Just list your top 5 turntables in the $200 - $500 range. give reasons why if you want. Thanx in advance!

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Falcons, Braves, Bulldogs and Hawks

Geto Boys, Poison Clan, UGK, Eightball & MJG, OutKast, Goodie Mob

There's a range of them within your price range.

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Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

Thanks. I was looking at the stanton joints too

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Falcons, Braves, Bulldogs and Hawks

Geto Boys, Poison Clan, UGK, Eightball & MJG, OutKast, Goodie Mob

thanks for the tip. anything in particular?

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Falcons, Braves, Bulldogs and Hawks

Geto Boys, Poison Clan, UGK, Eightball & MJG, OutKast, Goodie Mob

...the table itself -- automated start/stop, USB out, belt or direct-drive, onboard preamp, that sort of thing -- and see how cheaply you can get those features. Then spend the rest of the budget upgrading the cartridge. Ortofon has the biggest range, but there are other manufacturers as well. I'd go to http://www.needledoctor.com/ and read reviews at various price points, then see if you can find whatever you like somewhere else for cheaper.

I use a 2M series Ortofon, and I like it a lot. Mine was about $250. I use an ancient turntable that I got for free with it.

Denon makes some nice stuff, for example, in case you don't want to mess with swapping cartridges.

rega, music hall, project, or a used 1200.

i've only had experience w/the 1200s. it's pretty easy to use and make adjustments. the platter and damping is one of the few things that bothers me about the 1200 for close listening, being designed for another utility/DJing--it effects resonance in the sound and how the needle hits the record--but that can be alleviated with an appropriate turntable mat, NOT a slip mat. other tables i've noticed the platter doesn't require that extra step as much because the construction of the platter is sturdier and more stable, solid.

the other names i've heard repeatedly brought up on other forums, i think are worth researching.

Either go to a pawn shop or find a dj who might have one for sale or get this one from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00006I5VX/sr=1-1/qid=1366905048/ref=olp_tab_used?ie=UTF8&colid=&coliid=&condition=used&me=&qid=1366905048&seller=&sr=1-1

Yeah the price for those are up there and start at $450 and up but I've seen djs who have sold their turntables cheaper than that though.

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I had cheap tables for years up until recently. I had everything from low end technics to Stanton and its not even close the difference in precision you get with 1200's. They are built to take a beating. I just bought one from an old dude who hardly played his...it's new condition like and I only paid 150


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Techniques not being used for DJing particularly since they are now defunct is a waste IMO. There are plenty of options for someone who just wants to listen to vinyl.

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Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

I might stick to my low-end. I was thinking of getting a direct drive for some of my digital transfers, but I've gotten some good work out of my old workhorse.

Yes, I'm mad. Let's move on.

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One obvious factor: brand name. If you know of companies you've heard of before, trust them. For the most part, used turntables can be reliable, or they can be easily repaired. Of course, this also depends on how much you want to invest in repair, and you're probably like me: nothing.

These two turntables have been on my want list for awhile: the Pro-Ject Debut III model:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CDHQK2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000CDHQK2&linkCode=as2&tag=thisbosmu-20

and the Rega RP-1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004B3GELG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004B3GELG&linkCode=as2&tag=thisbosmu-20

Both of these are well reviewed, and go between $250-500. If you want a record player that will last, I would go for them if you want a new turntable.

If you want something cheaper, go for Audio Technica:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002S1CJ2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002S1CJ2Q&linkCode=as2&tag=thisbosmu-20

They are a name that has been trusted for years.

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Basically, if you want something brand new, you'll want to pay anything over $200. If you want something basic, go for brands like Sony, Denon, or Panasonic. I had a Denon DP-29F for years and it worked great.

Don't hesitate to go to Craigslist or your local market "penny saver"-type things where you might be able to find a bargain for 50 bucks, as I have. Of course, you also have to make sure everything is in working order from the platter to the tone arm to the needle, although needles can and should be replaced. Otherwise, a turntable between $250 to $500 will do you good, direct drive turntables are considered better but sometimes that is said because of its use as a DJ'ing tool. Either way, buy something that will last and you know you'll get a lot of usage with it. Maintain the needle every year or 18 months and you'll be alright.





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> direct drive turntables are considered better but
>sometimes that is said because of its use as a DJ'ing tool.

Nah the belts are the problems as they eventually wear and are prone to not spin consistently.

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Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." © Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

THE HOME OF BOOK-NESS:
http://www.thisisbooksmusic.com/
http://twitter.com/thisisjohnbook
http://www.facebook.com/book1


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It's not like changing a belt is hard, and it's not like direct drives never fuck up. Plus, belts are quiter and more stable. As Ron Jawarski just said on sportscenter in reference to this years quarterback draft class, "It's like flavors of ice cream. Some like chocolate, some like vanilla, some even like neopolitan." Same thing w/ tts, the belt/ dd dichotomy is mostly about useage/ preference. We all think that what we use and prefer is what is objectively "best."

Direct drive turntable, solid build quality and pretty cheap. I sold my pair last year when I moved and thoroughly regret it. For listening, they're pretty good with a good stylus/cart (I had original Standon Discmasters for listening and my workhorse 500mkII's for spinning).

I had mine for 12-13 years and they worked the same on the last day as they did the first.
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I miss Tha D... But I'll never move back there.


R.I.P. Disco D

There's pluses and minuses to each. Belts need to be replaced, but direct drives have many more moving parts to keep in order. If you have a nicer cartridge, a belt will be a little quieter than a dd. If you want to DJ all that info is moot, and you'll need a dd.

Basically anything you're going to read about a sub $500 table is going to focus on the Music Hall MMF 2.2, the Rega RP1, and the Pro-Ject Debut. The Music Hall and the Pro-Ject both share a ton of parts, so there's not much difference there. They also both have a hum issue with certain cartridges, which isn't a big deal if you do your research beforehand. The Rega RP1 has its fans as well, I don't have any experience with it tho. You'd be googleing and reading the same stuff I am.

I have the Pro-Ject Debut III (mentioned earlier) with the USB upgrade. It's a nice table; Pro-Ject really strips down on extra features for the sake of offering sound quality. There's no automatic start or return, you change speeds by manually moving the belt, platter is only 10", and the tonearm doesn't have leads, but is wired all the way back to the platform (which is only a problem if you break one of the wires changing carts, which I found out the hard way). I'd say it's kind of like a car with a really nice engine, transmission and drivetrain with manual windows, no AC, and a cheap interior. You're getting better quality on the things that really matter at that pricepoint, but missing out on the luxury. They also recently revamped this table and don't make it anymore, but you can still buy it new for about $300.

The revamped Debut is the Debut Carbon. The main difference is a carbon tonearm, a significantly better cart, and a 12" platter. This table costs $100 more than the Debut III, and is worth every penny. It also puts it much closer to the Rega and Music Hall tables in terms of price. I like my Debut III enough to be jealous of the upgrades made in the new Debut Carbon, and have no problem recommending the table. It probably has the best cart and tone arm out of the 3, and is a really nice table right out of the box.

I also really recommend doing your shopping with the Needle Doctor: http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Turntables
Their prices are competitive and their customer service is amazing. You can do things like order a turntable with a upgraded cart and they'll mount it for you and answer questions for you all day long.

. . .I repeat DO NOT get a deck with a straight tone arm.

Everything else has been covered pretty well.

~Austin

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. . .and it really depends on who you ask, some people are very big fans, BUT—

With a curved, "S-shape" tone arm, in my experience, you have get better results as far as fidelity across the board with all different types of records (12", 10", 33, 45, etc.). The S-shape (properly adjusted with counterweights, anti-skate, etc.) is able to ride in a wider variety of grooves.

Straight arms are good for two things: playing standard size records and scratching.

Of course, straight arms are not going to ruin your records or destroy your life, but if you have an ear for fidelity, you will notice a difference.


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