930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: HoyaSaxa03 on November 12, 2007, 04:32:00 pm
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so i had an epiphany lately, and i'm going to start buying vinyl instead of CDs ... i download 95% of the music i listen to, and i barely ever listen to CDs, so buying them occasionally just to rip onto my computer seems pretty meaningless ... vinyl would be more fun to collect, and i like the idea of album frames
all that babbling aside, i need to get a turntable ... any recommendations? is it worth it to get one of those new-fangled digital turntables that hook right into your PC for ripping?
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I've been thinking the same thing lately... so yes.
Good thread Hoya, I would also enjoy any recommendations.
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I as well have been playing around with this idea.
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What's your budget?
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
What's your budget?
well, i'd develop a budget as i figure out my options ... i assume there's everything from a hot-pink my-first-record-player to DJ-quality gear, right?
sorry to come on here so ignorant, i guess i should browse the web a bit
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
What's your budget?
Under $300ish.
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
What's your budget?
Under $300ish. [/b]
yowsa!
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
What's your budget?
Under $300ish. [/b]
Being a roller derby D-girl must PAY!
Brian
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I have a Denon PF-300 that I got new at Myer-Emco for less than $300. It's been solid, if not spectacular.
I had the ~$150 Sony model and it was a piece of crap (as most Sony products are these days).
I have no personal experience with Pro-Ject, but the Debut III (http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Pro-Ject-Turntables) gets decent reviews.
Thorens (http://www.thorens.com/) also gets good reviews. The entry-level Thorens are in the $400-$500 range.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
I have a Denon PF-300 that I got new at Myer-Emco for less than $300. It's been solid, if not spectacular.
I had the ~$150 Sony model and it was a piece of crap (as most Sony products are these days).
I have no personal experience with Pro-Ject, but the Debut III (http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Pro-Ject-Turntables) gets decent reviews.
Thorens (http://www.thorens.com/) also gets good reviews. The entry-level Thorens are in the $400-$500 range.
thanks for not being a jackass about it.
id rather buy something of good quality that i'm going to be able to get good use out of - even if it means i have to pay a little more...
i was being realistic with my budget meaning i'd rather pay under $300, but would go there for good equipment. sheesh you people...
besides brian, since you're stalking me and all, i figured you'd know what i was making, my blood type and at what times i walk my dog.
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i have a gemini direct drive. i like it. one of the most important things for me was that it wasn't a belt drive. not having to worry about that is worth the extra $50 or whatever it costs.
http://www.amazon.com/GEMINI-Professional-Direct-Drive-Turntable/dp/B000AAPNKC (http://www.amazon.com/GEMINI-Professional-Direct-Drive-Turntable/dp/B000AAPNKC)
then again, it's the first turntable i've ever used so i have no basis for comparison.
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just from browsing on amazon i see the $100 price-point as a bit of a sweet spot, is it really hard to get a reliable rig for that price?
i can think of many (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824255001) other (http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/) toys (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360prosystem/) that i would buy for ~$300 before i spend that much on a turntable =)
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being a an-ex DJ, i always recommend Technics as they are certainly the best turntable.
however, they are very pricey and while you can get them second hand, most ppl with technics are trying to sell a pair.
maybe hoya and miss p can go in on a pair.
There are lots of DJs looking to get rid of their tables...since most of them use CD decks and computers now.
Personally I have the Gemini TT02 table, i think they are $100-$150 a piece. they work perfectly well
just make sure you get a Direct Drive, not a belt. ;)
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Someone asked Steve Albini this question in that 2+2 thread:
"Hifi turntables are currently being made by Rega, Sota, Music Hall, VPI and many others. You should be able to get a good belt drive turntable for less
than $500, and a good tonearm and cartridge for less than $300. You can sometimes get a whole system for less than $500, and with maintenance and new belts
and needles, it will last you the rest of your life. You can also get a nice second-hand Thorens or other old school setup for about the same."
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Turntable reviews (http://www.audioreview.com/cat/analog-sources/turntables/PLS_1597_913crx.aspx).
In my experience, you generally get what you pay for.
I've never had a direct drive table, but from what I have read, you have to go much higher in price point to get the benefits. Problems with belt drive tables can usually be fixed (very cheaply) by simply replacing the belt.
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check ebay...I just got a great technics directive drive table for under $50. All it needed was a new needle. But make sure you do your research before you bid or buy. A pretty good source that I've found to be helpful is:
http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org/ (http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org/)
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Originally posted by med:
But make sure you do your research before you bid or buy.
i'd love to buy a used bike, a used turntable, used golf clubs, etc, etc, because i know there are so many deals out there ... but it seems like you have to have a fairly in-depth knowledge of what you're looking to buy when you go this route, otherwise i'm afraid of being ripped off or not getting the greatest deal
seems like this would be a good idea for some kind of a startup business, offering technical expertise to people in the market for used goods
anyway, thanks for all your thoughts on this thread, i'll let you know what i end up with
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You should also bear in mind that collecting vinyl can get expensive. I mean, it'll probably start out innocently -- you'll just dabble in the $10 stuff for sale at the merch table at shows -- but pretty soon, you'll be popping 7"s from eBay a couple times a week and skulking around the east coast looking to score that Japanese pressing of the Powerslave picture disc.
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I got a Stanton Magnetic turntable at DJ Hut...solid, reliable...$275 if I recall correctly. I've heard only good things from other Stanton owners as well.
...and welcome aboard!
http://vinyldistrict.blogspot.com/ (http://vinyldistrict.blogspot.com/)
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I just got a great technics directive drive table for under $50.
I let Orpheus Recs have mine for $20 when I junked my vinyl last year... and a fine SL-D20 it was. I don't miss it or those bulky, noisy old LPs. I just kept a few covers fer lookin' at
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Originally posted by Stairmaster E:
I just got a great technics directive drive table for under $50.
I let Orpheus Recs have mine for $20 when I junked my vinyl last year[/b]
I hear that you and your band have sold your guitars and bought turntables.
I hear that you and your band have sold your turntables and bought guitars.
I hear everybody that you know is more relevant than everybody that I know.
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Whatever you do, don't get a belt drive...WAY worth it to get the direct drive. Also love my Denon.
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Originally posted by bearman:
Whatever you do, don't get a belt drive...WAY worth it to get the direct drive. Also love my Denon.
Very high-end turntables (over $1K) are often belt-driven because of the weight of their platters. Heavier platters have steadier speed (which is pointless if you have an off-center disc, a common problem with vintage vinyl).
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My understanding of the great direct vs. belt debate is as follows: Direct drives have the motor connected directly to the platter. Belt drives separate the motor from the platter. The latter is preferable because it reduces vibration. Higher-end direct drive tables resolve the vibration problem with damping mechanisms. DJs prefer direct drive because they do all that wiki-wiki mixmaster stuff and donâ??t want the hassle of knocking the belt off the spool or stretching it. For home listening, belt drives are generally a better choice because you can get higher quality at a lower price.
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Been collecting for decades and still love the vinyl. This web site could be your new best friend:
http://www.needledoctor.com (http://www.needledoctor.com)
Personally I had a Pro-ject $300 turntable that I bought new and loved it. I had no choice to jump ship though when I scored a nice condition Thorens from my brother. Ciao, Toby
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I bought a Sony PS-1700 a few years ago at Plan 9 in Richmond. I picked it because it was an older model and had a vintage look, plus I got it for $30 because a friend at the store hooked me up.
It worked pefectly until I moved in September. I also broke the cover in the move.
Record and Tape Exchange, I think that's the name, in Annadale/Fairfax is where I get most of my vinyl. I went through my CDs and grabbed anything I hadn't listened in years and sold them for store credit. I received enough credit to buy a good number of records to start a collection.
When it comes to vinyl I try to be very selective and only get albums that I will listen to start-finish (Low, This Years Model, All Mod Cons, The Queen is Dead...).
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People think direct drives are essential because it's common knowledge that DJs like them. But direct drive is only important if you're going to be messing around with scratching and stuff. Otherwise, it doesn't matter, and belt drives even have some advantages, described above.
In real life, the odds of ever having to replace the belt are very low.
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I respectfully disagree about not needing direct drive. The thing I love about my direct drive is being able to control the pitch, not only that but the great thing is that the speed is constant. I've found that belt drive turntables tend to wear and there's nothing worse than a warbly LP. Maybe it's just me, but I can hear those slight variations and it drives me nuts.
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Belt drives to me are like automatic transmission on a car. Sure they are fine and really easier if you're just taking the kids to a soccer game. but if you really want to drive...get a 5-speed (6-speed)
and i agree with bearman, i like DD for its pitch control abilities, not the "wiki wiki", whiteboy phrase ggw used, lol.
as far as quality goes i dont think buying a $100 table is gonna matter which style it is very much.
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Came across this the other day after reading this thread:
http://www.hammacher.com/publish/74106.asp?promo=mp3 (http://www.hammacher.com/publish/74106.asp?promo=mp3)
Anybody have any thoughts/opinions about the conversion quality?
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Pitch control is not unique to direct drive turntables. It's generally not necessary unless you're trying to play a record at a non-standard speed - you know - if you're doing all that wiki-wiki stuff while rolling on X and sucking a pacifier.
Generally speaking, guys who like direct drive tables wear Axe body spray and drive Hondas with chrome rims. Is that the kind of guy you want to be, Hoya?
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i wear old spice deodorant and don't own a car, i guess i should get one of these belt drive things?
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I don't think I'd confess to that if I did!
Originally posted by Hoya Paranoia:
i wear old spice deodorant
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Sundazed Music is selling a Music Hall turntable for $349, plus you get you get to choose three LPs to go with it, all of which are pretty cool.
http://www.sundazed.com/ (http://www.sundazed.com/)
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Pitch control is not unique to direct drive turntables.
Yeah. The turntables I started DJing with (which I'm looking to sell, actually) are Gemini belt-drive and have pitch control.
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
I don't think I'd confess to that if I did!
Originally posted by Hoya Paranoia:
i wear old spice deodorant
[/b]
Hey, don't knock the Spice. It's one of the very few brands that offers deodorant without anti-perspirant.
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Originally posted by Christine Moritz:
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Pitch control is not unique to direct drive turntables.
Yeah. The turntables I started DJing with (which I'm looking to sell, actually) are Gemini belt-drive and have pitch control. [/b]
Hoya Paranoia and MissP:
I'll plan to PM you with information about my turntables in case y'all might want to split them between you.
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Originally posted by le sonick:
Belt drives to me are like automatic transmission on a car. Sure they are fine and really easier if you're just taking the kids to a soccer game. but if you really want to drive...get a 5-speed (6-speed)
So can I get a paddle-shift turntable to give me the best of both worlds?
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why would you need pitch control unless you're a DJ or an Axe-wearing wiki-wiki-er?
This reminds me of the kind of thread where someone asks for a practical get-around-town bike, and half the recommendations are for bikes over $1,000 because that's what the recommender has...