Is there an excellent turntable for < $200?

[Slowhand]

I've just started getting back into vinyl albums after a dinner party at a friend's house. He has his father's old turntable/amp/receiver/speaker setup, and it sounds nice. He says I can get a new turntable and plug it up to some computer speakers, get equal or better sound, and not "break the bank".

I've been searching online on and off for the last day or so and am not coming up with much in the way of highly ranked systems for <$300 or so.

Any advice for a newbie?

P.S. I do not want to do it the old fashioned way...don't have the space for a big setup.

Thanks.

 

[Nick Danger]

There are a couple of Sony and Audio Technica USB turntables in your price range at J&R's Music World: http://www.jr.com/category/audio/turntables/

You can plug those right into your computer.

I can vouch for the retailer. I've bought from J&R's many times.

Nick

 

[Legion]

Most of the USB type turntables I've seen have been... poor.

I would advise hitting the yard sales and picking up something in a good brand from the 70's or early 80's. I've had a couple of Sansui stereos which have been very good, and were obtained cheaply. I've not tried to plug them into my computer, but I understand it is a simple matter of getting a board that has regular audio inputs (if your computer doesn't already sport one) and some software.

 

[ouch]

A lot of people buy into the theory that digitally recorded music can't capture the mystique and magic of vinyl, and I'm not going to argue that here. I will say, however, that if your goal is to get better sound, you're looking at spending at least that much on a cartridge, let alone a turntable.

Wish I still had my old Linn Sondek.

 

[Slowhand]

I should mention...I'm not interested in a USB setup....only a nice unit and some computer speakers to pipe it out.

I'm astonished at how much supplies (cartridges/needles) can run. Leaning towards the Pro-Ject or Music Hall model.

 

[SiBurning]

Best bet under $200 is an old Dual. I got the Pro-Ject Debut, which is considered the cheapest entry level turntable, but it's above $300. The nice thing about the Pro-Ject is the cartridge is properly installed at the factory, so there's no need to find someone to properly adjust or install the cartridge. You rarely find a good turntable with a factory installed cartridge, but they purposely do it with the Debut to give people an easy entry to turntables.

You can't just plug a turntable into amplified speakers. You'll need a preamp made for a turntable. There's two kinds, and you need to use the right one for the cartridge: moving magnet or moving coil. The output of the preamp can go directly to amplified speakers.

 

[Nick Danger]

If you don't want a USB model that plugs into your computer, you're unlikely to get a full setup of any decent quality in your price range. As Ouch mentioned, a good cartridge and stylus can be quite expensive, then you need an amp with a phono input or a phono preamp (you can't plug a turntable into an input made for a CD player.)

I'm a big fan of my Technics SL-1200, which you can usually find used on eBay within your price range. You can probably grab a used amp for $100, too. My guess is, with a reaonable cartridge in the mix, you might be looking at $350-400 or so for the whole setup. You can go cheaper, but a bad cartridge and stylus can ruin your LPs.

I have no experience with Pro-Ject or Music Hall, so it seems like you've got some research to do. I can tell you that my Technics is over 20 years old and going strong. It's a workhorse model that used to a be a favorite at radio stations because of its dependability.

Nick

 

[Wcoppage]

I have a stanton that I love. I had to buy a small preamp for it from Amazon. Works great. I haven't had any issues.

 

[Greybeard]

Short answer .... no.
You're better off with digital (cds, flac files and high bit rate mp3s) until you can stretch your budget to $400.+
Vinyl playback is analog with a lot of mechanical parts. The compromises in the build of a lesser turntable will mask the qualities of vinyl sound. Cheap digital sounds better than cheap vinyl.

As to whether it will sound as good through your computer system as through your friend's audio system?
Probably not, but you can check that by playing a couple of your favorite cds through your computer. Then take the same cds over to your friend's house and play them through his system. If you can't tell the difference, you're good to go.

You will need a turntable, a phono preamp (about $60. for a decent one), and a $6. cable to connect to your computer sound card. Separate sound cards are usually better than integrated computer sound cards.
You can find decent used vintage turntables for < $200. but you have to know what you're looking for and at. They may require some work and at the very least a new phono cartridge. A worn phono cartridge will damage your records as well as sounding like crap. The cheapest decent phono cartridge I've heard will cost you about $45. Then you will have to learn how to install it with the correct geometry (tutorials are readily available online). If it's a belt drive turntable, you will probably need a new belt (about $12.). The bearing will probably need cleaning and lubing.

If you're willing to read about these things, then it can be done. If you want plug and play then you're back to $400. + $60. phono preamp + cable.

 

[Slowhand]

alright...i need to be more clear once again. i'm not running this through my computer. i am going to purchase a set of speakers separately to hook up the turntable in the sitting/family room. I want it to be as streamlined as possible, and I've now realized that I'm going to have to stretch to about $500 to get great quality sound. I'm trying to figure all this out as I go, but don't want to hop in too fast and buy something that I shouldn't. (This is hard for me, as I am the type that wants to get it yesterday and start listening an hour ago)

So, let's say the budget is now $500. Space and number of pieces is a consideration, as I want a "clean" setup. I'd like a nice looking unit to leave out on a cabinet in the sitting room, a speaker or two to put on the bookshelves that are built on top of the cabinets, and that's (hopefully) about it. Is *this* possible?

 

[SiBurning]

You want speakers, too?

... head down... walks away...

 

[Slowhand]

Greybeard/SiBurning...in other words, "spend" my $500 as wisely as you can and give me a kickass setup.

 

[SiBurning]

Looks like all vintage is the way to go. Look for an audiophile society near you. They might know someone that can hook you up with something. You could do quite nicely that way for $500.

Deleted my "new" recommendation because it mostly shows that $500 is unrealistic, but Ouch already quoted it below.

 

[ouch]

I still don't understand. You want to hook up a turntable directly to speakers? That won't work. You need amplification, and probably more stages than you realize. Even a simple receiver or integrated amp has a preamp stage and a power amplifier. Your turntable, depending on cartridge output, may not deliver a signal of sufficient strength to drive the preamp, and you may need a phono stage.

You'll need a bit more research.

 

[ouch]

I wouldn't call my $4500 system kick anything, so I don't know what to advise. $500 will get you a decent turntable and preamp, and not much more.

If I were looking for a low end system, I'd start with
Music Hall USB-1 turntable (with integrated pre-amp) $250
NAD C316BEE integrated amplifier $380 (or find something used, vintage)
RCA cables (might be included with the turntable) or $10
zip cord for speakers $10
speakers ??? I might look for some used AR s speakers locally, since they're generally cheap

Looks like all vintage is the way to go.

That's a pretty sound recommendation.

 

[Greybeard]

Rega P1 turntable - $395. approximately. Comes set up with a phono cartridge installed. You just have to make sure it's placed on a solid surface and the table is level.

Audioengine 2 self powered speakers - $200. approximately. They're small speakers without obvious flaws. They won't fill a large room with sound and you won't get deep bass but they sound good.

TCC TC-750 phono preamp - $43.50 plus shipping. Get the TCC TC-750LC phono preamp at $48.50 plus shipping if you think having the volume control on the back of the speakers will be inconvenient.
http://www.phonopreamps.com/index.html

The cable to connect the preamp to the speakers should come with the Audioengines. If it's not long enough, then Monoprice has good, cheap cables.

Best I can do.

 

[SiBurning]

That's a pretty sound recommendation.

I see what you did there!

 

[Slowhand]

ok. would a $400 turntable, a $50-ish pre amp, and $100 speakers (bose or klipsch or something else) do me? I'm getting frustrated now.

maybe i'll go vintage.

 

[ouch]

Ah, vintage. That's even more expensive.

 

[SiBurning]

You still need an amplifier to power the speakers, if they're not the powered kind (which usually sound awful).