So, record players...

[GH]

Now that I've ordered the new BoC album on Vinyl and I also have loads of vinyl from my 80s past, can anybody who knows about these things advise me on the following;

Are the cheap record players available today ok as long as they're going through a decent amp/ speaker combination?
Can the cheaper players do any harm to treasured vinyl?

[Mexicola]

Probably, yes.

However, I have an absolute piece of shit for a turntable (ebay, £25, made by Bush FFS!!!) running through a Cambridge Soundworks 730. At some point it'll get upgraded, but it's done me nicely for about four years now

[GH]

Probably, yes.

However, I have an absolute piece of shit for a turntable (ebay, £25, made by Bush FFS!!!) running through a Cambridge Soundworks 730. At some point it'll get upgraded, but it's done me nicely for about four years now

Thanks, but which of my questions are you answering probably, yes ?

[Mexicola]

Can the cheaper players do any harm to treasured vinyl?

[GH]

Sheet, I was afraid of that.

[Mexicola]

I wouldn't get too hung up on it to be honest. Not noticed any problems so far. Unless you're playing them to death, you'll be fine.

[GH]

Thanks man. Appreciate the help

[cubistking1906]

You probably want to get a decent turntable before you go throwing treasured vinyl on it. Basic rule of thumb is that if the tone-arm is plastic, don't even bother with it.

Anything that looks remotely like this (Technics 1200) is good to go:



You can find a solid used turntable like this (there are many clones similar to it as well) for $100-$300 if you're patient and look around at used gear places or certain record shops. Happy hunting, sir.

[Amo Bishop Roden]

I wouldn't go any cheaper than this bad boy.

This is what I use as a long-term temporary until I can muster up the savings for a Pro-Ject or something. This one does right by me, though. Running it through some nice vintage Technics gear that I'll be upgrading shortly. Sounds more than acceptable and doesn't rip apart your records.

[zeitgeist]

besides relatively ambiguous things (although it's helpful) like looking for metal tonearms, what kinds of things in particular make record players better than each other, or should i say, less likely to destroy a record? not necessarily in terms of audible quality, but just physical quality. i know virtually nothing about them, and audiophile blogs on the subject are pretty much unreadable. it's very hard to even spend over $200 on a table when i don't collect much more than boc vinyl, and almost never play it. thanks

[noby]

besides relatively ambiguous things (although it's helpful) like looking for metal tonearms, what kinds of things in particular make record players better than each other, or should i say, less likely to destroy a record? not necessarily in terms of audible quality, but just physical quality. i know virtually nothing about them, and audiophile blogs on the subject are pretty much unreadable. it's very hard to even spend over $200 on a table when i don't collect much more than boc vinyl, and almost never play it. thanks

Metal tone arm doesn't mean it's good; it's just that plastic tonearms USUALLY means that the build quality isn't going to be too fantastic. There are plenty of carbon fiber tonearms these days too. The material it's made of doesn't affect the sound quality.

Good record player has a good motor, platter, tonearm controls (anti-skating, tracking force etc), and an overall build quality. The thing that affects the sound quality in the end the most as well as how good the system is on your records is the cartridge. Don't ever get ceramic cartridges or turntables where you can't exchange the cart. Don't play your (valued) records on a turntable where you don't know the condition of the cartridge stylus (worn styluses can/will damage records), or if you know it's in bad shape. Also don't use too much tracking force, modern carts usually run on about 1-2 grams and some might go even up to 2.5 but anything higher than that is no no.

For a good entry level TT look for ATLP120 or the Pro-Ject Debut or Carbon series. You can also look if someone is selling some good used turntables, but always remember to buy a new cartridge for used turntables if it isn't relatively recently exhanged (couple months usage maximum).

[The Friendly Stranger]

I've got a Dual CS-505 mk2.

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/dual/cs-505.shtml

Very impressed with it myself and as the comments on this page show, it's highly recommended as a starter table. If you get one in good nick it'll do the business for you. Just make sure it's properly set up so you avoid damaging your records.

[noby]

Seems nice, Dual 606 was my first turntable and it worked well enough for for me at least.

[harpoon dodger]

My turntable is a Garrard 6-200-C, that belonged to my dad..I think he bought it in 1973. It's a decent player, I've always wanted to get another but it's never failed me yet. Stylus replacement is cheap (I think I paid $11-15 last time) and it has a party platter spindle! AKA, I can put like 5 records on and they will drop down and play automatically in sequence. I don't really use this feature much, but it's nifty--I've often wanted to track down a regular spindle for the machine.

[IanRedpoint]

I've had a Dual 505 and a cheap Pro-ject in the past and both served me well. Rega Planars are great too. So long as the needle is in decent shape (not a rusty nail) then you shouldn't be harming the vinyl too much. I've got some of my dad's albums from 40+ years ago and most of 'em have been played to death and still sound fine.

Vinyl through vintage amps and speakers is just sublime. They built 'em to work that way.

[Mexicola]

I've had a Dual 505 and a cheap Pro-ject in the past and both served me well. Rega Planars are great too. So long as the needle is in decent shape (not a rusty nail) then you shouldn't be harming the vinyl too much. I've got some of my dad's albums from 40+ years ago and most of 'em have been played to death and still sound fine.

Vinyl through vintage amps and speakers is just sublime. They built 'em to work that way.

Good to see you back dude

[Waterbagel]

I'm in the market for a new turntable too. I've heard the technics SL-1200MK2 is absolutely fantastic, but ever since it's production halted, I'm afraid I won't be able to find one that's in good condition and affordable. Is there any sort of good alternative that's pretty close?


I'd kinda like to find one before TH drops, too..

[jcotteri]

Just buy a second hand technics 1200 mkII. you will run into no problems with it, unless it's beat to shit, and then you can play around with the pitch and what not..

I wouldn't recommend anything else for the price and they can be had dirt cheap.. Also not made anymore sadly :'''( kinds wish I hadn't sold my first pair of turntables now about 5 years ago.

[bearhead]

Now that I've ordered the new BoC album on Vinyl and I also have loads of vinyl from my 80s past, can anybody who knows about these things advise me on the following;

Are the cheap record players available today ok as long as they're going through a decent amp/ speaker combination?
Can the cheaper players do any harm to treasured vinyl?

I'd say go for the Audio Technica AT LP 60 if you're going real cheap. Its what I currently own. It's downfall is that it's a belt driven turntable. The cartridge however is really good for the price. It's a very basic turntable, but it has a built-in preamp, though you do have the option of turning it off if you have one available. Although, I have read that a turntable like this can do some damage to records because the counterweight is heavy, so it digs into your vinyl... But I don't know if there's any truth in that.

[mono]

By the way, I have two turntables (nothing flashy, a PL-340 and a Philips hifi) and there's this record which the hifi will play all right but which gets always stuck on any groove on the Pioneer. By "stuck on any groove" I mean that it's not the usual faulty bit of record, rather the needle gets stuck on whatever groove you place it on - even the empty ones at the beginning. The disc itself seems to be in good shape, so why could this be?