage Vinyl
- Thread starter Nittany Ziggy
- Start date
Dual, Cherry wood base, straight arm, belt drive. Rock on. I am not in the Burgh but chck around for someone who can get you a high end stylus and install as well.
I'm not sure what you are asking. Is your question what kind of turntable should you buy to attach to your Onkyo? Or are you asking whether you should buy a retro standalone phonograph system vs buying something to attach to your Onkyo?
Given that you already have a high end audio system, I can't imagine that you would be asking about a retro standalone unit. If you are used to high end audio, why would you want to settle for a lower end standalone system?
So that leads me to believe that maybe you are just asking what kind of turntable should you buy to attach to your Onkyo - an old retro one or a brand new one? Your best route there is almost assuredly getting a new one. Even though you might have a high end AV receiver, chances are pretty good that it doesn't have the pre-amp circuitry that is necessary to attach an old-fashioned turntable. Many of today's better turntables come with the necessary pre-amps. If you buy an older one, you'd still need to get a proper pre-amp. Who wants to bother with one more piece of equipment?
How much do you want to spend? My brother bought a weighted and balanced turntable a few years ago and it cost him a couple grand. Sounds phenomenal (seriously, its sweet), especially hooked up to his vacuum tube based equipment, but its pricey. If you want something nice, even if you don't plan on approaching that level of cost, I'd check the web and at some audio sites before purchasing. Good luck, nothing approaches the fidelity of vinyl in a good system.
Thanks Uncle Lar. I am learning on the fly here. Looks like a new one is in the cards (with the pre-amp). I would like to keep under $500.
Why not buy one of those turntable you can plug into a computer and digitiz you music??? IMHO listening to vinyl is pia IMO. Every 20 min you have to get up and flip it over??? I have as much of that as the next guy. So I tried to put all I could into the computer. Much easier to share w others by playing it on other devices. Car iPod boat etc
Garrard hasn't been in business for about 25 years. They have licensed their name to other firms but no longer make anything themselves (and I sure wouldn't buy any of the new stuff based solely on the Garrard name). You can pick up their old turntables on e-Bay but then you run into the pre-amp issue that I mentioned above - best to just buy a new one.
As a newbie, here's a good place to start. http://turntablelab.com/pages/beginners-guide-to-turntables
What is your budget? Check the selection at www.musicdirect.com and www.needledoctor.com. I am not sure about dealers in and around Pittsburgh, but the guys are Jerry's Records can probably point you to some good local shops.
I get the suggestion of buying a cheap turntable to digitize your LPs (e.g., a Crosley), but if your vinyl is in good condition and you are serious about listening to it, don't get one those cheap models.
I get the suggestion of buying a cheap turntable to digitize your LPs (e.g., a Crosley), but if your vinyl is in good condition and you are serious about listening to it, don't get one those cheap models.
The turntable doctor doesn't work on Sunday. Oh well, I had a great Thai meal at "Curry on Murray" and took home a "take and bake" form Mineo's Pizza. Will definitely be hitting the gym in the AM before work!!
This gets into a long-standing debate among vinyl enthusiasts, of which I am not really one (I'm more into digital audio). I've seen some intense debates among audiophiles about Technics vs. Rega turntables. Technics turntables are geared towards DJs, but they make quality turntables. Rega targets the audiophile, and some audiophiles simply do not accept Technics.
(You can insert other audiophile brands for Rega above, but Technics vs. Rega tends to be the debate since Rega is well known and makes several models that are priced comparable to the Technics models.)
I am on my way to Jerry's records in about an hourThanks!
No problem. It sounds like you had a great day!
Get a Pro-ject Debut Carbon. It will run you 500$ but will sound amazing. Mate it to a NAD receiver and a good pair of speakers and you'll be set.
Thanks, I was just looking at it! http://turntablelab.com/collections...ect-debut-carbon-dc-usb-turntable-gloss-black
Wow, cool, didn't know turntables we still made. In the 70's I had a Duel 1218 turntable, then the album was tracked w/a stylus. With the advance of technology, do the turn tables now track w/laser like the cd's? I looked at the enlarged pic of the unit and see a red element tracking device on the arm. I don't see a needle.
Hi 21 guns
You are correct, one of the links failed. Go to Ziggy's original post and smack the link or bacon, whatever pleasure you desire.
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I have my original Techniques belt drive from the late 70's as well as a more high end Thorens TD-320 with a top of the line AT cartridge from the late 80's (used to have a Grado cartridge but the non-replaceable needle got bent during a move). The Thorens has a low mass, fairly long tonearm that minimizes wear on a vinyl album when set up properly. The longer tonearm reduces the tracking angle error. I highly recommend such a turntable. Thorens are still made and can be purchased from the needle doctor.
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I would get a Rega if I were you. Great turntables, and not outrageously expensive. $500 is on the lower end of audiophile-level equipment, but check out audiogon.com, which has a classfieds section. I just checked and there is a used Rega RP-1 for sale for $225.
I regularly buy really good turntables at garage sales for $5-$15 in bucolic State College. They are all audiophile turntables. I've gotten 4-5 turntables for friends, too. A replacement needle costs upwards of $200 these days, so I keep two turntables in reserve just in case.
