KSquared
Literally Hell
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My teenager decided that she loves the way vinyl records sound and I'd like to buy her a turntable for Christmas. I know very little about how to put together a good setup for her. It doesn't need to be DJ quality, I'm just looking for something that will provide her the ability to enjoy listening to her music.
Thanks in advance, CU music nerds :)
KSquared
Literally Hell
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I just have no idea where to look or how to begin putting something together.
I'm not even really sure what my budget should be for a decent turntable and how much I should allocate for the other pieces needed. Electronics are not my strong suit. :)
I know I don't need top of the line but I don't want cheap crap either.
Snarf
Dystopia
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For casual listening you don't need to worry too much about something super high quality IMO. It also doesn't matter if it's direct or belt drive, although for longevity you'd want direct drive I think, belts can wear over time but takes forever. It would be nice to have something that comes with the needle/stylus included.
This is pretty cool for $130 and comes with needle/stylus: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Crosley+-+Oval+Turntable+-+Black/2762494.p?id=1218348991820&skuId=2762494&st=turntable&cp=1&lp=13
Snarf
Dystopia
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Or vintage chic, this is a HOT setup, I would rock that. A vintage tube amp combined with vinyl would make for a nice warm sound.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/ele/2701581955.html
And add some fun old school Cerwin Vega speakers:
groundrules
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if you're trying to add a turntable to an existing setup, be aware of the difference between output/eq from an old style turn table versus other components (like CD players, etc.) There's a reason old receivers had a "PHONO IN" and "AUX IN". Auxiliary input is for regular line-level, which almost every other component in the world outputs. But turntables are different and either need to be connected to a receiver that is expecting input from a turn table through a dedicated input, or they need to be run through a preamp.
** The budget solution to this is to get a turntable that has the option to output either line level or traditional phono output. This is the route that I chose. I'm not a radical audiophile, but this has worked just fine for me and my bookshelf style system. I can't remember, but I think I got something like an
Audio Technica AT-PL50, discontinued but available for around ~$100.
You could also just go to target and get one of those USB turntables, but there a are lot of reasons I'd avoid that route. they're kinda shitty.
groundrules
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cheap said:
the Uhaul outlet in Hilliard behind Tim Horton's is also an Ebay seller that sells vintage stereo equipment.
he has turntables and stereo components all over the place.
along those lines, there's Needle In a Haystack on Lane Ave, across from half price books. that place is 100% old school.
the_linotypist
Olde North Columbus
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I bought a Crosley turntable at Target 2-3 years ago. It looked exactly like their model from the late 1940s, except for the fact it had a CD deck, a USB port, and a cassette deck. The sound quality is excellent, and Crosley is conscientious about repairs. (This month, it stopped playing CDs. I sent it to their Louisville facility, along with a check for $19.95. Less than a week later, a brand new model arrived at my doorstep.)
awd86ed
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http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Crosley+-+Traveler+Belt-Driven+Turntable+-+Black/9678284.p?id=1218145439188&skuId=9678284&st=crosley turn table&cp=1&lp=9
I bought this crosley about a year ago. I love it. It's around $100. The speakers are built in and they have a pretty good sound. I can run it through my labtop and convert to mp3s also. I like the mobility of it so I can take it to friends.
jmak
Gahanna
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For record questions I always steer people to this site:
http://www.recordcollectorsguild.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PNphpBB2&file=index
the people there are very friendly and knowledgeable. A great site for record geeks like me as well as newbies with the occasional question.
FSonicSmith
Columbus-downtown for work, East for the residence
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I am very much into vinyl. You know your daughter. If you think this will be flirting thing, go the el cheapo route. But if you think she will stay with it and take the system with her to college, etc. I would go an entirely different route.
Find a used vintage turntable like a Technics 1200, any Dual, any Rega, any Thorens or Denon (and there are tons out there-try audiogon.com) and then you need a vintage receiver (Sansui, Marantz, Pioneer) that has a built in phono stage. They are easy to spot-they have jacks in the back that say "phono in" like someone posted above. Last, you just need any set of bookshelf speakers and you can buy used or new (new Mordaunt Short or Epos or B&W or KEF or NHT or Audioengine are all excellent at less than $200). Used good speakers can be found for the same price.
My most important advice-stay away from the Big Box stores-Best Buy, Staples, HH Gregg There is nothing of lasting quality there. If your daughter likes vinyl, the stuff I recommend above are capable of passing along some of the true vinyl character. A Crosley all in one box with a very crude tonearm and cartridge is not going to do that. If it were my son or daughter, I would buy a used vintage receiver and used set of bookshelf speakers and look for an old but clean Dual or Thorens table. You will likely need a new cartridge and look for an Ortofon 2M Red or Shure M97XE which can both be had for under $100. They are easy to install if you follow the directions and take your time. There is also a good shop in Clintonville-Audiowright across from the Baer Wheels bicycle shop-3500 block of North High (no connection other than previous customer one time). Good luck.
groundrules
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KSquared said:
@groundrules Do you have any recommendations for a receiver and speakers to go with it?
Not really, because I was buying a record player to match my existing system with no phono inputs. I needed something that would work with regular line-level input. I would say if you're starting from scratch, you're options are much greater- practically endless. If I were starting with nothing, I would probably buy a vintage receiver and turntable combo used. That Marantz that Snarf linked would be nicey, something along those lines. Vintage stuff is great for listening to music (you'd just have to add a CD player component if your kid is into that too), the only drawbacks with old stuff I see are a) unknown history and b) they're not good for re-purposing as a home theater system hooked to video, etc. like most modern receivers are.
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